NFL 2015 Season Thread

Borla, the punitive penalties for past transgressions (if that what they are) are aimed at the Patriots. Since the league can't make examples of the equipment guys, and it wouldn't have the same impact, they chose to include Brady. Maybe he did make it clear which **special** footballs he wanted in the game(s), maybe he didn't. As I understand some of the news reports, their (in)accuracy aside, Brady wasn't cooperative in the investigation.

As I originally posted, the stiff penalties might be for show:

Was it you who chewed nails and spewed venom over the idea that Belichick was only doing--Spygate--what others teams had been doing for years?

I agree that the NFL needs to be consistent in rules enforcement.

 

This' clearly a hot topic for you. You posted that you expect the punishments to be overturned or at least reduced via appeal and/or civil lawsuits. My thoughts, now being posted for the third time, are there is a distinct possibility that the NFL took the "hard line" for appearances only, knowing that it won't stand.

I mentioned Spygate for a reason. There were many people who felt that the Patriots, while caught red-handed & clearly guilty, were made a scapegoat, because the league could've pursued other 'lesser' teams as well. The Pats, being a very successful & high profile team, made a good scapegoat. And Deflategate could be more of the same Fair? No. Common in the real world? Yes.

 

I'm not that passionate about the NFL, and I'm not worried about the Patriots. I don't like the inconsistency of the NFL, but I can understand why they chose a team that allows Goodell & Co to beat their chests and proclaim 'Look at how tough we're being!' while giving 'lesser' teams a free pass or a slap on the wrist.

Now if this involved a certain NFL franchise in Dallas..............................

 

So Roger "El Gran Jefe/Pinche Pendejo" Goodell, who supported the Brady sanctions, now wants to judge the merit of the appeal? Rhetorical question--What good is an appeal hearing if the the "new" "judge" openly backed the ruling of the previous "judge" at the time it was made?

Goodell needs to step away and let the released air go where it might.

 

The latest report says Goodell is wanting more info from directly from Brady, i.e. meeting face-to-face. I'm not a lawyer, but my experience in litigation support tells me that most attorneys would advise Brady not meet with Goodell without counsel being present.

Tom Brady's best shot in his appeal could be turning over texts, emails to Roger Goodell - Yahoo Sports

So it seems that Brady didn't turn over his texts and emails during the Wells' investigation.
One view is the NFL has no business asking for them, much less receiving and reading them.
Another view is Brady works for the NFL, and is fully aware of the NFL's control (be it right or wrong) over its players.

If this comes down to a lawsuit over Brady's right to privacy verses the NFL's right to investigate players, the resulting court decision could be huge in establishing boundaries, generous or limited, in how far the NFL can go in investigating its players. Removing the threat of a we-can-do-whatever-we-want investigation would greatly weaken the amount of control the NFL has over its players.

 

Report: Goodell rejects NFLPA request to recuse himself from Brady appeal | ProFootballTalk

 

Personally, I think if he dosent let Goodell go through his phone so to speak he is hiding something

 

I usually don't pay attention at all during preseason. Earlier today, I remember thinking, "oh, game tonight? Meh. It's too hot for football. I'll get into it next month."

Then my friends were all talking about it, and I started watching, and...oh, hey, I'm actually excited! Pretty sure this is the first preseason game I've ever watched.

 

Reminds me, got the invite for the TFP fantasy league a few days ago. Should attend to that.

 

i havent gotten that yet, someone please send me the link
--- merged: Aug 15, 2015 11:27 AM ---
nevermind, i found it

 

It seems that the Hoyer & Mallet competition for the starting QB spot--which won't actually be settled until the end of PS--is still ongoing despite Hoyer getting the nod for today's game. I lean towards giving Mallet as many reps as possible in the PS because he needs them. Hoyer is an experienced QB. If he plays well he shouldn't need more than a one quarter; if he can't get his shit together in one quarter then he deserves to get pulled.

Last year OB had some room for experimenting because expectations for his rookie season as HC weren't high. Unfortunately Mallet's injury screwed-up OB's limited time to evaluate him in real games. His ignoring the QB "void" via the draft & free agency now has OB on the hot seat.

OB clearly wanted Mallet from the start, but the Patriots hung onto him as long as possible. It's now time to see what the big man can or can't do.

 

I've never seen Hard Knocks. Anybody have any thoughts on it turned out with the Texans?

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So, anybody see any big surprises in Preseason Game One?

I only saw the Texans V 49ers. The biggest disappointment was the Texans S-I-X failures to run the ball into the end zone.