JimD said:One of the ESPN NFL guys (Schefter or Mort, don't remember which one) was on Mike & Mike a little while ago. Said it went really, really well for Brady, and that the Wells report is pretty much universally considered now to be flawed. No proof at all that TB 'ordered the Code Red'. Said that the commissioner does not want to go to court about this. He speculated that the best course might be for Goodell to vacate the suspension and issue a statement validating Brady's innocence, but ding him one game for failing to cooperate with investigators.
pappymojo said:But ding him one game because stupid.
Another question for the lawyers- what happens if Goodell does this? Basically washes his hands of anything in the Wells report aside from the fact that Brady didn't turn over his phone, knocks back the suspension to one game, and Brady still goes to court? Does the scope of that trial change? Would the entirety of the Wells report, and the apparent nefarious nature of its very existence still be called into question? Or would the discussion really be limited to just the fact that Brady didn't turn over his phone, with Goodell once again avoiding any in-depth look into his buffoonery?One of the ESPN NFL guys (Schefter or Mort, don't remember which one) was on Mike & Mike a little while ago. Said it went really, really well for Brady, and that the Wells report is pretty much universally considered now to be flawed. No proof at all that TB 'ordered the Code Red'. Said that the commissioner does not want to go to court about this. He speculated that the best course might be for Goodell to vacate the suspension and issue a statement validating Brady's innocence, but ding him one game for failing to cooperate with investigators.
JimD said:Said that the commissioner does not want to go to court about this. He speculated that the best course might be for Goodell to vacate the suspension and issue a statement validating Brady's innocence, but ding him one game for failing to cooperate with investigators.
Doubt that will happen since TB's camp has made it known they are going for full exoneration here.TheoShmeo said:Does anyone think that Goodell will reach out to Tom, perhaps through an intermediary, and offer to knock the suspension down to a game or two, but only if Tom agrees not to go to Court?
If I was in Goodell's shoes, I would be leery of going down to a game only to have Tom fight me in Court.
Apologies if this has been discussed already. I don't recall having seen it but I have not read all 24 books of the Brady Chronicles here.
TheoShmeo said:Does anyone think that Goodell will reach out to Tom, perhaps through an intermediary, and offer to knock the suspension down to a game or two, but only if Tom agrees not to go to Court?
If I was in Goodell's shoes, I would be leery of going down to a game only to have Tom fight me in Court.
Apologies if this has been discussed already. I don't recall having seen it but I have not read all 24 books of the Brady Chronicles here.
Stitch01 said:Not sure that would be great for Rog's court case.
He'd have to go through the union or he'd be committing an unfair labor practice under the NLRA. Employers (which would include a representative of a multi-employer bargaining group) cannot deal directly with employees to resolve grievances.TheoShmeo said:Does anyone think that Goodell will reach out to Tom, perhaps through an intermediary, and offer to knock the suspension down to a game or two, but only if Tom agrees not to go to Court?
If I was in Goodell's shoes, I would be leery of going down to a game only to have Tom fight me in Court.
Apologies if this has been discussed already. I don't recall having seen it but I have not read all 24 books of the Brady Chronicles here.
EL Jeffe said:It was Sal Pal on Mike & Mike this morning. He said he wasn't basing his opinion on any inside info, just what he thinks should happen at this point.
Mike Smith was co-hosting and was initially incredulous about this scenario, specifically saying "Brett Favre got fined $50,000 for not handing his cell phone over for the Jen Sterger case. If I'm Brady, there's no way I accept that." Sal Pal's response was that Brady doesn't want this hanging over him all summer and potentially missing games in the middle of the season. Smith quickly came around and said Sal's scenario was so logical it had no chance of happening.
- Goodell exonerates Brady of cheating in a letter.
- Brady is suspended for 1 game for lack of cooperation.
- Win for the NFL because they still punish Brady for something.
- Win for Brady because he has a written exoneration to protect his legacy.
- He said neither side wants this to go to court.
Sal Pal also indicated that he expects a decision from Goodell pretty soon because this is Tom Brady & the New England Patriots. (I have no idea what that means). In any event, this was the most ESPN related programming I've watched since DeflateGate became A Thing. In fairness, I was mainly watching because Chad Ford was on and who doesn't enjoy NBA draft talk...
EL Jeffe said:Sal Pal also indicated that he expects a decision from Goodell pretty soon because this is Tom Brady & the New England Patriots. (I have no idea what that means). In any event, this was the most ESPN related programming I've watched since DeflateGate became A Thing. In fairness, I was mainly watching because Chad Ford was on and who doesn't enjoy NBA draft talk...
( . ) ( . ) and (_!_) said:I feel cautiously optimistic from all the noise out there from Sal Pal, other ESPNers, Florio, etc... Things seem to have gone Brady's way. However, every single time I have felt the tiniest bit of optimism about anything in this entire saga the exact opposite has happened. Every time I feel good about this, something so stupid and illogical happens that I want to build myself a rocket ship and blast off of this rock full of idiots and try to find a new sane place to live. So basically my positive feelings are now making me terrified. The NFL is a fucked up place.
In terms of his appeal and a possible federal court petition, talking more has zero upside and significant downside. If you think you made a compelling case, why run the risk of antagonizing Goodell?jmcc5400 said:Let's assume that TB12 was a compelling and credible witness yesterday. If you are his legal/PR team, do you build on this and have him sit for a long interview (not with Jim Gray, for God's sake) in which he addresses the claims and hope to move the needle of public opinion while this thing continues to pend before Goodell? Or do you leave well enough alone for now, understanding full well that this might all end up in court and that there are risks associated with any public statement while this is unresolved?
Eddie Jurak said:Just out of curiosity, could Brady opt to serve a 1 game suspension AND continue his appeal, or must be do one or the other? If suspension was overruled he could presumably recover his lost salary.
jmcc5400 said:Let's assume that TB12 was a compelling and credible witness yesterday. If you are his legal/PR team, do you build on this and have him sit for a long interview (not with Jim Gray, for God's sake) in which he addresses the claims and hope to move the needle of public opinion while this thing continues to pend before Goodell? Or do you leave well enough alone for now, understanding full well that this might all end up in court and that there are risks associated with any public statement while this is unresolved?
jmcc5400 said:Let's assume that TB12 was a compelling and credible witness yesterday. If you are his legal/PR team, do you build on this and have him sit for a long interview (not with Jim Gray, for God's sake) in which he addresses the claims and hope to move the needle of public opinion while this thing continues to pend before Goodell? Or do you leave well enough alone for now, understanding full well that this might all end up in court and that there are risks associated with any public statement while this is unresolved?
EL Jeffe said:Sal Pal's response was that Brady doesn't want this hanging over him all summer and potentially missing games in the middle of the season. Smith quickly came around and said Sal's scenario was so logical it had no chance of happening.
Me too. If he got 1 game, I think he should take it and have this thing over. Public opinion on this will never change, it's too late and who cares anyways. Goodell reducing his own penalty would be victory enough if you ask me. If the grounds are failure to cooperate and the union is unhappy with that they can make that case later. That all said I am expecting no reduction and then courts, still.MuppetAsteriskTalk said:
I'm feeling the exact same way.
Eddie Jurak said:I have to think that Brady might be Ok with a 1 game suspension but that NHLPA would not be
jtn46 said:Me too. If he got 1 game, I think he should take it and have this thing over. Public opinion on this will never change, it's too late and who cares anyways. Goodell reducing his own penalty would be victory enough if you ask me. If the grounds are failure to cooperate and the union is unhappy with that they can make that case later. That all said I am expecting no reduction and then courts, still.
txexile said:
Now that the hearing is over, I hope the nation's sports press turns an inward look upon itself. This entire narrative is a sad commentary on the independence and critical thinking capabilities of the American sports "press." Far too many reporters and columnists immediately and unthinkingly cast their lot in with the official NFL word, for fear of upsetting the gravy train that gets them access to all the hot events and inside sources or upsetting self-hating fans who prefer to believe lies about a good team rather than ask hard questions about the mediocre football teams in their own markets.
Exceptions like Florio and Riess and Jenkins have been refreshing simply by applying normal journalistic practices to the inflow of half-truths, lies and prevarications oozing out of 345 Park Avenue.
And where is the accountability? The next time ESPN apologizes to its web site readers for the lies that have gone out under its reporters' names will be the first time. It's almost as if ESPN has gotten so bloated, so incestuously embedded as a P.R. arm of the NFL that it has entirely forgotten its duty to the truth. It is well past time for ESPN to review its policies for printing anonymous statements. If an ombudsman were still on the staff, he or she would be waist deep in items to tackle on this story.
I don't expect knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing partisan fans from other markets to ever look at this story objectively, but I do expect that from sports journalists. Even now, it's not too late.
bsj said:Prediction- suspension vacated, cleared of wrong doing publicly. But he gets hit with a $250,000 fine for lack of cooperation re the cell phone. Massive $$$ hit in comparison to Favre for same offense is enough for Goodell to feel like he's made a statement.
I really hope I am right.
With few exceptions, sports "journalists" are interested in making money, in increasing clicks and views and raising their national profile. Those that do not do this rarely advance.txexile said:Now that the hearing is over, I hope the nation's sports press turns an inward look upon itself. This entire narrative is a sad commentary on the independence and critical thinking capabilities of the American sports "press." Far too many reporters and columnists immediately and unthinkingly cast their lot in with the official NFL word, for fear of upsetting the gravy train that gets them access to all the hot events and inside sources or upsetting self-hating fans who prefer to believe lies about a good team rather than ask hard questions about the mediocre football teams in their own markets.
Exceptions like Florio and Riess and Jenkins have been refreshing simply by applying normal journalistic practices to the inflow of half-truths, lies and prevarications oozing out of 345 Park Avenue.
And where is the accountability? The next time ESPN apologizes to its web site readers for the lies that have gone out under its reporters' names will be the first time. It's almost as if ESPN has gotten so bloated, so incestuously embedded as a P.R. arm of the NFL that it has entirely forgotten its duty to the truth. It is well past time for ESPN to review its policies for printing anonymous statements. If an ombudsman were still on the staff, he or she would be waist deep in items to tackle on this story.
I don't expect knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing partisan fans from other markets to ever look at this story objectively, but I do expect that from sports journalists. Even now, it's not too late.
txexile said:
Now that the hearing is over, I hope the nation's sports press turns an inward look upon itself. This entire narrative is a sad commentary on the independence and critical thinking capabilities of the American sports "press." Far too many reporters and columnists immediately and unthinkingly cast their lot in with the official NFL word, for fear of upsetting the gravy train that gets them access to all the hot events and inside sources or upsetting self-hating fans who prefer to believe lies about a good team rather than ask hard questions about the mediocre football teams in their own markets.
Exceptions like Florio and Riess and Jenkins have been refreshing simply by applying normal journalistic practices to the inflow of half-truths, lies and prevarications oozing out of 345 Park Avenue.
And where is the accountability? The next time ESPN apologizes to its web site readers for the lies that have gone out under its reporters' names will be the first time. It's almost as if ESPN has gotten so bloated, so incestuously embedded as a P.R. arm of the NFL that it has entirely forgotten its duty to the truth. It is well past time for ESPN to review its policies for printing anonymous statements. If an ombudsman were still on the staff, he or she would be waist deep in items to tackle on this story.
I don't expect knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing partisan fans from other markets to ever look at this story objectively, but I do expect that from sports journalists. Even now, it's not too late.
bsj said:Prediction- suspension vacated, cleared of wrong doing publicly. But he gets hit with a $250,000 fine for lack of cooperation re the cell phone. Massive $$$ hit in comparison to Favre for same offense is enough for Goodell to feel like he's made a statement.
I really hope I am right.
bakahump said:I wont lie this sucks for TB.
But I will also say that TB is getting one of the best crash courses in "turning around negative public opinion".
RG and this whole thing has helped make TB a Senator.
I think he wins this. And (assuming he does) can you imagine a heartfelt TB saying "I KNOW what its like to be attacked.....to have people try to tear down what you have worked your whole life for......for nothing more then jealousy. I promise you.....a Vote for me is a Vote for your future!"
This is so sad but true. There are those of us, myself included, that in general find the truth to be the more compelling story. However I fear we are far outnumbered.crystalline said:With few exceptions, sports "journalists" are interested in making money, in increasing clicks and views and raising their national profile. Those that do not do this rarely advance.
I think what we all need to do is stop associating news media with objective truth. That's not their interest. Their interest is telling compelling stories.
dcmissle said:The SalPal prognostication is rosier than I expected, or expect. But if it is informed, that underscores a point made upthread -- the leverage shifted massively to TB once Troy Vincent's signature was dry on the disciplinary letter.
As noted more than a few pages ago, RG cannot attempt to negotiate a resolution without great risk. That would be entirely inconsistent with his role as reviewing "judge" -- and it would fuel all the points Kessler & Co. have made about this process being procedurally illegitimate. There is no realistic hope that a settlement overture would remain quiet; it would more likely make its way into the union's arsenal.
So there is a very great risk that if RG went down the SalPal road, TB would say, "thanks, I'll take 3/4s of the loaf" -- it's actually more -- and continue to fight. Might he come off looking like a dick, especially with the exonerating letter? Maybe, in many quarters. I don't think he cares.
This "distraction" stuff is complete nonsense -- catnip for Felger and Mazz. The case is in the can. Kessler and the others are shouldering the load. All Brady needs to do is show up in court when required, and acquit himself well. I'm quite confident he can do that. Whether he chooses to or not is another question. I would support his choice regardless.
The real carrot here, beyond getting 3 games back, would be the exonerating letter. No judge can compel that. But again, there is no practical way for RG to hold that hostage in any deal. That territory is way too dangerous for him.
bakahump said:I wont lie this sucks for TB.
But I will also say that TB is getting one of the best crash courses in "turning around negative public opinion".
RG and this whole thing has helped make TB a Senator.
I think he wins this. And (assuming he does) can you imagine a heartfelt TB saying "I KNOW what its like to be attacked.....to have people try to tear down what you have worked your whole life for......for nothing more then jealousy. I promise you.....a Vote for me is a Vote for your future!"
Otis Foster said:
What keeps coming back to me is the almost hour long telephone call and the personal meeting with a guy who previously had no contact with TB. Tie that to the banter between the two idiots and it becomes hard to explain rationally.