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So, the NFL has determined that the New England Patriots did intentionally deflate footballs used by their offense in last year's AFC Championship game. And that QB Tom Brady more than likely know and approved. Now everyone is debating punishments.
I'd like to suggest one that I've taken from the NCAA. Next year, the Patriots are banned from the postseason. They can go 16-0, set every scoring record imaginable, be ranked at the top of the NFL in every category, but when the clock ticks down to zero in Week 17, they go home. No playoffs.
This would really hurt. The Pats are a very good team, with several Hall of Fame caliber players. Brady pretty much is a lock. To deny them a chance to defend their title would be devastating to the entire franchise. It would also cost them a lot of money. Not only from playoff revenue, but a lot of fans might decide that since there is literally zero chance of winning big, why both spending money to see the team?
This would also cause problems in player management. NFL players have a limited time to shine. The average career is 3-4 years. You might see some fan favorites telling their agents to get them out of there.
Finally, there would be the season long shame of being the one team locked out of the post season from the start. Everyone in the league is hyper-competitive. To know from the first kickoff of the preseaon that you are playing for nothing would hurt.
That's what I would like to see happen. Not because I hate the Patriots or Tom Brady (I don't) but because the Pats under Bill Belichick have played fast and loose with the rules for years. They need to be made an example of.
Sadly, what will actually happen will be a slap on the wrist. At least, Brady and Belichick need to be suspended for a calender year.
I'd like to suggest one that I've taken from the NCAA. Next year, the Patriots are banned from the postseason. They can go 16-0, set every scoring record imaginable, be ranked at the top of the NFL in every category, but when the clock ticks down to zero in Week 17, they go home. No playoffs.
This would really hurt. The Pats are a very good team, with several Hall of Fame caliber players. Brady pretty much is a lock. To deny them a chance to defend their title would be devastating to the entire franchise. It would also cost them a lot of money. Not only from playoff revenue, but a lot of fans might decide that since there is literally zero chance of winning big, why both spending money to see the team?
This would also cause problems in player management. NFL players have a limited time to shine. The average career is 3-4 years. You might see some fan favorites telling their agents to get them out of there.
Finally, there would be the season long shame of being the one team locked out of the post season from the start. Everyone in the league is hyper-competitive. To know from the first kickoff of the preseaon that you are playing for nothing would hurt.
That's what I would like to see happen. Not because I hate the Patriots or Tom Brady (I don't) but because the Pats under Bill Belichick have played fast and loose with the rules for years. They need to be made an example of.
Sadly, what will actually happen will be a slap on the wrist. At least, Brady and Belichick need to be suspended for a calender year.
