WhitewalkerInPhilly

You know, the longer this goes, I think this kills Brady in the court of public opinion. No where will his suit undo that he was found to have cheater, and each sleazy spin makes him more unlikable. Brady having slightly decreasing the air in the balls does not reall diminish his legacy. Stamping around like a child having a temper tantrum while clumsy coverup after clumsy coverup and silly excuse comes to light does.

I am Jack's utter lack of surprise. From what I've read, the NFL's premptively filing suit, I think that the PA will file in Minny, but unless they really pull something out of their ass the NFL has home field advantage.

Yeah. I remember thinking "They must either be trying to get Brady to agree to something so it all goes away or be making the ruling as bulletproof as possible." Now it looks like both were happening.

I always think back to Hackett's first game on the sideline, EJ's first win against the Jets. The best EJ Manuel has ever looked was on a pair of almost perfectly thrown balls down the sideline for a big gain and touchdown back to back. I remember Hackett talking about how he felt the energy in the Stadium and saw Rex daring him to try to beat the Jets deep. I have a hard time reconciling that with the play calling I saw last year.

It would make sense. It wouldn't shock me if the NFLPA refused to press how much of a long shot this would be for Brady, just to get another crack in on Goddell.

If he gets the four games this year I'd say no. The body of work is too good. However, I've heard a strategy floated by some Pats* fans that Brady should get the injunction and ride out the year, and the retire as a big "eff you!" To Goddell. If he does that, I can't imagine him being first ballot.

I saw that and couldn't believe it. He is pretty much confirming every dark whisper of cronyism he's been accused of. How does a reasonable person expect that accepting a punishment, and then firing two accused conspirators make it any easier to exonerate the third. Maybe for leniency (which it looks like Goddell made every effort to give), but expecting anything else is attempted bribery.

Well look at how many of us, at least at first, reacted to the Kromer incident (myself included). The difference being that as we find out more, we change our mind.

Quick hypothetical: After the first ruling comes down and Brady gives a non-apology that goes something like this:"I disagree with the commissioner's decision. I know what really happened and what I did and didn't do. Nonetheless for the good of my organization, and of the league and for the sport I will not be appealing the decision." Then, a few months later Hardy's punishment gets knocked down to four games. How differently does the media spin track?

"I'm just here so I don't get fined...wait...I'm being told I'm still being fined."

Jesus... For one, Goddell *can't* because an appeal can never increase the penalty and it definitely falls under the initial reason for punishment. Second, the guy has been stumping for Brady the whole time. Jeez Louise.

Look, I'm typically pro-Union, but if it unacceptable the players had every right to strike. But they didn't.

I won't be. Look, I'm not saying that it's a good thing that Goddell has so much authority is discipline cases. In fact, I'd argue that the past year or so has shown why he shouldn't. But the NFLPA handed that over to him in the CBA. They did it as a concession for more money, which raises all ships of the players they advocate for. They should rigorously fight to change it next time, but they absolutely gave him the power to conduct the proceedings as he had.

I know. I actually agree with Pats fans that the punishment is ridiculously stiff for the initial offense. He could have said "no comment". But seriously, he has to think we're all idiots.

This what I like to harp on to Brady apologists: had he just been honest and forthright about the phone, and provided whatever he did for the appeal it would have looked sketchy as hell but the NFL could have swept it under the rug. This way...it's an obvious coverup.

Well yeah, he will...Week 6 for the Colts. Even the worse case scenario should have Brady as primary. Even if they lose all four games without him (unlikely since one is against the Jags) 10-6 and the playoffs is highly likely and then it won't matter.

It would be the ultimate Billsy moment. And now it looks like he'd get more and potentially a worse time.

I just watched Polian on ESPN. From what he said: A) Goddell's writeup of is the disciplinary section of his appeal denial was well crafted and seems rather convincing. B) It looks rather difficult that an injunction would be obtained. C) Federal judges really don't like to contest binding arbitration. If people constantly break binding arbitration, what is the point of binding arbitration?

I honestly don't think so. I am watching Schefter on ESPN 2 and he said he heard that a one game settlement as a possibility if he just admitted some culpability. NOOOOOOOOPE.

Hey I just was thrilled by one subheading: "The unlikely injunction" If Brady doesn't get an injunction, I really doubt that court proceedings are finished by Week 2.

It's actually pretty well balanced and shows the arguments Brady would use. It also includes the league's trump card: "we absolutely have the right. You union boys saw to that when you negotiated last time. In fact, you don't even need a "fair" arbiter for your appeal, since it's explicitly mentioned elsewhere and not here. You let Rodger be judge jury and executioner because you wanted a little more money. Buh bye!"

I have to assume the wait was to see if he could pass a physical before camp. Otherwise they'd still be on the hook for the rest of the guaranteed money.

Unbelievable. One game. One game. He would have come back rested for the Bills and made another championship run. Goddell bent over backwards trying to make it go smooth.

The best part of this is that it's all self inflicted. Brady chose to cheat. He got caught because he threw an interception. Rather than copping to it and taking a small fine, he made a stink. Because he made a stink, they started the investigation. Because of the investigation he started a cover up and tried to silence witnesses. Because of the cover up he gets hit with a punishment way put of line of the actual crime, and his reputation takes a worse hit than had he just gotten it over with.

Well they are, but can you imagine the outcry after all this evidence of guilt that Brady doesn't serve a suspension because he doesn't like the union rules that the NFLPA agreed to? I'll go ballistic if that happens.