Ted Wells, the NFL’s lead investigator in the “Deflategate” scandal will be present Tuesday when New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady appeals his four-game suspension.
Wells authored a report that commissioner Roger Goodell relied on when he issued the suspension and corresponding punishment for the New England organization.
The Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship Game. During the game, the Colts believed that Brady and the Patriots were using footballs that were improperly deflated.
An investigation ensued and Wells discovered it was “more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate effort to circumvent the rules.”
Wells is expected to argue the American Enterprise Institute report, which concluded Wells’ report lacked merit.
“The Wells report conclusions are likely incorrect, and a simple misunderstanding appears to have led the NFL to these incorrect conclusions,” the AEI report said. The trio of authors from AEI also wrote that the Wells report ignores the “straightforward physics” that “fully” explains the discrepancy in air pressure levels between the Patriots’ and Colts’ footballs.
It is unclear who else will attend the hearing.
Goodwin to jump at U.S. track championships
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, a former Olympic long jumper, reportedly has been added to the roster for the U.S. Track and Field Championships this weekend in Eugene, Oregon.
Goodwin was allowed to participate in the long jump through a petition by men’s track chairman Ed Gorman. The petition was granted because of Goodwin’s history in the sport; he won two NCAA titles, jumped 8.33 meters at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials and finished 10th at the London Olympics with a jump of 7.8 meters.
If Goodwin were to place in the top three in Eugene, he would qualify for the World Championships in Beijing, Aug. 22-30. Bills training camp runs through Aug. 25, and Goodwin is working to keep a spot on the roster behind Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin and Robert Woods.
Goodwin, a third-round pick in 2013, caught 17 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, but he recorded only one reception in 10 games last season.
Browns claim Pryor off waivers
The Cleveland Browns claimed wide receiver Terrelle Pryor off waivers on Monday.
To make room on the 90-man roster, the Browns waived defensive back Landon Feichter.
The Cincinnati Bengals released Pryor last Thursday, and an ESPN report Monday indicated they were upset that he had posted practice video on Twitter.
His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the erstwhile quarterback was willing to switch to wide receiver in an attempt to salvage his NFL career.
Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo was Pryor’s position coach in Oakland, where Pryor played 15 games at quarterback from 2011 to 2013.
The Browns are Pryor’s fifth team in the past year. He was traded from Oakland to the Seattle Seahawks in April 2014, was released by the Seahawks during the preseason and was with the Kansas City Chiefs for four months earlier this year.
The Chiefs released him May 5, and the Bengals signed him May 10 after he tried out for them during their rookie minicamp.
Pryor played in 15 games (10 starts) for the Raiders over the 2011-13 seasons, including 11 games and nine starts in 2013. He has passed for 1,953 yards, nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions while rushing for 627 yards and three touchdowns.
While playing at Ohio State, the athletically gifted Pryor caught two touchdown passes and displayed exceptional speed.