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Except for the big one: balls were stolen. You haven't acknowledged that yet and science can't deny it. Once you do accept that as the starting point, you'll see the science, the air pressure, none of that matters. It doesn't matter what the balls were like. It matters that the Patriots employees acted to change them, that Brady knew that it happened and didn't acknowledge it, and that it wouldn't have occurred if he didn't want it to. And that it was an unprecedented act of cheating. Never has anything like this happened before. The 4 games was too light, and the air pressure is a sideshow that allows some to under-represent an example of cheating that is incredibly disrespectful of the game. kj

Find me another example in the history of any pro sports league where a player and team employees conspired to STEAL game balls or pucks or whatever from a game official. This is not in any way equivalent to a pitcher using a foreign substance, a corked bat, or a wide goalie pad. Find me an example from another sport that is remotely equivalent and then I'll be happy to compare punishments. You are the Distractor. kj

That sums up my issues with your involve not in this thread. I'm surprised you were so direct, really. You don't really want Brady on trial, and you think the perfect time to expose the supposed imbalance in the league's disciplinary system is right when Brady is exposed to be a cheat. And a bum. If a cheater gets away with cheating, small price to pay for correcting the real injustice here, that Goodell can hear appeals. To heck with that. There is no injustice done to Brady. Cuz he's a bum. And a cheat. There is plenty of time to fix the CBA. Later. Right now we have a cheater to try. And a bum. Of course he is on trial here. That is the whole point. kj

I'm not trying to stamp any conversation out; I apologize for coming on strong. But your analogy doesn't hold. It isn't that there is a fine specified and he got jail time. There is no precedent available to make that kind of judgment, because no one has ever been involved in or knew about someone stealing gameballs before. kj

Anyone in the NFL ever been fined or suspended or caught being a party to or having knowledge of gameballs being stolen before? Ever heard of a case like that? No, because this is unprecedented. There are no rules that say "don't steal gameballs." And there is nothing that specifies a penalty for stealing game balls or being a party to stealing game balls or having knowledge of game balls being stolen. Because it's unprecedented. He's a bum and a cheat. 4 games is too light. kj

I call my shirt a "neighbor's kid beater." kj

The judge is going to say: "Mr. Brady, so I understand the facts here: You directed team employees to set the air pressure of game balls below the limit established by league rules, correct? And this was in a playoff game, correct? And in the process, these employees stole game balls after their air pressure had been measured by an official, correct? And you had multiple phone calls with these employees in the days following the game, correct? Mr. Brady, have you ever heard of a single instance of game balls being stolen from game officials in the entire history of the NFL? So you agree that this is an unprecedented violation? And that therefore it is no surprise that the CBA doesn't cover this specific violation? Do you also agree that the CBA gives NFL players an obligation to share information about cheating? Did you do that? On your way out of my courtroom this morning, I'd like you to stop by my chambers, Mr. Brady. My bailiff and I are going to kick your ass." kj

This sucks. Pegulas should have fired Kromer when he had the chance. kj

My favorite Bills reporter. Thanks! kj

That is absolutely NOT the fundamental issue at hand. It is completely beside the point what PSI the balls were inflated to. All we need to know is that balls were stolen with the intent to change the air pressure. Succeeding or failing at that, or having an outcome that benefits the cheating team: doesn't matter. And we know that it happened, no one is denying that it happened.. And Brady knew that it happened. How can a fan of this game not be outraged at that? kj Make up your mind. Because the cheating was without precedent in the entire history of the NFL. kj

You keep fixating on the gauge and the air pressure. It doesn't matter. Distraction and sideshow. All that matters--all--is that balls were stolen by Patriots employees, and Brady knew about it. End of story. Science can't explain it. Science can't debunk it. Guy participated in cheating. As I said, 4 games for this is too light. kj

You forgot the part where he steals the radar gun, the most important part. kj

... Brady had knowledge that balls were stolen from a game official and covered up that knowledge. That Pats employees conspired to steal these balls and he knew it is all anyone with common sense needs to consider. The gauge is sideshow. kj

I am changing my mind. I am now absolutely convinced that the 4-game penalty leveled against Brady is too light. He deserves a full season. (There is no sarcasm in this post.) The phone doesn't matter. The missing texts don't matter. None of the peripheral stuff matters; that is all distraction. I believe that Brady was at the center of a conspiracy involving the two Pats employees (and Goodell has evidence to prove this) to alter balls before a playoff game, and that conspiracy resulted in Patriots employees--and this is the only important part--stealing gameballs from an official before a playoff game. That is the only allegation that matters, and Goodell feels he has sufficient proof of Brady's involvement. It is pointless to argue precedent in this situation. It is pointless to talk about heaters and stickum, or what punishments other players have received for this or that transgression. Any discussion about what Goodell can do or has done under the CBA is also meaningless. It isn't comparable to foreign substance penalties issued to pitchers in MLB, or corked bats. It isn't anything at all like a goalie using pads that are too wide, or a stick with excess curve. It is also meaningless to discuss the benefit that Brady received from doing this; it simply doesn't matter. Because--also important--this is a completely unique occurrence in the entire history of the NFL. No player has ever been involved in stealing gameballs or other equipment from an official for the purpose of altering them before. Brady has taken cheating to a level that has never been approached, let alone equaled. No player has ever done this. Ever. Ever. Directed game balls to be stolen from an official. Unique, unequaled, certainly unsurpassed. And unforgivable. You can't do this in sports. You can't. On a sandlot, he'd get his ass kicked by his big brother and his best friend for this kind of thing. He'd go home and his dad would find out why he was crying and he would kick his ass. Then his mom, too. Throw the book at him. He's a cheater the likes of which we have never seen. I say, good for Goodell. kj

Exactly. The Patriots (no asterisk is necessary any longer) and Brady will claim exoneration if they win on appeal, even though the 'win' will be because they received the wrong punishment for cheating. kj

They stole balls from the officials! I guarantee that is about as unique a transgression as any in the history of football cheating. How can anyone overlook or explain that away? kj

Brady had a role in an organized and concerted effort to alter game balls that resulted in them being stolen from the referee. That is such an affront to the game that the 4 games is too low. kj

If you think stealing balls from the officials and taking them into a bathroom to alter them is okay, then I don't know what to say. Actually, I do know what to say, but it violates the terms of service. kj

I still have trouble with turning this into a discussion about procedures and Goodell. However flawed the process, we have a team whose employees conspired to steal official game balls and take them into a bathroom to alter prior to a playoff game. How is that not a punishable offense? How does a fan of the game look past that established fact to worry about Goodell's role? The team has been punished and accepted the fine. 2 of the employees were fired. A 3rd employee was suspended 4 games. He has lawyered up and raised doubts about everything but the trip to the bathroom. Don't get distracted. kj

So there were poor decisions made, so we better not make a good one now? kj

So if he were suspected of being a drug user (instead of a serial cheater), would it be reasonable for his employer to expect him to pee in a cup? With him knowing that it would return a positive and result in him incriminating himself? kj

You could always shut your bedroom door. kj

High school trip to DC, in an arranged small-group meeting with Rep. Jack Kemp. Total jerk to any kid who departed from his party line in the slightest during the Q&A.

"I didn't know Bob Kraft owns the StL Cardinals too..." Is it ok to own 2 franchises if they are in different cities? kj

Please tell me it means "without a clue." kj