Steelers MMQB: NFL Offseason News

He can kind of do whatever he wants

Feb 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (left) and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pose with the Pete Rozelle trophy during the Super Bowl XLIX-Winning Head Coach and MVP Press Conference at Media Center-Press Conference Room B. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

So Tom Brady gets suspended by Roger Goodell from the findings of the Ted Well’s Report. In turn, Brady and the NFLPA file an appeal of the punishment to Roger Goodell. The NFLPA and Brady sent a formal request to Goodell to have him recused from hearing the appeal. In response, Goodell says, “nah.”

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith can pout and stomp his feet as much as he wants about this and all Goodell will do is yawn. The NFLPA can still explore the option of filing a lawsuit against the league and Goodell if they really want to drag this out any further.

Until then, Goodell said that he’s anxious to hear directly from Tom Brady to see if he’s got any “new info” he wants to bring to light that can “get this right.” The funny thing is that you know Goodell is dying to find some kind of justification to reduce Brady’s suspension as part of the deal he most likely brokered with Robert Kraft for the team to withdraw their opposition to the punishments Goodell handed out but he’s got to make it at least look legit so the appeal must go through.

On the other side is DeMaurice Smith who will be determined to make it look like he’s putting up an honest fight against Goodell for the players’ rights to have someone other than the guy handing down the suspensions appealing the length. It’s all just posturing and PR.

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