The New England Patriots are in a tough situation regarding Deflategate after the Ted Wells report came out, as the team could see Tom Brady get suspended for his role in the event and this comes as the team is considering signing veteran free agents, including former Pats linebacker Brandon Spikes, who spent last year with the Buffalo Bills.
The Patriots were awaiting the wells report for quite some time and while the report does not equivocally blame Brady for having a role in the event, it raises numerous questions about how it happened. According to Pro Football Talk, Brady could be facing a suspension for not cooperating with the investigation and the report says he could miss between one or four games depending on how the punishment is meted out.
Losing Brady for any amount of time would be a hit for the Patriots and the NFL, as the Pats are opening the season on national TV against the Steelers. The entire situation is embarrassing for the NFL and for the Patriots and now the league will try and work out what the appropriate punishment will be. According to Pro Football Talk, "everything" is on the table regarding discipline for Brady and that could mean a fine or a suspension.
According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, league sources have said that the punishment could result in "multiple" games for Brady and he could be suspended for his role in the incident. The NFL could also look at fining Brady, but if they want to set an example, suspending him for any amount of time would be a strong move.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league would consider "possible disciplinary action" for the deflation and the Wells report basically cleared Bill Belichick of any direct wrongdoing. Brady is the big name to watch and he could miss some time for the Patriots in the 2015 season. The Patriots brought in Malcolm Brown with their first round draft pick and according to Mike Reiss of ESPN, the team could use him as a starter to help replace Vince Wilfork.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Patriots have brought in Brandon Spikes for a free agent visit and the team could consider bringing him back after he spent last season with the Buffalo Bills. Spikes has not had much interest on the market and the Bills considered signing him back after trading Kiko Alonso to the Eagles for LeSean McCoy. Spikes last played for the Pats in 2013 and he had 86 tackles, which was his second best total after making 92 in the 2012 season for New England.
The report says that the two sides have "mutual interest" and that Spikes could sign a one year deal with the team. The Patriots already have Jerod Mayo, Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower on the roster, but Hightower is coming off of surgery and Spikes could help make up for that until he is ready to return. Spikes was a second round pick for the Patriots in 2010 and he comes in after playing in all 16 games for the Bills last season, making 54 tackles and recording one sack.
