[News] Late For Work 5/13: Will Perriman Lead Rookie WR Class? Smith Sr. Responds To Hater On Birthday

[cobrajet]

Kyle Arrington is on my wish list too

[bioLarzen]

1. Deflated balls did not give the Pats an unfair advantage in that Colts game. They were up 14-7 at the half. The balls were found to be under inflated and corrected at half time. The entire 2nd half was played with regulation footballs and the Pats thumped the Colts in the 2nd half.... with a final score of 40someting to 7! The colts should have been asking for the balls to be deflated from the looks of things

 

The Wells report specifically mentioned that it was of no importance from the investigation's point of view whether the infringement had any effect on the game's outcome.

 

As I underatand, the "severity" of the punishment is mainly due to the following factors:

 

- there WAS an infringement of the rules;

- The Pats' past transgressions of the rules (a.k.a. cameragate)

- The unwillingness of some of the key Pats-employees to fully cooperate

 

What the final punishment will be - we are yet to see. It's gonna be a long story, especially that we are in the off-season desert, where a story like this is golden for any media outlet, including nfl.com.

[bioLarzen]

Kyle Arrington is on my wish list too

 

I'm afraid even if we make him an offer, it won't be one the Pats can't match - and if they do, I'm quite sure Arrington heads back to Foxboro (or another organization that offers hem even more).

 

Does anyone know how the Pats currently stand capspace-wise?

Edited May 13, 2015 by bioLarzen

[BallmoreAllDay]

Apparently we had interest in Swearinger too...Hopefully we can nab Arrington.

ESPN's Field Yates reports eight teams put in a claim for SS D.J. Swearinger before he was awarded to the Bucs.

Including the Bucs, the Jaguars, Raiders, Jets, Falcons, Bills, Steelers, and Ravens all placed claims. This obviously means little now that Swearinger has landed in Tampa Bay, but it's noteworthy should Swearinger not stick with the Bucs. He doesn't really fit the scheme and could end up back on the streets if he doesn't up his play and learn to adhere to Lovie Smith's Cover-2 system.

Source: Field Yates on Twitter May 13 - 1:01 PM

[rmcjacket23]

The Wells report specifically mentioned that it was of no importance from the investigation's point of view whether the infringement had any effect on the game's outcome.

 

As I underatand, the "severity" of the punishment is mainly due to the following factors:

 

- there WAS an infringement of the rules;

- The Pats' past transgressions of the rules (a.k.a. cameragate)

- The unwillingness of some of the key Pats-employees to fully cooperate

 

What the final punishment will be - we are yet to see. It's gonna be a long story, especially that we are in the off-season desert, where a story like this is golden for any media outlet, including nfl.com.

While I agree, the problem I have is that the fine and draft pick penalties are essentially the "organizational penalties". But the four game suspension for Brady isn't really an "organizational penalty"... its an individual one. It implies that Brady committed an act that warrants a four game suspension.

 

Last time I checked, Brady had nothing to do with SpyGate, so I highly doubt the NFL is handing down a suspension to Brady for something the organization did but he didn't partake in. So in reality, Brady is most likely being treated as a simple first-time offender of an on-field rules violation, and takes into account the fact that he may have lied.

 

To me, that's what makes the 4 game punishment a bit steep in my opinion, because I just don't think his personal transgression warrants that. I think the likelihood of him actually sitting four games is almost non-existent, and I wouldn't be surprised if over half or even all of the suspension is withdrawn.

[Maryland]

Ravens run the ball and spread the ball around too much for Perriman to lead in yards or receptions. Keep in mind Cooper and White are playing on teams that will amass huge amounts of junk yards once they're losing in the 4th quarter.

 

Maybe TDs, but I doubt that too because we spread the ball too much. Plus I bet we start using all these TEs in the redzone. 

[Dfence4champs2052]

I still can't get over the whole "maybe the Ravens should learn the rules" quip from Brady. I'm enjoying this immensely regardless of the outcome. I hope we are able to snag Arrington, but with our interest being common knowledge, I can see Ozzie is already trying to manage the fanbase's expectations.

[Halshayeji]

While I agree, the problem I have is that the fine and draft pick penalties are essentially the "organizational penalties". But the four game suspension for Brady isn't really an "organizational penalty"... its an individual one. It implies that Brady committed an act that warrants a four game suspension.

Last time I checked, Brady had nothing to do with SpyGate, so I highly doubt the NFL is handing down a suspension to Brady for something the organization did but he didn't partake in. So in reality, Brady is most likely being treated as a simple first-time offender of an on-field rules violation, and takes into account the fact that he may have lied.

To me, that's what makes the 4 game punishment a bit steep in my opinion, because I just don't think his personal transgression warrants that. I think the likelihood of him actually sitting four games is almost non-existent, and I wouldn't be surprised if over half or even all of the suspension is withdrawn.

Please don't defend habitual cheaters

And don't compare cheating millions of fans from the outcome of games to off field issues.

If a player takes PEDs then he performs better (alone) If a quarterback intentionally deflates balls then his receivers get more yards. His running backs fumble less. He has a better grip In bad weather etc...

I said this before and say this again. If the pats had 1 or 2 3rd down incompletions then the ravens would have won. The outcome of the colts game is irrelevant because the colts were cleat out prepared.

What I'm trying to say is that there is a fine line between great teams and dynasties. The pats would not have won 2 if not three superbowls without controversy.

This is a culture of playing under the belt and it's about time it gets punished. I think the NFL actually went soft. Very soft! They knew the pats cheated their way to the Super Bowl but allowed them to participate in it and somehow won it. What about that had money invested in those games? What about the legacy of other player that were changed? It's just not right.

When it comes to those draft picks. The pats will get a 3rd round comp pick for Revis. Btw they signed him to a 12 mil per year deal and counted only 7 mil against the cap. Then didn't pickup the 25mil option that we all knew they never would have and get a 3rd round pick because of it.

What about continually rolling the dice with players that have bad histories? Other teams would be held accountable. The pats get away with it! I call that a bit of karma.

The pats earned loosing a 1st and 4th round pick. Brady should be gone for at least for games. The pats cheated in the Playoffs and the NFL just pushed it under the rug. The player responsible would have been banned "suspended" from participating in the final in most other sports. Brady actually won that Super Bowl. And because he lied back then and played. He robbed the Ravens, Colts, and Seahawks from a legitimate chance to win a Super Bowls. 4 games is nothing for influencing the outcomes of games and lying about it and playing in playoff games while lying.

[riseNConquer81]

I'm afraid even if we make him an offer, it won't be one the Pats can't match - and if they do, I'm quite sure Arrington heads back to Foxboro (or another organization that offers hem even more).

 

Does anyone know how the Pats currently stand capspace-wise?

The Pats WON'T match.

They cut him for making only $4M.

Unless he REEALLLY wants to be a patriot and doesnt care at all about his paycheck: Boston is the one place he's not going back to.

[rmcjacket23]

Please don't defend habitual cheaters

And don't compare cheating millions of fans from the outcome of games to off field issues.

If a player takes PEDs then he performs better (alone) If a quarterback intentionally deflates balls then his receivers get more yards. His running backs fumble less. He has a better grip In bad weather etc...

I said this before and say this again. If the pats had 1 or 2 3rd down incompletions then the ravens would have won. The outcome of the colts game is irrelevant because the colts were cleat out prepared.

What I'm trying to say is that there is a fine line between great teams and dynasties. The pats would not have won 2 if not three superbowls without contriversy.

This is a culture of playing under the belt and it's about time it gets punished. I think the NFL actually went soft. Very soft! They knew the pats cheated their way to the Super Bowl but allowed them to participate in it and somehow won it. What about that had money invested in those games? What about the legacy of other player that were changed? It's just not right.

When it comes to those draft picks. The pats will get a 3rd round comp pick for revis. Btw they signed him to a 12 mil per year deal and counted only 7 mil against the cap. Then didn't pickup the 25mil option that we all knew they never would have and get a 3rd round pick because of it.

What about continually rolling the dice with players that have bad histories? Other teams would be held accountable. The pats get away with it! I call that a bit of carma.

The pats earned loosing a 1st and 4th round pick. Brady should be gone for at least for games. The pats cheated in the Playoffs and the NFL just pushed it under the rug. The player responsible would have been banned "suspended" from participating in the final in most other sports. Brady actually won that Super Bowl. And because he lied back then and played. He robbed the ravens, colts, and Seahawks from a legitimate chance to win a Super Bowls. 4 games is nothing for influencing the outcomes of games and lying about it and playing in playoff games while lying.

Yeah, I'm not buying most of this...

 

I'm not defending the Patriots. I'm defending the notion that Brady and specific individuals are somehow getting punished for SpyGate and the public is incorrectly lumping the two together, which again, he had as much to do with that as you or I did. What, specifically, did Tom Brady do wrong in the SpyGate saga? What was he specfically accused of?

 

Like I addressed already, the fines and the draft picks are a reflection of an ORGANIZATIONAL punishment. Its a reflection of, as you say, habitual cheaters. Its a bit hypocritical and confusing to me though, given that the Wells Report, which the NFL financed and ultimately used to base its judgment on, largely exonerated people like Belichick and Kraft (basically the representatives of the organization) from any wrongdoing in this situation. I supposed the league's entire foundation for these punishments is based on this notion that they failed to allow Wells to interview McNally again, but that's not really relevant to me.

 

Tom Brady's suspension is an individual suspension. Its a suspension of a single player from the team, much like every other suspension is. If a player gets popped for PEDs, he gets suspended. He doesn't get suspended AND the team gets fined a draft pick. Therefore, what the league is saying is that Tom Brady deflating some footballs as a FIRST TIME OFFENDER (because he's never been even vaguely accused of cheating at any other point in his career, and certainly not during SpyGate) is warranted of a four game suspension. If the argument is that its the equivalent of PED use, then I'm fine with it, but it would appear that the public seems to think this is actually a light sentence for Brady, which is mind-boggling to me, considering nobody claimed that Ngata's suspension was "light" at the time that happened.

 

I don't really care much about the "legacy" argument, because fans perception of legacy and what legacy actually is are generally completely different. I have zero doubt that Tom Brady doesn't care one bit about whether the public thinks his rings or performances are "tainted" one bit. He knows he's won SBs, he knows he's set records, he knows his coaches and peers within the business respect him and think he's one of the greatest QBs they've ever seen, and he knows he's going straight to the HOF. That's a legacy. Much in the same way an average human being would, if I were to take stock of my life and try to determine my "legacy", it wouldn't be based at all on what a stranger who doesn't know me or know anything about me thinks of me. In his case, its what his peers and people within the industry think of him that matters.

 

As for comparing off-field incidents to on, the comparisons may not exactly be fair, but they are extremely relevant to me and particularly to the NFL. In the NFL's case, off-field transgressions actually matter significantly more, because they can alter the bottom line of the league in a much harsher way, and they cross into areas where the public cares more. The NFL cares about money... a lot. I'd argue its the number one thing they care about (even moreso than integrity, which most fans pretend to care about but really don't when it comes down to it), and if that's the case, they care a lot more about the monetary consequences of somebody knocking out their wife than they do about their star QB deflating some footballs. The last time I checked, there were numerous sponsors who were extremely interested (and ultimately in the ear of the NFL) in regards to punishment for public figures who commit violent crimes like domestic violence and child abuse. And the last time I checked, approximately ZERO sponsors I've heard of care even vaguely about what Brady did with footballs or what his punishment was.

 

Like it or not, the NFL cares much more about actions than words. They know that as much as the public likes to play the self-righteous card in situations like Brady's, they know the same people are watching games, going to games, and wearing jerseys, regardless of the punishment. Its the actions of guys like Rice, and more importantly, the NFL's response to it, that can alter whether certain demographics watch games, attend games, and wear jerseys, and whether certain sponsors pay them millions to advertise their product.

 

Brady's and the Pats' transgressions don't even move the needle in that regard, hence why you're starting to see more severe punishments for off-field problems than on.

[boldtown]

mr. brady must have skipped the chapter on football condition he read the book.

[Postapocalypse Raven]

While I agree, the problem I have is that the fine and draft pick penalties are essentially the "organizational penalties". But the four game suspension for Brady isn't really an "organizational penalty"... its an individual one. It implies that Brady committed an act that warrants a four game suspension.

 

Last time I checked, Brady had nothing to do with SpyGate, so I highly doubt the NFL is handing down a suspension to Brady for something the organization did but he didn't partake in. So in reality, Brady is most likely being treated as a simple first-time offender of an on-field rules violation, and takes into account the fact that he may have lied.

 

To me, that's what makes the 4 game punishment a bit steep in my opinion, because I just don't think his personal transgression warrants that. I think the likelihood of him actually sitting four games is almost non-existent, and I wouldn't be surprised if over half or even all of the suspension is withdrawn.

It also takes into account the fact the he did not fully cooperate with the investigation. Bradys suspension may very well be reduced, but there's not a chance on earth that it gets completely overturned.

[rmcjacket23]

It also takes into account the fact the he did not fully cooperate with the investigation. Bradys suspension may very well be reduced, but there's not a chance on earth that it gets completely overturned.

Probably not, but certainly wouldn't surprise me.

 

We've already seen Saints players get full suspensions wiped away from their involvement in BountyGate when they pushed the legal envelope with the NFL. And all of those players also played well when their appeal process was still tied up in litigation with an independent party.

[RavensBaltimore]

Yeah, I'm not buying most of this...

 

I'm not defending the Patriots. I'm defending the notion that Brady and specific individuals are somehow getting punished for SpyGate and the public is incorrectly lumping the two together, which again, he had as much to do with that as you or I did. What, specifically, did Tom Brady do wrong in the SpyGate saga? What was he specfically accused of?

 

Like I addressed already, the fines and the draft picks are a reflection of an ORGANIZATIONAL punishment. Its a reflection of, as you say, habitual cheaters. Its a bit hypocritical and confusing to me though, given that the Wells Report, which the NFL financed and ultimately used to base its judgment on, largely exonerated people like Belichick and Kraft (basically the representatives of the organization) from any wrongdoing in this situation. I supposed the league's entire foundation for these punishments is based on this notion that they failed to allow Wells to interview McNally again, but that's not really relevant to me.

 

Tom Brady's suspension is an individual suspension. Its a suspension of a single player from the team, much like every other suspension is. If a player gets popped for PEDs, he gets suspended. He doesn't get suspended AND the team gets fined a draft pick. Therefore, what the league is saying is that Tom Brady deflating some footballs as a FIRST TIME OFFENDER (because he's never been even vaguely accused of cheating at any other point in his career, and certainly not during SpyGate) is warranted of a four game suspension. If the argument is that its the equivalent of PED use, then I'm fine with it, but it would appear that the public seems to think this is actually a light sentence for Brady, which is mind-boggling to me, considering nobody claimed that Ngata's suspension was "light" at the time that happened.

 

I don't really care much about the "legacy" argument, because fans perception of legacy and what legacy actually is are generally completely different. I have zero doubt that Tom Brady doesn't care one bit about whether the public thinks his rings or performances are "tainted" one bit. He knows he's won SBs, he knows he's set records, he knows his coaches and peers within the business respect him and think he's one of the greatest QBs they've ever seen, and he knows he's going straight to the HOF. That's a legacy. Much in the same way an average human being would, if I were to take stock of my life and try to determine my "legacy", it wouldn't be based at all on what a stranger who doesn't know me or know anything about me thinks of me. In his case, its what his peers and people within the industry think of him that matters.

 

As for comparing off-field incidents to on, the comparisons may not exactly be fair, but they are extremely relevant to me and particularly to the NFL. In the NFL's case, off-field transgressions actually matter significantly more, because they can alter the bottom line of the league in a much harsher way, and they cross into areas where the public cares more. The NFL cares about money... a lot. I'd argue its the number one thing they care about (even moreso than integrity, which most fans pretend to care about but really don't when it comes down to it), and if that's the case, they care a lot more about the monetary consequences of somebody knocking out their wife than they do about their star QB deflating some footballs. The last time I checked, there were numerous sponsors who were extremely interested (and ultimately in the ear of the NFL) in regards to punishment for public figures who commit violent crimes like domestic violence and child abuse. And the last time I checked, approximately ZERO sponsors I've heard of care even vaguely about what Brady did with footballs or what his punishment was.

 

Like it or not, the NFL cares much more about actions than words. They know that as much as the public likes to play the self-righteous card in situations like Brady's, they know the same people are watching games, going to games, and wearing jerseys, regardless of the punishment. Its the actions of guys like Rice, and more importantly, the NFL's response to it, that can alter whether certain demographics watch games, attend games, and wear jerseys, and whether certain sponsors pay them millions to advertise their product.

 

Brady's and the Pats' transgressions don't even move the needle in that regard, hence why you're starting to see more severe punishments for off-field problems than on.

Both Brady and the organization are being held accountable. This is directly copied and pasted from Troy Vincent's letter explaining the punishment.

 

"Nonetheless, it remains a fundamental principle that the club is responsible for the actions of club employees. This principle has been applied to many prior cases. Thus, while no discipline should or will be imposed personally on any owner or executive at the Patriots, discipline is appropriately imposed on the club.”

 

As far as Brady not cheating during spygate, if they stole defensive signals illegally, then Brady used those tapes to study the defense and gain an unfair advantage, so he did cheat then, too. If a first time offender gets 4 game for taking adderall, then how is it a steep penalty to give Brady 4 games for breaking a rule that can affect every player that touches the ball, lying about it, then refusing to cooperate with the investigation? It also said in Vincent's letter that the evidence suggests that Jan 18 was not the first and only time it occured, so I don't think Brady is simply a first time offender and nothing more. Based on all that, it seems 4 games it light, not steep.

 

The NFL does care a lot about money, which is why the suspensions for domestic violence became indefinite once the public outrage started after Rice's video, so making any comparison's to the original 2 game suspension(not accusing you of doing this, but it's been done a lot) is irrelevant. 

 

Saying that cheating won't cost the NFL money and sponsors is extremely short sighted. This particular event alone may not do that, but if the league only applies a slap on the wrist, we could be seeing more and more of it, and that would definitely damage the credibility of the league, which could have long term consequences. If a popular media outlet started making up stories to get ratings, it would probably help them tremendously in the short term, but as their credibility gradually took hit after hit, people would stop taking them seriously, which would hurt ratings.

 

I really don't think people are playing the self righteous card with Brady, and I don't think it has anything to do with morals. To me, at least, it's much more about the legitimacy of the competition. People get emotionally involved in the game and some spend a lot of money on it, and they want the competition to be real. People like a champion to be crowned. In all sports we want to see who is the best, the fastest, the strongest, etc. When cheating rigs the competition, determining all that is impossible. It would not be possible to determine the world's fastest man if they were all running on different surfaces and some were going uphill. If the game is rigged, there's really no point in seeing who wins and getting emotionally involved, because it's all fraudulent, and people won't take it seriously. That's why they want to protect the integrity of the game, regardless of whether this specific situation deters fans and sponsors.

[riseNConquer81]

Tom Brady's suspension is an individual suspension. Its a suspension of a single player from the team, much like every other suspension is. If a player gets popped for PEDs, he gets suspended. He doesn't get suspended AND the team gets fined a draft pick. Therefore, what the league is saying is that Tom Brady deflating some footballs as a FIRST TIME OFFENDER (because he's never been even vaguely accused of cheating at any other point in his career, and certainly not during SpyGate) is warranted of a four game suspension. If the argument is that its the equivalent of PED use, then I'm fine with it, but it would appear that the public seems to think this is actually a light sentence for Brady, which is mind-boggling to me, considering nobody claimed that Ngata's suspension was "light" at the time that happened.

here's why you're confused:

1) his suspension isnt about the footballs. Once this blew up into a big deal and he didnt cooperate with the investigation to get it wrapped up quickly, it was bigger than that on a couple fronts, especially after Kraft had the nerve to grand stand and demand an apology.

He was suspended for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the league. That's for the footballs, the lack of cooperation, the apparent lying on camera, the participation in a line stepping culture, running plays that get banned weeks later...all of it. That leads me to

2) PUBLICLY. He hasnt been PUBLICLY accused of cheating...at least not by anybody in the league. Since all this broke out you can find numerous interviews from various players active retired and otherwise who have low opinions of Brady and the Pats organization, and are un-surprised to hear he had something to do with this. So

3) More importantly than anything...it was to send a message. Brady set himself up to be made into an example, and now he is one. Just like Rice became the example for the new hammer to come on DV violations. You're stuck on precedents. Precedents are irrelevant when you're trying to change a culture...because the idea behind that is to no longer do things the way you were. Basically, there's a first time for everything.

lastly, Apples to oranges comparisons. Ngata actually was a legit first time offender, and aside from that one incident, not a single person in the universe has a damn thing negative to say about Ngata.

The other thing is that deflated footballs vs PEDs in itself is a dumb comparison. If you do PEDs, it ONLY effects you. The effects of that violation do not exit the sphere of your existence.

Flat balls help you out, but also effect the way EVERYONE else who gets the chance to touch that ball plays the game. On that level, its worse than PED use. Its not the same thing.

Edited May 13, 2015 by riseNConquer81

[Grapple Raven]

Both Brady and the organization are being held accountable. This is directly copied and pasted from Troy Vincent's letter explaining the punishment.

 

"Nonetheless, it remains a fundamental principle that the club is responsible for the actions of club employees. This principle has been applied to many prior cases. Thus, while no discipline should or will be imposed personally on any owner or executive at the Patriots, discipline is appropriately imposed on the club.”

 

As far as Brady not cheating during spygate, if they stole defensive signals illegally, then Brady used those tapes to study the defense and gain an unfair advantage, so he did cheat then, too. If a first time offender gets 4 game for taking adderall, then how is it a steep penalty to give Brady 4 games for breaking a rule that can affect every player that touches the ball, lying about it, then refusing to cooperate with the investigation? It also said in Vincent's letter that the evidence suggests that Jan 18 was not the first and only time it occured, so I don't think Brady is simply a first time offender and nothing more. Based on all that, it seems 4 games it light, not steep.

 

The NFL does care a lot about money, which is why the suspensions for domestic violence became indefinite once the public outrage started after Rice's video, so making any comparison's to the original 2 game suspension(not accusing you of doing this, but it's been done a lot) is irrelevant. 

 

Saying that cheating won't cost the NFL money and sponsors is extremely short sighted. This particular event alone may not do that, but if the league only applies a slap on the wrist, we could be seeing more and more of it, and that would definitely damage the credibility of the league, which could have long term consequences. If a popular media outlet started making up stories to get ratings, it would probably help them tremendously in the short term, but as their credibility gradually took hit after hit, people would stop taking them seriously, which would hurt ratings.

 

I really don't think people are playing the self righteous card with Brady, and I don't think it has anything to do with morals. To me, at least, it's much more about the legitimacy of the competition. People get emotionally involved in the game and some spend a lot of money on it, and they want the competition to be real. People like a champion to be crowned. In all sports we want to see who is the best, the fastest, the strongest, etc. When cheating rigs the competition, determining all that is impossible. It would not be possible to determine the world's fastest man if they were all running on different surfaces and some were going uphill. If the game is rigged, there's really no point in seeing who wins and getting emotionally involved, because it's all fraudulent, and people won't take it seriously. That's why they want to protect the integrity of the game, regardless of whether this specific situation deters fans and sponsors.

 

Well stated RavensBaltimore!

[riseNConquer81]

I really don't think people are playing the self righteous card with Brady, and I don't think it has anything to do with morals. To me, at least, it's much more about the legitimacy of the competition. People get emotionally involved in the game and some spend a lot of money on it, and they want the competition to be real. People like a champion to be crowned. In all sports we want to see who is the best, the fastest, the strongest, etc. When cheating rigs the competition, determining all that is impossible. It would not be possible to determine the world's fastest man if they were all running on different surfaces and some were going uphill. If the game is rigged, there's really no point in seeing who wins and getting emotionally involved, because it's all fraudulent, and people won't take it seriously. That's why they want to protect the integrity of the game, regardless of whether this specific situation deters fans and sponsors.

yes. thank you. Its so annoying that the world is so jaded that no can believe there are people who are legitimately just interested in a fair freaking competition.

[Grapple Raven]

From Troy Vincent’s letter to Tom Brady:

 

“With respect to your particular involvement, the report established that there is substantial and credible evidence to conclude you were at least generally aware of the actions of the Patriots’ employees involved in the deflation of the footballs and that it was unlikely that their actions were done without your knowledge. Moreover, the report documents your failure to cooperate fully and candidly with the investigation, including by refusing to produce any relevant electronic evidence (emails, texts, etc.), despite being offered extraordinary safeguards by the investigators to protect unrelated personal information, and by providing testimony that the report concludes was not plausible and contradicted by other evidence.

“Your actions as set forth in the report clearly constitute conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the game of professional football. The integrity of the game is of paramount importance to everyone in our league, and requires unshakable commitment to fairness and compliance with the playing rules. Each player, no matter how accomplished and otherwise respected, has an obligation to comply with the rules and must be held accountable for his actions when those rules are violated and the public’s confidence in the game is called into question.”

 

The underlined phrase from Vincent's letter to Brady can be backed up on multiple instances from the Well's Report, non more damning to Raven's fans than this:

 

"On January 7, 2015, eleven days before the AFC Championship Game, McNally

and Jastremski discussed how McNally would have a “big autograph day” and

receive items autographed by Brady the following weekend, before the playoff

game against the Baltimore Ravens. McNally and Jastremski exchanged the

following text messages:

McNally: Remember to put a couple sweet pig skins ready for tom to

sign

Jastremski: U got it kid...big autograph day for you

McNally: Nice throw some kicks in and make it real special

Jastremski: It ur lucky. 11?

McNally: 11 or 11 and half kid

 

On January 10, 2015, immediately prior to the game between the Patriots and the

Ravens, in the Patriots equipment room with both Brady and Jastremski present,

McNally received two footballs autographed by Brady and also had Brady

autograph a game-worn Patriots jersey that McNally previously had obtained."  ~Page 6 of the Well's Report

[The Mom Gene]

From Troy Vincent’s letter to Tom Brady:

 

“With respect to your particular involvement, the report established that there is substantial and credible evidence to conclude you were at least generally aware of the actions of the Patriots’ employees involved in the deflation of the footballs and that it was unlikely that their actions were done without your knowledge. Moreover, the report documents your failure to cooperate fully and candidly with the investigation, including by refusing to produce any relevant electronic evidence (emails, texts, etc.), despite being offered extraordinary safeguards by the investigators to protect unrelated personal information, and by providing testimony that the report concludes was not plausible and contradicted by other evidence.

“Your actions as set forth in the report clearly constitute conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the game of professional football. The integrity of the game is of paramount importance to everyone in our league, and requires unshakable commitment to fairness and compliance with the playing rules. Each player, no matter how accomplished and otherwise respected, has an obligation to comply with the rules and must be held accountable for his actions when those rules are violated and the public’s confidence in the game is called into question.”

 

The underlined phrase from Vincent's letter to Brady can be backed up on multiple instances from the Well's Report, non more damning to Raven's fans than this:

 

"On January 7, 2015, eleven days before the AFC Championship Game, McNally

and Jastremski discussed how McNally would have a “big autograph day” and

receive items autographed by Brady the following weekend, before the playoff

game against the Baltimore Ravens. McNally and Jastremski exchanged the

following text messages:

McNally: Remember to put a couple sweet pig skins ready for tom to

sign

Jastremski: U got it kid...big autograph day for you

McNally: Nice throw some kicks in and make it real special

Jastremski: It ur lucky. 11?

McNally: 11 or 11 and half kid

 

On January 10, 2015, immediately prior to the game between the Patriots and the

Ravens, in the Patriots equipment room with both Brady and Jastremski present,

McNally received two footballs autographed by Brady and also had Brady

autograph a game-worn Patriots jersey that McNally previously had obtained."  ~Page 6 of the Well's Report

Wow....... 

[feartheflock]

Being absolutely intellectually honest, these are the only QBs that would compare with Flacco in my opinion. Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck. Short of these guys, I wouldn't even consider any other QB (currently playing) better or having more upside than Joe Flacco. I am just looking at Joe's career wins and durability and clutch performances the past 7 yrs and no one really comes close to him. To even say Tannehill in the same breath as Flacco is simply a travesty and an insult to serious football fans.

Only looking at a players wins, durability, and clutch performances is not a very "intellectual" way of judging a single player. If that is the case, then Torrey Smith is a better WR than Julio Jones.

[riseNConquer81]

Only looking at a players wins, durability, and clutch performances is not a very "intellectual" way of judging a single player. If that is the case, then Torrey Smith is a better WR than Julio Jones.

the difference being that even if Torrey Smith's performance is lackluster, ti doesnt necessarily have to have a dramatic effect on the game, he can be replaced by one of a stable of wide receivers.

If Joe sucks we lose, period. He doesnt get to coast on the efforts of others.

bad comparison.

[feartheflock]

the difference being that even if Torrey Smith's performance is lackluster, ti doesnt necessarily have to have a dramatic effect on the game, he can be replaced by one of a stable of wide receivers.

If Joe sucks we lose, period. He doesnt get to coast on the efforts of others.

bad comparison.

Im talking about comparing Joe to other QB's, not which position affects the game more.

[riseNConquer81]

Im talking about comparing Joe to other QB's, not which position affects the game more.

i know what you're trying to say...and like i said...bad comparison.

[HendoRaven]

I think we got Arrington

[Bohica5]

Put TMZ on it.......That will fix brady.....

[feartheflock]

i know what you're trying to say...and like i said...bad comparison.

I say good comparison.

[riseNConquer81]

I say good comparison.

well, youre wrong.

[ellicottraven]

Only looking at a players wins, durability, and clutch performances is not a very "intellectual" way of judging a single player. If that is the case, then Torrey Smith is a better WR than Julio Jones.

Wow that was certainly intellectual! Thanks!

[ravenstime]

Those pictures are terrific!

[concretejimmy]

I am so confident that Breshad Perriman will be THE WR in this years draft class. With Steve Smith teaching them in terms of football-skills and angriness - this will be very special for us! I cant wait until the Season starts. Me and my twinbrother (I'm watching every single second of Ravens-Gametime (from Switzerland)) have a darn good feeling that this season will bring us the 3rd Lombardi!! Hustle, Hustle, Hustle!! Thats Ravens-Football! Go get em RAVENS!! Greets from Switzerland Blizzard

Greetings and thanks. I'm usually right. I say Perriman has over 1000 yards this season. He's going to take the top off of defenses better than Torrey. Torrey was intimidated by a Safety over the top, Perriman won't be. And Maxx Williams will be a starter, Pitta or not. He'll make a big impact. There are no holes on the Ravens roster. I'm even happy with what Ozzie has done in FA as far as the secondary goes. Patriots will have to play fair and square unless Billyboy has something else up his sleeves. And the Steel Curtain defense is non-existent. Ozzie had another great draft. Interesting to see what happens to Brady. The Patriots got a slap on the wrist. I think Billyboy should have been suspended for the year like Sean Payton for Bounty-gate. He knew what was going on and lied about it.  And what took so long? They should have lost a draft pick this year. The Patriots got off easy. If Brady gets his suspension reduced to two games, it just proves that Goodell is Kraft's cohort. Patriots first two games: Steelers and Jaguars. That's a slap in the face to Baltimore.