At some point there is a correlation between the integrity of the game and making money.
I think that even the most shallow and avaricious of owners are aware of that at an intellectual level.
The question is whether and how far greed trumps logic and good business sense.
You're not alone on that island. I think this is way over the top. It gotten so much attention because it's Tom Brady and the Pats with their cheating history.
If they found out Brian Hoyer played with slightly deflated footballs no one would care.
Goodell can hand down a four-game or eight-game suspension, but with only circumstantial evidence I bet it's reduced to half that. It's the same ol' bait-and-switch game: The NFL/Goodell gives out what's called a "harsh punishment" to make it seem like it's doing something and so it makes the news. Then when the suspension gets cut in half it makes the news again, keeping the NFL in front of the public 24/7. And since it's usually someone else cutting the punishment, the NFL/Goodell still looks good. Wash, rinse, repeat: see Gordon, Suh, Welker, et al.
8 games
Appeal
4 games.
If Goodell had any stones he'd tell Brady he's out indefinitely until he hands over his phone.
If he is suspended his return will have the highest regular season rating ever.....Roger wins again.
I heard this morning that if Goodell handed out a 4 game suspension, the next week would be the NE bye week, and the week following would have NE playing Indy - not only a AFC CG rematch, but Brady returning against the team where it all (deflate-gate) started. I haven't checked any schedules, but the guy that said this is convinced the suspension will be 4 weeks.
Even if the suspension is only 4 games (and it probably will be), it will be great to see him banned from Gillette Stadium for their big Thursday night home opener against the Steelers. Their Super Bowl banner will be unfurled with all kinds of hoopla preceding it, and Tommy will be at home, seething.
Perhaps Brady decides to retire rather than accept a suspension.
You're not alone on that island. I think this is way over the top. It gotten so much attention because it's Tom Brady and the Pats with their cheating history.
If they found out Brian Hoyer played with slightly deflated footballs no one would care.
America's love of building up heroes is exceeded only by their love of tearing them down at the first hint of impropriety. It's become the national pastime.
I could see Americans returning to the ways of ancient Rome easily. Everybody votes via 'electronic device', whether it's text, phone, or social media. Just like American Idol, no?
Enough votes and Tommy Boy gets fed to the lions!
Yup, just a few minor tweeks to the Constitution.
But we also love a redemption story. Tom is an idiot and has brought this all on himself. He cheated, that's tough to dispute. But he made the same mistake Clemens, Bonds, A-Rod and Braun made before him; they all refused to admit fault and apologize. It's proven that that's all he has to do. Just look at Andy Pettite and Jason Giambi, two known cheaters who came out, whole heartedly apologized, and were welcomed back into America's good graces. It's that easy.
The reason we like seeing the people at the top fall is because they change when they're at the top. Brady is no longer the 6th round pick underdog; he's a guy that thinks the rules don't apply and that he deserves America's praise just b/c he's Tom Brady. He has everything but he believes he deserves more. Americans don't like that attitude. He needs to show humility and until he does, we'll turn our backs to him.
I forgave Jason Giambi once I learned he wore a t-shirt under his jersey that read:
Rake like an All Star
Party like a Rock Star
Hammer like a Porn Star
Cheater? Absolutely. He fessed up to it and carried on.
They should not suspend Brady, just make him play the rest of his career with a ball blown up to 20 psi. He shouldn't mind since everyone says the inflation doesn't even matter.
**** Tom....It'll be a Rugby Sunday unless some kicks show up in my locker.
If Tommy doesn't get anything Id be perfectly fine with it. The fact he's carrying those texts around with him for the rest of forever is pure poetry. "Better be cash and kicks. The Deflator". That is special.
But we also love a redemption story. Tom is an idiot and has brought this all on himself. He cheated, that's tough to dispute. But he made the same mistake Clemens, Bonds, A-Rod and Braun made before him; they all refused to admit fault and apologize. It's proven that that's all he has to do. Just look at Andy Pettite and Jason Giambi, two known cheaters who came out, whole heartedly apologized, and were welcomed back into America's good graces. It's that easy.
.
I would liken it more to Paul Hornung. He admitted to Rozelle he bet on games, was suspended for a year and yet still made the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Alex Karras on the otherhand would not admit to gambling, was still suspended and still on the outside looking in at the HOF. And if he is honored now it will be posthumously.
If Tommy doesn't get anything Id be perfectly fine with it. The fact he's carrying those texts around with him for the rest of forever is pure poetry. "Better be cash and kicks. The Deflator". That is special.
I could see Americans returning to the ways of ancient Rome easily. Everybody votes via 'electronic device', whether it's text, phone, or social media. Just like American Idol, no?
Enough votes and Tommy Boy gets fed to the lions!
With Suh now gone, I don't think Brady will be too worried about that punishment.
Well.....
4 games for Brady, $1M fine for team, loss of 2016 first round draft pick, loss of 2017 4th round pick.
At a pro-Brady vigil with FS. All I have to say is, WOW!
FOUR GAMES HAHAHAHAHA GOODELL IS INSANE
— Drew Magary (@drewmagary) May 11, 2015
DREW MAGARY IS AN ASS.
Patriot fans are going nuts here in Boston. HeHeHe!
They are pre-empting regular programing here on abc tv. This great!
4 games is freaking ludicrous.
4 games is freaking ludicrous.
Too light?
Too much?
The Patriots were lying and not cooperating. It's not just about the deflated balls.
@PackersNotes: Tom Brady gets 2 games more for deflating a football than Ray Rice initially got for beating the crap out of a woman.
Now this is funny (from former league GM):
@JoeBanner13: Not exactly the apology the Pats had demanded.
Too light?
Too much?
Way, way, way too much IMO. Personally, I think draft picks and fines were enough. At most 1 game.
@AdamSchefter: Patriots' $1 million fine is biggest team fine in NFL history.
4 games seems high, but I'm guessing all the attempt at the cover up lead to it more than anything. If Kraft doesn't demand the league apologize to him, I wonder if the picks even come into play.
I would have assumed a fine and loss of picks would have been the right call, really surprised it is 4 games. I understand that in the real world, clocking your wife is a bigger deal than cheating at a game, but I see how something that impacts the product on the field is a bigger deal than something done off the field (I though all of Ray Rice's consequences should have come from the team, not the league).
lol
@BobFuton: gonna be hard for nbc to block out 70k fu roger chants opening night
Too light?
Too much
Way, way, way too much IMO. Personally, I think draft picks and fines were enough. At most 1 game.
Based on this single incident, I'd tend to agree. However, as many are pointing out via the innerwebs, this punishment is likely a totality of several incidents including spygate and other incidents.
Up until this hammer went down, really what would stop Billicheat and Co. from trying to continue to skirt the rules? Up until today, the fines weren't enough to give them pause to stop. Maybe now it will.
I assume Brady will also appeal. So let's see if it's really 4 games or this gets chopped in half.
