Tom Brady's appeal hearing with Roger Goodell began this morning, but the meeting had to be moved "to the basement" of the NFL's office in N.Y. because there are "so many participants,” according to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio. There are almost 40 people involved in the hearing. ESPN's Adam Schefter said a permeating feeling among the people gathered at the league's office is that there is a "realistic chance that Tom Brady will be on the field for the regular season opener" against the Steelers due to possibility of a "court of a law and a judge granting an injunction" on any suspension. He noted there is "no precedent" for a four-game suspension in this type of instance. Schefter: "If it should go to court, then you’re questioning the process by which this is done.” Paolantonio noted this is the "most compelling and the most anticipated hearing in NFL history." He added, "I was told last night that Tom Brady ... is going to be attacking this appeal. ... He believes he’s done no wrong” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 6/23). NFL Network’s Dan Hellie last night called it the “most talked about appeal hearing in the history of the league” ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 6/22).
TOM'S TIME TO TALK: YAHOO SPORTS' Charles Robinson cited sources as saying that Brady's appeal hearing is "chiefly going to be a high-stakes edition of show-and-tell" for the QB. The sources added that two issues "will be at the top of the agenda." Brady first must "show the NFL the communication records that it previously requested." He also will have to "tell the NFL about his relationship with Patriots equipment assistant John Jastremski, and why it suddenly became so intense after the AFC championship game." Brady "has the opportunity to take significant steps to exonerate himself this week, both in words and actions." Exactly how far he is willing to go with both is "likely to determine when he'll play his next NFL game" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/22). USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero writes nothing "figures to carry more weight than Brady’s words -- if he chooses to speak" -- as Goodell has "made it clear he wants to hear" Brady's version of events (USA TODAY, 6/23).
REPUTATION MANAGEMENT: In Pittsburgh, Ron Cook wrote Goodell is "in a tough spot," as critics will "emerge and blast away at him" regardless of how he rules on the Brady appeal. It is "almost enough to make you think he can’t win, but, again, there’s that compensation" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/21). CSNNE.com's Tom Curran wrote the "plain truth" is that Goodell "got lashed to the front of a runaway train by his minions on the scene in Foxboro for the AFC Championship Game." They "began an investigation and leaked bad information on a presumption." But no matter how many people "join the chorus calling BS on the whole process, it seems unlikely Goodell will check his pride and stand down," and the "train will keep rolling right into court" (CSNNE.com, 6/18). YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel wrote Goodell and Brady are "trying to claw for a measure of respect in a strange scandal where each man's stature has been battered, perhaps beyond repair." Both "will be fighting for the same thing, salvaging something from this confused saga that has spun so far out of control there really can be no winner" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/22).
CRYSTAL BALL: In Boston, Christopher Gasper writes Goodell "may lessen Brady’s suspension as a concession to a brewing legal confrontation" with the NFLPA "over his plenipotentiary disciplinary power, but he’s not going to rescind it completely" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/23). In N.Y., Gary Myers wrote his feeling all along has been that Goodell "will reduce Brady’s suspension from four games down to two, but the speculation now is that only complete vindication will keep Brady from taking the NFL to court." The proceeding is the "most compelling and anticipated appeal hearing in NFL history with reputations and legacies at stake" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/21). In Boston, Steve Buckley writes his "biggest guess of all" regarding the outcome of the appeal is that "some kind of arrangement is in place that will allow everyone involved to save some face" (BOSTON HERALD, 6/23). Also in Boston, Jeff Howe asked, "Would Goodell really want the public-relations nightmare by rescinding the punishment and admitting it was all for naught?" Two sources estimated that attorney Ted Wells’ investigation cost $5-6M. Goodell in rescinding Brady's punishment "would have to acknowledge that as a wasted expense." Goodell "might prefer to just take his chances in a federal court" (BOSTON HERALD, 6/22). SI.com's Michael McCann wrote he expects Goodell "will lower Brady’s suspension to one game and that Brady will not challenge it in court." But Goodell is "hard to predict" (SI.com, 6/22). CBSSPORTS.com's Jason La Canfora wrote he expects Brady's legal team and the NFLPA to "seek an injunction in court to lift whatever suspension Goodell rules on -- reduced or not -- while pursuing matters in a federal court" (CBSSPORTS.com, 6/22).
I WILL REMEMBER YOU: The AP's Howard Ulman wrote Goodell's decision, regardless of what it is, "won’t likely cause major changes in perceptions" of Brady (AP, 6/20). In Boston, Shalize Manza Young writes Brady's "carefully built and well-earned reputation, one he has crafted over 15-plus seasons," may be "at stake" in the appeal. But the league "does not publicize what happens during appeals" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/23). The HERALD's Buckley writes he is guessing that Deflategate "will always be a part" of Brady's story, but it "will be a small part" (BOSTON HERALD, 6/23). ESPN BOSTON's Jackie MacMullan wrote the notion that Brady's legacy is "hanging in the balance, based on Goodell's ruling, is simply nonsense," as it "seems highly unlikely the hearing will alter the opinion of the masses." Brady has become "one of the most polarizing figures in NFL history" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 6/22).
