The Sports Xchange

The NFL levied heavy penalties as a result of DeflateGate on Monday, suspending New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady without pay for the first four games of the 2015 regular season while fining the team $1 million and docking the franchise a first-round draft pick in 2016.

Brady’s suspension is for “conduct detrimental to the integrity of the NFL,” with NFL Executive President Troy Vincent writing a pointed letter about Brady’s refusal to cooperate with the investigation. While Brady is expected to appeal, it is likely that backup Jimmy Garoppolo will start at least the Sept. 10 regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Week 2 at the Buffalo Bills.

In addition to the first-round pick, the Patriots were fined $1 million and will forfeit a fourth-round draft pick in 2017.

The NFL made the announcement Monday afternoon, five days after the 243-page Ted Wells report was released, concluding that the Patriots “more probable than not” violated NFL rules and Brady “was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities” of the deflated game balls in the 45-7 AFC Championship Game victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

–The NFL Players Association hopes Patriots owner Robert Kraft pushes for neutral arbitration which would force commissioner Roger Goodell to delegate all appeals of player punishment to an outside party, according to Pro Football Talk.

For years, the NFLPA has lobbied for Goodell to permanently surrender his power to resolve appeals of discipline. Last year, significant gains were made in that regard, including the revised policy regarding performance-enhancing drugs.

Goodell continues to have final say over player punishment in other areas such as the power under the league’s personal-conduct policy.

–Former Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis, who was reinstated by the NFL last week, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots, according to reports.

The Patriots also informed seven-year cornerback Kyle Arrington that he will be released, ESPN.com reported.

Davis, 29, was suspended indefinitely in February 2014 for a second violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy. Davis claims he was suspended for taking a supplement. His initial NFL suspension was for marijuana.

–The Houston Texans placed third-year strong safety D.J. Swearinger on waivers.

The Houston Chronicle reported the Texans made the move after failing to generate a trade for Swearinger.

He started 10 games as a rookie and 12 last season.

–Veteran NFL running back Ahmad Bradshaw pleaded no contest and paid a fine to settle a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession.

Court documents at Eaton (Ohio) Municipal Court showed that Bradshaw paid $351 in fines and costs under a plea agreement. His Ohio driving privileges were suspended for six months. A second minor misdemeanor, a traffic charge, was dismissed.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the Associated Press that Bradshaw’s case will be reviewed “under our policies.” Any potential punishment would depend on his status in the league’s drug program.

–The Cleveland Browns reached an agreement with first-round nose tackle Danny Shelton.

The team also signed sixth-round cornerback Charles Gaines and added eight players who participated in the team’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported Shelton’s four-year deal includes $11.7 million guaranteed with a $6.7 million signing bonus. The contract also includes a fifth-year team option.