We’re still more than two months away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. Earlier this summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.
Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.
Today, we’ll be gauging your gut feeling on the Tom Brady appeal. The appeal hearing for Brady’s four-game suspension took place more than two weeks ago and, finally, it sounds like we’re on the verge of a ruling. Commissioner Roger Goodell, who also acted as the arbitrator in Tom Brady‘s appeal hearing last month, said today that he expects to announce a decision on the case soon, perhaps as early as next week.
Even weeks later, the NFL’s decision to suspend the Patriots QB for four games comes as something of a shock, not necessarily because he didn’t deserve it, but because he has become the NFL’s foremost star. Now that the league office has had some additional time to cool off, it’s conceivable that Goodell will be a little bit more lax this time around. There is also precedent for the lowering of suspensions following major scandals. Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove was one example – he was suspended eight games for his obstruction in Bountygate, but he later had that penalty reduced to two games. Then again – despite the league’s claims that Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent was the one who handed down the penalty – Goodell unquestionably had a major role in the suspension. Would he be willing to essentially admit to a wrong judgement in the DeflateGate scandal?
In a May poll, more than 62% of you said that Brady would get his suspension slashed from four games to something less harsh. Now that we’re (potentially) days away from a verdict, where do you stand? Will Brady have his suspension reduced, or will he serve the full four games? Let us know in the comment section below!
Truly doesn’t matter. He cheated, period. That’s why he won’t hand over his cell phone, or even SPEAK following the punishment. Anyone who claims he is innocent is delusional. Wake up!
I do think it was curious that Brady wouldn’t hand over his phone records pertaining to the case. If he had to hand over his entire phone, I could understand the privacy concerns. But he was given the opportunity to keep everything personal out of it and just turn in the material pertinent to the case and still refused. I found that to be odd.
Tommy Tuck Rule is a cheater. Any NFL qb can tell if a ball is under inflated, and since he won’t admit and apologize, his suspension won’t be reduced. 4 games is a light sentence for a man who has undermined the credibility of the game.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that 4 games is light but if he had a hand in the situation then, yes, a punishment is warranted.
If penalty is reduced NFL loses all credibility. Previous cases were supposed to have happened before new structure was in place. Reduce penalty and every old case will come back to haunt them.
I don’t see it that way, per se. The whole point of an appeal is that you can present your argument in hopes of having your penalty reduced. If Brady’s camp was able to make a compelling case, then why not have his penalty reconsidered?
Brady and his camp felt they made a compelling argument but the league doesn’t feel that way…
The penalty should have been 2 to begin with but the gamesmanship of the situation required the NFL to be overly hard initially to keep the patriot haters happy and then to cut it in half to keep patriot nation happy. It would be fast to just do 2 and be done but it’s a process. Go Pats!
First the NFL is on a very slippery slope, first the whole thing would never be allowed as credible evidence in the courtroom. The NFL officials blundered from the start with them not writing down the measurements on all of the balls as well as which gauge was used to get the reading. The Wells report uses flawed logic multiple times. You can not take a text message as fact unless you understand all of the preceding discussions and or phone calls. The commissioner overstepped his authority with the penalties handed out most likely due to the horrible backlash he received from the Ray Rice debacle. People are saying that Brady did not cooperate this is false he cooperated he just didn’t want to hand over his cell phone. Had I been in Brady’s position I would never give up my cell phone unless subpoena requires or that the punishment from any leaked information would be swift and severe.when the decision is given and if Brady is still suspended he will file for an injunction and Take the league to court. That is why he was under oath at the Goodell meeting. He will win in court and Goodell will be a powerless commissioner.
Goodell will uphold the suspension for two reasons: the league still doesn’t think Brady is being cooperative and it’ll look bad for the league office (something Goodell doesn’t need more of) if he reduces the sentence given by the person he hand picked to issue it in the first place. Goodell, despite all his mishaps, cares deeply about his and the leagues image and Deflategate – everything about it from Brady to the league not being able to monitor air pressure in footballs properly – has made the league look bad. Suspension gets upheld in an attempt to make the league look a little better.
Ultimately, I think the suspension will be reduced to two games, but that’s only based on the guesses I’ve read by more informed people. I know Florio outlined a scenario where Brady would only get a four-game fine, but I can’t see any way that league allows him to escape a suspension altogether.