A federal judge has made clear that the NFL's four game suspension of Tom Brady over Deflategate is in jeopardy as the star New England quarterback returned to practice. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman, who's been asked by the NFL Players Association to void the suspension, warned a league lawyer during oral arguments on Wednesday in the scandal over underinflated footballs that there was precedent for judges to toss out penalties issued by arbitrators. Berman continued to push for a settlement in the dispute - a potential result he called 'rational and logical' - and questioned the length of the ban.District Judge Richard M. Berman is urging parties to reach settlementSaid there was precedent to toss out penalties issued by arbitratorsHas cited weaknesses in the NFL's case, which could help BradyManhattan judge is hoping to rule by September 4 if sides can't agreeDate is six days before Patriots host the Steelers in season openerBrady took part in a joint practice with the New Orleans Saints in West Virginia on Wednesday
In one exchange, he questioned Goodell's defense of the _ punishment on the grounds that it was comparable to penalties on players caught using performance enhancing drugs. After the hearing, _ met behind closed doors with both sides for more than an hour before the lawyers left court, saying the judge asked them not to discuss the negotiations publicly.