Tom Brady may miss home opener against Pittsburgh
It’s difficult to predict the discipline will be imposed as a result of the Ted Wells report without knowing who will be imposing it. (More on that in a later blurb.) But it’s clear based on the conclusions and other observations in the Wells report that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady faces a likely suspension.
For Brady, there’s another problem; he refused to fully cooperate with the investigation. As the NFL’s Policy on Integrity of the Game & Enforcement of Competitive Rules states, “Failure to cooperate in an investigation shall be considered conduct detrimental to the League and will subject the offending club and responsible individual(s) to appropriate discipline.”
The 2015 home opener for the New England Patriots against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10 is leaning toward being a junior varsity game. What should have been a huge celebration in the raising of the fourth Super Bowl flag for the Patriots may force the home team to wait until their most important player is eligible to attend the ceremony. Also missing will be Pittsburgh Steelers' RB Le'Veon Bell and Patriots' RB LeGarrette Blount.
The NFL — with executive VP Troy Vincent swinging the hammer and feeling the need to back Commissioner Roger Goodell to the hilt may shift the balance of power in the AFC with their decision. Las Vegas oddsmakers have already taken the home opener off the betting board. The over/under of 10 1/2 wins for New England would clearly be affected. The key NFL words of integrity, fair play and competitive balance are clearly in question.
Before executive VP Troy Vincent makes his decision on the penalties to Tom Brady, he would be well served to take a look at the Ray Rice - Janay Palmer elevator video. To include Bill Belichick and Bob Kraft in your ruling because "it happened on their watch" is absurb. Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints was suspended for one year for Bounty Gate because ignorance is not an excuse.
MSN:
"I don't have any doubt about my son's integrity — not one bit," Tom Brady Sr. told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday after the investigation's publication.
"The league had to cover themselves," Brady Sr. said. "The reality is they had no conclusive evidence.
"This was Framegate right from the beginning."
Camille Mann, CBS News:
SuperModel Gisele Bundchen stood by her husband, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady, telling friends that the receivers were the ones to blame after the Patriots 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.
Waiting for an elevator after the game with some of the other Patriot's wives, Gisele was videotaped saying, "I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times. My husband can not f---king throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time."
Memo to Brady family - Please let Tom Jr. speak for himself. You are not helping.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire. .
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