Patriots Accused Of Deflating Footballs

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Sometimes I don't understand the NFLPA (or any union probably)... Like, I understand it's their job to look out for the players and what not... but Tom Brady is a cheater. In the interest of every other player in the league, I feel like they should also take a stand against him.

 

I just hate unions.

 

I can only contribute to this point based on my personal interaction with the Broward County Teachers Union...which is the most incompetent group of individuals ever. Seriously. They give our federal government a run for their money.

 

So, yeah, I subscribe to the "unions suck" idea.

[Jayrus 51]

I'm of the opinion that it isn't the concept of Unions that suck. More the execution. Unions began as a way to defend the workers, and to force their employers to give them fair wages and proper hours and working conditions. Now it seems Unions exist to exist to screw over employers as much as possible whether warranted or not. It's no longer about what's fair for those involved, but rather how much the union can take. If the corporations don't give in they're evil monsters out to exploit people, and they get away with it because of the puplic perception that corporations are indeed evil. Few people ever see the Union as the 'bad guy' in a situation. However, when people like Brady, a millionaire celebrity, can go to their union and be aided and protected while under investigation for possible cheating, it really shows how far Unions have fallen into the very mindset they were created to fight.

Edited May 25, 2015 by Jayrus

[Vin+ 3,121]

ABROGATION DENIED

 

 

Commissioner Roger Goodell has declined to recuse himself from Tom Brady's appeal hearing.

"Because protecting the integrity of the game is the commissioner’s most important responsibility, I decline to rewrite our CBA to abrogate my authority and discretion to hear any appeal in a conduct detrimental proceeding," Goodell said. The NFLPA's request was always a long shot. Brady and Goodell will meet on June 23.

Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter

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A source tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that if Tom Brady says the same thing he did to Ted Wells, his four-game suspension will stand on appeal.

Brady's job at Tuesday's 9:30am appeal hearing is to convince Roger Goodell he isn't guilty. Proving the league's process is flawed won't help. One way to go down a different path than Brady did with Wells is to make his cell phone records available. Even if he does that, though, Goodell could very well deem it too late and deny the appeal. Brady will be testifying under oath.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

 

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

A league source tells Profootballtalk.com that Tom Brady "simply reiterated his denial" regarding involvement in or knowledge of deflating footballs during Tuesday's appeal with commissioner Roger Goodell, and "the answers were regarded by some in the room as not entirely credible."

Reports following Brady's meeting with Goodell indicated Tom Terrific gave an "A+ performance," but it seems league officials disagree. Brady reportedly attacked the Wells Report and stated he "didn't do anything wrong." PFT's Mike Florio -- a former attorney -- believes it is "unlikely" that Goodell will "fully exonerate" Brady, and may opt to uphold his four-game suspension.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

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A decision on Tom Brady's appeal is not expected until mid- or late-July.

Article 46 of the CBA requires a decision to be issued "as soon as practicable." As we've seen before in cases like this, it's going to take a while. The post-hearing briefs in the appeal aren't even due until late next week, and then Roger Goodell will digest them. If Brady's camp isn't happy with the ruling, he'll then challenge the NFL in court. PFT suggests that path could lead to Brady being under center in Week 1 against the Steelers as the case gets tied up in the courts.

Source: Fox Sports

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Commissioner Roger Goodell told CNBC on Thursday that his ruling on Tom Brady's appeal of his four-game suspension is "coming very soon."

Goodell suggested the decision could be handed down by as soon as next week. Previous reports indicated Goodell might not rule on Brady's appeal until mid or late July. It's now July 9, so next week would qualify as the middle of the month. From media reports, we haven't been able to glean a direction on where Goodell is leaning, but would dart-throw guess that Brady's four-week suspension gets reduced by at least one game.

Source: CNBC on Twitter

 

 

soon.jpg

[BradyFan81 404]

They will prob wait for NBA free agency to wind down and mlb to be in their break so this can completely dominate the news cycle. Day after the espy's is my guess.

[BLUE 1,026]

Per Rotoworld.com:

 

The Boston Globe expects Tom Brady to take an "all-or-nothing" approach to the appeal of his four-game suspension, taking the NFL to court if Roger Goodell does not eliminate the ban entirely.

In other words, Brady won't be satisfied with a one- or two-game reduction of his four-game ban. He wants the entire thing expunged, and is willing to go to court to ensure it happens. Turning 38 in two weeks, Brady is believed to be very concerned with his legacy, and views the suspension for ball deflation as a black mark on his resume. Brady met with Goodell 23 days ago to appeal his ban. Goodell has recently needed 5-6 weeks to hand down appeal rulings. The courts do have a history of overturning NFL discipline like Adrian Peterson this past February and Jonathan Vilma following the Bountygate scandal. Jul 15 - 8:22 PM

Source: Boston Globe

Edited July 16, 2015 by BLUE

[Vin+ 3,121]

His rep, and the rep of the Pats, is already tarnished whether or not the suspension is upheld.

[Piggly Wiggly 960]

His rep, and the rep of the Pats, is already tarnished whether or not the suspension is upheld.

Does having a good reputation help you win games? Asking for a friend.

[Vin+ 3,121]

Does having a bad rep help you win games?

 

Either way, that's neither here nor there.

[Thanatos 2,847]

If he goes to court, the entire thing is overturned. There's zero solid proof for a court to use.

[oochymp 2,393]

If he goes to court, the entire thing is overturned. There's zero solid proof for a court to use.

I would be shocked if it was overturned just because private arbitration is almost never overturned in courts, the question for the court isn't whether the court would take the same action given the same facts and evidence but whether the process comported with the previously agreed to process (in this case outlined in the CBA)

[Vin+ 3,121]

We're never gonna get a ruling on this.

 

 

 

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday there is no timeline to render a decision on Tom Brady's appeal.

"We are focused on it," Goodell said. "We are obviously being very thorough and want to make sure we consider all aspects of his appeal. We will make a decision as quickly as possible." Given training camps open across the league in the next seven days, we're expecting a decision to come by the end of this week at the latest. We're also expecting Brady to take the NFL to court is Goodell doesn't completely eliminate the four-game suspension.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[Sarge+ 3,436]

Really interested to see what comes out of this.

[Thanatos 2,847]

Goodell is trying to stall till the season starts in the hope that Brady will be too busy to try to take him to court over it. Buzz out of New England is anything short of a complete removal of the 4-game suspension will result in Brady taking the NFL to court.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

A source tells ESPN's Dan Graziano that Tom Brady made the NFL a settlement offer regarding his Deflategate suspension last week.

The offer was met with "silence," according to Graziano's source. That's because Brady is believed to be holding firm with his willingness to accept a fine but will not accept being suspended for any games. Commissioner Roger Goodell can't afford to look weak and reduce Brady's four-game ban -- he'll be far better off letting a federal court do that. Again, this mess will not end when Goodell finally rules on the appeal as Brady will almost certainly sue. Him being on the field Week 1 while the case is tied up in court remains in the range of outcomes.

Source: ESPN.com

 

 

 

 

A source tells PFT that settlement discussions have occurred in Tom Brady's appeal case.

Anytime a player appeals a suspension, a settlement is possible. It's not expected in this case, though, with so many eyes pressuring Roger Goodell to take a hard line. Even if Goodell believes a federal court will completely wipe out Brady's four-game ban, his PR team will tell him it's better to let someone else reduce the suspension than to look weak and do it himself. The Deflategate saga will be far from over, even once Goodell finally rules on the appeal.

Source: ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com

 

 

 

 

The Washington Post reports a settlement is unlikely in Tom Brady's appeal, and that league-wide support for his four-game ban is "considerable."

Mark Maske's report is via "people with knowledge of the sport’s inner workings." Instead of taking his medicine or negotiating a reduced ban, Brady appears hellbent on heading to court to get his punishment thrown out entirely. It's a fitting melodrama for a league that's been littered with them of late.

Source: Washington Post

[BLUE 1,026]

Per Rotoworld.com:

 

Speaking in a Friday radio interview, ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio said the Ravens and Colts are the "two most vocal" teams lobbying the league not to reduce Tom Brady's four-game suspension.

In other words, the Pats' most bitter rivals, and the two clubs they vanquished en route to Super Bowl XLIX. "(By reducing the suspension), you’re angering some of the hardcore owners out there," SalPal said. "(Those and others) in the AFC who believe the Patriots have gotten away with murder for years and have not been publicly punished properly." Commissioner Roger Goodell shouldn't consider the wishes of other teams when considering Brady's punishment, but that doesn't mean he won't. Jul 25 - 12:05 PM

Source: CSN New England

[Thanatos 2,847]

The Ravens are just mad because of that perfectly legal formation.

Edited July 25, 2015 by Thanatos19

[Sarge+ 3,436]

Suspension upheld.

 

Let the chaos commence.

[oochymp 2,393]

Tom Brady allegedly destroyed his phone at some point during this investigation, that could be what did him in, then again, depending on what was on that phone it might not have mattered

[Vin+ 3,121]

What a glorious day.

 

 

Bloomberg's Scott Soshnick reports the NFL has asked the U.S. District Court in Manhattan to "confirm" Tom Brady's four-game suspension.

In other words, they're suing Brady before he can sue them. Brady's 2014-15 decision to slightly under-inflate his footballs has resulted in an all-out war with the league. The SportsBusiness Journal's Daniel Kaplan speculates the league's suit is designed to get the matter out of judge David Doty's jurisdiction in Minnesota. Doty has often been a thorn in the NFL's side. Brady's case is looking a bit shaky amidst the revelation he intentionally destroyed his phone on the day of his meeting with investigator Ted Wells.

Source: Scott Soshnick on Twitter

[Thanatos 2,847]

The fact that he intentionally destroyed his phone is, shall we say, not good? I think that's basically admitting guilt here. That is a huge revelation, no idea how he expects to win a court case now.

Edited July 29, 2015 by Thanatos19

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

The fact that he intentionally destroyed his phone is, shall we say, not good? I think that's basically admitting guilt here. That is a huge revelation, no idea how he expects to win a court case now.

It's just a bit more damning than refusing to turn over ANY texts he felt were relevant during the investigation.