Garafolo: League finally engaging Brady, NFLPA in settlement talks

Maybe they will make Brady sit out the first series of the game like Braylon Edwards, since he played for the Jets and therefore the team was able to decide the punishment.

Just another example of the NFL's attempt to get the public to take its eye off the real issues of the "framegate" fraud that were seeming emerging recently. By just implying that Brady is negotiating for a settlement, the League can now imply that he's willing to accept some sort of penalty, and thus is guilty of "something".

Any talk of "settling" scares the hell out of me. IMHO Brady's case is getting stronger by the day, and this so called "media counterattack" is just unwittingly adding to his case.

Ross12 said:

Like @robertweathers said yesterday, the new football handling rules reported could've been the "trial balloon", and now today they could be looking to drop the suspension, maybe. IMO they are probably trying to get Brady to accept a 1-game suspension just for non-cooperation, and Brady is saying "no dice". Question is whether the NFL will cave and drop the entire suspension, or if they will risk a lawsuit.

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Who the hell knows at this point. Any guess as to what 345 Park Ave is up to is a good one....

There was a <gulp> ESPN article today that said what I had speculated- which was that the new ballhandling rules undermine the NFL's ruling on TB12. The only logical reason I can think of doing that BEFORE announcing the ruling on the appeal is to grease the skids and show some level of justification (other than stupidity, revenge, ego and thirst for being a 24x7 news article) for the reduction in the suspension.

To flip the media script on Brady accepting a settlement ("He'd only do that if he's guilty, Mike!"), why is the NFL afraid to go to court?

They found Brady guilty using their "fair and open" process. Aren't they confident that their conduct and investigation will stand up to any scrutiny? They should welcome a court challenge and the opportunity to show their system works and Brady really is guilty. Winning in court would make it easier for the league to impose their discipline in the future. They should want to go there, unless they are afraid their methods won't stand up to an external review.

Hope the talk is going something like:

Why is it always Espn with the never ending bs? Its a question I already know the answer to but I just ask it anyway.

So misleading with harmful intent behind every article and headline regarding the Patriots. 100% bought and paid for as the NFL office voice.

Koma said:

To flip the media script on Brady accepting a settlement ("He'd only do that if he's guilty, Mike!"), why is the NFL afraid to go to court?

They found Brady guilty using their "fair and open" process. Aren't they confident that their conduct and investigation will stand up to any scrutiny? They should welcome a court challenge and the opportunity to show their system works and Brady really is guilty. Winning in court would make it easier for the league to impose their discipline in the future. They should want to go there, unless they are afraid their methods won't stand up to an external review.

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Didn't you hear Wells during his conference call? His report contained "direct evidence". I mean why even bother going to court, it's a slam-dunk win for the NFL.

The settlement should be nothing. No suspension, no fine... nothing. It's the same amount of proof that was in Wells report that Brady ordered the deflation of the balls. Nothing. Hell, give the team the picks back while you're at it.

robertweathers said:

Who the hell knows at this point. Any guess as to what 345 Park Ave is up to is a good one....

There was a <gulp> ESPN article today that said what I had speculated- which was that the new ballhandling rules undermine the NFL's ruling on TB12. The only logical reason I can think of doing that BEFORE announcing the ruling on the appeal is to grease the skids and show some level of justification (other than stupidity, revenge, ego and thirst for being a 24x7 news article) for the reduction in the suspension.

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I honestly wonder if it was as simple as dropping the new rules report and then checking how pissy people are on Twitter about it. Oh, not too pissy? Looks like we're clear to drop that suspension today then!

But you're right, it would be totally nonsensical to say "hey, our rules on this were definitely not good enough, we need to improve", and then turn around and say "no compromise, Brady cheated!!!!" Then again, I guess "nonsensical" is what we have come to expect from the NYFL.

patsfan13 said:

Hope the talk is going something like:

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i ****ing love that scene. not even a fee for the gaming license!

...the idea of getting suspended for non cooperation is insane since favre never gave up his phone when he was sending **** pics...instead he got a 50k fine.

#nopicksnobanner

robertweathers said:

Sal Paolantonio just said Bob Kraft has been pressuring Goodell to reach a settlement with Brady.

oh wait....

Sal Pal just blamed Mike Reiss for saying that.

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No...the way I heard it that Pal Sal came out and said that he had just plain made it up.

Ross12 said:

I honestly wonder if it was as simple as dropping the new rules report and then checking how pissy people are on Twitter about it. Oh, not too pissy? Looks like we're clear to drop that suspension today then!

But you're right, it would be totally nonsensical to say "hey, our rules on this were definitely not good enough, we need to improve", and then turn around and say "no compromise, Brady cheated!!!!" Then again, I guess "nonsensical" is what we have come to expect from the NYFL.

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In going back and pulling a Volin and Google-ing "ball rules NFL change" , there were some statements made by Blandino in May that the NFL will modify ball procedures for 2015 but at the time there were no specifics mentioned. I really think that they were working on something to try and make things a bit more controlled. They just had no idea what to do.

At that time, what WAS missing was specifics around PSI, change in custody, testing, documenting and how the Ideal Gas Law/atmospheric conditions influences ball PSI. Obviously those (still many questions remain) but at least there is more specifics to digest.

I'm guessing that the NFL is conceding that it lacked standards in process and procedures and didn't properly account for how the Ideal Gas Law impacts ball pressure.

As I mentioned I think this is a positive indicator that the NFL is conceding SOMETHING. What and how much I haven't a clue.

TB should sue the **** out of them anyway. If the league took away the games and the fine, that will not repair the damage done to TBs legacy. That is what he cares about. The NFL damaged it with lies and crap. You just cant make all of that go away with a "we are sorry you dont have to sit out games" Fans wont care and it means zip

I know it's the NFLPA and they only care about Brady, but this is what I'd love to hear Tom say to the NFL.

The only settlement I'll agree to is
NO games
No fine
Restore the Pats draft pick
rescind all team fines.
and
A public retraction that there was simply no evidence that the balls were tampered with in any way and the NFL made a serious error in judgment in pursuing this matter.

In return, I save you from the total embarrassment you will endure in court, Roger.

GaryfromTO said:

I know it's the NFLPA and they only care about Brady, but this is what I'd love to hear Tom say to the NFL.

The only settlement I'll agree to is
NO games
No fine
Restore the Pats draft pick
rescind all team fines.
and
A public retraction that there was simply no evidence that the balls were tampered with in any way and the NFL made a serious error in judgment in pursuing this matter.

In return, I save you from the total embarrassment you will endure in court, Roger.

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Exactly. If they are not going to clear his name at worst or somehow proclaim that the fix was in then F them. TB want the legacy repaired. He wants a career after football. This isn't a guy who is going to want to sit around the house counting his money. His post football career will all come down to this scandal and unfortunately I think the damage is permanent and not fixable unless the NFL admits they set this up and had zero evidence....which again wont sway everyone

If TB takes a fine or any sort of punishment as a settlement I hope everyone is prepared. He will be seen as guilty. I dont like it but if I was wasn't a Pats fan I wouldn't be able to see it any other way, even as a Pats fan it would be questionable to me as to his knowledge of the event.

obgod3 said:

If TB takes a fine or any sort of punishment as a settlement I hope everyone is prepared. He will be seen as guilty. I dont like it but if I was wasn't a Pats fan I wouldn't be able to see it any other way, even as a Pats fan it would be questionable to me as to his knowledge of the event ...

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... which science says never happened.

I think virtually every post in this thread has an element of accuracy in it regarding the final outcome, but I do disagree in a couple of places.

1. I think the installation of new "rules" about handling game balls suggests that the League knows it did not have adequate procedures in place.
2. I think it's finally dawned on the League that it has far more to lose in a court case than Brady, for whom the worst outcome is that he's out a few bucks he can afford and ends up in the same place he is today.
3. I think it's a mistake to underestimate the role that the League's awareness of the size of the joint Brady/Bundchen pocketbook is playing in this.
4. I think Sally Jenkins offered Goodell his "out" weeks ago; her suggestion was essentially taken up by Florio and King last week.
5. I think the League is looking for a way to undo the suspension and save some face.
6. I think Brady and his team are smart enough to understand #5.
7. I think it's a big game of "chicken" right now between the League and Brady.
8. I think the NFLPA wants to go to court more than Brady because it sees this as a chance to undo its error in agreeing to the absurd Arbitration clause of the CBA.
9. I think the NFLPA is eventually going to have to fight its own battles and strike during the next round of negotiations, if necessary, to get the Arbitration clause changed; that's not Brady's responsibility.
10. I don't think Brady's going to get an apology from the League under any circumstances.
11. I think the League will reduce Brady's suspension to zero games on the grounds that its procedures give it no way of proving that a "crime" was ever committed (the Sally Jenkins Solution).
12. I think the League might try to leave the possibility open of re-opening the case after it gathers some real data from game-day measurements this year, but I doubt that will fly.
13. I think the League will not exonerate Brady, but that it will stop attacking him (that means you, Troy Vincent) and will agree not to refute Brady when he maintains his innocence.
14. I think Brady will agree to a fine for "non-co-operation" in the original inquiry. I don't know what the fine will be, but Favre paid $50,000 and the maximum a player can be fined in a circumstance like this is, I believe, $250,000, so it will be between those two numbers.
15. I think some owners will be really pissed off at this outcome, but that Goodell will explain the facts of life to them by detailing the risks of a court fight.
16. I think this all would have been resolved weeks ago if Kraft had kept the possibility of an Owner's Suit on the table, even if he never intended to pursue that option.
17. I think there will be a new Commissioner when or before Goodell's contract is up in 2019.

GaryfromTO said:

I know it's the NFLPA and they only care about Brady, but this is what I'd love to hear Tom say to the NFL.

The only settlement I'll agree to is
NO games
No fine
Restore the Pats draft pick
rescind all team fines.
and
A public retraction that there was simply no evidence that the balls were tampered with in any way and the NFL made a serious error in judgment in pursuing this matter.

In return, I save you from the total embarrassment you will endure in court, Roger.

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I like it but it doesn't go far enough. The Colts, Ravens, and anyone else in pursuing this "gotcha" needs to be investigated and if warranted, punishments levied with compensation coming to the Pats.

After that, let's talk about the handslap the Rats got for tampering with, and stealing, Revis and adjusting the penalty approprately, again, more compensation coming the Pats' way.

Getting exonerated still doesn't punish the perpetrators. They can't be allowed to get away with it.