NFL 2015 Season Thread

To me, this makes more sense than any of the other ideas I've read.

An NFL rule change that would make one of the most basic concepts of football obsolete is gaining support - Yahoo Finance

I'm not a huge fan of the idea of narrowing goal posts, or backing up the kicker 10-15 yards for PATs.

But I do kind of like the idea of making the 2pt conversion be run from the 1yrd line. This puts it in the hands of the coaches, doesn't make the kick any harder, but would make it much more appealing to go for two.

 

LOL: Rex Ryan, Please Stop Body-Shaming Your Beautiful Brother

In case you didn't know, Rob Ryan has incredibly gorgeous hair; I think Rex Ryan is just jealous.

 

A colleague of mine grew up with the Ryan boys and was on the same football team as them in High School. He says they were characters even back then, and Rob was definitely the ring leader.

 

Aaron Hernandez found guilty of first degree murder and other charges.

Automatic life in prison with no parole.

 

It's being reported tonight by several outlets that Tom Brady WILL be suspended for his alleged role in Deflategate. The only question to be determined before an announcement next week is for how many games.



While I think he probably did something that was bending/breaking the rules, I don't think the report/investigation really PROVED it.

If/when he is suspended it'll be interesting to see what happens on appeal.

 

That would absolutely shock me.

Especially if it stood up on appeal.

I think the NFL did a horrible job in handling this from start to finish.

 

Apparently there IS a published penalty in the rule book for tampering with the footballs.




The punishment called out is a $25k fine. Period. If that's what the rules say, that's all we should be talking about. Then discuss how they'll improve the procedures going forward.

 

4 game suspension for Brady.


The league threw it under the "Conduct Detrimental to the League" clause instead of the rule about tampering with footballs. It'll be interesting to see what happens to this on appeal.


The team loses three draft picks, including a first rounder next year. Also a $1M fine.


I'll be shocked if it all stands.

 

What has Brady been caught doing that would count as "past transgressions" to add up to a 4 game suspension?

Here is some context on past "ball tampering" cases.

Last season the Vikings and the Panthers both got caught tampering with footballs. They were playing in the cold, so both teams got caught using sideline heaters to warm up the footballs. It made them easier to grip, easier to catch, and undoubtedly changed the air pressure. The league caught them.

Guess what the punishment was?

A warning.

Two years before that the San Diego Chargers were caught putting a "stick em" like substance on their footballs using towels doused with it. A clear violation. A clear performance enhancement for throwing, catching, and avoiding fumbles. The first time the league got wind of it, they just told them to give up the "stick em" towels. The Chargers did not give up the "stick em" towels, and when the league caught them AGAIN violating the rule, they were punished.

What did they get?

$20,000 fine.



Those precedence are why I think this was totally unfair. It is easy to hate the Pats and Brady on an emotional, 'fan'atical level. I dislike them myself, and have usually rooted against them for the last 15 years or so.

But the league is making a mockery of its own standards here. There are three recent cases of this SAME rule being broken. One team gets a warning for a first offense. One team gets a warning, then a $20k fine for a second offense. Both times there was clear video evidence, and NFL officials present seeing it take place. Both were open and shut ironclad cases. One was a repeat offense. And the worst punishment was $20k, which is in line with the rule book.

Now we have a case where someone "probably" knew, it is a first offense, and it equals a 4 game suspension, $1m fine, and loss of draft picks?

I get haters enjoying it. But I don't think you can remove yourself from emotion, look at the context, and think it is fair. And the larger picture shows us that Goodell is inconsistent, unfair, and continues to bungle high profile cases.

So, as someone who dislikes the Pats, I still think it is very wrong.

I also would wager that the entire penalty (especially Brady's portion, since he has an appeals process available) will not stand. I wouldn't be shocked if Kraft sues using the legal system as well, since there isn't a league mandated appeals process for owners.