Ask The Commish: Trash Talk Getting Out of Hand and IR Abuse

By Reginald James
Reginald James

Commish,

 

I picked up Josh Gordon and have him placed on IR. My commissioner said I can’t do that because Gordon isn’t on injured reserve. I know that, but we don’t have a rule saying I can’t. Everybody is all bent out of shape, but they’re just mad they didn’t think of it. He told me he would reverse the pick up if I didn’t. I get it, but the commissioner can’t force me to, can they? How is that right?

 

Oh boy. My short answer: you’re wrong. A part of me feels that you know this, but like a teenager, you’re going to push this just to see if you can get away with it, right? Are you a teenager? Your league mates are upset because, you’re wrong. Your commissioner has every right to reverse the move because, well, you’re wrong. Josh Gordon is not injured. Josh Gordon is not on IR. You literally said you knew this. You don’t get to cry foul because the commissioner is trying to get you to do the right thing. I’m not sure you’d think it was okay if someone else in your league did it. Why don’t you stop the nonsense, drop someone, and move Gordon to a regular spot if you want him so badly? If you don’t, I hope your commissioner will follow through on what he said and remove him from your roster.

 

Commish,

 

Some of the trash talk in our chat room is starting to get out of control. I never really participate myself, and I’m not the monitor or anything. It’s kind of like a free-for-all. Lately, there’s been physical threats about fighting going back and forth. I’m not sure if I should get involved as commissioner. It’s not like it’s an official part of our league, it existed before I joined the league. I also don’t know some of the guys personally. Advice?

 

You said you haven’t involved yourself in the “discussions.” I’d keep it that way. Remain the lurker if you feel like you want to monitor the situation. When did you join the league? The one thing you might want to do is try and get some background on the general history of the people who were there before you arrived. Is there someone in the league you could talk to, to see if this is something that goes on every year? Maybe they can give you some insight into the interpersonal dynamics of these guys and the league itself. Perhaps getting some league intel will make you feel better about what you’re reading. For example, maybe the chat room is the online version of them hanging out at the bar, where they talk a bunch of crap, make a bunch of noise but nothing ever comes of it. Maybe they act out in the same way when they hang out in person. Since you’re not really personally connected to these folks (I noticed you didn’t use the word “friend” to describe anyone), I would maintain your distance in regard to personally inserting yourself into the situation.

 

You can also make the choice to stop visiting the room, and reading the back and forth going on if it makes you nervous. You can’t unsee what you’ve already seen, but as long as they’re playing the game and not negatively affecting the league, or league play in any way, I’d steer clear and let them be.

 

Send your questions to The Commish: thecommishshow@outlook.com.