News/views: Brady suspended four games

Hip hip hooray, there will be dancing in the streets every where but the very north east area.

Pretty surprised by all that
Protecting the shield

The rest of the Patriots must have known the balls were being deflated as well -- the wide receivers and running backs handle footballs for a living and I'm sure are very good at distinguishing inflation levels. And if they knew, most everyone must have known. But pretend for a moment that Belichick didn't know, that he found out about this by reading the paper. Shouldn't Brady then be subject to enormous *team* discipline, since he just cost them 1 million dollars, two draft picks, himself for four games, and enormous amounts of public ridicule? They can't add team discipline though if everyone knew about it...

A side note is that deflated footballs would cause less fumbling. Sure enough, the Patriots are exceedingly good at not fumbling...you can look it up.

The inevitable appeal might cut the suspension, but I'm pretty sure the Steelers won't be facing him week one. This is pretty embarrasing for the league

As a life long patriots fan, I am hurt and insulted by everything that has happened. Classic case of full me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me. What am I going to do on Sunday afternoons now, spend time with my wife? I guess I need to find another team

Belichick and Brady have yet to win a Super Bowl without the word -gate in it.

Who'd a thunk it ??

Agree with the fine and loss of draft picks although 4 games seems steep for Brady punishment

The arrogance of Kraft at his SB presser, Belichek's faux rendition of Mr Science and Teflon Tom's refusal to cooperate came back, justifiably, to bite them in the hind quarters. Their Spygate record also contributed to the punishment. They got what they deserved. Kudos to the Commish and Troy Vincent! They got this one right! B

Dead on DK. As usual No different than Gaylord Perry's spitters or a corked bat.

Why hasn't anyone commented on the stupidity and potential invitation to cheat by letting each team have its own game balls for its offense? I must be missing something.

I'm happy about the news, but I wouldn't called Goodell a changed man. The NFL suffers if people think the games are fixed. Goodell is still protecting his bottom line above all else, and I don't know if I want to commend much him for that.

Lots of pressure on Steelers now. Not many figured they'd win on the road against Brady opening night, but now many will expect a win.

As a Browns fan I am angered...cuz my team clearly goes about things the wrong way.

The punishment for this incident on its own makes sense, but the problem is when you compare it to how the ball got dropped on the Rice case, how discipline is just carried out on a whim too often, and no one trusts Roger among the players (Steelers only team to vote against the CBA), then it just shows more of the hypocrisy across the league

I happen to be in Boston and I'm not gonna lie--enjoying watching the TV (and my brother-in-law) blow up at my sister's house.

I sure hope we are not being invaded or anything otherwise devastating because the media here in Chowda Town is all About poor poor Tom.

I'm just hoping it doesn't get cut to two games when Brady appeals.

Pretty harsh penalty in my opinion but if Goodell treats this kind of behavior equally across the board from now on its hard to argue

Don't be surprised though if Brady and his agent attempt to get an injunction against the suspension and try to get it to an arbitrator.

I remain puzzled that players can refuse to cooperate with investigations while employees. In every organization that I worked in, employees were required, as a condition of employment, to fully cooperate with investigations. Brady got 4 games by not sharing evidence that could have shown his active involvement in the cheating . Pretty good play on his part.

I feel stupid quoting Wikipedia but its definition of 'sportsmanship' is perhaps the best one and when the premiere sports league in the nation fails to live up to this this standard the game suffers. "'Sportsmanship is an aspiration or ethos that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a sense of fellowship with one's competitors.'" Brady/Pats violated this ethos and I wish Godell cared as much for his league as much as Mountain Landis did about his in his day.

Tuned in to Boston sports radio once the news broke... Their hosts had some interesting thoughts. The Patriots must have been terrified of what was in Brady's phone and what McNally might say in a follow-up interview in order to refuse to cooperate with the league's investigation. What else are they hiding?

Just think if Goodell came down this hard on the Cheatriots with "Spygate"............. this might not have even happened.

Fair punishment.
Bout time.

I'm guessing New Orleans fans think this punishment is light. The Saints got HAMMERED mostly for not cooperating with the league's investigation and for "lack of institutional control". Deflategate has both of those things.....I'd say Brady and Belicheat are getting off easy again.

Why were the Cheatriots not stripped of all three Lombardi trophies after Spygate? That was far more heinous and Goodell destroyed the evidence. Obviously, it was too agregious to release to the public. The Cheatriots should have been stripped last year's title and lost all 2016 draft picks. The whole franchise exudes total arrogance and no semblance of accountability.

Good. Should have been 8 though.

Wish it would have started out at 6 or 8 games so that when appealed it would be at least 4. Now it's likely this gets reduced to 2 games. Would be VERY surprised if it stays at 4 games.

*egregious

He got more than I thought he would.

Even if Brady gets only 2 games, losing that #1 pick in 2016 will hurt. The #4 in 2017 and the $1M, meh. Window dressing.

I think a few big problems developed over the past several days is that #1, they used TWO entirely different pressure meters which gave wildly different readings and #2, Walt Anderson "lost" the footballs for the first time in his 17 year officiating career. But the biggest one is Brady didn't give up his cell phone or records. That would have probably nailed him for a whole season.

So the NFL puts people on notice, competitive balance isn't shattered, and everyone is happy. Unless you are associated with the Patriots.

CHEATERS CHEAT ... not harsh enough .... REPEAT CHEATERS!

No disagreement here. Surprise, but no disagreement. Good for Roger.

In my opinion, this is a disgrace, he admitted guilt by not cooperating and al he got was 4 games which will be reduced to 2 games. The million dollar fine is like the average guy with a C note in his pocket. They should have lost a 1st & 2nd round pick in 2015 & 2016. They are laughing their asses off in New England right now, the effin scumbag should have gotten a year.

I'm obviously happy that he'll miss week 1 next season but I have to wonder if this punishment goes far enough - really, where is the disincentive to do this again? Hey guys, your QB will miss four games and you'll lose a million bucks and a couple of picks (that you barely worry about at the best of times anyway), but you'll get to win a SuperBowl, sound good?

Not that I ever expected the NFL to take a title off them, of course.

If I were a Saints fan, I would be angry that the coach wasn't suspended a year. The NFL told Payton that ignorance wasn't an excuse, and with their history of cheating, Bill should have seen punishment as well!

Today Roger Goodell is my favorite major league sports' Commissioner.

Second offense, I think the punishment is a little light.

Harsh...yes, but BeliCHEAT should have been suspended, too. He's the man at the TOP of this obvious pattern of hornswoggling!

If the NFL is going to make itself into a legal system, I think they should set up a gradation of offenses. For example, misdemeanors might include letting 1.5 ounces of air from the balls, while felonies, might include putting a bounty on opposing players.

Lesser offenses, such as wife beating, of course, won't count for much. Assault, murder, etc. are left to the real legal system.

Sorry. I just don't think this is enough of a penalty. This is an organizational problem. They have been proven on at least two occasions to have broken competitive advantage rules. I remember in 2004 when the Steelers said after the AFC Championship game that it was like the Patriots knew what plays they were going to run. In my opinion, this has been going on in New England for years. Once a cheater, always a cheater. I'd just love to know what other rules they've broken that haven't come to light.

DK, for anyone to believe Tom Brady had no culpability in this scandal they must be simply blind to the perceived facts and evidence which was presented. Further, to think a clubhouse attendant and equipment staff person would arbitrarily make such precise alterations without direction, not to mention being found out by an "innocent" quarterback that his business tool has been noticeably manipulated, in simply unrealistic.

IMO, what made matters worse is the refusal of Mr. Brady to turn over any records which could have exonerated him, or at least shed another view of what could have happened. By doing this he forced Mr. Wells' hand to logical conclusion based on the available facts which were presented and seized. Of course, the entire situation was likely exacerbated by the Patriots history.

I have to say, to not hold the head coach in some form of culpability is odd to me. Especially predicated upon situations such as New Orleans bounty gate, which could have been found to be occurring in likely all clubhouses.

He will probably appeal and a reduction to 2 games is my prediction. This will change the manner in which Brady responds to press, league functions, etc.

As a Steelers fan it amazes me how hypocritical every single one of my fellow fans sound on here. What do you call Tomlin putting his leg on the field? Sanders grabbing his leg for an extra time out? What about Cower admitting that every team films other teams plays? I'll give you a hint, it's called CHEATING. Don't get butt hurt just because another team can do it better.

I live in Western PA and I disagree with the NFL's one-team witch hunt. Will they be investigating the rest of the teams to make sure New England is the only team doing this? What about Ben and those two 500+ yard games? Were Steelers representatives on the commmittee and if so, how much influence did the Rooneys and their presence on the competition committee have to do with the sanctions levied against their week 1 opponent? I guess this is all Brady's fault for throwing an interception to a bunch sore losers. If it's a real crime then games should be forfeited and perhaps a championship vacated.

It'll end up being 2 games. Mark it down.

Waiting for the appeal that miraculously isn't decided until 9/14/15 so that opening night isn't affected.

Never

The sad thing about this is that the Patriots will still win their division. If the NFL were serious about punishing them, they'd put them in a competitive division for once.

I can't condone cheating, but I could understand a lousy team in desperate straits doing it. Why the hell would you do it when you're one of the best? That really speaks to character, or lack thereof. Glad they got nailed.

I'm glad some sort of punishment was given out. It really had to be done. I would love to see more penalties given out to all around to bring the game back to more respectable levels.

So Bob Kraft has released a statement complaining about the overly harsh punishment. Think about that a minute. I haven't laughed this hard in years.

Brady is doubling down.

He has sent his agent out to the press to rip the league, saying the NFL has a poor record of making disciplinary decisions, and mocking Goodell because "a former federal judge has found [Goodell] ... abused his discretion in the past."

Yee also took shots at Ted Wells, saying Wells' report was "a frail exercise ... in logic." Yee ripped Wells even though just days ago Yee was telling everyone what a fair guy he was and that he was just doing his job.

This should dispel an myths that Brady is hyper-competitive but otherwise a "nice guy." He's going scorched earth and he doesn't seem to mind if he cuts into the reputation of Ted Wells or the league that's helped make him a multi-millionaire and a trans-global celebrity.

Too little too late. They already won the super bowl and got their money

I actually think the penalty was way excessive and over the top. The league could have EASILY prevented all of this after the Colts tattled on the Patriots, but they didn't.

Gotta love John Oliver's comment on his HBO show. Oliver said something along the lines that Brady was throwing around the equivalent of a floppy leather purse.

I disagree strongly. This is akin to suspending a pitcher 40
Games for pine tar or for scuffing the ball. A game, 1/16 of his season and pay, would have been enough in my view.

Gaylord Perry is in the Hall of Fame- and was roundly cheered- for his cheating antics 30-40 years ago. The line between what he did and what the Pats did here is razor-thin.

The line from Vegas on the opening matchup of Steelers and Pats went from 6 all the way down to 1. Steelers may actually be favored by game time. I'm sure Bellicheat will have something up his sleeve for us.

I must say the punishment is pretty harsh especially considering who is involved. It still does not compare to what Goodell did to Ben a few years back. (Keep in mind the on-field vs. off-field difference of the two.)

The fascinating question is: what subtle rules violation will the Patriots commit next? When balanced against super bowl wins, no penalty is going to restrain the Patriots' culture of cheating which has been exemplified by Spygate and Deflategate. Other teams have already tried the audience noise amplification gambit, as well as helmet communications interference. There must be some new and underhanded technique which the Patriots are developing, in order to continue to pursue an unfair competitive advantage. The Patriots must have Boris Badunov on the payroll.

We'll see if he appeals and if the sanctions stick!

I see this as the beginning of the end of Brady with the Pats, felt that way since it started

I think what got Brady in so much trouble was the way he responded to questions about it. He was involved, got caught, and pulled a Nixon. Not to get political, I voted for the guy, twice ;-)

Now will the league do the next logical thing and take away from the home team any control of the footballs

Has Brady's Dad commented yet?

Somebody should poke Wes Welker for some info.....no love list there between he & patriots!

The easiest solution, which someone stated below, is the NFL supplies and controls the footballs

In related news, the NFL is sanctioning the Giants for using sneakers in the second half of the 1934 NFL Championship Game.

Heard they are the first team to lose a first round draft pick, actually two if you count spygate, since 1980.

Yo DK can you unblock me on Twitter. I really didn't think you'd take my rossi jab at you so seriously!

The quote that gets me, is an answer to Are you a cheater? I don't think so... Huh?

Anybody besides me expecting this to be reduced to one or two games on appeal?

The NFL doesn't give a damn about the integrity of the game. They proved that when they burned the Spygate tapes. They have two players who gambled on NFL games in the HOF.

DK,

Are they going to change the rule about each team suppling their own balls?

This Morning, here I sit Happy but with Egg all over my Face. Never thought Goodell would do the right thing; in this case I have to give him props.

Since all of confirmed cheater Tom Brady's accomplishments are forever tainted, he will, from this day forth, always be known as "The Taint!"

Just think Brady with all the extra time on your hands now how much more cliff diving you can now do.......

:)

Just like PSU and the Paterno crowd, now we have all the Brady supporters going crazy.

Surprised it was four games. Gonna honestly admit that I think 2 is more appropriate. Trying to be unbiased and apply what I think would be appropriate IF this were the Steelers and Ben ...... A lot of talking heads are blathering about now this rule is "dumb" and it doesn't give Pats competitive advantage and how Brady did well with properly inflated balls.....all of that is missing the point. Rules are rules and I gotta believe the severity of this punishment is 90% on the behavior AFTER the violation...: reckless statements and lying to investigators. Coverup worse than the offense.

Steelers still won't win. Pats have Belichek, we have the great orator.

Don Yee, Brady's agent; is embarrassing himself with his comments. First of all he is referring to things like "beyond a reasonable doubt" which is for CRIMES and does not apply to civil lawsuits and most certainly for eMPLOYERS disciplining employees for breaking rules. Oh and at least in my company you need to answer all questions and cooperate fully in any investigation or you are terminated. No exceptions. Brady not cooperating in investigation is a big part of this discipline. No doubt about it.

solution: let the quarterbacks for each team inflate the balls however they want. If Brady wants to play with a completely flat ball, let him.

Obviously...

The super bowl trophy should be taken away.ex-Lance Armstrong.

It' zoo time, has anybody remembered that a zebra touches the ball of every play of every game and senior crews get picked for playoffs. Not one word from them anywhere. And so you don't think I'm a Patriots fan, I'm a died in the wool Steeler fan who has been to every playoff game since and including the immaculate reception game