News/views: Could Brady miss Steelers?

It's TOM BRADY!!!

No way he misses any games. 'Member——we be talking' 'bout N-freakin'-FL!

Goodells has no testicular fortitude.

None.

Normally I agree with you but not in this case. The Patriots have a pattern of behavior which all too often crosses the Rubicon of cheating.

never going to happen. Brady won't be suspended

I would be shocked if he or they get anything considering opening day would be his suspension and that's they're super bowl celebration.

Ha Ha...you had me at "If Goodell not only..."

Great reality check DK!

A very important thing to note: while, as you say, the report is full of "probables", the operative part is actually a footnote on Page 1 of the report:

"Under the Policy, the “standard of proof required to find that a violation of the competitive rules has occurred” is a “Preponderance of the Evidence,” meaning that “as a whole, the fact sought to be proved is more probable than not.”

It makes the Wells report an equivalent of a 12-0 "Guilty" verdict by the jury, and the only remaining issue is the extent of punishment.

I guess it will come down to whatever the NFL uses as its "burden of proof" in these non-criminal or player conduct situations. I find the use of the phrase "more probable than not" a purposeful inclusion so as to give the NFL a ton of latitude. From a legal perspective, "more probable than not" is the lowest burden of proof. It's ever so slightly a little more than coin flip odds.

All that being said, I can see the NFL saying there just wasn't enough evidence to justify suspensions, fines or loss of draft picks.

Im inclined to think the penalty will be significant for Brady and possibly the organization. Multiple games and draft picks and swift action at that. Isn't the integrity of the game on the line with this one?

He should be punished for it but, he won't be. That is a shame too, as it's just another thing the NFL will do to push me away. I love football. I love the Steelers. I don't care for the NFL.

It's all a fraternity - the buddy, buddy system. You take care of me and I will take care of you. Goodell and Kraft are probably on a family vacation together as I speak. Nothing will be done to Brady. No draft picks lost - thats why this report came out AFTER the draft. They will be fined - but who cares - the Patriots sure don't. What a joke........

I think Troy Vincent has call on discipline....but I'm sure he gets Goodell opinion.

No way he gets suspended. we are talking about the same commissioner that had the spygate tapes destroyed.

Unfortunately, I don't think there's a chance he's suspended, given the profile of the Opening Game.

That team gets more hateable by the day.

We need to keep in mind that it's amazing that any evidence came out. The Pats lawyers have kept the NFL from interviewing people, and Brady refused to turn over his own phone etc. The cheating was always clear, but now it is 100%. But I doubt we will see much for a 2nd major cheating scandal. I'd like to see Brady miss 6 games at least and the Pats lose a whole draft or two.

I sense a severe penalty by NFL standards. Brady will get a smack on the back of his hands. Kraft, the Pats and the cheating coach will get nothing. The ball boy will be fired.

Goddell is Kraft's lapdog. It's more likely that Goddell will suspend Harrison for the first game out of concern for Brady's health.

Brady to miss the NFL prime time kickoff? hahaha haha haha hahaha not happening

He sure as hell SHOULD be suspended and for multiple games if not at least half the season. This team was already found guilty of cheating once and now again.

If the NFL does not come down harshly on Brady and the Pats, it's message to kids and everyone else is clear...Cheaters win Super Bowls.

you continued before it subsided....just sayin

If you look at the punishment that New Orleans Saints players initially received for Bountygate (4 to 16 games), Brady has to be suspended by Goddell for at least a four-spot. The Pats lost a first-round pick in 2008 for Spygate, look for at least a 2nd rounder or two to be forfeited by the Pats for lack of administrative control.

Amazing how he was able to suspend Ben for six games without proof, though.

From the Boston Globe:
"■ Brady, who voluntarily spoke with investigators, denied any involvement and denied even knowing McNally’s name, his job title, or his pregame responsibilities. Jastremski disputed that, saying Brady in fact knew McNally and his role.

■ Brady refused to make his phone records, text messages, emails, or any other documents available for the investigation.

■ Jastremski’s phone records and text messages show that Brady spoke with Jastremski by phone six times in the three days following the AFC Championship after the two had not communicated for six months. The calls totaled about 55 minutes. Brady also checked in on him via text, “seemingly designed to calm Jastremski,” according to the report. Two of them read: “You good Jonny boy?” and “You doing good?”"

Will they ever quit cheating? I highly doubt it.

With Troy Vincent on the hook for the discipline, there's at least a chance. Goodell could at least invoke plausible deniability the next time he bumps into his buddy Kraft at a cocktail party.

They're the modern day Raiders.

More:
"McNally received on January 10, almost a week before the AFC Championship game, two footballs autographed by Brady, as well as a game-worn jersey autographed by Brady. Jastremski and Brady were both present when McNally received the items".
Despite this, and a record of phone calls etc. Brady claimed that he didn't even know McNally at all.

This just in, Roger Goddell, in a effort to show. he's tough on everyone has suspended Tom Brady for the October 4th game!

Well said and to the pointn

No chance it happens.

No chance it happens.

No chance it happens.

I think it would be newsworthy if there was a season that the Patriots were found to be not cheating.

Not going to happen. Can't suspend the darling of the NFL. Cheaters now and always!!!

And for those who think it doesn't matter:

He didn't cooperate with the investigation. Ergo, the burden-of-proof is on him, not the NFL. Suspension.

In other news, James Harrison was fined $15,000 for looking menacingly at an interview of Tom Brady that was aired on ESPN.

There are a couple of things working against Brady on this one:

1. He claimed to never have had contact with McNally.
2. he claimed to have no knowledge or involvement with tampering of footballs.

Both of these are lies.

And Goodell has already shown he hates lying more than anything else.

I think it's a real possibility that Brady will get a game or two.

More probable than not is equal to a preponderance of evidence in a civil suit.

But we all know they will get away with it again with a slap on the wrist.

Just another example of why I find it increasingly difficult to get excited about pro football.

Only because it was the AFCC... Pats will lose a middle rd draft pick & Mr Bündchen is getting 2 games off at least. My guess is 4 Games.

breath duly not held

FWIW, Vegas has pulled the NE-PIT game off of the board. Not that it means or indicates anything. I have no faith in the NFL

Next question: Could the Steelers beat a Brady-less Patriots team in an early season matchup? Maybe, maybe not.

Goodell imposes one game suspension but waits until after season opener to do so.

I thought God-All is no longer the Punisher, it goes to former teammate Troy Vincent. Am I incorrect? Still don't think he gets anything.

If he doesn't get 3 games then the NFL is a bigger garage league than the NHL....if a league doesn't have any integrity then all might as well be watching professional wrestling..

Ok...deep breath. They are not suspending Brady, Belicheat or anyone else.

Now they MIGHT strip a 2016 draft pick from them, which would have precedent (the Atlanta crowd noise situation).

But come on. Suspension? No way.]

If we are going to beat the Pats...we would need Rod Woodson and Carnell Lake to step on the field. In their prime. Not Cortez Allen and the misfits we have right now.

Every advertiser will be on Goodell to make sure the Brady - Ben matchup takes place as advertised, and sold to advertisers.

I have no idea who Brady's backup is, but I'm sure that there is not a single sponsor who wishes to find out that Thursday night.

Just read the executive summary of the investigation. Five things are clear:

1) Pats employees tampered with the balls to gain a competitive edge and with full knowledge it was against the rules;

2) Brady knew this was going on and, at least tacitly, approved;

3) Brady lied during otherwise the investigation and was uncooperative;

4) Pats' attorney is a sleazeball who tried to divert the investigation by suggesting NFL officials were out to get the Pats and suggesting that the "Tom" referred to by the ball-deflating employees in text messages was someone other than Tom Brady;

5) Bob Kraft's public statement about the investigation is disingenuous and sleazy in that he suggests the Colts' balls were similarly deflated relative to the Pats' balls. They weren't, and it's not even close.

The investigation should be read. I disagree with DK in that there are a lot of "probables." There is no question these squirrely ball-handlers deflated the balls (and not just for the Colts game) and later lied about. There is no question that Brady lied during the investigation and was uncooperative with investigators. There little question, in my opinion, that he directed the deflations. And if he didn't direct the deflations, he tacitly approved.

Bottom Line: Pats organization is scummy as hell, including their lawyer.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/fivethirtyeight-dissects-the-deflategate-report/
This article is good. They clearly show that not only did the Pats cheat, but that it had statistically proven advantages for them.

...OK I have tried to be nice. I've tried to support Roger through all of this cap these past couple years. When he was booed non stop during the draft I wrote to let it go. But this...this is his defining moment as the NFL commissioner. We cannot allow cheaters in the NFL. if Tom Brady is not suspended at least 1 game I will have lost all respect for Roger and lost much respect for the league.

The sentence will be for Giselle to watch the game(s) from the commish's box.

My serious comment: Ben was handed a 6-game suspension for a "no official charges filed, off-field situation. Yes, he was also a defendant in a civil law suit for similar off-field situation.

Deflate-gate is an on-field, direct breaking of the rules of the game. This is absolute and undeniable. It also directly involves the integrity of the game.

The only doubts are surrounding the use of word "probable" in the report.

The thing that Goodell should abide by is that if he saw Ben's actions which did not involve the integrity of the game nor breaking of the game's rules deserving of such a harsh punishment, then he has to apply similar thinking to what punishment to give Brady and the Pats.

I am not saying that Brady must be suspended for 6 games. What I am saying is that Goodell must sit Brady down for multiple games to send a message to both him and the rest of the league that such breaking of the rules will not be tolerated.

"Don't bet on it" is dead right. In situations such as this, the NFL starts to look liked the rigged WWE. We fans have to remember that's it all a business for the Park Ave suit crowd and for the billionaire 32 ownerships. From a business standpoint, they are the paymasters and we're the puppets. Just like every WWE pre-match promotion, the NFL needs a villain, and New England fits that role. There are Patriots fans and everyone else, who loathes them. This is great publicity build up to the opening Thursday nite, be/c Goodell will drag this out for maximum publicity benefit.

BOTTOM LINE: No suspension, and Goodell will sit in Kraft's owner's box.

...and the Wells report comes out less than 3 weeks after Brady disses the president. Coincidence???? (heh heh heh)

Wow, sounds like squeaky clean Tom might be in line for the next Lance Armstrong fall from grace.

The text string is so worth the read. Strong hate from McNally.

Goodell throwing the book at Kraft? I will believe it when I see it. They have cheated, had a guy on trial for murder, and Kraft continues to act like they are some holier than thou organization.

muy bueno dk!.....In honor of stinko-de-mayo!

The fact that this report was held up until after the draft positively REEKS of Goddells spineless reluctance to do anything already! Goddell would love to just sweep this under the rug if he could but the media bonfire on this wont let him. He'll be forced to do something but all it will be is a meaningless fine to Brady. At worst with a mid to late round pick lost next year to go with it.

To think that Kraft was out there in January demanding the league apologize to the Patriots! What a filthy scumbag.

I am a Steelers fan. Ben Roethelisberger received a 6 game ban for a non-football related incident, as heinous as it was, and was never charged.

OJ Simpson is in the Hall of Fame! And I have read that players are not scrutinized by their non-game related incidents or charges when on the ballot for the Hall of Fame, convicted multiple rapist Darren Sharper could one day be elected into the Hall. I feel there is enough evidence that Tom Brady should receive a substantial monetary penalty, multiple game suspension, and possible exclusion from being elected in the Hall of Fame. What was done was within the realm of football and lessens the integrity of the game. I give you Pete Rose as a perfect example of a great player that broke the MLB rules and is now punished for it.

If the NFL doesn't suspend Brady that's awful. It would be another example of how the NFL loves the Patriots for some odd reason and hates the Steelers. Plus if Brady and Blount are out for the Pats plus Bell being out for the Steelers, that would COMPLETELY change the game in a good way

I have downloaded the report and plan on reading it tonight. Based off of what has been reported I don't see how he can't be suspended. I don't believe the burden of proof here needs to be as high as a criminal beyond a reasonable doubt standard. I find it ludicrous to believe he wasn't involved and the texts that have been reported thus far make it far more "reasonable" to believe he is involved than not.

I don't say this as a Steelers fan looking for punishment just for punishment sake. I just have a difficult time understanding how the NFL (or any sports league can go nuts over PEDs and even off the field transgressions) while something that seems so cut and dried as gaining a competitive advantage in this scenario is pounding on the door and thr talking heads seem to think NFL shld be silent? To make matters worse he stood there and lied to everyone, and gave NFL the finger through the entire process.... I think Brady is arguably the GOAT QB. That said a suspension is in order.

He will play ; because of who he is and who he plays for- the untouchables!!!!!

The Patriots achieved their goal through cheating. Therefore, they should be stripped of their title. There is no other option. What message is being sent if they don't do that? As for Brady, if he was found guilty of doping he would face a suspension or be expelled completely. So it only goes to reason that he needs to be investigated and if found guilty, punished. He's a professional quarterback. He knows how a full ball feels in his hand. For him to argue that he noticed no difference is ludicrous at best.

I think Brady and The coach should be suspended as things like this has happened in the past.

Let him play .He has been saying for years that he likes a soft ball and nothing was ever said ,The ball didn't change the out come to the games played

they should put his cheating ass out of the NFL all together and be done with it.

As his team has been caught cheating once already, this should be treated as a second offense, the same as in the PED punishments.

This is NOT his 1st time caught cheating and yet he is still considered an icon and a good role model for the children of America! Is this truly what we want our children to see and be like?? YES lets have our kids grow up to be liars and cheats.

he should be suspended for the whole season!!!!

let him play so he can suffer what he has coming !!! tom for shame 2 u !!!

Haters gonna hate .. if this is the worst violation he has done then he should be celebrated. After all its not like he's raping woman or beating them. he's not killing his spouse or spraying his kids with bleach. You're talking about air pressure.Last thing I knew the pressure was perfect in the second half of the game in question which was dominated and in the Superbowl against a great defense, the same. So what exactly was so catastrophically wrong with adjusting it to his liking. Aaron Rodgers likes his over inflated .. should he be suspended too? Denver just circumnavigated the cap .. what should their punishment be? Miami spliced tapes with recorded sound to know what teams audibles were .. what ws their punishment? WRs with stickum on their hands, Offensive and Defensive linemen with substances on their jerseys ... what are their punishments? Tons of infractions happen all the time by ALL the teams. Like i said at the start .. if this is the worst thing Brady did then he's a good NFL citizen.

yes that cheater should get suspended for at least 8 games

I don't think Goodell has the moral fortitude to take on the Pats. Unfortunately he has a history of inconsistent standards, just ask the Steelers!

Why do the Cub Scouts show higher Integrity and harsher Penalties, if someone Cheats during a Pine Wood Derby, Than The NFL imposes on known Cheaters who supposedly are adults? I have no faith will do Bubkiss on enforcing Penalty on The Patriots! I wish this did not sound like a joke in need of a Punch Line, but the NFL is a Joke.

The NFL is a Joke! There is more chance of an appropriate Penalty for a 12 year old cheating in the Pine Wood Derby, than of Goodell penalizing The Patriots, with his bestest Buddy Kraft.

Pete Rose was barred from entry to MLB's Hall of Fame for gambling. I believe that Tom Brady and any other players and coaches involved in the "Deflate Gate" should be barred entry into the NFL's Hall of Fame. Their actions I feel are of a greater magnitude because not only did they effect the outcome of a game but demonstrated a lack of honor and good sportsmanship. These two (2) factors are a standard which must be considered and met when inducting anyone into such a prestigious shrine.

I don't care if he suspended or not, I would rather see the Steelers hopefully beat them with Brady....I hope it ruins their legacy - I guess I am a hater.

Tom Brady replied that De-flategate will not affect Super Bowl win. I personally think it should. The Patriots should be stripped of the title.