SAN FRANCISCO — Don’t release the confetti just yet, but there’s reason for New England Patriots fans to have a glimmer of optimism after hearing NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speak Wednesday.
Goodell is a master of saying nothing at all while speaking for long stretches at a time, but in reading between the lines the NFL commissioner at least sounds willing to reconsider quarterback Tom Brady’s suspension, despite saying Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s decision to move on and accept the NFL’s discipline won’t play into the appeal.
Take this quote from Goodell, for example:
“I look forward to hearing directly from Tom if there’s new information or there’s information that can be helpful to us in getting this right. I want to hear directly from Tom on that.”
“Getting this right” is key in that quote. Does that imply the NFL didn’t get this punishment right? Patriots fans would certainly argue that case.
New information seemingly has been brought to the table since the Wells Report was released, in the form of The Wells Report in Context document the Patriots put out last week. That new information didn’t help the Patriots, but it still could aid Brady.
Brady also could do himself a favor by turning in his texts and emails. Goodell said Brady’s lack of cooperation influenced the NFL’s decision to suspend the quarterback four games, so perhaps cooperating now could help reduce the discipline.
Perhaps Goodell is lying through his teeth, but he sounds willing to take his job as arbitrator, if the NFL Players Association allows him to hear the appeal, seriously.
“There’s a process in place to what we want to follow,” Goodell said. “The key for us is to allow any information that Tom Brady and his representatives have. I look forward to hearing directly from Tom on that, and if there’s any new information or any information he can bring more clarity to something that wasn’t considered in the Wells Report. I’m not going to get into hypotheticals, but that’s the reason for the process and why we continue to have an open mind and make sure we’re going to do everything possible to understand all the facts.”
The fact that Goodell’s at least saying the right things is a step in the right direction for Brady and the Patriots. Of course, whether you can take Goodell’s words with a grain of salt is another story.
Goodell only said he was “aware” the NFL Players Association requested he recuse himself from being arbitrator in Brady’s appeal and that he hasn’t had a chance to “fully understand” the letter because he’s been so focused on the NFL Spring Meeting. That seems hard to believe.
The NFLPA likely will keep pressing to have Brady’s appeal heard by a neutral party, but if the quarterback can shed a new light on the Wells Report, then maybe backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo won’t be starting four games in 2015, after all.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
