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The Pass | By Ricardo Lockette
Well I certainly enjoyed reading this one more than I did reading about Rodney Harrison’s perspective on the Helmet catch. Really good piece from Lockette and credit to him for being able to talk about a horrible moment (from his perspective, not mine of course).
This entire Deflategate saga is setting a dangerous precedent.
What happens now when a team is actually caught red handed cheating? With Deflategate they’ve established any player involved can be suspended multiple games and the $1 million fine and loss of two picks including a first rounder is the BASELINE and that was for a team being punished without any hard proof they did ANYTHING.
So even if Brady’s absolved in court, the precedent remains. The Patriots are maybe the only team that can overcome the totality of their punishment even if it all stayed in place. But a team that is caught with irrefutable proof? The NFL will have to choice but to effectively BURY them completely.
If we’re talking about a Super Bowl winning year I’d have to go with 2001 simply because it was the first time and they overcame so much to finally raise the Lombardi. The other Super Bowl wins they were far more established and talented, almost to the point where if they didn’t win it, it would’ve been a disappointment.
As for a non-Super Bowl winning year I’m going to go with 2013. Just absolutely devastating injuries coupled with near complete turnover at wide receiver and yet they still somehow clawed their way into AFC Championship. I’ve never been more okay with a playoff loss in the Pats’ run. Also you have to mention the incredible late comebacks they had that were just so exciting.
I’m sure 2007 deserves some mention but that was in essence a pissed off all star team. Personally I enjoy seasons where major adversity is overcome as a sign of a great team.
But the key thing here for the league is that they believe the pressure point is going to be at the start of training camp — if they can get the deal done then because at that point in time, Brady will want to focus on football almost exclusively and get the entire Deflategate matter put behind him and in the rear mirror as he goes towards the 2015 season.
Jason Cole/Bleacher Report
By now I shouldn’t be surprised by this, and really it makes the most sense as to why the NFL would delay their ruling. But I don’t think it really matters to Brady and there’s almost no doubt in my mind we’re going to court.
Look, the NFL took away picks in both 2016 AND 2017, so we’re going to be talking about Deflategate for two more years regardless. Do they really think Brady will let his reputation be ruined in the eyes of many because he thinks it will all just go away if he takes what the NFL offers?
If anything there will be even more of a media firestorm around him because it will be spun as admitting guilt.
No, we’re going to court and I hope all the cronies in the NFL office are fried in the process.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/but-the-key-thing-here-for-the-league-is-that-they/
Getting a late start but it’s a slow day here so I need some great questions!!! Let me have ‘em!
Roger Goodell’s handling of deflate-gate has become three-ring circus
Here’s your latest Wells Report evisceration.
Tom Brady Must Take the NFL to Court Over Deflategate
New one up on Athlon. There’s no other option for Brady.
Latest Salary Cap Breakdown for New England Patriots Friday post at B/R is up, breaking down the Pats salary cap by position and trying to find some places for restructuring.