Zolak & Bertrand: What Should Tom Brady's Punishment Be?
BOSTON (CBS) - The long-awaited, highly-anticipated NFL investigation into the deflated football scandal is finally over, with the findings made public Wednesday afternoon in the report written by attorney Ted Wells.
Read: The Wells Report (.pdf)
Wells concluded that two Patriots employees, Jim McNally and John Jastremski, "probably" tampered with the footballs, and that Tom Brady was "generally aware" of the wrongdoing.
While the Patriots may be forever guilty in the court of public opinion, the world awaits what kind of punishment -- if any -- the NFL will hand down on Brady.
98.5 The Sports Hub's Scott Zolak and Marc Bertrand discussed the topic of discipline Thursday morning.
"In terms of him being pinned with any real evidence and being guilty of something, I don't think they've got enough to even be close to suspending him. I don't," Bertrand said. "Some people have suggested [a suspension], whether it be the act of the deflated footballs or him not cooperating with the investigation, but tell me what really rises to the level of a suspension, because I think that's a serious reach."
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, like others have said, believes the NFL's evidence fell short. However, Kraft says they will accept the findings of the report and not fight the league on it.
The extensive report put together by Wells has been categorized as a 243-page assumption, and as Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald notes, Wells probably should have included this nugget sooner than the 228th page:
"In sum, the data could not provide a basis to determine with absolute certainty whether there was or was not tampering, as the analysis of such data is dependent upon assumptions and information that is not certain."
"I think that's a big admission by [Wells], that they had to take Walt Anderson's word for it that the Colts' balls were at 13 [pounds per square inch, or PSI]. I don't know how you do that and base a whole study on those balls being the [scientific] control group," added Bertrand, clearly dubious of the study.
"Wells says 'more probable than not', which by a legal definition in the NFL is enough under the CBA to come down with a punishment. I just don't think it should be in the form of suspensions. I think it should be in the form of money -- not games or game checks. You want to go after Brady? Fine him. Hit him in the wallet."
"Maybe he can sign a couple things for you," added a sarcastic Zolak. "A little money exchange here. There's good dollar value in that."
Listen below:
