Brady v. NFL Court Hearing Thread (8/31) - Live Update and Tweets

[raduray]

Sally Jenkins@sallyjenx
@Dan_Shaughnessy That, or he’s summoned for a ruling since he’s technically the real plaintiff as chair of management council?

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

And Feely because he feels like a wild card, a last-second 'GOTCHA' like Mona Lisa Vito. For the life of me I can't think of what he'd add to the NFLPA's case but I'm fascinated to see if he's involved in any way today, or just there to support Brady.

No witnesses that were not witnesses for the arbitration hearings can testify in these hearings, by my understanding. No dorito dinks, no Walt Anderson, no anybody else.

 

[raduray]

Maybe in private conference, but not in the courtroom.

In the previous public hearings only the lawyers have spoken.

 

[Concussion Protocol]

I remember in Kessler's briefing he discussed the Jets being caught for the same behavior and getting little to no punishment. Do you think that's what is going on here? Bolstering the argument that Brady did not have notice of the punishment, and Brady's punishment is not consistent with previous punishments for the same actions?

I've been wondering since the beginning why this isn't the precedent that ends this whole thing. Possibly it's been on the back burner because it happened under the previous CBA?

 

[Oswlek]

Not only that, any settlement would kill the likelihood of a defamation case, since Brady would in essence be admitting some level of culpability.

Not if Brady only admits to obstruction and the settlement doesn't involve any games. Those unreasonable enough to fail to recognize the marginal trade off for both the removal of the suspension and no appeals wouldn't be swayed by complete exoneration either.

Why is Berman so reluctant to rule that he drags in someone who has no interest in being there?

Can we say for certain his motivation for pushing a settlement is "reluctance"?

A settlement where Brady accepts any suspension means this will be hanging over him his whole damn life.

Which is why no settlement will involve a suspension.

I just dont get Mara being requested for this, it doesnt make sense....not thrilled about it.

Seems like only a good thing to me. It reads to me like the judge is frustrated with the NFL's representatives and is going over their heads.

Bringing an influential owner in for a public hearing where he has to answer Berman's question is a good thing. It's about time that specific owners will be forced to take some heat and accountability.

Agreed.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

He is the party to the lawsuit, not Goodell.

The National Football League Management Council ( he heads it)
vs.
NFLPA and Brady

Maybe Berman is tired of dealing with the flunkie and wants to deal with someone who "gets it".and understands their position ...

 

[karguy85]

I've been wondering since the beginning why this isn't the precedent that ends this whole thing. Possibly it's been on the back burner because it happened under the previous CBA?

I was under the impression the players and the NFL agreed to carry over pretty much the same policies regarding discipline from the previous CBA. I might be incorrect, but that's my understanding. That's the only reason I can see for Feely to be there (to confirm this story, and expand on the nature of the Jets tampering) other than just supporting Tom.

 

[borg]

No live tweet outs like last time? (reporters in a room seeing the live feed).

The Jets kicker on the stand would be a brilliant move. NFLPA will be able to demonstrate the selectivity of enforcement by the NFL. Why not bring in some Vikings ball warmers to emphasize the league's bias against NE.

 

[ChoWZa]

Seems like only a good thing to me. It reads to me like the judge is frustrated with the NFL and is going over their heads.

Yeah, I think Berman understands that Goodell is not settling due to his ego, Mara could "settle" and let Goodell keep his ego, as if the judge forced Mara, effectively gives Goodell a way out without him having to directly capitulate. Basically, Goodell is acting like a 5 year old.

 

[XLIX]

I remember in Kessler's briefing he discussed the Jets being caught for the same behavior and getting little to no punishment. Do you think that's what is going on here? Bolstering the argument that Brady did not have notice of the punishment, and Brady's punishment is not consistent with previous punishments for the same actions?

I think that is exactly it. I joked about Feely being Kessler's "Airman Rodriguez and Airman O'Malley" but the more I think about it, the more I think there's a bit of truth in that comparison.

Kessler did mention the Jets getting caught cheating. As per Florio from last month:

The NFLPA explains in its lawsuit that the decision not to investigate or discipline the Jets kicker “was perfectly consistent with the Competitive Integrity Policy’s application to Clubs, not players."

And now that kicker happens to have walked into the courtroom alongside Brady.

 

[karguy85]

I think that is exactly it. I joked about Feely being Kessler's "Airman Rodriguez and Airman O'Malley" but the more I think about it, the more I think there's a bit of truth in that comparison.

Kessler did mention the Jets getting caught cheating. As per Florio from last month:

The NFLPA explains in its lawsuit that the decision not to investigate or discipline the Jets kicker “was perfectly consistent with the Competitive Integrity Policy’s application to Clubs, not players."

And now that kicker happens to have walked into the courtroom alongside Brady.

Can we confirm Feely was the Jets kicker at the time? It seems probable, but just looking for confirmation.

 

[Concussion Protocol]

I was under the impression the players and the NFL agreed to carry over pretty much the same policies regarding discipline from the previous CBA. I might be incorrect, but that's my understanding. That's the only reason I can see for Feely to be there (to confirm this story, and expand on the nature of the Jets tampering) other than just supporting Tom.

I was under that impression too. It just seems bizarre that the Jets kicking ball didn't destroy the entire case. No implication of player involvement, no investigation, 8K fine. Boom

 

[ChoWZa]

Jay Feely being called would be related to:

http://yourteamcheats.com/NYJ
Kballgate (2009) Modified: 08/03/2015"> to top ?home ?awards ?
TEAM: The New York Jets

SEVERITY:

SUMMARY: In 2009, the NFL suspended a member of the New York Jets equipment staff for attempting to use "unapproved equipment to prep the K[icking] Balls" before a game against the New England Patriots. The infraction was revealed in the petition filed by the NFLPA in the Tom Brady Deflategate suspension (see page 37).

VICTIM: New England Patriots

PUNISHED? Yes

PUNISHMENT: The NFL suspended the equipment staff member, but did not investigate or discipline the Jets kicker for “general awareness” or specific involvement, even though the Jets kicker (like Tom Brady in Deflategate) was the player most likely to benefit from the behavior and, in turn, the player most likely to be aware of the conduct.

 

[PatriotsReign]

It's about honor.

and respect...we win this case, our families will b honored...our children will be honored....lets win on 3....

 

[XLIX]

Can we confirm Feely was the Jets kicker at the time? It seems probable, but just looking for confirmation.

Feely was with the Jets in 2008 and 2009. The Jets equipment guy was suspended in 2009.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

He's our smoking gun. How ironic, an ex-rat ratting on the rats.

From your lips to God's ears...

 

[brownj12]

Can we confirm Feely was the Jets kicker at the time? It seems probable, but just looking for confirmation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_New_York_Jets_season#Final_roster

 

[SVN]

Whatever the reason mara is there, now settlement chances will increase now that mara will feel that he is going to be involved in all this stuff when he didnt wnt to be.

 

[karguy85]

Feely was with the Jets in 2008 and 2009. The Jets equipment guy was suspended in 2009.

Thanks. I highly doubt Feely is there just for moral support. But I think his friendship with Brady made him amenable to coming in an speaking to the Jets 2009 Ball scandal

 

[ChoWZa]

Feely is being used to demonstrate he was generally aware of an infraction but was NOT punished, Feely would have been the beneficiary of the tampering. It's identical to the Brady situation, meaning Goodell is being arbitrary and capricious.