With no compromise in sight, judge says he will decide NFL’s Deflategate case in 1-2 days

US District Judge Richard Berman said he had “no qualms” about the willingness of both sides to try to reach a settlement in the controversy that has hung over the NFL since New England won the AFC title game in January.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves Federal court in New York, Monday, Aug. 31, 2015. Last-minute settlement talks between lawyers for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady have failed, leaving a judge to decide the fate of "Deflategate." (AP Photo/Richard Drew)Show less

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady attended last-minute settlement talks between the NFL and its players union Monday before a judge announced he would decide the dispute over deflated footballs with a ruling in a day or two.

US District Judge Richard Berman said he had “no qualms” about the willingness of both sides to try to reach a settlement in the controversy that has hung over professional football since New England easily won the AFC title game in January.

Goodell in July upheld a four-game suspension of Brady, concluding the quarterback colluded with two Patriots ball handlers to deflate footballs before the 45-7 victory over the Colts. Brady said he had no role in it. The players union wants the suspension eliminated.

Speaking at a hearing that lasted less than five minutes, Berman noted that senior executives from the league and the NFL Players Association who had not attended several previous settlement talks joined more than an hour of negotiations Monday morning.

Giants president and co-owner John Mara took part, as did free agent kicker Jay Feely, Berman said. Feely is a member of the union’s executive committee and Mara is chairman of the NFL’s executive committee that oversees labor matters.

Outside court, Feely said the sides tried their best for a settlement.

“For us it reinforces the desire and the need for an independent arbitrator in these matters of personal conduct,” Feely said. “But we understand Tom’s position and I think the process will work itself out.”

Berman said he’s putting the final touches on his decision.

“It won’t be today, but hopefully tomorrow or the day after,” he said of a written ruling. Berman said a week ago that he hoped to rule by Friday, giving the Patriots enough time to prepare for their Sept. 10 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When Berman rules, it will either uphold or eliminate Brady’s suspension.

Berman had ordered Goodell and Brady to attend Monday’s hearing. Both arrived 90 minutes early to participate in talks in the judge’s robing room.

Berman has said a settlement would be “rational and logical” but also cited weaknesses in the way the NFL handled the controversy that was nicknamed “Deflategate.” The judge has also suggested that the league’s finding was too vague, that Brady was generally aware that game balls were being deflated.

At a court hearing this month, Berman told the NFL there was precedent for judges to toss out penalties issued by arbitrators.

ELSEWHERE

BILLS: Buffalo are turning their offense over to Tyrod Taylor, who has won the starting job after a three-way quarterback competition during the offseason.

Coach Rex Ryan announced his decision following practice on Monday.

Taylor won the job over former Bills starter and 2013 first-round draft pick EJ Manuel, and Matt Cassel, a 10-year journeyman who was acquired in an offseason trade with Minnesota.

The decision comes two days after all three quarterbacks played with the starting offense in a 43-19 preseason win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Following the game, Ryan announced he intended to spend Sunday meeting with his staff, front-office personnel and owners Terry and Kim Pegula to determine his starter.

Taylor signed a three-year contact with Buffalo in free agency this offseason after spending his first four years as Joe Flacco’s backup in Baltimore.

In other news, Fred Jackson’s tenure with the Buffalo Bills is over after the veteran running back, respected team leader and fan favorite was released on Monday.

The decision came only as a mild surprise after the Bills acquired LeSean McCoy in a trade this offseason. But Jackson’s release was significant nonetheless because of the blue-collar style and perseverance he displayed during his nine seasons in Buffalo.

General manager Doug Whaley called it a “difficult decision” in a statement released by the team.

“He had an incredible career for this organization for the past 10 years,” Whaley said. “We thank Fred for his hard work, dedication and leadership during his tenure with the Buffalo Bills. Fred has inspired the city of Buffalo in a number of ways.”

Aside from McCoy, the Bills’ depth chart at running back includes Boobie Dixon, Bryce Brown and hard-hitting rookie fifth-round draft pick, Karlos Williams.

The cuts were made two days after Jackson made an impact in what was his final game in Buffalo’s 43-19 preseason win over Pittsburgh.

Jackson was one of 12 players cut on Monday, when all NFL teams had to reduce their roster to 75 players.

The Bills also cut running back Ricky Seale, who was signed after McCoy hurt his hamstring in training camp two weeks ago.

Also cut by Buffalo were defensive backs Ross Cockrell, Kenny Ladler, Ellis Lankster, Wes Miller and Cam Thomas; defensive linemen Michael Buchanan, Justin Hamilton and Cedric Reed; offensive linemen Terren Jones and DJ Morell; linebacker Andrew Hudson and receiver Austin Willis.

BRONCOS: Denver traded offensive tackle Chris Clark to Houston on Monday, released veteran linebacker Reggie Walker and placed rookie tight end Jeff Hauerman on injured reserved.

The Clark trade for a seventh-round pick in 2016 is contingent on his passing a physical.

Hauerman tore an ACL one week after he was drafted, but the Broncos couldn’t put him on IR until the 75-man roster cut. Otherwise, he would have had to go through waivers first.

The Broncos also waived fourth-year running back Jeremy Stewart, quarterback Zac Dysert, punter Spencer Lanning, safety Ross Madison, tight end Jake Murphy and linebacker Chase Vaughn.

Three rookies were cut: cornerback Tevrin Brandon, guard Andre Davis and fullback/tight end Joe Don Duncan.

COLTS: Indianapolis cut former starting left guard Donald Thomas and defensive tackle Jeris Pendleton on Monday.

Thomas was projected to be a long-term starter when he signed a four-year deal in 2013. But a torn right quad ended his 2013 season. He re-injured the quad during training camp in 2014 and was activated from the physically unable to perform list Friday.

Pendleton was a backup with Indy in 2013. He spent last season on injured reserve.

Indy also released offensive lineman Harland Gunn, Tyler Hoover and Brandon Vitabile; linebackers Nicklas Haag, Zack Hodges and Justin Shirk; receivers Ryan Lankford and Ezell Ruffin; tight end Justin Sinz and running back Abou Toure.

Cornerback Tevin Mitchell went on injured reserve. Cornerback Donald Celiscar will revert to injured reserve if he clears waivers.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano says starting defensive lineman Art Jones is getting a second opinion on his injured left ankle.

Jones was injured on the first defensive series Saturday night at St Louis and left the locker room in a walking boot. Pagano said Monday that the team was still waiting for additional information.

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound tackle was Indy’s prized free agent signing in 2014. But a right ankle injury cost Jones seven games and he wound up with only 15 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks last season.

Pagano also named Khaled Holmes the starting center. Holmes and second-year player Jonotthan Harrison were battling for the job.

DOLPHINS: Miami center Mike Pouncey says an MRI on his sore left knee was negative, clearing him to practice this week.

Pouncey took part in Monday’s workout. He left the Dolphins’ exhibition game Saturday against Atlanta when another player hit the side of his knee.

First-round draft pick DeVante Parker took part in practice for the first time since undergoing surgery on his left foot in June. It’s uncertain whether he’ll be available for the season opener Sept. 13 at Washington.

The only player to miss practice was cornerback Jamar Taylor, who remained sidelined with a thigh injury. Backup offensive lineman Jason Fox, who missed last week’s game because of a concussion, returned to practice.

Miami plays its final exhibition game Thursday at home against Tampa Bay.

GIANTS: Safety Stevie Brown is back with New York.

The Giants re-signed Brown on Monday in a move to shore up a position that has been decimated by injuries.

Since training camp opened, rookies Landon Collins (knee), Mykkele Thomas (Achilles tendon), free agent Justin Currie (broken leg), and veterans Bennett Jackson (knee), Nat Berhe (calf), Cooper Taylor (foot), and Josh Gordy (hip) have been hurt.

Collins, a second-round draft choice, and Taylor returned to practice last week and played against the Jets on Saturday night.

After playing with the Giants the past three seasons, Brown signed with Houston as a free agent. He was released on Saturday.

In other injury news, Victor Cruz (calf) hopes to practice next week and defensive end Robert Ayers Jr. is uncertain when the ankle he injured in pregame warmups Saturday will allow him to play.

JETS: New York defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson will be back in court in Missouri on Oct. 5 after pleading not guilty to resisting arrest and traffic charges.

Richardson’s attorney entered the plea Monday on his behalf in St. Charles County, near St. Louis. Richardson was not present. A spokeswoman for the St. Charles County prosecutor’s office says it isn’t certain if a trial date will be set at the October hearing.

All five charges are misdemeanors.

Richardson, a former University of Missouri star, is accused of driving his 2014 Bentley Silver Spur at speeds up to 143 mph on July 14. Police say he had a loaded semi-automatic handgun under a floor mat on the driver’s side, and a 12-year-old male relative was among three passengers.

WASHINGTON: Kirk Cousins will start the season as Washington's quarterback, Redskins coach Jay Gruden says Monday.

With Robert Griffin III still in the NFL’s concussion protocol program, Gruden opted for Cousins, who was drafted along with Griffin in 2012 and has started nine games when Griffin has been hurt, going 2-7.

Gruden says “Kirk’s taken a giant leap so far” in the offseason and training camp.

Gruden also says the team still believes in Griffin, who has been plagued by injuries since being the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year and leading the Redskins to the NFC East title.

Cousins will sit out the preseason finale Thursday against Jacksonville, with Colt McCoy playing the entire game.

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