Tom Brady To Appeal Suspension
Tom Brady‘s agent issued a statement to reporters stating, in part, that the quarterback will appeal the suspension handed to him earlier today. Here is the statement in its entirety, courtesy of ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Facebook):
“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.”
The news, of course, does not come as a great surprise. Brady is well within his rights to appeal the decision and cannot be punished further for presenting his case. With the help of the NFLPA, Brady will likely cite the lack of hard evidence against him as a primary reason why he should have the suspension lowered or rescinded. Brady could also cite precedent as a reason why he is being penalized to harshly.
Prior to the suspension being announced, Albert Breer of NFL.com (on Twitter) noted that Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove was suspended eight games for his obstruction in Bountygate, but he later had that penalty reduced to two games. Because of that, Breer had estimated a two-game suspension for Brady. After an appeal, Brady could very well wind up serving less than a four-game suspension.
Packers To Sign Quinten Rollins
The Packers have signed second round choice Quinten Rollins, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
The Miami (Ohio) University cornerback is a converted basketball player and remarkably spent just one year playing college football before being drafted and signed to a multi-million dollar contract. He made that one year count, however, earning MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2014. Rollins, who hauled in seven interceptions last season, visited with at least ten clubs in the lead up to the draft.
Recently, Journal Sentinel’s Tyler Dunne and CineSport’s Justin Termine (video link) noted that Rollins looked strong in the first day of Packers minicamp.
Chiefs Sign Six Draft Picks
The Chiefs have signed six of their nine draft picks, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Center Mitch Morse (second round), inside linebacker Ramik Wilson (fourth round), inside linebacker D.J. Alexander (fifth round), and defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (sixth round) have agreed to contracts, sources told Paylor. Also signing contracts were tight end James O’Shaughnessy (fifth round) and receiver Da’Ron Brown (seventh round), according to the NFL’s transaction report.
Noticeably absent from the list is first round cornerback Marcus Peters. Kansas City also needs to sign its third round picks, wide receiver Chris Conley and cornerback Steven Nelson.
Reactions To Punishment For Pats, Brady
In the latest sign that this really is a “new” NFL, the Patriots were hit with major penalties for their apparent involvement in deflating footballs during the playoffs. Quarterback Tom Brady, who seemed to be less than cooperative in helping with the NFL’s investigation, was sacked with a four game suspension. In addition to that, the Pats were stripped of their 2016 first-round draft pick as well as their fourth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at some of the reaction and fallout to the NFL’s surprisingly stern decision..
- Brady was scheduled to make $8MM this season and, as a result, will lose about $2MM thanks to the suspension, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
- Any action by the NFLPA will be at the direction of Brady, so they’ll wait for instructions from him, Albert Breer of NFL.com (on Twitter) notes.
- Goodell may have lost Bob Kraft as an ally today, but he isn’t going anywhere, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets. Beasley posits that he couldn’t have made such a bold move without gauging the support of the league’s 31 other owners.
- At this point, the Bills are the only AFC East team that will directly benefit from Brady’s suspension, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets. The Bills now only face Brady once while the Dolphins and Jets have to deal with him twice.
- Giants quarterback Eli Manning told reporters, including Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (on Twitter) that he is “in no way…glad to see this happen.” However, he added that, “If someone’s breaking the rules I understand you’re gonna get punished for it,” (link).
- The cynic in Beasley (link) wonders if the NFL waited until after this year’s draft since the Pats will probably be picking higher than No. 32 next year.
Tom Brady Handed Four Game Suspension
The NFL announced that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been suspended for four games for his involvement in the DeflateGate scandal, as Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. The Patriots have also been stripped of their first-round pick in 2016 and fined $1MM, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter) adds. The Pats will also lose the fourth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
Jason Wilde of ESPN.com (on Twitter) passes along the full statement. It reads, in part:
The New England Patriots were notified today of the following discipline that has been imposed for violations of the NFL Policy on Integrity of the Game and Enforcement of Competitive Rules relating to the use of under-inflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game of this past season:
For the violation of the playing rules and the failure to cooperate in the subsequent investigation, the New England Patriots are fined $1 million and will forfeit the club’s first-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft and the club’s fourth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. If the Patriots have more than one selection in either of these rounds, the earlier selection shall be forfeited. The club may not trade or otherwise encumber these selections.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft advised Commissioner Roger Goodell last week that Patriots employees John Jastremski and James McNally have been indefinitely suspended without pay by the club, effective on May 6th. Neither of these individuals may be reinstated without the prior approval of NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent. If they are reinstated by the Patriots, Jastremski is prohibited from having any role in the preparation, supervision, or handling of footballs to be used in NFL games during the 2015 season. McNally is barred from serving as a locker room attendant for the game officials, or having any involvement with the preparation, supervision, or handling of footballs or any other equipment on game day.
Quarterback Tom Brady will be suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2015 regular season for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the NFL. Brady may participate in all off-season, training camp and pre-season activities, including pre-season games.
Commissioner Goodell authorized the discipline that was imposed by NFL Executive President Troy Vincent, pursuant to the commissioner’s disciplinary authority under the NFL Constitution and Bylaws and the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association.
“We reached these decisions after extensive discussion with Troy Vincent and many others,” Commissioner Goodell said. “We relied on the critical importance of protecting the integrity of the game and the thoroughness and independence of the Wells report.”
The letter also notes that there was no evidence found to prove that head coach Bill Belichick or any Patriots’ staff member besides Jastremski and McNally took part in the deflating of footballs. One has to imagine that the Patriots will be quick to cite that as they dispute the penalties levied against them.
The NFL also made Vincent’s letter to Brady available to reporters (including Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe on Twitter) and his words are rather scathing. He reprimands Brady for his failure to cooperate in full with the NFL’s investigation and calls his conduct “detrimental to the integrity” of the game. Vincent adds that “While [the evidence] cannot be certain when the activity began, evidence suggests that 1/18 was not the first and only occasion.” The league’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations also referred back to the SpyGate scandal to illustrate that the organization has a history of misconduct.
The suspension of Brady ostensibly leaves backup Jimmy Garoppolo as the team’s starter for the first month of the season. The 23-year-old (24 in November) completed 19 of 27 passes in his rookie season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Ravens To Sign Breshad Perriman
The Ravens have signed wide receiver Breshad Perriman, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter). After signing the No. 26 overall pick, the Ravens have now inked their entire 2015 draft class.
Per the terms of his draft slot, Perriman will receive $8.7MM over the course of his four-year deal. That pact includes a healthy $4.6MM signing bonus. Perriman, 22 in September, impressed at the combine with his speed as he ran a 4.26 second 40-yard dash. The UCF star’s father, Brett Perriman, enjoyed a 10-year career in the NFL.
Here’s a rundown of the players in the Ravens’ draft class, all of whom are now under contract:
- Round 1: Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
- Round 2: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
- Round 3: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
- Round 4: Za’Darius Smith, DE, Kentucky
- Round 4: Javorius “Buck” Allen, RB, USC
- Round 4: Tray Walker, CB, Texas Southern
- Round 5: Nick Boyle, TE, Delaware
- Round 5: Robert Myers, OG, Tennessee State
- Round 6: Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech
Minor Moves: Monday
Here are Monday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with the latest minor moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- The Lions signed three tryout players – safety Nathan Lindsey and receivers Erik Lora and Jarred Haggins – and released wideout Desmond Lawrence, Tim Twentyman of the team’s website writes.
- Washington has signed undrafted receiver Quinton Dunbar, formerly of Florida, tweets Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com.
- The Dolphins signed one tight end – Tim Semisch, undrafted out of Northern Illinois – and released another in Ryan Taylor, writes Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk. Taylor, a Packers seventh-round pick in 2011, has eight career catches.
- The Cardinals have signed three tryout players – a quarterback (Phillip Sims) and two safeties (Brandon Person and Harold Jones-Quartey) – per their official website. To make room, they released tackle Kelvin Palmer, wide receiver Travis Harvey, and cornerback Ross Weaver.
- The Bears signed quarterback Pat Devlin, defensive tackle Terry Williams, and linebacker Kyle Woestmann, tweets Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune. They also waived linebacker Khaseem Greene and cut fellow LB Austen Lane.
- The Buccaneers have cut safety Shelton Johnson, wide receivers Chandler Jones and Josh Reese, offensive lineman Matt Patchan, and linebacker Michael Reynolds (Twitter: Roy Cummings, Tampa Tribune).
- The Packers will release defensive lineman Luther Robinson, according to Bill Huber of Packer Report. Robinson appeared in five games last year.
- The Bills signed undrafted free agent safety Wes Miller, formerly of UTEP, according to Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter link).
- The Raiders signed ex-Auburn running back Michael Dyer, who tried out for them over the weekend, tweets Richard Davenport of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Twitter link). They also signed Emporia state wideout Austin Willis, the player told Rick Peterson Jr. of the Topeka Capital-Journal. Additionally, running back Terrance Cobb wrote on Instagram that the team released him.
- The Vikings waived wide receiver Kain Colter and guard Jesse Somsel, writes Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune. Colter was on the Vikings’ practice squad last year, while they recently signed Somsel as an undrafted free agent.
- The Giants released three players – running back Chris Ogbonnaya, linebacker James Davidson, and defensive back Thomas Gordon – according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano (Twitter link).
- The Buccaneers signed linebacker Jared Koster, who tried out at their rookie minicamp, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
- The Steelers signed tryout players Cameron Stingily (running back) and Mike Thornton (defensive line) to their 90-man roster, reports Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link). To make room, they cut punter Richie Leone, defensive tackle Nigel Crawford-Kinney, defensive end Brandon Prate, long snapper Brandon Hartson, wide receiver Brelan Chancellor, and guard Collin Rahrig (Twitter).
- The Broncos waived guard Jon Halapio, whom they signed to their practice squad last December, tweets Mike Klis of 9News. Additionally, the team waived wide receiver Matt Miller after signing him as an undrafted free agent earlier this month (Twitter link via Troy Renck of the Denver Post).
- The Buccaneers have signed three tryout players from rookie camp, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. The team agreed to deals with wide receivers Donteea Dye and Adam Humphries and offensive tackle Edawn Coughman.
- Offensive tackle Antonio Richardson, whom the Vikings waived last week, has retired because of knee issues, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Richardson signed with the Vikings last year as an undrafted free agent from Tennessee and saw some action in the preseason.
- The Panthers have cut defensive tackle Darious Cummings, reports ESPN’s Joe Person (via Twitter). Cummings signed with the Panthers last week as an undrafted free agent from Florida.
- The Buccaneers will cut return man Solomon Patton today, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Patton, who went undrafted out of Florida last year, appeared in seven games for the Bucs as a rookie. He has had two stints with Tampa and one with the Cardinals during his short career.
- Former Wisconsin offensive lineman Andy Phillips signed with the Packers, the player tweeted. Phillips earned a spot with the Pack after impressing team brass as a tryout player at rookie minicamp over the weekend.
Texans Moving On From D.J. Swearinger
3:03pm: The Texans have released Swearinger, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
8:28am: The Texans and safety D.J. Swearinger are on the cusp of officially parting ways. Swearinger wrote on Instagram early Monday morning that “It’s time for a new chapter,” but it’s unclear as of now whether the Texans have found a trading partner for the 23-year-old or if they will release him.
It was reported last month that Houston was trying to trade Swearinger, on whom it used a second-round pick in 2013. Swearinger, who totaled 145 tackles and three interceptions in 22 starts during the first two years of his career, struggled mightily last season. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him 78th out of 87 qualifying safeties after he allowed opposing quarterbacks a 99.2 passer rating against him.
Swearinger’s contract currently includes roughly $460k in dead money and cap numbers under $1MM for the next two seasons.
Falcons, Jalen Collins Agree To Deal
MAY 11: Collins’ deal with the Falcons is worth $5.43MM. It includes $3.33MM in guarantees and a $2.21MM signing bonus, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).
MAY 9: The Falcons continue to lock up their 2015 draft class, reaching an agreement with second-round pick Jalen Collins, according to Vaugh McClure of ESPN (via Twitter). The terms of the deal were not made available.
With that signing, five out of the team’s seven draft picks are currently under contract, writes McClure. The Falcons are still working to get first-round pick Vic Beasley and third-round pick Tevin Coleman to agree to their deals.
Collins has not practiced with the team yet, not because of his contract issues but due to a recent surgery on his foot. Collins is expected to be healthy in time for training camp.
Devin Smith Signs With Jets
MAY 11: Smith’s contract with the Jets is worth $5.87MM, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. It includes $3.67MM in guarantees and a $2.53MM signing bonus.
MAY 8: With the reported addition of top pick Leonard Williams to the roster, the Jets now have their entire 2015 draft class under contract after second-rounder Devin Smith agreed to a deal.
The Jets officially announced the Ohio State receiver’s four-year pact after Smith practiced with the rookies on Friday.
Smith boasted yards-per-catch figures of more than 20 in three of his four seasons in Columbus, Ohio, with 12 touchdown grabs and 931 yards accompanying his FBS-best 28.2-yard average last season. The No. 37 overall selection joins a Jets receiving corps fronted by Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall, former third- and fourth-round picks, respectively.
“He brings a dimension to our offense in terms of at least initially being a vertical threat and an impactful-type player in that sense,” Jets GM Mike Maccagnan said on the team’s website. “And he has all the skills from an athletic standpoint to – in our minds – be a very good starting-caliber receiver when it’s all said and done in terms of his development.”