Panthers' Roman Harper expected NFL to go easy on Tom Brady, Patriots

Having experienced firsthand how hard the NFL came down on the New Orleans Saints for the "Bountygate" scandal, safety Roman Harper expected a much lighter penalty for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

That, of course, didn't happen. The Patriots were fined $1 million and docked two draft picks, while Brady was suspended for the first four games of the season for his role in "Deflategate."

"I didn't think they would make Tom sit out four games because of who he is and what he is for the NFL," Harper, who now plays for the Carolina Panthers, told Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. "I think the NFL always tries to put itself first and I know what Tom Brady brings to the NFL."

Harper spent eight seasons with the Saints, and was with the team when it was accused of paying bonuses to players for injuring opponents from 2009-11.

After a lengthy investigation, the NFL suspended defensive coordinator Gregg Williams indefinitely, head coach Sean Payton for one year, general manager Mickey Loomis for eight games, and assistant Joe Vitt for six.

"It's just amazing to me," Harper said. "... You almost crippled us. It was almost like the death penalty in college. You take all of your head figures and just throw them to the side."