Judge Richard Berman’s reversal of the Tom Brady suspension is nothing less than a scathing rebuke of Roger Goodell and the NFL, Andrew Brandt of The MMQB writes. When one considers the Brady case, the Saints bounty episode, Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Greg Hardy, the NFLPA now has a solid list of major wins on appeal. Brandt believes that the union could parlay this leverage into CBA negotiations to improve the disciplinary process.
Here’s a look at more of the fallout from today’s ruling plus some reactions to Brady’s victory..
- Jonathan Kraft told reporters, including Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (on Twitter), that fans “are not the only ones” who want the team to recoup its draft picks. However, he went on to say, “as we sit here today, it’s not our intention” to fight those penalties.
- While awaiting the Brady ruling, attorneys for the NFL and NFLPA met Tuesday in New York to discuss possible revisions to the personal conduct policy, sources tell Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (Twitter links). Those talks weren’t necessarily fruitful, however. The two sides are still hung up on key issues such as neutral arbitration for appeals and the commissioner’s use of exempt list.
- It doesn’t sound likely at this juncture, but Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe wants to see the Patriots go for complete vindication. Shaughnessy argues that the Patriots should fight to get their draft picks back and also restore their reputation.
