Because the NFL has insisted on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the NFL Players Association agreeing to a laundry list of terms and concessions before discussing a reduction to his four-game suspension, the question of a reduced suspension has not yet become relevant.

 

If/when it ever does, Brady would be open to accepting a suspension for failing to cooperate with the NFL’s investigation of the football-deflation incident.

That’s the report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, and it’s accurate. It would be, as PFT understands it, a one-game suspension, with no admission of any responsibility for knowledge of or involvement in a scheme to deflate footballs.

 

Some will now insist that Brady’s willingness to consider a one-game suspension means that he’s guilty of something, if not guilty of everything. The truth is that accepting a one-game suspension brings closure to a situation that, without settlement, will linger — whether that happens through an appeal of Judge Berman’s decision in the case or through a decision to send the case back for a second appeal hearing.

 

Brady willing to accept reduced suspension for failure to cooperate | ProFootballTalk

Obviously Brady is trying to make the best of a bad situation but put me in the group that says Brady is guilty. I thought he was guilty before, I surely think the NFL and Goodell is the greatest Clown Show of All Time when it comes to how they handle discipline but if Brady abandons his all or nothing stance then I say guilty and I say four games just like he was supposed to get.

 

I am sure others will disagree and say this is Brady's best legal maneuver to make the best of a bad situation. I agree with that logic too but I still say guilty.

How gracious of Brady...

Judge Berman Takes Aim at Brady Being "Generally Aware" in Wednesday's Hearing

Tom Curran of CSN New England reports that Berman “nodded vigorously” when NFLPA lawyer Jeffrey Kessler said that “player policies say you can’t be punished for being ‘generally aware,'” and that the judge later said that “general awareness” does not “relate to the Jan. 18 [AFC Championship] game.”

 

Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal adds that Berman called it a “quantum leap” to go from Brady being “generally aware” of ball deflation to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s reference to a “scheme” in his ruling on Brady’s suspension appeal. Berman also took issue with the NFL not making general counsel Jeff Pash available to testify, saying that other cases have been “vacated” over similar issues, and with Goodell comparing the reasons for Brady’s suspension with those for the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

^ All the more reason Brady shouldn't be caving.

^ All the more reason Brady shouldn't be caving.

 

You and I are viewing this entirely different then. You see it as caving, I see it as offering the NFL one last chance (one they know the NFL won't accept) to save face before the judge blows the whole thing out of the water.

^ All the more reason Brady shouldn't be caving.

 

Do you think Brady can win on all issues and walk out of court with no suspension or penalty at all?

You and I are viewing this entirely different then. You see it as caving, I see it as offering the NFL one last chance (one they know the NFL won't accept) to save face before the judge blows the whole thing out of the water.

 

Risky legal tactic because the NFL may accept it and then in just about everyone's eyes Brady is guilty but got a reduced sentence.

Do you think Brady can win on all issues and walk out of court with no suspension or penalty at all?

 

I did/do but I think offering to accept a game suspension lessens his chances.

Risky legal tactic because the NFL may accept it and then in just about everyone's eyes Brady is guilty but got a reduced sentence.

Exactly. I think the NFL went into all of this saying 4 games, but willing to go to 1 or 2.

 

Brady wanted the entire thing eradicated.

Risky legal tactic because the NFL may accept it and then in just about everyone's eyes Brady is guilty but got a reduced sentence.

 

Guilty of not cooperating, agreed. That's it. Part of the deal is for the NFL to pretty much admit that he was found to have no wrong-doing with the whole ordeal.

Put it this way, if Brady is suspended for even one game this is a huge win for the NFL and a loss for Tom Brady and the Patriots and I think it will cement the Patriots as cheaters for the rest of our lives.

Exactly. I think the NFL went into all of this saying 4 games, but willing to go to 1 or 2.

 

Brady wanted the entire thing eradicated.

 

Nope. NFL wants an admission of guilt. They are absolutely not getting that.

Guilty of not cooperating, agreed. That's it. Part of the deal is for the NFL to pretty much admit that he was found to have no wrong-doing with the whole ordeal.

 

Pipe dream.

 

If Brady gets suspended that is all anyone will ever remember.

Put it this way, if Brady is suspended for even one game this is a huge win for the NFL and a loss for Tom Brady and the Patriots and I think it will cement the Patriots as cheaters for the rest of our lives.

 

I wouldn't expect you to think any differently.