How does the Patriots’ decision to accept punishment affect Tom Brady’s appeal?

The Patriots have decided to accept the NFL’s punishment for Deflategate. Should Tom Brady?

In a surprising turn of events, the Patriots and owner Robert Kraft have decided that they’re not going to fight the NFL anymore. Despite the fact the Kraft has characterized the NFL’s Deflategate punishment as “unfair,” he has decided it’s not worth the fight anymore. (Or maybe the fight was settled behind closed doors).

The news must come as a relief to the NFL, who are spared a long, drawn-out (and highly public) appeal process. But what does it mean for quarterback Tom Brady, who has already filed his appeal of his suspension through the NFLPA?

In a series of harsh punishments, Brady was hit the hardest, receiving a four-game ban after the Wells Report determined that he “probably” knew about the deflation of game balls in the AFC Championship game (and likely on many other occasions as well).

The NFLPA has already announced that the Patriots’ decision will not affect their appeal:

The NFLPA’s appeal letter clearly outlines their arguments against Brady’s punishment:

■ Troy Vincent, who was the one who determined the severity of the suspension, is not allowed to dole out punishment, according the CBA

■ Brady’s punishment is unfairly harsh based on precedent.

■ The discipline is based on the Wells Report, which it claims is severely flawed.

■ Vincent’s involvement on game day makes him inherently biased.

The appeal will be heard, unusually, by commissioner Roger Goodell himself, rather than an impartial third-party observer.

So it seems clear that Brady and company are moving forward with this appeal. But considering the news today, is that such a good idea?

If the Patriots are prepared to accept the NFL’s punishment, shouldn’t Brady give up the ghost and accept it himself. That doesn’t seem to be the plan, but the Patriots’ acceptance can’t help him in the appeal process.

Brady has yet to admit any wrongdoing (and has hardly said anything about the subject at all), but there’s an argument to be made that he should admit it and simply move on. The punishment may have been unfair (it

probably

definitely was), but Brady has a small chance winning an appeal presided over by Goodell himself, especially when his own team isn’t even appealing anymore.

Of course, it may come out in the next couple days that the Patriots and the NFL came to a backdoor agreement to reduce the suspension and avoid a lengthy appeal process (which would explain the Pats’ sudden about-face on the issue). If that’s the case, all of this is moot. We will soon find out.

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