MattM

Par for the course for Florio. He looks for any pro-Pats* point in anything related to Deflategate, which is kind of odd since he was fairly evenhanded and rational on it until mid-May, when a switch seemed to be flipped and he went all-in on the Cheats*. It's almost like someone "talked to him" around that time....

Wasn't he also from Utica or Binghamton originally, too? I seem to recall that when he was a Buckeye. And yet another example of what I like to call "big man with a gun" syndrome. SMDH....

Totally agree. The Times also posted a rebuttal to the League's response this morning in which they basically say either "not true" or "the League put words in our mouth we never said". Pretty cut and dried stuff. To those paying attention, the League is not looking good here.

The tobacco arguments from the Times seem weak to me, but the other stuff seems a bit more convincing to me, even after reading the League's denial....

In the investment world, we call this strategy "spray and pray"....

To answer your first question, no, he's not serious--in fact, Mr. G (or whoever plays him here) should win an Internet Oscar for his brilliant performance art portrayal of the League's "Corp speak"....

The NYT has a very lengthy front page story alleging that (a) the League-mandated studies of head injuries were faulty (and probably intentionally so--for ex., some teams (including Jerrah's 'Boys during the Aikman years no less) didn't report in their concussions) and (b) the League took a tobacco industry approach to the issue by hiring several lawyers and lobbyists who had tobacco experience. Jerrah was not speaking in a vacuum yesterday--he knew this was coming..... http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/sports/football/nfl-concussion-research-tobacco.html?_r=0

Correct, but much like Berman tipped his hand by his questioning (including his views on the underlying investigation) two of the three appellate judges may have as well, including statements from Denny Chin indicating that he believed the Commissioner had more than enough evidence and power to suspend Brady over the phone issue alone if I recall his comment correctly (which I may not--too lazy to Google it).

High--kind of like a bunch of us knew they'd open with the Steelers as soon as we heard that Bell had been suspended for two games (helped further when Bryant later was tagged for the first four).

John--Judge Berman's ruling was on a very narrow issue--whether the NFL under the CBA had the power to sanction Brady by suspending him--and did not rule on the merits as to whether Brady actually did anything here. He simply found that the League had no authority because the CBA did not go into enough detail to say you could be suspended for deflating balls (which the League said was in fact covered unde other more general provisions). As I pointed out at the time (and it looks like at least 2 of the 3 appellate judges may agree with me) that's really a ridiculous line of reasoning, since the alternative is a 5000 page CBA going into what the punishment could be for every picayune eventuality. We'll see in the next few weeks, but my strong suspicion is that Tommy Boy* better get ready to ride some pine to start the season. The Pats*, in redoing Brafy's-* deal the way they did, seem to be preparing for that, too.

Very sad story to read for all of us who loved watching him play. In terms of your question, I personally liken this issue to where smoking was in the mid-60's when there were suspicions without too much scientific proof. That proof is now starting to come in on the impact of playing football as a career. I don't think it's that fair to judge folks like Daryl who didn't have all the information at hand to make an informed decision back then and, even if they did, I'm not sure that they (or any of us, frankly, were we in their shoes) at the indestructible and not fully formed adult age of 22 or so would make a long-term safer choice. One never knows, however, as folks like Chris Borland and his early retirement point out. God bless the Talley family.

He's kind of their Kujo. He's a better player than Kujo, but like Kujo's nowhere near a 41st player selected player, he's nowhere near a top 10 draft pick player.

What was the comp? Swapping picks sounds like NE* may have even gotten picks back. Salary dump?

Might have something to do with Rodney's "special training regimen" upon joining the Pats*--anyone else remember how that got him 4 games off?

I think they may also be able to appeal to the 2d Circuit "en banc" (i.e., all 2d Corcuit judges sitting together to decide) before the SC step. Sounds like it's up to the 2d Circuit to take it en banc--there's no automatic right to that. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/En_banc

We'll see, John. I expect Berman to be overturned, as I have from the beginning (I'm a lawyer, but not a labor lawyer or litigator.). Otherwise, the CBA will need to be 1,000 pages long to cover every possible eventuality. At some point, rationality and reason (versus hyper technicality--as one of the judges apparently called Kessler's argument) needs to take over. That would be too bad about your not posting in solidarity, as you do add some good and interesting thoughts here.

As they should be--based on the 2d Circuit's comments, justice is about to be served. Better late than never, I guess....

That's the nature of the modern (read "salary capped") NFL--teams will almost always have weaknesses. Drafting well helps and hopefully allows your strengths to mask your weaknesses....

If true, and he doesn't count, how the heck did they get 4 picks (again--seems like every year they get more than they should)?

Didn't they have an option on Revis that they declined? If so, shouldn't he not count then?

I agree with much of this. On the last point about knowing our schemes, I suspect that Roman at least may be smart enough to understand that and counter a bit.

You're also forgetting a hopefully big 2d year step up from guys like Darby (to truly elite level), Miller, K. Williams and O'Leary.That plus familiarity with the schemes and, as you note, TT having more experience, are the reasons for potential optimism. That said, they need to pick up several (2-3) starters in this draft to fill big needs at RT, DE and LB. Personally, I'd like to see them take a DE or edge rushing LB in the 1st, RT in the second, LB in the third and BPA thereafter to fill depth at WR, S, CB and DL. Those comp picks may help there. It would be great if we could fill at least one hole in FA, but absent the long-term signing of G or G, I don't see it.

I'd pay him to leave--responsible for more boneheaded penalties than just about anyone on the team not named "Jerry Hughes" (but at least Jerry makes plays to make up for them).

I thought it was kind of cruel, too--my wife couldn't believe they'd do that....

That one song that every kid of a certain era would hum over and over again to himself in his mind playing football games in his yard with his friends. I kid--I think they had 5 or 6 of a similar variety, but boy was that an awesome idea putting the games slow mo to stirring semi-martial music. RIP, good sir....