The NFL Thread (with added College Football)

[cdbearsfan]

Brady banned for four games, Pats fined 2016 first round pick, 2017 round four selection and $1 million.

To be honest that's more than I expected so well done NFL for not chickening out.

[UK Redsox]

A couple of weeks ago it looked like Brady's soft balls would be consigned to history. Scientists had made convincing arguments that the deflation could have been natural.

However, those texts were pretty damning.

Why four games, not three or five ?

Guess what.... the Pats fifth game of the season is against the Colts.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I was surprised by the severity of it and wonder if they'll appeal against it.

Mind you, they do keep constantly cheating. They're like Chelsea without the racism.

[UK Redsox]

I was surprised by the severity of it and wonder if they'll appeal against it.

Brady's agent, Don Yee, has already said they'll appeal. It'll be interesting to see whether Billy B and Bobby K back the appeal or just throw Brady under the bus.

Don Yee's statement

The discipline is ridiculous and has no legitimate basis. In my opinion, this outcome was pre-determined; there was no fairness in the Wells investigation whatsoever. There is no evidence that Tom directed footballs be set at pressures below the allowable limits. In fact, the evidence shows Tom clearly emphasized that footballs be set at pressures within the rules.
Tom also cooperated with the investigation and answered every question presented to him. The Wells Report presents significant evidence, however, that the NFL lacks standards or protocols with respect to its handling of footballs prior to games; this is not the fault of Tom or the Patriots. The report also presents significant evidence the NFL participated with the Colts in some type of pre-AFC Championship Game planning regarding the footballs. This fact may raise serious questions about the integrity of the games we view on Sundays.
We will appeal, and if the hearing officer is completely independent and neutral, I am very confident the Wells Report will be exposed as an incredibly frail exercise in fact-finding and logic. The NFL has a well-documented history of making poor disciplinary decisions that often are overturned when truly independent and neutral judges or arbitrators preside, and a former federal judge has found the commissioner has abused his discretion in the past, so this outcome does not surprise me.
Sadly, today’s decision diminishes the NFL as it tells its fans, players and coaches that the games on the field don’t count as much as the games played on Park Avenue.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Apparently the sentence was extra severe due to 'the lack of cooperation received from the Patriots with the investigation'.

[usav]

Loving this as the Steelers first game of the new season is at New England and we will be without Le'veon Bell, so it's only fair Brady doesn't play!!

Perfect

[UK Redsox]

Initial 4 game ban - Brady possibly, maybe, no one's quite sure but could have asked someone to deflate some footballs.

Initial 2 game ban - Ray Rice hitting his wife

[UK Redsox]

Patriots will not be appealing their fine of loss of draft picks

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12913741/robert-kraft-says-new-england-patriots-appeal-deflategate-punishment


Extra Points move back to the 15 yard line (two point attempts stay at the 2 yard line)

Defending teams can now return blocked kicks or interceptions/fumbles for two points

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12915634/nfl-change-extra-point-kicks-longer-distance

[ADVILLAFAN]

So if a team scores a touchdown with the final play of a game to put themselves a point ahead, I am assuming the QB will take a knee rather than go for the extra point 

[UK Redsox]

Michael Sam is going to the CFL

http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/michael-sam-to-suit-up-for-the-montreal-alouettes-in-2015

[UK Redsox]

Spurs' new stadium to host at least two NFL games per season from 2018

[ADVILLAFAN]

Spurs' new stadium to host at least two NFL games per season from 2018

Whilst their new stadium plans look impressive, when I went to White Hart Lane about 6 years ago it was the most dilapidated and frankly unsafe area I've ever been to for a football match. Felt really stabby there. Hopefully it's better now.

One step closer to the Jaguars becoming a British team?

[UK Redsox]

WHL is a crappy place to get to.

At the moment, we drive straight to Wembley for the NFL games.

For me the WHL plan will involve parking at Westfield Shepherds Bush, tubing it across London and then walking from either Seven Sisters or Tottenham Hale.

However, a smaller stadium would make sense if the NFL does move the Jags over.

[UK Redsox]

I've also posted this over in 'Deathwatch', where it'll probably get some sarky comments.

However, this is a big one for me

Ken "Snake" Stabler (69), Superbowl winning Quarterback of the Oakland Raiders

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/raiders-legend-ken-stabler-dead-at-69_559f2560e4b096729155de46?

[ADVILLAFAN]

Yes, a very big name in the NFL and I loved the 'America's Game' where the Raiders won the Superbowl with "the Snake" at QB.