Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti denies pressuring NFL to uphold Brady suspension

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has issued a response denying recent reports he, along with Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, is among the most vocal in lobbying the NFL against a reduction of Tom Brady's suspension.

From Bisciotti's statement, released through the Ravens' official website:

I have not and will not put any pressure on the Commissioner or anyone representing the NFL office to take action in what everyone is calling "Deflategate."

The story circulating that I have put pressure on Roger (Goodell) is 100 percent wrong. The reports are unfair to Robert Kraft, who is an honorable person, and to his franchise.

Let's talk about football and the start of training camps. Fans and people like me want the issue resolved now.

The Ravens and Colts likely are indeed hoping Brady's suspension is indeed upheld, putting the defending Super Bowl champions at a significant disadvantage for the first month of the season, but a denial from Bisciotti was to be expected.

Despite the New England Patriots' long history of controversial success against their in-conference rivals, and the NFL as a whole, owners admittedly pressuring Goodell to uphold Brady's punishment wouldn't be a good look for the league.

Whether Goodell's upcoming decision is at all influenced by the impending fall out remains to be seen. Either way, training camps opening around the league should mean an announcement can be expected sooner than later.