Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Eric Schroeder will face off on a hot topic in sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week. Lambert and Schroeder will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why you they are right.

This week’s topic: Running back star of the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Rice

From: ERIC SCHROEDER

After TMZ released a video of Rice punching his then-fiancé in an elevator, the NFL suspended Rice indefinitely. The league originally suspended Rice for two games prior to the release of the video. This leaves many questions and even more room for blame around the mishandling of the situation. But whom does the finger point to? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell? The owner and managers of the Ravens? Let’s talk about it…                           (Recap by sports editor Allison Mueller)

In my opinion, the league as a whole, especially Roger Goodell, needs to be held accountable.

As commissioner it is his job to keep things in order and ensure that these very public figures are setting good examples. It is not only important for the overall image of the league, but the fact that these players are extremely influential to the youth of our world today.

So, to see their favorite player no longer on the field and to understand generally why would actually be a really good thing in my mind. These are grown men, whether they think so or not, and they should be treated as such.

Now, I understand there are a lot of issues in regards to double jeopardy in the fact that the indefinite suspension and termination of his contract came after the initial ruling. It is in my opinion that this is absolutely the correct punishment, but at this point others need to be held accountable for this delay.

Goodell’s tenure as commissioner has been riddled with questionable decision-making, and this is what should be the last straw. I agree with ESPN analyst Keith Olbermann who calls for the resignation of prominent figures in this horrific situation. It is long past time we have a new commissioner at the head of the NFL who will not take issues of domestic violence lightly and will understand the importance of upholding a clean image for the league as a whole.

With that being said, Ray Rice has no place in this league ever again. Some may argue that Vick got a second chance, but I think that even that, while not correct, is a much lesser offense than the actions of Rice. Hopefully those responsible will realize their actions and take the appropriate action without having to be told to do so.

From: MATTHEW LAMBERT

I think a fitting way to show how enabling the Baltimore Ravens are is by comparing them to a couple of parents that have a bratty kid. The parents say the child would never do such a thing, and we support them, until the child gets into so much trouble, the parents finally have to admit they were wrong.

This is where the Ravens are now. Their kid got into a lot of trouble, and they can’t bail him out. The evidence was out in front of the Ravens. In fact, it was in front of everyone thanks to TMZ.

The Ravens made a choice about Rice to not suspend him or ask him to take a leave of absence to figure out his relationship with his wife. They left it up to the worst commissioner in all of sports, Roger Goodell, to make a decision, when the Ravens could’ve handed out their own suspension. They accepted the minuscule suspension and tried to bury the fact that something wasn’t right.

There was still a question looming in the air: what happened in the elevator?

You can argue the Ravens moved swiftly to terminate the contract of Rice, but did they? How did a gossip-tabloid website acquire this video, a full eight months after the first video was leaked? Did the NFL and Ravens know what happened in the elevator and chose not to act? Did they just want to sweep the mess under the carpet and hope mom doesn’t find it later?

All in all, our society goes around passing the blame from person to person, so my blame and my finger points to the Ravens. My finger points in the direction of the Ravens owner Stephen J. Bisciotti, president Richard W. Cass, general manager Ozzie Newson, senior vice president of football administration Pat Moriarty and head coach John Harbaugh.

You are enablers.

You should resign from your positions and admit you were wrong.

You are the parents.

Follow the Winonan on Twitter ( @Winonan ) and let us know what you think. Check out our tweet on this topic and either:

RETWEET if you agree with Eric

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FAVORITE if you agree with Matthew