I still go back to my original default position of 'Big whoop!" when the story first broke. Months and months of news devoted to a story about a couple of PSI and how its an unfair advantage when you have the likes of Peyton Manning racking up wins, yards and multiple records by spending well over half his career either playing under a dome or at an altitude of halfway to the moon. Put him in the freezing cold of the NFC North or the windy confines of the Meadowlands and he ain't getting all them yards, records and wins. Football should be played outside in the elements and on a proper grass turf.
You're seeing what you want to see and glossing over the things that don't fit, using the flimsiest excuses to ignore their implications. That's Ok, I'm doing the same but coming from a different starting position. Neither of us will change our position following the lifting of the suspension, and we were never going to whichever way the ruling went. What is fact is that Brady was found guilty of having involvement in a scheme to tamper with game balls, under the league's more probable than not standard. This hasn't changed, he and the Patriots have still been found guilty. The punishment has just been changed.
That's kind of my point. The league doesn't have a "more probable than not" standard, at least not until now. They came up with one because it requires no proof whatsoever. And once they went down that road, Goodell wasn't turning back no matter what. He had little downside. If he wins, he looks hard on the Union and the Patriots. If he loses, he still looks like he held a tough line and then gets a star player on the field for opening night. You could argue it was a win/win scenario for him to go all-in, facts be damned. But none of that proves anything. Not even remotely.
Actually that is their standard. The new (2011 and spearheaded by kraft) CBA was negotiated that league discipline would be held to the same standard as civil court, not criminal court. And you are right that Goodell couldn't turn back. 31 teams believed the Pats played by a different set of rules and Kraft had the commish in his pocket. He couldn't afford the backlash of once again looking weak on the Pats.
The heavy handedness of the league, which did things by the book of the law, CBA, By Laws and Player Contract, yet Berman chose to go against an established rule long standing in the NFL. Brady was put on notice, by #1) signing his Players Contract!! for Article 14-15, he could be punished for conduct detrimental to the game. Full Stop. the rest of the nonsense, the fairness argument from Kessler is BS Brady was given his fair opportunity in his appeal, but he hid that he destroyed his phone which cemented the suspension in Goodell's mind that Tom was not forthcoming in the investigation and had a lot to hide. The CBA was crafted to augment the standard player contract to provide more language to what or how things are enforced, interpreted. in the CBA. Article 64 gave Roger the power, signed by the NFLPA. Berman should be over-ruled in the appeal on these very facts!! It's the law of the NFL and NFLPA 14. RULES. Player will comply with and be bound by all reasonable Club rules and regulations in effect during the term of this contract which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this contract or of any collective bargaining agreement in existence during the term of this contract. Player's attention is also called to the fact that the League functions with certain rules and procedures expressive of its operation as a joint venture among its member clubs and that these rules and practices may affect Player's relationship to the League and its member clubs independently of the provisions of this contract 15. INTEGRITY OF GAME. Player recognizes the detriment to the League and professional football that would result from impairment of public confidence in the honest and orderly conduct of NFL games or the integrity and good character of NFL players. Player therefore acknowledges his awareness that if he accepts a bribe or agrees to throw or fix an NFL game; fails to promptly report a bribe offer or an attempt to throw or fix an NFL game; bets on an NFL game; knowingly associates with gamblers or gambling activity; uses or provides other players with stimulants or other drugs for the purpose of attempting to enhance on-field performance; or is guilty of any other form of conduct reasonably judged by the League Commissioner to be detrimental to the League or professional football, the Commissioner will have the right, but only after giving Player the opportunity for a hearing at which he may be represented by counsel of his choice, to fine Player in a reasonable amount, to suspend Player for a period certain or indefinitely; and/or to terminate this contract.
They do have this standard, that didn't just get washed away. It was put into the by laws due to spygate and Belichick's heavy tactics.
Arthur Blank Politely Torches Roger Goodell's Handling of Deflategate http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/fal...orches-roger-goodells-handling-of-deflategate
It won't be Blank taking part in the meetings anymore, he's handing his control over to another younger mind. Arthur's hitting the wall. But he's supported the commissioner. And let's not cherry pick. they will look at ways to keep the control for the commissioner, but do it with probably alternate people in the fold. He was adamant that they were disappointed that their ruling was overturned by an bad judge “This deflategate thing which isn’t about deflategate any longer, it’s about what has been collectively negotiated for decades in terms of the commissioner’s responsibility in terms of disciplining players,” Blank said. “If we have to look at that differently in today’s light, in today’s environment, as an ownership group we should be prepared to do that. The commissioner should be prepared to do that.” “I don’t think they should be re-bargained in a federal court. Having said that, I think the commissioner and the ownership around the league have to be prepared to look at things, look at change and change may be appropriate.”
Goodell is just a lightning rod to be thrown away after being used up. Seems as a product he's nearing what they call "end of life" before a new version comes out. The owners use him as a human shield that they each chip in a little bit more than a mil for.
If the other 31 owners didn't want the sleaziest team in the league to get slapped down like a rabid dog this would have been over long ago. They fully intend on putting them where they belong. I never liked Goodell either but the owners love him and that's all he needs, he has made them many more billions than Tagliabue ever did. He has their full support..well maybe not Kraft's anymore.
You are soo0000ooo much smarter than a federal judge when it comes to interpreting contracts. I bet you have lifetime tenure at the Dairy Queen you work at.
I think this quote is his point in a nutshell--no torching at all. "I don’t think they should be re-bargained in a federal court." That's the point, the players gave it up in the CBA for money and are now free to take back what they gave up by litigating. _
I was listening to the radio and they said that since Brady was not told that the penalty would be a 4 game suspension (when he colluded on deflating the footballs) was why the judge made the ruling in his favor. If that is correct i'm confused, I thought that ignorance of a law was not an acceptable defense in the US. Brady knew what the rule was just not the penalty. So if I was to steal 1 mil from a guy since I do not know what the penalty is, I get to go free? That makes no sense to me. Maybe on of our legal minds can explain it to me.
It's not really clear to me that he's criticizing Goodell in any way there. I read it as he was annoyed the courts were involved at all.
the judge got paid off. read my backup why the nfl will win on appeal the player contract is tatamount to brady being on notice Enjoy your champaign and back bay hookers
I think the judge got bought, he's wrong. the law was sound, the nfl administered it to a T Player Contract, CBA, and NFL laws Yes Brady is crying over what he didn't know and he wants to be a fucking politician I rest my case
Exactly. And that the league is going to have to protect themselves from this tactic going forward. _
