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Comment By Mark Daniels, More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Mark Daniels, More Content Now Posted May. 12, 2015 at 6:12 AM By Mark Daniels, More Content Now Posted May. 12, 2015 at 6:12 AM » Social News The NFL dropped the hammer on Tom Brady and the Patriots on Monday over the results and findings of Ted Wells' investigation into Deflategate. And it isn’t pretty. 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.” The team has been fined $1 million and will lose two draft picks: a 2016 first-round pick and a fourth-round pick in 2017. Brady's agent, Don Yee, said in a statement Monday night that Brady will challenge the four-game ban. "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," Yee's statement read in part. Furthermore, the NFL’s press release announced that Patriots owner Robert Kraft had suspended team employees John Jastremski and James McNally without pay, effective on May 6. Both individuals will have to be reinstated by NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent. If they are allowed back, “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.” The NFL announced that the discipline is “for violations of the NFL Policy on Integrity of the Game and Enforcement of Competitive Rules.” “We reached these decisions after extensive discussion with Troy Vincent and many others,” Commissioner Roger 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 Wells report was released Wednesday and has been met with criticism from some corners. But in the end, none of that mattered to the NFL. In the 243-page document, Wells says that it’s “more than probable” that the Patriots personnel participated in a deliberate effort to release air from game balls prior to the AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis. The investigation pointed at McNally (the team's officials locker room attendant), Jastremski (an equipment assistant) and Brady as 11 of the team’s 12 game balls were found under the legal psi limit at halftime. For the quarterback, the report said that it was “more probable than not that” that Brady was “at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities.” On Monday night, team owner Robert Kraft issued a statement saying Monday's “punishment ... far exceeded any reasonable expectation” and backing Brady. “Tom Brady has our unconditional support,” Kraft said. “Our belief in him has not wavered.” In the NFL release, two letters from Vincent were published, one to the Patriots and one to Brady. To the Patriots, he details the reasoning for the disciplinary action. “Based on the extensive record developed in the investigation and detailed in the Wells report, and after full consideration of this matter by the Commissioner and the Football Operations department, we have determined that the Patriots have violated the NFL's Policy on Integrity of the Game and Enforcement of Competitive Rules, as well as the Official Playing Rules and the established guidelines for the preparation of game footballs set forth in the NFL’s Game Operations Policy Manual for Member Clubs. In making this determination, we have accepted the findings contained in the comprehensive report independently prepared by Mr. Wells and his colleagues.” In the end, the NFL’s punishment factored in several variables, according to Vincent. One factor was the Patriots’ “prior record,” referencing Spygate in 2007 when the Pats were handed a fine and loss of a first-round draft pick for videotaping signals of another team. “This prior violation of competitive rules was properly considered in determining the discipline in this case,” Vincent wrote. Another factor was “the extent to which the club and relevant individuals cooperated with the investigation.” The Patriots were criticized in the report for failing to make McNally available for an additional interview. The second was Brady’s refusal to produce any electronic evidence such as emails or text messages. “Finally, it is significant that key witnesses — Mr. Brady, Mr. Jastremski, and Mr. McNally — were not fully candid during the investigation,” Vincent added. Vincent also released a statement to Brady. He chastises the quarterback for his involvement in the scandal and his lack of cooperation in the investigation. “Your actions as set forth in the report clearly constitute conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the game of professional football,” Vincent wrote. “The integrity of the game is of paramount importance to everyone in our league, and requires unshakable commitment to fairness and compliance with the playing rules. Each player, no matter how accomplished and otherwise respected, has an obligation to comply with the rules and must be held accountable for his actions when those rules are violated and the public’s confidence in the game is called into question.” Under the terms of the suspension, Brady is allowed to participate in all offseason workouts, training camp and preseason activities, including preseason games. Monday night, Brady's agent said there would be an appeal, which is standard in the NFL. But for the time being, it looks like the 2015 Super Bowl champions will begin the season with Jimmy Garoppolo as their starting quarterback. The only other quarterback on the roster is Garrett Gilbert, who was signed to the practice squad on Dec. 17 and signed to a futures contract in February. It remains to be seen if the Patriots will add another veteran to the group. Available free agents include Matt Flynn, Jason Campbell, Ryan Lindley, Michael Vick and Tarvaris Jackson. Losing Brady for four games will undoubtedly be a hit, but the team has made deep runs after slow starts. The Patriots started out last season with a 2-2 record after four games before winning the Super Bowl. In 2012, they also started out 2-2 before making it to the AFC Championship Game. The biggest loss is the 2016 first-round draft pick. Brady is scheduled to miss games against Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Jacksonville and Dallas. His return, at the moment, is scheduled to be in Week Six against the Indianapolis Colts — who tipped the NFL off to Deflategate in the first place. [email protected] By Mark Daniels, More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Mark Daniels, More Content Now Posted May. 12, 2015 at 6:12 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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