NFL Notes: Tom Brady, Cardinals, Patriots & Raiders

Tom Brady

The NFLPA officially filed an appeal on behalf of Patriots QB Tom Brady with the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday.

In order to get the court to hear this case, Brady’s lawyer, Theodore Olson, argues that the prior judges got the ruling wrong, and this case could set a precedent for future labor arbitration.

“A divided panel of this Court affirmed Goodell in a decision that repudiates long-standing labor law principles and that, if left undisturbed, will fuel unpredictability in labor arbitrations everywhere and make labor arbitration increasingly capricious and undesirable for employers and employees alike,” wrote Theodore Olson, via the Boston Herald.

“The panel decision stands in stark contrast with fundamental rules of labor law and undermines the rights of union members and employers alike,” Olson added.

• Dan Graziano points out that “en banc” hearings are only granted in matters that are considered of great importance, which explains why Brady’s defense is arguing this will have an impacts on arbitration in general.
• Meanwhile, Bart Hubbuch adds that the Second Circuit granted full hearings to just eight out of 27,000 cases from 2000-2010 (0.000296 percent).

Cardinals

Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu tells Josh Weinfuss of ESPN that he’s looking to be compensated as one of the top defenders in the NFL.

“I just want to get paid as a top defender,” Mathieu said. “I don’t want to be slotted as a corner or a safety, because I’m not Patrick Peterson and I’m not Earl Thomas. I’m kind of different than both of those guys, but I still have the same type of impact on the game as those guys do.

“I just want to be paid as a top defender, and however that looks on paper, that’s what I want.”

Recent reports have said that the Cardinals and Mathieu are “deep in negotiations” regarding a long-term extension that would make him the highest-paid safety.

Patriots

• Mike Reiss of ESPN has complied a list of Patriot players who have something to prove in 2016, which includes: OT Marcus Cannon, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, G Jonathan Cooper, WR Aaron Dobson, DE Trey Flowers, RB Dion Lewis, DE Chris Long and LB Shea McClellin.

Raiders

• The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a group of predominantly African American investors led by NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and retired QB Rodney Peete are looking to help the Raiders build a stadium in Oakland.
• According to the report, the group also includes Atlanta developer Egbert Perry, who is the chairman of the board of Fannie Mae.
• As of now, there hasn’t been any indication of the kind of money this group is willing to put towards a new stadium in Oakland, but they are reportedly looking for a minority share of ownership in the team.
• It’s worth mentioning that the NFL is the only major sports league without African American ownership.