On Friday, Greg Hardy's suspension for his involvement with a domestic violence case was reduced from 10 games to four.
At first glance, it would appear that bodes well for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who appealed his four-game suspension for his role in Deflategate and is awaiting a ruling.
However, as Tom E. Curran explains, there are some differences in the two appeals to consider.
"Here's the interesting thing. The Hardy appeal had procedural problems involved in it they could attach to Harold Henderson. The NFLPA could say you’re punishing him for something he did prior to your new domestic violence policy being enacted," Curran explained. "With Tom Brady, there's nothing procedurally the NFL has done. The other real stark difference is Roger Goodell heard the appeal Brady submitted and he handed down the punishment, so he would have to overturn himself."