The NFL won what could be an important round in its legal tug-of-war with the NFL Players Association when a Minnesota judge on Thursday ordered the union’s lawsuit filed on behalf of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady be moved to New York.
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Charles Krupa/AP With his DeflateGate appeal pending, Tom Brady practices at Patriots training camp Friday. By contrast, the judge could conclude that Brady didn’t cheat, yet still uphold the suspension because the process was fair.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about”, he said with a cold stare after a moment of silence.
Kraft said the team turned over every cellphone not belonging to a player – including the one belonging to coach Bill Belichick. On Wednesday, seconds after Kraft bashed the NFL, Belichick stonewalled the media for a solid five minutes, answering questions about Brady with clichés such as “We’re going to take it day to day”. “It doesn’t make any difference what anybody did or didn’t do, whether they’re a 15-year veteran or whether this is their first season”.
At this point, we’re all exhausted of the Deflategate stuff.
The official Patriots line is that because of those priorities, the team spends little time contemplating the justice of the NFL’s punishment for the use of underinflated footballs in the AFC championship game. I still have a small hope that he was not involved in because I have so much respect for him and what he has done and overcome to be where he is today. In the spirit of competition and rivalry, New York Jets fans sent the New England Patriots and their fans off with a gift for the start of training camp – in the sky.
“This letter is an effort by both parties to not take the Judge’s order to sit down and just work it out, but a hopeful effort that the Judge will permit a streamlined version of what could otherwise entail lengthy and costly proceedings”, said Jason Bonk, chair of the sports law practice at New York law firm Cozen O’Connor.
I am very disappointed by the NFL’s decision to uphold the 4 game suspension against me. “I don’t think anyone is”. “I’m not thinking about a month from now, a year from now, 10 years from now, six months from now. I’ll leave that to you guys and the experts”. He even had a one-handed touchdown catch on a pass from Julian Edelman, according to a video posted online by a member of the public.
There were some differences: like the Patriots not wearing numbers, making individuals not named Brady, backup Jimmy Garoppolo or some of the other mainstays hard to identify. Patriots players wore shorts, Tshirts and helmets – but no numbers.
But at ground level, Brady looked sharp in his first football action since the Patriots beat the Seahawks in February for the franchise’s – and his – fourth NFL title. Kraft waved to the crowd, then went over to talk to Brady.
Garoppolo’s role increased during Saturday’s practice at Gillette Stadium. “Brady!” as he jogged onto the practice field.
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The case is headed to court, but for now, the four-time Super Bowl champion is barred from playing the first four games of the regular season.
