Judge urges NFL, union to reach settlement in Brady suspension

The NFL has shown no public signs that it would be open to such a deal.

Brady plans to be at Patriots practice in West Virginia instead, where New England is preparing with the New Orleans Saints for a exhibition game Saturday night.

Berman left the league’s spit-and-baling-wired positions dangling in tatters.

Ted Wells, a lawyer hired by the NFL to probe how the footballs were inflated below league standards, placed the blame on two Patriots employees but said Brady was “at least generally aware” of what happened.

Should there be no settlement between the two sides, it will be up to Berman to determine whether Brady should remain suspended for the first four games of the seasons for his role in the Deflategate scandal. Brady also destroyed a cell phone, obstructing the league’s investigation, the NFL claimed.

Berman on Wednesday asked Nash about the Wells report, asking him where it states that it specifically deals with January 18.

The judge also said he would meet with the lawyers privately on Wednesday to continue discussing a potential resolution.

Berman: “I don’t see how four games (for deflation, non cooperation) is comparable to using steroids and a masking agent”.

It’s important to remember that Berman is considered a mastermind at getting sides to settle. “Anybody? (And) who else but Mr. Pash could have given testimony about his edits, or how extensive they were?” But he urged a settlement, calling it a “logical and rational option”.

Now more than ever, it ought to. Brady appealed, and Goodell upheld the suspension.

Brady was supposed to be in court today but reportedly declined to attend and was on the field for Wednesday’s practice.

Additionally, it’s very likely that Schefter’s source came from within Brady’s camp because it portrays the NFLPA as willing to negotiate, while the NFL is sticking to their “all four games and accept the report findings!” line in the sand.

And that’s not happening.

Berman asked NFL lawyer Dan Nash why the penalty for knowing about a scheme to deflate footballs below the NFL standard was equivalent to the penalty for a player using performance enhancing drugs.