NFL: Brady judge presses league

A federal judge put the NFL on the defensive over its four-game suspension of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on Wednesday, demanding to know what evidence directly links Brady to deflating footballs and belittling the drama of the controversy.

"What is the direct evidence that implicates Mr. Brady?" Judge Richard M. Berman repeatedly asked NFL lawyer Daniel L. Nash at the first hearing in the civil case in Manhattan federal court as Brady and commissioner Roger Goodell looked on.

Nash responded there was "considerable evidence Mr. Brady clearly knew about this," including records of text messages and phone calls between the quarterback and one of two Patriots employees implicated in the scandal known as "Deflategate." But he also said there was no "smoking gun" showing Brady had direct knowledge that the balls were underinflated for the first half of the Patriots' 45-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game Jan. 18.

Brady and Goodell didn't speak during the hearing, except to introduce themselves to Berman.

The talks continued more than four hours until about 5 p.m. Goodell and Brady did not speak as they left and there was no immediate word on the status of talks.

The Buffalo Bills claimed Ikemefuna Enemkpali off waivers from the New York Jets after the linebacker was released for breaking quarterback Geno Smith's jaw with a punch in the team's locker room.

Coach Rex Ryan announced the move shortly before practice Wednesday, and a day after Enemkpali was released by the Jets. Without excusing what Enemkpali did, Ryan called the player "a good teammate" and said he believes the linebacker can learn from his mistake.

Ryan, who took over the Bills in January, is very familiar with Enemkpali. Ryan was the Jets coach last season when the player was a rookie.

Enemkpali could face discipline under the NFL's personal conduct policy.

The AFC championship game is a stinging reminder of how bad Indianapolis' run defense was last season - and why the Colts had a fix-it plan.

Now, after nearly seven months of reflection and five months of work, the Colts are eager to prove this season will be different.

The two games that really stood out were the two blowouts against New England. In November, Jonas Gray ran for 201 yards and a franchise record four touchdowns in a 42-20 win. Two months later, the Patriots rushed for 177 yards and three more scores in a 45-7 blowout.

So general manager Ryan Grigson went to work. He spent millions in free agency to beef up Indy's run support with the additions of defensive end Kendall Langford, inside linebacker Nate Irving, outside linebacker Trent Cole, and safety Dwight Lowery.

Grigson then drafted 300-pound defensive end Henry Anderson, 310-pound defensive tackle David Parry, and hard-hitting safety Clayton Geathers.

Defensive tackle Art Jones appears to be healthy after being hindered by a sprained right ankle last season, and Jackson acknowledged he's more comfortable in his second season in Indy.