http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/ ... s-30966083

NFL Suspends Brady 4 Games for Deflated Footballs

NEW YORK — May 11, 2015, 5:39 PM ET
By BARRY WILNER AND JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writers
Associated Press

The NFL suspended Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady for the first four games on Monday for his role in a scheme to deflate footballs used in the AFC title game. The league also fined the Patriots $1 million and took away two draft picks, including next years' first-round choice.

The NFL also indefinitely suspended the two equipment staffers who carried out the plan, including one who called himself "The Deflator."

The league cited the integrity of the game in handing down the punishment five days after a report said Brady "was at least generally aware" of plans by two Patriots employees to prepare the balls to his liking, below the league-mandated minimum of 12.5 pounds per square inch.

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If they cheated they need to vacate the SB win.

Way too harsh in my opinion considering the history of NFL punishments ---

How many times has they been caught now? Maybe the other punishments have been too easy. Though this is more than I expected.

I think 2 games would have been fair - 4 games is what they give PED users - $1M is nothing to Bob Kraft - that and the draft choices are aimed at the management ---

Whatever credibility the NFL had is now gone, in my mind. This is absolutely ridiculous. Their own report only came to the conclusion of more probable than not, which, according to a lawyer I heard today means only 50.01% vs. 49.99%. They can't prove anything happened yet they level a suspension more harsh than Ray Rice was originally given for beating the crap out of his wife. This goes down as the most ridiculous decision by a professional sports league in my lifetime.

appst89 wrote:Whatever credibility the NFL had is now gone, in my mind. This is absolutely ridiculous. Their own report only came to the conclusion of more probable than not, which, according to a lawyer I heard today means only 50.01% vs. 49.99%. They can't prove anything happened yet they level a suspension more harsh than Ray Rice was originally given for beating the crap out of his wife. This goes down as the most ridiculous decision by a professional sports league in my lifetime.

Maybe they DO know some stuff. The report does not seem so bad, so it keeps things on the low down for a popular franchise, yet they seem tough to the other 31 teams. Both sides are happy, and the silly games continue for fun and profit for all involved.

What the Patriots did was cheating and they won a Super Bowl because they cheated. I think the punishment of Brady is too severe and the Patriots punishment is too lenient. They should have a two year post season ban and they should have to forfeit part of their revenue share. That won't happen though because Goodell works for the owners.

I am somewhat torn on this one. Part of me says, how is this different from every Offensive Line Coach in America teaching his players how to hold without being caught? Yes, they all do it. Most offenses could not function if all holding was done away with. It is part of the game. Sort of like in Nascar, if you don't get caught cheating every now and again you really aren't trying very hard.

But, when you present footballs for inspection before a game, that are evaluated by NFL officials, and then low level staff is instructed to lower the air pressure before the game begins,that just seems to be a whole differnet level of cheating.

I do think it is wrong the Patriots got off this easy. I think something like a playoff ban should be in order. Monetary fines will not motivate folks with that much money to make sure their staffs and players are behaving properly. Brady probably got what he deserves. I find it impossible to believe this happened without his knowledge and encouragement. But, the real punishment needs to be on the Patriots organization in order to send a message to the rest of the league that this will not be tolerated.

JMHO, but I think Brady's, and the Patriots', punishment is predicated more on the fact that the texts they had shows that there was an attempt to "cover some butts" instead of the act itself being that egregious. In addition, all the other instances in which the Patriots were caught, and either punishment was averted or light, this was a bit heavy to balance it out and an attempt to have them curb their historical activities. They are the league's best franchise, unfortunately, and they do not need to video another team's practice, deflate balls, steal signals, etc to be successful. Belichek is operating at a near Nixon-ian level of paranoia.

TractorApp wrote:...if you don't get caught cheating every now and again you really aren't trying very hard.

Not saying you agree with the sentiment, but the idea of "what can I get away with" as oppose to "what is the right thing to do." is very symbolic of many countries including our own. Not a principle I care to support.

They cheated. If the NFL wants to send a message then make the punishment worse that the gains received by the win. If they made $2 million profit in SB victory merchandise then fine then at least that much. If they made some TV ads that brought in money then fine them that much plus a bit more. What happened here is proving the point that cheaters do win both on the field and at the bank.

Not buying that they "won the Super Bowl" because of this. They beat the Colts by 38, then went on to beat the Seahawks after being discovered. I think the punishment was reasonable, I just think the punishment they gave Ray Rice was ridiculously lenient.

What Ray Rice did was wrong and socially unacceptable. However what he did, did not result in a competitive advantage on the field. Comparing the punishments is apples to oranges.

The first slap is what happens in EVERY professional sport when someone is caught cheating and the second slap is what Should happen to them.

I think this speaks more towards what america cares about most and apparently it isn't cheating.

Poor little Tommy

As is often the case, the cover up is worse than the crime. It happens a lot when lawyers are involved.

Can't help but think it might be a retroactive correction of a Spygate punishment that was way too light, combined with the ongoing arrogance of the Patriots. Ole Roger couldn't let it appear they had gotten away with it again.
With that said, it wouldn't surprise me to see an appeal and some reductions- that way Roger looks fair and tough, but the punishment is lowered and its someone else's fault.