NFL Postseason Megathread: Playoffs in the Post-Orton Era

[grumbler]

Guess that would make Colts fans happy.

No, we shouldn't retroactively vacate game results.  That doesn't mean that cheaters shouldn't be punished in some form if caught.  And while there's no evidence against Brady that would hold up in court, he's not being tried for a criminal offense.  The NFL is looking at what to do about the incident, but they don't have to use the same standards of proof that are used in court.

I liked the suggestion of a guy at MGoBlog: force the Patriots to change their team name to "the New England Cheetahs."

[jimmy olsen]

Outrageous! There was no evidence provided that proves Bardy's culpability! Even if he's guilty the rule in the book only requires a $20,000 fine. Moreover, the Wells report specifically absolves the organization and Belichick, so how can they justify a million dollar fine and a first round draft pick being docked! 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/tom-brady-deflate-gate-162121409.html

[Eddie Teach]

Outrageous!

Monstrous even.

[Admiral Yi]

There's a specific rule about deflating footballs, with a specified fine??

[jimmy olsen]

There's a specific rule about deflating footballs, with a specified fine??

Of course, if it wasn't against the rules no one would care. As far as I know the NFL rule book always specifies the penalty for breaking the rules.

[sbr]

Outrageous! There was no evidence provided that proves Bardy's culpability! Even if he's guilty the rule in the book only requires a $20,000 fine. Moreover, the Wells report specifically absolves the organization and Belichick, so how can they justify a million dollar fine and a first round draft pick being docked! 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/tom-brady-deflate-gate-162121409.html

I agree that this entire story is silly but:

The text messages make it pretty clear what happened. I personally don't think it is a big deal, and most of the evidence makes it clear that the NFL didn't think it was a big deal until ESPN latched on to the story, but that is today's sports reality.

It is made pretty clear that that punishment is not just for the deflation of footballs, but for the 'obstruction' of the 'investigation' and for previous bad behavior by the team.

The punishments to the team are similar to the Lack of Institutional Control hammer the NCAA drops on anyone they please.  The Patriots and Belichick might not have known about it, but the Saints' bounty program and Sean Peyton's punishment made it clear that ignorance was not an excuse.  Unless it was the league office and Goodell that were ignorant about something, then it is a perfectly legitimate excuse for anything and everything.

[Admiral Yi]

What text messages are you talking about?  I got the impression from CNN that Brady refused to hand over his phone.

[sbr]

The two ballboys that did turn over their phones.  I haven't read the report, just heard snippets on the radio; I'll see if I can find anything in the Google machine.

[Caliga]

alarming

[Tonitrus]

Assuming that Big NFL collects the fine...isn't that somewhat of a conflict of interest?

[Sophie Scholl]

Assuming that Big NFL collects the fine...isn't that somewhat of a conflict of interest?

I believe all fines are donated to charity.  Not 100% sure, but I think I remember hearing that.

[Alcibiades]

The texts:

Text messages suggest Tom Brady had knowledge of deflating

Posted by Darin Gantt on May 6, 2015, 2:32 PM EDT
New England Patriots Training Camp: Day One
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Of all the elements of the Ted Wells report which cast Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in a poor light, a series of text message exchanges between the pair of guys who got game balls where they needed to be and when are near the top of the list.

The messages, not all of which are able to be reprinted here on a family website, give a pretty strong suggestion that not only was Brady in on the deflation, but that he was signing autographs in exchange for special treatment.

The messages between Jim McNally [the officials locker room attendant] and John Jastremski [a Patriots equipment assistant] show a level of detail and planning that indicates this wasn't a random, or one-time occurrence.

The first exchange was after an Oct. 17, 2014 game against the Jets when Brady complained about the pressure of the balls.

McNally "Tom sucks. im going make that next ball a f—in balloon."

Jastremski replied: "Talked to him last night. He actually brought you up and said you must have a lot of stress trying to get them done..."

McNally, apparently not a fan of Brady's (or at least his level of attention of air pressure) made several references to pumping the balls up to "watermleon" or "rugby" size, since Brady preferred softer ones for better control.

Prior to the next game, McNally wrote: "The only thing deflating sun..is his passing rating."

There was then a discussion of McNally receiving free shoes and gear, and prior to the Jan. 10 game against the Ravens, the two of them were in the equipment room with Brady when McNally "received two footballs autographed by Brady and also had Brady autograph a game-worn Patriots jersey that McNally previously had obtained."

McNally later referred to himself as "the deflator," and chided Jastremski by saying "im not going to espn........yet."

Those exchanges make it hard to imagine Brady had no knowledge of what's going on, which he'll need to answer for later.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/06/text-messages-suggest-tom-brady-had-knowledge-of-deflating/


About as obvious as Neil's lack of football knowledge.

[sbr]

http://yourteamcheats.com/cheaters/

[Berkut]

Outrageous! There was no evidence provided that proves Bardy's culpability!

Of course there was plenty of evidence. This is not a court of law, and no need for proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Preponderance of evidence is more than enough.


Everyone knows Brady was involved, and he refused to cooperate in the investigation. There is more than enough evidence to conclude he is a cheater. The idea that this was all done without his knowledge is ludicrous.

Even if he's guilty the rule in the book only requires a $20,000 fine.

Wow, that is quite the cop-out.

Moreover, the Wells report specifically absolves the organization and Belichick,

Not true at all. The report makes it clear that a member of the Patriots organization was involved in willfull and repeated cheating. How can you possibly call that "absolving" them?

so how can they justify a million dollar fine and a first round draft pick being docked! 

Because they are a bunch of cheaters, and cheating attacks the integrity of the game, and there are more important things to the NFL than the Patriots reputation.

[derspiess]

Outrageous! There was no evidence provided that proves Bardy's culpability! Even if he's guilty the rule in the book only requires a $20,000 fine. Moreover, the Wells report specifically absolves the organization and Belichick, so how can they justify a million dollar fine and a first round draft pick being docked! 

The team is actually coming out ahead due to not paying Brady for 4 games.  IMO they should have been fined the precise amount of his salary.

I don't know why you Pats fans are reacting so negatively to the punishment, unless it's false outrage.  The team got off easy.  Losing Brady for 4 games probably means they start 1-3 at worst.  Which means they still run a good chance of going 11-5 or 12-4 and making the playoffs. The fine will not hurt the team-- as I mentioned it will still be a net benefit financially.  And the first round draft pick?  Patriots always pick late in the first round anyway.  This will be a small speed bump and the team will find other ways to cheat and win.  Until Brady & Belicheat are out of the league, that is how it will be.

It seems like the league wanted to give the appearance of a severe punishment without really hurting the Patriots.  A more appropriate punishment would have been Brady suspended for 8 games and the team is fined whatever they would have paid him for those games.