Brady suspended four games, Pats fined and docked two draft picks (Mega Merge)

[HtownColt]

Remember how the NFL was supposedly soft on NE and Goddell was friends with the owner?

Not so...according to this.

Troy Vincent was over this decision not Goodell

[oldunclemark]

that's just not what I said...at all.

 

that's just not what I said...at all.

Then I misunderstood you....

[dw49]

I had the suspension right, but I never guessed draft picks.  I though $500,000 was max, but ther must be another clause that allow 1 million. Never guessed that!

 

 

I had stated the same 2-4 games. Will end up 2..

[ÅÐØNϧ 1]

Its just not the job of an NFL cioach to check the footballs befor ethe game or to make sure they are correctly inflated...

You can think so if you want..and you can be upset with me./.....but the investigation cleared belichik...

 

It is out of the realm of possibility in my opinion

 

Ignorance is no excuse ask Sean Peyton .

[ricker182]

“As you know, we regard violations of competitive rules as significant and deserving of a strong sanction, both to punish the actual violation and to deter misconduct in the future. In this case, the footballs were intentionally deflated in an effort to provide a competitive advantage to Tom Brady after having been certified by the game officials as being in compliance with the playing rules. While we cannot be certain when the activity began, the evidence suggests that January 18th was not the first and only occasion when this occurred, particularly in light of the evidence referring to deflation of footballs going back to before the beginning of the 2014 season."  

 

This is significant. They think it happened way before the AFCCG.

[Jason_]

Then I misunderstood you....

 

yes you did....badly

[jvan1973]

You can make that arguement........that's a good point

But an NFL head coach doesnt deal with the footballs....the quarterback does..

the investigation cleared Belichik.. So I praise the investigation and the penalty on its face and I dont think they were wrong on Belichik

I've never had a discussion with an NFL head coach or GM. But he is the boss and his player and equipment guys cheated. Lack of institutional control falls on him

[Girlzarefanstoo]

Super Bowl XLIX Champions*

Actually it should read

*S*u*p*e*r*  *B*o*w*l*  X*L*I*X*  C*h*a*m*p*i*o*n*s*

[oldunclemark]

Troy Vincent was over this decision not Goodell

I dont think we can seperate them.... HTC...   Goddell certainly approved this

 

Everyone bames Goddell when they feel the penalty is wrong...

[Nadine]

fair punishment need to show that you can't break the rules and get away with it don't understand how people say it's harsh

I guess.  I was seething mad at the time but I cannot sustain that level of anger.

I underestimated the NFL.  They were MAD

[PrincetonTiger]

As I have said before the suspension could be a blessing in disguise

[oldunclemark]

Most of the NFL world is going to applaud this....for days

[ColtsBlueFL]

There's an appeal, and there will be lawyers. Vilma didn't miss any games.

 

Yes, but NFL couldn't prove Vilma and the gang 'intended to hurt' players while collecting bounties.  This time, preponderance of evidence (even against the obstruction of the investigation) says there was intentional conduct detrimental to the integrity of the game.  It will be hard for the defense to prove it didn't happen or it was {as AM says} lighthearted gamesmanship. And Can they go to the courts, or are they bound to arbitration?  Still many questions.

[corgi]

Those two ball boys who were suspended should open up the floodgates and tell everything. No way in Hell would I take the fall for Tom Brady's lying, rich, Ugg wearing butt.

[corgi]

As I have said before the suspension could be a blessing in disguise

I agree, but don't say that. I want nothing good to come of this for NE.

[ÅÐØNϧ 1]

Where did am go .

[will426]

Ok, he's been suspended 4 games. We can all now move on with our lives and thank the random number generator for finally spitting out the number of games he would be suspended.

Noticed and I really could not care any less. He was going to return sooner or later.

Oh don't get me wrong I could care less too how many games he was suspended lol I'm just saying it has to be a ratings thing to see his return against the team who he was accused of cheating against

[Superman]

Yes, but NFL couldn't prove Vilma and the gang 'intended to hurt' players while collecting bounties.  This time, preponderance of evidence (even against the obstruction of the investigation) says there was intentional conduct detrimental to the integrity of the game.  It will be hard for the defense to prove it didn't happen or it was {as AM says} lighthearted gamesmanship. And Can they go to the courts, or are they bound to arbitration?  Still many questions.

 

I don't remember there being any doubt about wrongdoing with Bountygate, even in Tagliabue's ruling. Intent to injure wasn't the point; establishing a bounty whereby players were paid when they knocked an opposing player out of the game is against the rules. 

 

Lots of questions. We'll see what happens. 

[Nadine]

Reminder: Calling out fans by name will be considered baiting.  Don't do that

[PrincetonTiger]

I agree, but don't say that. I want nothing good to come of this for NE.

The coach coming out in me

[our_dbs_rock]

This just in.....Patriots unveil new logo!

[oldunclemark]

I've never had a discussion with an NFL head coach or GM. But he is the boss and his player and equipment guys cheated. Lack of institutional control falls on him

 

I have never had a discussion with an NFL coach either.

But Ive heard many who cover teams say on the air that an NFL head coach doesnt deal with footballs, helmets etc. pre=game...Just not his job.

 

I would argue that the lack of instuitutional control falls on the franchise as a whole..and the $1 mil fine and draft choice penalty covers that, to me.

Coaches arent fined for late hits or uniform violations, for example

[buffalo34]

Remember how the NFL was supposedly soft on NE and Goddell was friends with the owner?

 

Not so...according to this.

 

There's still a possibility the Golden Child's suspension gets cut....

[Girlzarefanstoo]

This is strong:

"From Troy Vincent's letter to Tom Brady:

"With respect to your particular involvement, the report established that there is substantial and credible evidence to conclude you were at least generally aware of the actions of the Patriots' employees involved in the deflation of the footballs and that it was unlikely that their actions were done without your knowledge. Moreover, the report documents your failure to cooperate fully and candidly with the investigation, including by refusing to produce any relevant electronic evidence (emails, texts, etc.), despite being offered extraordinary safeguards by the investigators to protect unrelated personal information, and by providing testimony that the report concludes was not plausible and contradicted by other evidence.

"Your actions as set forth in the report clearly constitute conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the game of professional football. The integrity of the game is of paramount importance to everyone in our league, and requires unshakable commitment to fairness and compliance with the playing rules. Each player, no matter how accomplished and otherwise respected, has an obligation to comply with the rules and must be held accountable for his actions when those rules are violated and the public's confidence in the game is called into question.' "

[Nadine]

Those two ball boys who were suspended should open up the floodgates and tell everything. No way in Hell would I take the fall for Tom Brady's lying, rich, Ugg wearing butt.

Those two are gong to have a hard time finding work, I imagine

[ÅÐØNϧ 1]

Reminder: Calling out fans by name will be considered baiting.  Don't do that

 

Okay

[MB-ColtsFan]

Yes, but NFL couldn't prove Vilma and the gang 'intended to hurt' players while collecting bounties.  This time, preponderance of evidence (even against the obstruction of the investigation) says there was intentional conduct detrimental to the integrity of the game.  It will be hard for the defense to prove it didn't happen or it was {as AM says} lighthearted gamesmanship. And Can they go to the courts, or are they bound to arbitration?  Still many questions.

In general I agree, but I don't see any way the Brady legal team can defend the lack of cooperation.  No way I can see that being reduced.

Now, how many games or what fine was levied in liew of that...that has to be determined.

(NOTE: I haven't read any articles or broader NFL statements yet)

[jvan1973]

I have never had a discussion with an NFL coach either.

But Ive heard many who cover teams say on the air that an NFL head coach doesnt deal with footballs, helmets etc. pre=game...Just not his job.

I would argue that the lack of instuitutional control falls on the franchise as a whole..and the $1 mil fine and draft choice penalty covers that, to me.

Coaches arent fined for late hits or uniform violations, for example

Mickey loomis and Sean Payton were suspended

[PrincetonTiger]

Those two are gong to have a hard time finding work, I imagine

How soon before they begin work on the Tell-All Book

[-JJ-]

Agree JJ and btw ... you are about the only Pat guy that didn't get into the bad water...

lol- you noticed ;)   that was my first comment on the whole thing. I was just waiting for the report. It is what it is ;)

[our_dbs_rock]

Those two are gong to have a hard time finding work, I imagine

Some news organization will pay them nicely for their side, unless there is some NDA.

[ÅÐØNϧ 1]

Those two are gong to have a hard time finding work, I imagine

 

Micky D's are always hiring .   I have faith they'll find something .

[LJpalmbeacher2]

So pending outcome of his appeal, his first scheduled game back will be against the Colts! The team that turned him in.

That Can't be a coincidence, can it?

[jvan1973]

Those two are gong to have a hard time finding work, I imagine

TMZ and deadspin will pay them handsomely for the exclusive interview

[HarryTheCat]

Not being familiar with such things, does Brady's suspension bar him from all team activities -- meetings, practice, etc., or is he just not allowed to play on Sunday?

[-JJ-]

How soon before they begin work on the Tell-All Book

Depends on what they really know whether its worth a book but if so- yeah $$$$$$$$ and they don't make much

[PrincetonTiger]

Some news organization will pay them nicely for their side, unless there is some NDA.

Agreed

[CanuckColt]

There's still a possibility the Golden Child's suspension gets cut....

Yeah...it will get reduced when the scumbag lawyers get involved...and because Kraft owns Goodell.

[MB-ColtsFan]

How soon before they begin work on the Tell-All Book

Pfft!  They're probably already on Chapter 3...

[ColtsBlueFL]

I had stated the same 2-4 games. Will end up 2..

 

This one is different.  PED use gets 4 games.  Competitive advantage.  Those aren't reduced...   Brady- competitive advantage. 4 games.  Where's the impetus to reduce it?