The NFL Commisioner’s Office has upheld the four-game suspension of Patriot star quarterback Tom Brady, citing Brady’s intentional destruction of a key piece of evidence in the Deflategate scandal as the compelling factor in the league’s decision.
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Brady’s boss, Bill Belichick, remains confident – at least with his actions – that New England’s franchise quarterback won’t have to serve the full four games of his ban.
Charles Krupa/AP With his DeflateGate appeal pending, Tom Brady practices at Patriots training camp Friday. Dominique Easley, the New England Patriots’ 2014 first-round draft choice who had his rookie season cut short in December because of a knee injury, was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list Monday.
Judge Richard Berman, who has been assigned to the case, told all sides to tone down their rhetoric, and wrote, The earth is already sufficiently scorched, in the Courts view.. He also requested the parties “engage in comprehensive, good-faith settlement discussions prior to the conference on August 12”.
Mara said he was “saddened” the issue is still lingering over six months after Brady and the Patriots allegedly tampered with footballs in the AFC Championship Game. “The NFL is asking federal court in New York to confirm the suspension where is Brady is asking they vacate the suspension”, he said. This would likely be done to avoid more damage in the court of public opinion, as Brady has taken criticism for destroying a cellphone he used during the 2014 season. That would keep Brady from missing any practices before the Patriots’ September 10 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“The only person we have to prove anything to is each other, ourselves and coach Belichick“, he said.
The NFL Players Association argues the punishment defies the law of the shop and thus the essence of the parties collective bargaining agreement. The NFL has countered with Goodell having jurisdiction over such matters in the CBA, something the players agreed to when the lockout ended in 2011. He will be allowed to attend participate in Patriots training camp, but is expected to take “less than 50% of the snaps” while Jimmy Garoppolo will get the majority of first team reps.
“I am disappointed he is not here”, Mara said Thursday, when the Giants reported to training camp.
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“Right now we’re practicing for today”. I personally got annoyed with how much this was talked about and how it focused most of the attention off the greatest sports event we have.
