Nashville, TN: In his first major move since joining the franchise, head coach Mike Tomlin cut ties with star QB Tom Brady today. “Tom has been an important part of the franchise for many years.” said Tomlin in an interview with ESPN’s SportsCenter, “But, in the end, it’s impossible to get behind a leader whose balls are not at 100%”.

When asked about backup Ryan Tannehill, Tomlin said “Ryan has been dedicated to learning our system, and we are confident he can lead us in the upcoming season. Also, he has been extremely comfortable with random ball inspections, and his balls have always been ready to play.”

The team has recently contracted with an independent expert to manage this effort. “We feel confident in each and every one of our balls in the 2015 season,” said equipment manager Paul Noska. “Our expert has implemented the most intense ball inspection program in any professional sport. In some cases, we’ve allowed her to bring a friend.”

“It’s not about trust anymore.” Said Noska. “It’s about verification.”