Deflategate penalties announced

Submitted by 1464 on

Wow.  My CBS app popped up with this -

Brady suspended 4 games.  Pats lose two draft picks, one a first rounder.  Pats also fined $1 million.

That's... heavy handed.

trustBlue

May 11th, 2015 at 6:35 PM ^

I'll be somewhat surprised if the suspension sticks. Even the Saints' players involved in Bountygate ultimately had the their suspension vacated.  

But as for the fine and loss of draft picks - that's probably going to happen.  It seems clear there is organizational culpability here. With the Pats being a serial offender, this wasn't going to end up being a slap on the wrist. 

Austin Blue

May 11th, 2015 at 6:56 PM ^

There is too much wiggle room in the legal standard "more likely than not" in regards to Brady knowing about Deflategate for a suspension - esp. 4 games - to stand.  I wouldn't be surprised if this gets knocked down to two games in a little while and then, after Brady's lawyers have a go at the front office (who supposedly had been fore-warned but didn't take any extra actions) the suspension will quietly go away.

The penalties agains the organiation though?  That's another story.  We know 1) the balls were at the proper inflation when tested by the refs before the game 2) the Patriots organization had control of the balls until 3) the balls were found to be under-inflated. 

The only team that could be culpable is the Pats.  As trustBlue pointed out - repeat offender . . .

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

May 12th, 2015 at 7:02 AM ^

Exactly.  IME it's not so much about deflating balls per se, it's the fact that it's not the first time the Patriots have been caught deliberately and obviously breaking rules.  They're a cheater organization and deserve no sympathy.  They're the Alabama of the NFL with maybe even more annoying fans and the only reason anyone here (besides actual Pats fans) puts forth an ounce of defense for them is Tom Brady.  I mean, there is a ridiculous amount of inconsistency in the general attitude that SEC teams should be nuked for their cheating ways while the Pats should get off easy because "everyone does it."

And Brady's suspension for me only rises to the level of outrage because of things like Ray Rice and the attempted two-gamer.  That said, having screwed that one up doesn't mean the league must always and forever come down lightly on any kind of punishment in the future.

AwlinBrutus

May 11th, 2015 at 6:09 PM ^

its ok to cheat a little,right? the patriots have a history of cheating. you don't think the NFL should protect the integrity of the game? shouldn't coaches and players cooperate with a league investigation?

In reply to by AwlinBrutus

gwkrlghl

May 11th, 2015 at 6:11 PM ^

I think the issue is that the NFL has never measured ball inflation of other teams (this is wholly stemmed from other teams accusations) and there's not even much proof that this affected the "integrity of the game". This is insanity. You'd think the Patriots covered up a murder

Gucci Mane

May 11th, 2015 at 6:26 PM ^

In the 2002 playoffs Patrick Roy had a stick blade that was extra large, and he was given a 2 minute penalty and nothing else. I agree they are similar offenses, yet the penalties are insanely different.

bluebyyou

May 11th, 2015 at 7:44 PM ^

There is cheating on virtually every single play....a hold that doesn't get called, a block in the back that doesn't get called, a DB impeding a WR, whatever.  It's about what you can get away with which makes this current item so much BS.

Honk if Ufer M…

May 11th, 2015 at 7:29 PM ^

This is disgusting as fuck! Aaron Rogers, Jeff blake and a lot of other guys have said that almost every qb has done this & it's been happening for decades. How dare they ignore that and make this ruling?

The garbage about a competitive advantage is a LIE as proven in the very game this stems from where he did nothing with deflated balls and steam rolled them with the regulation balls, but further, each fucking team is in charge of their own fucking balls and gets them HOW THEY WANT THEM! A rock is best for you? Make it a rock. A sponge is best for you? Make it sponge!

All these asshole commentators on tv who just refuse to acknowledge that this has been done by most qb's forever and paint Brady as a cheater and how this is fair should be smote! I know the NFL isn't the law, but this is drastically unequal enforcement under the rules rather than the law.

The comments by Blake and others have been covered on all the sports networks and shows at one point or another. They aboslutely know the context but they don't put it in that context as they call only Brady dishonest and a cheater! Pieces of shit!

Instead of all this bullshit they should've just changed the stupid rule. If they don't want skill players to play as well as they can play then go back to the old way of not letting teams doctor the balls at all, don't give them their own balls and make sure no one is cheating during the games by checking on the ball throughout the games. If they do want skill players playing their best then let each team have their own balls and let them do what they want with them including setting their own inflation level. Jesus...

 

Chadhenne123

May 11th, 2015 at 11:12 PM ^

I'm a pretty nice guy and don't toss this around a lot but you're a damn moron. If it isn't a big deal why did Brady lie to the NFL? Goodell hasn't been a great commish but he's finally laying down the law. You think because you're Tom Brady you can lie? Not anymore. Goodell won't take that cheating New England asterisk crap no more and I love it. Btw it's Rodgers!! Rodgers!!! As in the best goddamn qb Rodgers!!

Scarlatina

May 11th, 2015 at 11:15 PM ^

I don't get why everyone brings this up as a defense... Aaron Rodgers admitted to turning in balls that are close to or a little over the upper limits for the pre-game check by the refs with the hopes that they'll leave a few unchanged. Brady and the Patriots are being accused of doctoring the AFTER the pre-game check. That's not apples to apples imo.

coldnjl

May 11th, 2015 at 7:25 PM ^

I wonder what the NFL players association is going to say about this. Not only does this set a precident on punishment, but it also sets a precident on level of guilt necessary to give a punishment. 

And apparently, the NFL can punish you for not cooperating when you don't hand over your cell phone. THe police don't even have the right to simply go through your phone.

JWolve

May 11th, 2015 at 5:55 PM ^

This will go to an arbitrator, and I would bet the majority of this penalty gets reduced. Roger Goddell will look like an idiot, yet again, and the Pats will furhter Goddell's embarrassment by advancing in the playoffs and having a solid season.

JamieH

May 11th, 2015 at 6:14 PM ^

That has been his MO pretty much from day 1.  He's always been a terrible commissioner.  It's like he spins the LIFE wheel and just hands out a suspension based on where it stops.  No consistency, no justifications for anything, just heavy-handed bullshit.

 

People loved him at first because he was "cleaning up the NFL thug image" but he's really just a prick who thinks he's a lot smarter than he actually is. 

rob f

May 11th, 2015 at 8:08 PM ^

Considering the similarities:

People loved him at first...but he's really just a prick who thinks he's a lot smarter than he actually is.

So Goodell is 'DB Light' ?

JamieH

May 11th, 2015 at 9:23 PM ^

is that this type of personality seems to be unbelievably successful in the business world.  These types are usually really good at rallying sychophants and ass-kissers to their side and drumming out anyone who dares stand against them. 

No idea if Goodell is like that at all, but it was really obvious that was Brandon's MO.   Goodell may just be a dips****.

the_benjy_vortex

May 11th, 2015 at 5:59 PM ^

Love Brady. Feel bad he gets punished for something all qb's do. But, fuck the Patriots, hard.








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