Crybaby Brady gets a 4 game suspension. Chump change!
by
, 05-11-2015 at 10:04 PM (1428 Views)
I don't think it shocks anyone that the NFL came down on the New England Patriots in the wake of "Deflate-gate". Problem is, they didn't come down hard enough.
The decision to suspend quarterback Tom Brady 4 games without pay, mostly for refusing the cooperate fully with the investigation, is mere chump change. As long as commissioner Roger Goodell is in the pocket of Pats owner Robert Kraft, he'll never throw the whole book at the Pats. A million dollar fine and the loss of a 1st round pick in 2016, plus a lower round pick in '17? Again, chump change.
Because of Kraft's political influence within the league, there was just no way there would be a satisfactory punishment that would make everyone happy and close the books on this affair. This is what should've happened:
Brady: 8 game suspension. No appeal. Forfeiture of the Super Bowl MVP award, which was rigged anyway.
Patriots: Forfeiture of the 2014 AFC East title, the AFC title, and the Super Bowl. Forfeiture of draft picks in rounds 1-3 of the 2016 and 2017 drafts. $5 million dollar fine instead of $1 million. Home games cut from 8 to 4. 2015 season opener vs. Pittsburgh moved to Heinz Field on Sept. 13. Seattle would be awarded the Super Bowl and the Sept. 9 opener.
Belichick: Since it happened on his watch, he also has to serve time. He gets 4 games.
The only thing they got right was that the fall guys were essentially tossed, drawing indefinite suspensions.
The Patriots have gotten favorable scheduling from the league for years due to Kraft's influence, but not anymore. In addition to having the season opener taken off prime time television, the Pats would have their TV appearances cut down.
For his part, his stalling due to his being in Kraft's pocket, Goodell essentially falls on his sword and resigns as commissioner.
There must be something in the waters in the Northeast when it comes to certain sports franchises. The Patriots are the NFL's Evil Empire, and Kraft comes off like a comic book villain, using his influence to avoid more severe sanctions. This is where the government has to step in, now that the NFL has given up its anti-trust exemptions, and add what Goodell refused to do.
If Goodell was to give up his gig, maybe former baseball commissioner Peter Uberroth would be available?