ijohnb

July 15th, 2016 at 1:19 PM ^

choice.  He wasn't going to win, and as of right now, it won't even register on his career portfolio.  If it remained in the forefront in the news much longer, he was going to become "DeflateGate guy" first and foremost.

In reply to by ijohnb

74polSKA

July 15th, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^

He's losing a quarter of a season. That's a big deal when you are about 3-4 seasons away from having every career passing record there is and you are in your late 30's. I will go to my grave believing this was a way for Indy and the NFL to try to help Manning keep his records.

kevin holt

July 15th, 2016 at 1:30 PM ^

He kind of had to. The Supreme Court doesn't begin its term until October, and it would probably not hear his case for at LEAST a couple months into the term. The suspension will have been served by then. Not worth it. Even if he got the suspension stayed until they rule, that risks being suspended for more important games.

Hab

July 15th, 2016 at 2:19 PM ^

As soon as he lost in the Court of Appeals, the timing was against him.  Maybe he could have filed and had his petition denied before the end of the last term, but regardless, there is no way the Supreme Court takes this case.  You're spot on that his petition gets denied mid-season and he starts his 4-game ban as they gear up for a playoff run.  This decision was easy.

GoBlueNorth

July 15th, 2016 at 2:02 PM ^

That won't amount to much money.  Brady and the Pats revisited his contract and did some tweaking.  He was supposed to earn 9 million this year.  That has been deferred and he's only going to make 1 million.  Instead of losing 2.1 million for 4 games it's only going to cost him $235,000.  Goodell blows dead bears!!!

His Dudeness

July 15th, 2016 at 1:54 PM ^

This should never have been about a player breaking the rules. The ball is part of the field of play and the refs should have checked it before it was entered into the game. As they should every ball, every time.

This is more of a poor process by the NFL than any player "cheating." Any time a ball enters the field of play why wouldn't it be checked?

Not to mention suspending one player, for what clearly involved many people, is about as arbitrary a punishment as I've ever seen in sport.

This whole thing is just so odd to me.

His Dudeness

July 15th, 2016 at 3:31 PM ^

I thought somewhere in the beginning there was proof through texts from team assistants that they were deflating balls. So obviously even with the ideal gas law the balls were still being tampered with... Even still it's still not a player or team problem. It's an NFL/ref problem.

bluebyyou

July 15th, 2016 at 4:24 PM ^

There was never proof that the assistants were deflating balls.  The texts had a couple of possible interpretations.  The NFL attempted to make that allegation but their evidence was very suspect, ergo the claim "more likely than not." I never learned about that standard in law school.

The ideal gas law was the most salient piece of evidence that there was, and it was not used appropriately in the Wells report.

GoBlueNorth

July 15th, 2016 at 1:56 PM ^

Big victory for Goodell, but another big loss for the NFL and its image.  I hope that Brady comes back with a vengenance and understands that this is not a stain on his image or reputation.   Only the haters continue to believe that he actually cheated.  This became less about the allegation of underinflated footballs and more about  CBAs, arbitration and other labour issues.

I believe that  New England should fair well in it's first 4 games, taking at least two and possibly three.  In week five we see a healthy Brady come into play which will make a difference as the season goes on.  Brady will be much healthier in week 16 and the playoffs than his opponents having endured less of a beating.

I am not a New England fan but I do hope that Brady rocks and shoves this right up the asses of Goodell and many owners.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

July 15th, 2016 at 2:11 PM ^

Big victory for Goodell, but another big loss for the NFL and its image.

Outside of Michigan fans and Patriot fans, I think you'd be surprised how many people think the NFL is totally off its nut, and are rooting for them anyway. Such is the hatred for the Patriots and their fans who are widely perceived to be both insufferably smug and incessantly whiny at the same time.

VinegarStrokes

July 15th, 2016 at 1:59 PM ^

As a moronic Jets fan and M alumnus, I have an ardent hatred of the Patriots and an love/admiration for Brady. As much as I detest that scumbag, cheating organization and coach, this ordeal has been nothing more than a witch hunt that should have never come to light. I say that even though I want NE to lose every single game they play.

MeanJoe07

July 15th, 2016 at 2:00 PM ^

Goodell is like a frothy, bloody mouthed vampire hamster running on a hamsterwheel of of death that powers double bladed spinning chainsaws of injustice attached to heat seeking missles of doom aimed directly at Brady's balls.

LSAClassOf2000

July 15th, 2016 at 2:06 PM ^

Outside of Robert Kraft walking into Player Personnel and telling everyone he has found this hitherto unknown QB in deepest, oh, Appalachia named Dom Grady, all the while with Tom Brady sitting outside in a false mustache and overalls, it was probably a lost cause at this point. I think then we can officially calculate the score as Goodell 1, Reason 0. 

bacon

July 15th, 2016 at 2:35 PM ^

I still am confused why the NFLPA didn't try to argue that the NFL had no rights to Brady's cell phone and therefore punishing him for not being forthcoming was wrong. His employer can't arbitrarily demand to search his property and punish him for not allowing it. It's the same thing as them punishing him for not letting the NFL search his house or go through his wife's underwear. You can't tell me that Rodger isn't thinking about going there at some point. If the deal with the league says they have the rights to see your personal property, they should negate it.

blueinbeantown

July 15th, 2016 at 2:35 PM ^

This is secretly part of the Mad Geniuses plan.  Jimmy G goes out and lights it up, 3-1, great numbers and Pats trade him for a bundle before the draft.  Garoppolo looks right out of central casting!  BB turns those picks into Peppers and Butt.  Love the idea of Butt running with Gronk. Oh yeah, Pats win another SB, Brady is MVP and leaves that putz Goodell waiting at the day after PC since he'll be on the way to Costa Rica with Giselle.