Washington Post: Parties NOT expected to settle by Wednesday

Rob0729 said:

I agree. Kraft gains nothing by avoiding this meeting. In fact, he hurts himself. He needs to make himself the most powerful and invaluable owner in the League if he is ever going to get rid of Goodell.

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I beg to differ on two points. Kraft has zero friends, respect or influence in the League on football matters otherwise the Pats would not be crapped on like they are. His only influence is on financial matters and that doe not carry over no matter what Kraft or anybody else thinks. Secondly, there is no evidence that Kraft even if he had the power wants to get rid of Goodell. Kraft can huff and puff about the League office and Goodell's subordinates but he has not burned his bridge to Goodell and never will in my opinion. All you have to recall is who was Goodell's first and most vociferous supporter in the Rice fiasco when Goodell was on the ropes.

slash83 said:

So when a settlement isn't reached by Wednesday, is there a date for when court proceedings begin?

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They either settle or the judge has to decide either to uphold or vacate Goodell's ruling as "arbiter." this judge's history is that he will work hard with both sides to help them settle but bring the hammer down on the losing side if they don't settle. so right now it's a game of "chicken" between the NFL and the NFLPA/Brady. If one side or the other feels it has the upper hand as to the outcome, it won't feel it has to do more than go through the motions, but it will be playing with fire

I realize it's the media and all....but everyone is predicting Brady is going to lose.

I'll be sick if that is the way this turns out

Nordberg said:

I realize it's the media and all....but everyone is predicting Brady is going to lose.

I'll be sick if that is the way this turns out

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The vast majortiy of the media is uninformed.

Hell, you had Ben Volin channeling his innner Mike Wallace today and it only took him 8 months.

wonder what strings goodell can pull or is pulling with his father being an ex ny senator and all that.

The Gr8est said:

I'm an optimist. I'm still holding out hope that if Brady can get exonerated the courts, then it will be really difficult for the NFL* to maintain stealing the picks.

It's actually possible that public sentiment will be for returning the picks.

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I don't know about that. I hope that's true but half the public is still stuck on the word "Deflator" and a trip to the bathroom.

Brady missed practice today because he was in NY waiting for tomorrow's meeting with Berman

Meanwhile goodell was in Chicago doing PR and babbling incoherently at a podium

Any chance that Berman takes that as a sign that the NFL ignored his request to try to settle?

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

When a judge says "please do this" you need to take it as "you damn well better do this".

But now that Goodell has upped the rhetoric to insist that Tom was a blatant cheater who also offered bribes to cover it up, I'm not sure that Tom will even accept a significant fine. If they explain that to the judge, he may be sympathetic.

The judge isn't trying to get himself off the hook, he's just trying to end this once and for all. A settlement ends it. A ruling may not, as it may just send it to an arbitrator if he sides with Tom. If the NFL won, it would be over though. God that would suck.

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Could the NFLPA appeal the ruling?

flasox27 said:

I beg to differ on two points. Kraft has zero friends, respect or influence in the League on football matters otherwise the Pats would not be crapped on like they are. His only influence is on financial matters and that doe not carry over no matter what Kraft or anybody else thinks. Secondly, there is no evidence that Kraft even if he had the power wants to get rid of Goodell. Kraft can huff and puff about the League office and Goodell's subordinates but he has not burned his bridge to Goodell and never will in my opinion. All you have to recall is who was Goodell's first and most vociferous supporter in the Rice fiasco when Goodell was on the ropes.

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Financial, media and players union, don't forget that. They'd still be on strike if it wasn't for Kraft.

PatsFanSince74 said:

They either settle or the judge has to decide either to uphold or vacate Goodell's ruling as "arbiter." this judge's history is that he will work hard with both sides to help them settle but bring the hammer down on the losing side if they don't settle. so right now it's a game of "chicken" between the NFL and the NFLPA/Brady. If one side or the other feels it has the upper hand as to the outcome, it won't feel it has to do more than go through the motions, but it will be playing with fire

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There is another date.

RayClay said:

Financial, media and players union, don't forget that. They'd still be on strike if it wasn't for Kraft.

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What you say is all well and good. However, the facts speak for themselves. No other team has gotten the royal screwing the Pats have for nothing while the Jets whose owner has allegedly no influence can manage to get wrist slaps. All the praise and platitudes Kraft received for the CBA has translated into zero influence where it counts.

According to Rodney, he still thinks brady is suspended opening night. FWIW.

http://www.danpatrick.com/dp-podcasts/

Nordberg said:

I realize it's the media and all....but everyone is predicting Brady is going to lose.

I'll be sick if that is the way this turns out

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If by "everyone" you mean "almost nobody", that's what I'm hearing, too.

flasox27 said:

What you say is all well and good. However, the facts speak for themselves. No other team has gotten the royal screwing the Pats have for nothing while the Jets whose owner has allegedly no influence can manage to get wrist slaps. All the praise and platitudes Kraft received for the CBA has translated into zero influence where it counts.

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I didn't say the Pats weren't getting screwed. It's part "parity", part NY and sore loser teams and the commissioner is insane, against N.O and Miami too.

The guy is so stupid, Kraft thought he could manipulate him, He was wrong.

Deus Irae said:

If by "everyone" you mean "almost nobody", that's what I'm hearing, too.

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Yeah seriously, who is saying that Brady is going to lose? worst I've read is that its a toss up based on how the judge feels, but Brady's case has enough merit to win.

RayClay said:

There is another date.

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Right, they're meeting tomorrow and then again on the 19th. The Judge has responded to requests by both parties that he hold an expedited proceeding with the hope of having a ruling by September 4th. [edit]

I'll be on Jury Duty at the New York State Supreme Court tomorrow, right around the corner from the Moynihan building where Brady and Goodell will be appearing. They'll probably enter through a secure entrance, but I'm going to hang around and hope to see the principals.

I was down there today and took a picture of the main entrance to the SDNY Courthouse (posted below)

It will be a total madhouse of media tomorrow (it was crazy enough today at the State Courthouse during the Kelly Rutherford proceedings) and I'll post any pics, taken outside the building, that I think the Board might find interesting.

Deus Irae said:

If by "everyone" you mean "almost nobody", that's what I'm hearing, too.

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It's all a game of chicken now. I like Brady's chances, but wouldn't bet the farm on them. I was encouraged by Goodell's evasiveness today.

I'll actually be "on site" tomorrow since I'm on State Jury Duty, a mid-range Gostkowski FG from the SDNY Courthouse. If I catch a glimpse of Brady, I'll post a pic. But, I'm pretty sure he'll be entering through a secure underground entrance.

PatsFanSince74 said:

The Judge has agreed to rule by September 4th.

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Has he? The parties requested that date, and the Judge set an expedited briefing schedule, but I hadn't heard anything about him issuing a decision by September 4th. Oral argument wouldn't actually take place until 8/19 according to his order.

MassPats38 said:

Has he? The parties requested that date, and the Judge set an expedited briefing schedule, but I hadn't heard anything about him issuing a decision by September 4th. Oral argument wouldn't actually take place until 8/19 according to his order.

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You're right, as usual. I edited my comment. I reread the materials I have and Judge Berman said he was responding to the request by both parties to have an expedited procedure that could allow a finding by the 4th, but he never says that he will do it by that date.

Fencer said:

Steph Stradley, one of the biggest drumbeaters for "Berman really wants a settlement", is reminding folks on Twitter that this does NOT mean he expects the sides to meet in the middle. Indeed, she's suggested that means Berman wants the NFL to capitulate.

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That's been my most hopeful read of this for the last few days, but, when I'm honest with myself, I admit that i don't have the foggiest ****ing clue what's going on.
I can't imagine that his questions to the parties tomorrow won't telegraph where he is coming from.