NFLPA goes on attack in filing to judge on Tom Brady, deflate-gate
The NFLPA smells blood in the water.
With the line of Judge Richard Berman’s questioning from the Tom Brady hearings, many people believe that the legal pendulum is swinging back away from the league and towards Brady.
The union clearly agrees. It has filed its final brief to Judge Berman, and the language is forceful and pointed.
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It reasons that the the NFL’s decision against Brady is “more smear campaign than reasoned decision.” Want more? It also says that Roger Goodell’s decision was “a propaganda piece written for public consumption, at a time when the NFL believed the transcript would be sealed for public view.” Also that Goodell sought to “validate a multi-million-dollar ‘independent’ investigation.”
In a five-point argument to hammer home its point, the NFLPA summed up its argument — that now looks pretty darned strong — against Goodell and the NFL’s crusade to crush Brady based on circumstancial evidence and shaky non-compliance.
The NFL also issued its final brief, which was far more … well, brief — the league used only eight pages of the 15 allowed by Berman. (The NFLPA wrote 14, for what it’s worth.) But the NFL’s brief did challenge Berman challenging Goodell and the NFL ruling against Brady.
So what’s next? Both sides will meet in court Wednesday (Brady and Goodell are excused) for another settlement meeting, and we could get closer to finding out if Brady’s suspension is upheld or not. Trust us, folks: This is drawing to a close of sorts soon.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm
