The whole thing boils down to the league not reacting according to their own rules. Rather than putting up some half-assed sting they should have just adjusted ball procedure (which they’ve done for this season) and made the whole thing not happen. And if they just HAD to catch Brady at it then they should have just fined him the $25k listed in the rule book and been done with it. The minute they decided they needed an “independent investigation” they were on a doomed path.
My entire point here is I believe the evidence, circumstantial and not is more than enough to show culpability on Brady’s part. I woupd have had no problem with a fine, but I believe Goodell, who does bidding of the owners felt the more harsh punishment for Pats and Brady was necessary because of their history of less than stellar behaviour.