[SeattleTree]

[quote author=HisKneeWasDown link=topic=12103.msg118189#msg118189 date=1431486333]
I'm surprised the punishment is as severe as it is. I'm surprised the league and the Patriots didn't negotiate some sort of back-room compromise where the Patriots get a slap on the wrist just to show the league is doing it's job, all the while doing a spectacular job keeping the NFL in the news during the deadest time of their offseason.

Brady refused to cooperate with the investigation.  That certainly is his right, but I think part of the suspension was due to his decision.

Had he just come out after the Super Bowl and said, "yeah I like the ball a little flatter and I told the equipment guys that, but I never told anyone to break the rules" or something that a slick PR guy could wordsmith better than that, he'd have probably gotten 1-2 games.  And remember that the collectively-bargained standard here is preponderance of evidence not reasonable doubt.
[/quote]

This.  I also think if he came out now and said the same thing and admitted he should have cooperated with the investigation, it might all blow over much more quickly than steadfastly protesting his innocence and appealing.  Of course, Brady chose the latter.

[SeattleTree]

[quote author=HisKneeWasDown link=topic=12103.msg118189#msg118189 date=1431486333]
I'm surprised the punishment is as severe as it is. I'm surprised the league and the Patriots didn't negotiate some sort of back-room compromise where the Patriots get a slap on the wrist just to show the league is doing it's job, all the while doing a spectacular job keeping the NFL in the news during the deadest time of their offseason.

Brady refused to cooperate with the investigation.  That certainly is his right, but I think part of the suspension was due to his decision.

Had he just come out after the Super Bowl and said, "yeah I like the ball a little flatter and I told the equipment guys that, but I never told anyone to break the rules" or something that a slick PR guy could wordsmith better than that, he'd have probably gotten 1-2 games.  And remember that the collectively-bargained standard here is preponderance of evidence not reasonable doubt.
[/quote]

This.  I also think if he came out now and said the same thing and admitted he should have cooperated with the investigation, it might all blow over much more quickly than steadfastly protesting his innocence and appealing.  Of course, Brady chose the latter.