Tom Brady Suspended

[rfournier103]

I’m actually a Patriots fan concerned about the integrity of the game.

Other players caught doing stuff like this faced legal action. They actually charged members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox in relation to the Black Sox scandal. Fines and suspensions aren’t curbing contempt for the rules and fair play. More drastic action is needed.

And why is it whenever someone criticizes the Patriots, fans assume it’s because theyre supporters of another club who got beaten by them? Stuff like that is one of the reasons Patriots fans are one of the most reviled fanbases in professional sports.

The Black Sox scandal was different. They broke laws, fixing games so those running the gambling racket would come out on top. The ball deflating is breaking a rule- something I’m sure every team does, the Pats just happened to get caught. I agree that it’s messed up. I’m a fan of integrity in sports. The steroid issue in baseball almost brings tears to my eyes. But criminal charges for possibly being involved in deflating footballs a little bit is absurd.

Absolutely. The 1919 White Sox were trying to lose. The Patriots ALWAYS try to win (THAT fact is undisputed).

All I can say is it’s a good thing Brady’s deflated balls bore no resemblance to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), or he’d be in real trouble.

hahahahahahahaha!!! Good one!!!

I loathe the quasi-religious atmosphere surrounding football in general and the Patriots in particular around here, and the worship of Brady. I wish the Super Bowl win had been vacated. The Pats have a long history of questionable practices. This time they didn’t get away with it.

You’re in a distinct minority around here, sir. The Super Bowl win was glorious and I can’t wait for the next one!

Given the flimsiness of the league report, it’s much easier to make the case that the folks who are advocating for extreme penalties for Brady and the Patriots are under the influence of a “quasi-religious atmosphere”. There’s nothing in the report that proves that Brady did anything wrong, In fact, he’s not even being punished for deflating the balls, but for declining to turn over personal e-mails and texts to the league investigators.

Yes.

I think they’re just making it up as they go along.

You’re not the only one thinking that.

 

[ucfengr]

Brady didn’t tell investigators that they weren’t well-acquainted. He said he didn’t even know who McNally was.

Per the texts between McNally and Jastremski:

McNally: Tom sucks…im going make that next ball a ****in balloon

Jastremski: Talked to him last night. He actually brought you up and said you must have a lot of stress trying to get them done…

Jastremski: I told him it was. He was right though…

Jastremski: I checked some of the balls this morn… The refs ****ed us…a few of then were at almost 16

So Jastremski said Brady referred to McNally? That’s really not proof that Brady knows McNally. He may have been making a generic reference to McNally in a conversation with Jastremeski, who he clearly did have contact with, or possibly, Jastremski was just trying to cool McNally off and claimed Brady said something he didn’t to make him feel good about Brady. In any case, it certainly appears that McNally didn’t like Brady, whatever Brady thought of him, which makes him being willing to cheat on his behalf less likely rather than more.

 

[ucfengr]

I would think that someone who is responsible for the footballs of a club could perhaps be familiar with the quarterbacks of a professional franchise but perhaps, my logic is reaching a bit.

The only reference I see of Brady discussing McNally in the report (and I can’t tell if it’s by name) is a third party discussion between McNally and Jastremeski was when Brady was pissed about the balls being overinflated in the Jets game. I read the report as he clearly knew Jastremski, but it’s more ambiguous about his knowing McNally.

 

[Havard]

So Jastremski said Brady referred to McNally? That’s really not proof that Brady knows McNally. He may have been making a generic reference to McNally in a conversation with Jastremeski, who he clearly did have contact with, or possibly, Jastremski was just trying to cool McNally off and claimed Brady said something he didn’t to make him feel good about Brady. In any case, it certainly appears that McNally didn’t like Brady, whatever Brady thought of him, which makes him being willing to cheat on his behalf less likely rather than more.

Jastremski’s told the investigators that Tom knew McNally, and these texts confirm that. You’re not suggesting Jastremski lied, are you? Especially in the texts, which were sent prior to the incident.

As for McNally, the texts clearly indicate that he was ticked off by Tom’s demands, which was why he was expecting big kickbacks in the form of swag from him:

McNally: You working
Jastremski: Yup
McNally: Nice dude…jimmy needs some kicks…lets make a deal…come on help the deflator

Kicks is an expression for shoes. McNally called himself “the deflator”. He’s clearly fishing for recompense. Here’s another:

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

Pig skins meaning signed balls. Here’s yet another.

Jastremski: I have a big needle for u this week
McNally: Better be surrounded by cash and newkicks…or its a rugby sunday
McNally: **** tom
Jastremski: Maybe u will have some nice size 11s in ur locker
McNally: Tom must really be working your balls hard this week

Again, another

Jastremski: Size 11?
Jastremski: 2 or 3X?
McNally: Tom must really be on you
McNally: 11 0r 11 half…2x unless its tight fitting
Jastremski: Nah. Hasn’t even mentioned it, figured u should get something since he gives u nothing

 

[ProVobis]

Absolutely. The 1919 White Sox were trying to lose. The Patriots ALWAYS try to win (THAT fact is undisputed).

RIght. And Pete Rose only bet on his own teams.

Couldn’t resist.

But seriously I feel the refs should shoulder some of the blame as they toss the football between themselves more than the players and so should have suspected something.

 

[Caldera599]

Reading the posts defending this cheating pig, I’m not surprised that the Patriots fanbase is the most despised in football. Zero morals or integrity. I now dread winning a fifthe title, because it will only rile up the neanderthals more.

 

[ucfengr]

Jastremski’s told the investigators that Tom knew McNally, and these texts confirm that. You’re not suggesting Jastremski lied, are you? Especially in the texts, which were sent prior to the incident.

As for McNally, the texts clearly indicate that he was ticked off by Tom’s demands, which was why he was expecting big kickbacks in the form of swag from him:

McNally: You working
Jastremski: Yup
McNally: Nice dude…jimmy needs some kicks…lets make a deal…come on help the deflator

Kicks is an expression for shoes. McNally called himself “the deflator”. He’s clearly fishing for recompense. Here’s another:

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

Pig skins meaning signed balls. Here’s yet another.

Jastremski: I have a big needle for u this week
McNally: Better be surrounded by cash and newkicks…or its a rugby sunday
McNally: **** tom
Jastremski: Maybe u will have some nice size 11s in ur locker
McNally: Tom must really be working your balls hard this week

Again, another

Jastremski: Size 11?
Jastremski: 2 or 3X?
McNally: Tom must really be on you
McNally: 11 0r 11 half…2x unless its tight fitting
Jastremski: Nah. Hasn’t even mentioned it, figured u should get something since he gives u nothing

Lots of discussion between Jastremski and McNally, but still nothing between Brady and McNally. That only confirms that Jastremski knew McNally, not that Brady knew him.

 

[josie_L]

Lots of discussion between Jastremski and McNally, but still nothing between Brady and McNally. That only confirms that Jastremski knew McNally, not that Brady knew him.

But there is that possibility whether you like it or not.

 

[ucfengr]

But there is that possibility whether you like it or not.

Possibility is not proof.

 

[josie_L]

Possibility is not proof.

Possibility, as in, he may be guilty, which neither one of us can know at this point.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Possibility, as in, he may be guilty, which neither one of us can know at this point.

Which is probably why the suspension won’t stand on appeal—there’s just no solid evidence.

 

[Path_Finder]

Which is probably why the suspension won’t stand on appeal—there’s just no solid evidence.

But this may not be so if the charges stem more from withholding evidence as stated in this thread. Now, I don’t know what the details are, if that means turning over emails which would seem to be private but again, these are NFL rules.

 

[Path_Finder]

Possibility is not proof.

If the charges are withholding evidence, I’m sure that can be proven. This is stated in the thread.

 

[Havard]

Lots of discussion between Jastremski and McNally, but still nothing between Brady and McNally. That only confirms that Jastremski knew McNally, not that Brady knew him.

Again, it’s in the first text I mentioned:

Jastremski: He actually brought you up…

This is evidence that Brady knows who he is. But the more important part is this:

…and said you must have a lot of stress trying to get them done…

Them being the balls. If you read all the texts back and forth, it’s clear that McNally was stressed about deflating the balls:

Jastremski: Talked to him last night. He actually brought you up and said you must have a lot of stress trying to get them done…
Jastremski: I told him it was. He was right though…
Jastremski: I checked some of the balls this morn… The refs ****ed us…a few of then were at almost 16
Jastremski: They didnt recheck then after they put air in them
McNally: **** tom …16 is nothing…wait till next sunday
Jastremski: Omg! Spaz

 

[ucfengr]

Again, it’s in the first text I mentioned:

This is evidence that Brady knows who he is. But the more important part is this:

Them being the balls. If you read all the texts back and forth, it’s clear that McNally was stressed about deflating the balls:

For it to stand up in a legal proceeding, I doubt text messages between low level staff members is sufficient evidence to prove Brady was lying about how well he knew or didn’t know McNally. McNally was the locker room attendant for the NFL officials, not the players. He obviously had a lot of interaction with Jastremski, but it’s not obvious that he had any interaction with Brady. Also, I don’t know how you establish emotional state in text messages. Did he use a “stressed” emoji?

 

[bibcat]

espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12867594/punishments-handed-tom-brady-new-england-patriots-deflategate

Not enough punishment. He should face criminal charges for this

Lemme guess. You’re a Seahawks season ticket holder, right?

 

[Havard]

For it to stand up in a legal proceeding, I doubt text messages between low level staff members is sufficient evidence to prove Brady was lying about how well he knew or didn’t know McNally. McNally was the locker room attendant for the NFL officials, not the players. He obviously had a lot of interaction with Jastremski, but it’s not obvious that he had any interaction with Brady. Also, I don’t know how you establish emotional state in text messages. Did he use a “stressed” emoji?

You really want to keep arguing this point?

When interviewed, Brady claimed that, prior to the events surrounding the AFC Championship Game, he did not know McNally’s name or anything about McNally’s game-day responsibilities, including whether McNally had any responsibilities relating to game balls or the game officials. When asked specifically whether he had spoken with Jastremski about McNally on the night of the Jets game, he stated: “I didn’t know who Jim McNally was so I find it hard to believe I could bring that up.”

So please stop framing this as being about “just how well they knew each other” as his comments go well past that. Brady clearly communicated to the investigators that he was completely unfamiliar of or with McNally. Not only does the that text contadict this, where Jastremski says Brady specifically asked about McNally and the pressure he is under… there’s also Jastremski’s interviews:

As described in Section II.B.2, during the game between the Patriots and the Jets on October 16, 2014, Tom Brady complained about the feel and inflation level of the game balls. According to Jastremski, while complaining about the balls on the sidelines during the game, Brady made a comment about McNally and referred to the testing of the game balls by the game officials prior to the game. Jastremski explained that Brady “knows that Jim is the referees locker room attendant,” and recalls that Brady said something like, “isn‟t he in there to make sure the balls are staying where they should be?”

And further, there’s McNally’s interviews, including this:

McNally also stated that he knows that Brady prefers game balls inflated to 12.5 psi, because Brady personally told McNally of his preference.

 

[Orogeny]

I can’t believe that I am actually posting to this thread since I find this topic to be so over-covered and over-discussed, even without my (name removed by moderator)ut.

However, I want to make a prediction. I want to predict that Brady will fight this in federal court and the NFL will get slaughtered.

There isn’t even compelling evidence in the report that the balls were under inflated. There may actually have been no rules violation to begin with.

Without a search warrant, what authority did the investigator have for demanding information from Brady’s phone? And, if he had no legal right to those messages, how can such a severe penalty be levied?

How can the NFL defend the practice of letting teams handle the footballs that they will be using in a game if the league actually cared about “protecting the integrity of the game”? How come the allegedly under-inflated footballs were allowed to be used for one half of a playoff game if the league was interested in “protecting the integrity of the game”?

Many, many issues with this report and subsequent penalties.

I’m a Houston Texans fan. I really, really don’t like the Patriots. But this controversy and subsequent penalty is absurd.

Peace

Tim

 

[ucfengr]

And further, there’s McNally’s interviews, including this:

McNally also stated that he knows that Brady prefers game balls inflated to 12.5 psi, because Brady personally told McNally of his preference.

You do know that 12.5psi is within NFL requirements, right?

static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/5_2013_Ball.pdf

 

[rfournier103]

I want to predict that Brady will fight this in federal court and the NFL will get slaughtered.

Very likely.

I’m a Houston Texans fan. I really, really don’t like the Patriots. But this controversy and subsequent penalty is absurd.

Peace

Tim

Sorry you feel that way, Tim; given that two of the Texans quarterbacks are former Patriots and four of the Texans coaches are former Patriots players or coaches.

I was very upset when the Oilers were moved, and I wish the Texans nothing but success. They’re an up-and-coming team.

Good luck this season.