Updated: Judge Tells Brady No Need To Attend 8/19 Settlement Hearing

Kdo5 said:

I don't like the sound of a reduced suspension at all. Surprised that they even offered such a concession given the leagues behavior.

At the same time if the league didn't even budge on that time of settlement offer then you have to think that looks very bad on their part to Judge Berman. Not saying it will impact the decision but it's possible.

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Well technically they budged in accepting reduced suspension if brady admitted guilt. If that is what happened. I dont know what the heck is going on for true though.

YOUGOTMOSSED said:

If that's their concern, they could just have him agree to waive the defamation claim.

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They need to justify the ~$3m they paid for the thing. Their entire case is based on the Wells Report as is Goody's so-called integrity.

Deus Irae said:

I certainly hope that's not true.

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Why? The NFL refused to even consider it so now Brady comes out looking nice and cooperative to the judge for offering to give up so much in an agreement. It might have even been a calculated ploy by Kessler knowing that the NFL wouldn't accept it.

SVN said:

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 2h2 hours ago
Roger Goodell, Tom Brady and lawyers met today in settlement talks with Magistrate Judge James Francis, but "got nowhere", per source.

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NFL* : Admit guilt/accept Wells report, 2 game suspension and 100K fine.

NFLPA/Brady : 100k fine for not cooperating, maintain innocence. and F-U

Crickets for hours....

Seriously though, I will be disappointed if Brady offered 1 game for non-cooperation, or to be more clear, accepted a 1 game penalty. That just seems excessive, and there is no precedent for it. If true though it at least shows good faith to the judge that Brady's side is trying.

VectorPrime said:

Why? The NFL refused to even consider it so now Brady comes out looking nice and cooperative to the judge for offering to give up so much in an agreement. It might have even been a calculated ploy by Kessler knowing that the NFL wouldn't accept it.

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Because, once you offer it, the fact that you've offered it is always on the table. And, also, because it's basically an admission of guilt if he takes any games, regardless of how any statement gets couched.

Deus Irae said:

Because, once you offer it, it's always on the table. And, also, because it's basically an admission of guilt if he takes any games, regardless of how any statement gets couched.

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Im not saying its not a gamble.

This makes me a little worried that the judge might stick to that as something Brady "would be okay with."

Also, if true, this is the "admission of guilt" the world was waiting for.

I'm skeptical of those suggesting Kessler is playing some sort of twenty dimensional chess game where he chooses to offer a settlement agreement that he knows Brady doesn't want because he figures the NFL will object to it too. A one game suspension is a serious concession from Brady, and there was a very real chance the NFL could have agreed to it. It is only because of stubbornness and pride that the NFL is insisting on Brady kissing Goodell's ring instead of just accepting the NFLPA offer.

Deus Irae said:

I certainly hope that's not true.

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NFL lying using Schefter to get their lie out to the public. That is Standard Operating Procedure for the NFL.

patsfan13 said:

Bet this is NFL spin, reports fron Brady camp no suspension but required Brady accept Well's report.

Hope Berman nukes NFL and vacates tomorrow, have clerks write opinion tonight.

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I would guess Berman wouldn't be happy with either party leaking details of settlement

TheBeers said:

NFL* : Admit guilt/accept Wells report, 2 game suspension and 100K fine.

NFLPA/Brady : 100k fine for not cooperating, maintain innocence. and F-U

Crickets for hours....

Seriously though, I will be disappointed if Brady offered 1 game for non-cooperation, or to be more clear, accepted a 1 game penalty. That just seems excessive, and their is no precedent for it. If true though it at least shows good faith to the judge that Brady's side is trying.

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The NFL must be SERIOUSLY concerned about a defamation suit if they are really this insistent on an admission of guilt. Regardless, an admission of guilt is clearly a "non-starter" and the judge must know this.

VectorPrime said:

Why? The NFL refused to even consider it so now Brady comes out looking nice and cooperative to the judge for offering to give up so much in an agreement. It might have even been a calculated ploy by Kessler knowing that the NFL wouldn't accept it.

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I'm honestly not sure how this whole process works so I may be way off, but I hope they didn't offer to accept any suspension hoping the nfl would reject etc. I mean could it than come down where the judge says well my decision is you serve x amount of time as that's what you were already offering etc. Is that possible?

ANGR89 said:

I'm honestly not sure how this whole process works so I may be way off, but I hope they didn't offer to accept any suspension hoping the nfl would reject etc. I mean could it than come down where the judge says well my decision is you serve x amount of time as that's what you were already offering etc. Is that possible?

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I don't think so. I think the judge can only determined whether or not Goodell acted within the law and terms of the CBA as arbitrator. If he did, the punishment stands. If not, the punishment is vacated.

As I understand it--and I could be way off--the only way to get to a middle ground between those extremes is by settlement.

I know this has been expressed before but Iam just appalled that there is not one person in the league office who is asking and telling theie guys "wtf are we doing here?". all of the league off is full of egoistic numbnuts ?

karguy85 said:

Schefter just said on Sportscenter that Brady was willing to accept a partial suspension for obstruction only with no admission of guilt, the the NFL was not interested in that concession. That won't look good to Berman. I've never heard of a party being forced to admit guilt as part of a settlement...

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Egh, that's surprising if true (and I have my doubts that it is). I'd rather the judge rule for the NFL and he sits four games than he settles for one.

ANGR89 said:

I'm honestly not sure how this whole process works so I may be way off, but I hope they didn't offer to accept any suspension hoping the nfl would reject etc. I mean could it than come down where the judge says well my decision is you serve x amount of time as that's what you were already offering etc. Is that possible?

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Dont think that is possible. But it may show brady in good light that he is willing to settle. OTOH it may make the judge think about brady's innocence if he concedes a partial suspension, although I dont think that will be the case.

If brady makes that offer hes getting a suspension of 1 or 2 games irrespective.

patsfan13 said:

NFL lying using Schefter to get their lie out to the public. That is Standard Operating Procedure for the NFL.

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Schefter is what causes me to pause. He is usually spot on with his news.

SVN said:

Dont think that is possible. But it may show brady in good light that he is willing to settle. OTOH it may make the judge think about brady's innocence if he concedes a partial suspension, although I dont think that will be the case.

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I just don't want him to accept ANY suspension! I don't think he did anything for one but even if he did why should he be the 1st person to ever accept a suspension for a equipment violation? I just don't think he should accept anything more than a fine and at that be clear it's just to get this over with.

resdubwhite said:

If brady makes that offer hes getting a suspension of 1 or 2 games irrespective.

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On what grounds?

TheBeers said:

NFL* : Admit guilt/accept Wells report, 2 game suspension and 100K fine.

NFLPA/Brady : 100k fine for not cooperating, maintain innocence. and F-U

Crickets for hours....

Seriously though, I will be disappointed if Brady offered 1 game for non-cooperation, or to be more clear, accepted a 1 game penalty. That just seems excessive, and there is no precedent for it. If true though it at least shows good faith to the judge that Brady's side is trying.

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$100,000! $50, nothing more. No suspension.