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Sources: Brady Might Admit Non-Compliance As Part Of Fine-Based Settlement

Patriots QB Tom Brady "might be willing to admit to a failure to comply" with Ted Wells' NFL-commissioned investigation into the Deflategate scandal "in exchange for a fine, but no suspension," according to sources cited by ESPN's Dan Graziano. Sources cited by the net's Ed Werder said that the NFLPA "believes there can be a settlement written by lawyers that vindicates Brady on the most important allegations." Sources added that the NFL believes that any settlement is "an admission of guilt by Brady, whether it's failure to cooperate with the investigation or other similar infractions" (ESPN.com, 7/22). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio wrote, "Would plenty of people think Brady is guilty if he agrees to pay a fine, even if the fine is simply for failing to cooperate with the Ted Wells investigation and not for cheating? Sure, but plenty of people will think Brady is guilty even if Commissioner Roger Goodell declares that the Wells investigation was the product of incompetence, vacates the suspension, and apologizes to Brady for the inconvenience" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 7/23). In West Palm Beach, Dave George writes Brady's suspension being wiped out in favor of just a fine "will raise the blood pressure of anyone who believes" that Patriots Owner Robert Kraft "has a special friendship with Goodell and thus protection from the harshest punishments." Kraft "could make arrangements to pay for Brady’s fine, or at least be suspected of it, in the interest of putting the best possible Patriots team on the field on opening day, in the interest of helping his buddy Goodell save face." George: "Looks to me that, one way or the other, Brady never will miss a snap, and he’s headed to training camp next week with that thought in mind" (PALM BEACH POST, 7/24).

NO-WIN SITUATION FOR GOODELL: In N.Y., Mike Lupica writes Goodell "can't win here no matter what he does, because if he does anything except wipe out, entirely, a suspension he handed down, he is most likely going to end up in federal court." Goodell is now "in the ring with the glamorous face of his sport, and a guy who has a perfect right to say he’s the best to play that sport’s most glamorous position after winning his fourth Super Bowl, and played in his sixth overall." Goodell "can’t win, no matter how he rules, when he finally gets around to ruling on Brady’s appeal" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/24). The L.A. Times' Bill Plaschke noted the NFL’s “whole reputation lies" on the Brady suspension. Brady might be the "most popular guy in football, maybe in all of sports," but the NFL "leveled a fair suspension on him." Plaschke: "They need to stick with that suspension. They cannot waiver now or everything gets undercut.” ESPN’s Bomani Jones said, “If the suspension gets knocked down, it does undercut the authority of Roger Goodell." With Goodell reportedly being urged by a small group of influential owners to hold firm on the four-game ban, Jones noted that sentiment is likely the "concern of that ‘loud minority’ of owners." Jones: "The problem is if this goes to court, (Goodell) is going to lose. When his punishments wind up going before rational people, they always wind up getting knocked down.” The Washington Post’s Kevin Blackistone: “This was a finable offense from the very beginning and is a finable offense now. I hope Tom Brady and his people stick to their guns and take the NFL to court, if in fact they don't reduce the suspension” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 7/23). But in Boston, Ben Volin writes Brady's appeal "always was and always will be about a negotiation between the NFL and the union." The NFL’s disciplinary process is "a negotiation, not a court of law" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/24).

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