#DFG: Canceling the Noise

[Reverend]

 
Careful. That's like saying you wouldn't hire Aaron Hernandez's lawyer because he was convicted. Lawyers have clients. It may be that Wells's report is shit. But it may have been the best job possible under the circumstances, given who his client is and the limitations he was placed under.

 
This is a pretty awesome backhanded slap at the league.
 
 

 
Not all. If you listen to the popular Around the NFL podcast, pretty much everyone is on board with how ridiculous the punishment is, not to mention the joke that Wells report is.
 
It's to a point where they joke (OMG they are joking!) about how Goodell is listening on them, and how Mike Silver is going off on the Patriots & need a worthy debater to oppose him on TV. 
 

 
I think Laddie is ripping on Peter King's use of "weird" to describe anything he's not thoughtful enough to express properly.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

The idea that JJ was referring to someone else and not Brady and possibly something else besides doing something to the footballs seems a little far fetched as well.

Mcnally: "Tom sucks..I'm going to make the next ball a freakin balloon"

Less than two minutes later:

JJ: "Talked to him last night. He actually brought you up and said you must have a lot of stress trying to get them done"

That doesn't mean they were doing anything illegal but seems like a real stretch there.

 
Every time i read that "a lot of stress trying to get them done" all I can read is in the context of "prepping the game balls exactly how tom wants them before game day" I can see that being stressful if Tom's a pain in the ass about the balls, he wants them done exactly one way through a process and he's got to do 12-18 of them and if he fucks one up Tom's going to lose his mind. Not that he's deflating them in a bathroom.

 

[Tim Salmon]

The idea that JJ was referring to someone else and not Brady and possibly something else besides doing something to the footballs seems a little far fetched as well.

Mcnally: "Tom sucks..I'm going to make the next ball a freakin balloon"

Less than two minutes later:

JJ: "Talked to him last night. He actually brought you up and said you must have a lot of stress trying to get them done"

That doesn't mean they were doing anything illegal but seems like a real stretch there.

 
I agree... Particularly when the two texts that follow appear to refer back to the first.  Does anyone have a plausible explanation?

 

[Three10toLeft]

Everything in this report sounds great.

But fuck. That "Deflator" moniker just sounds so bad. And will be the only thing the detractors will take from this. It's either the most highly coincidental/unfortunate nickname one could have in this instance, or the worst possible coverup/explanation possible.

 

[soxhop411]

Everything in this report sounds great.

But fuck. That "Deflator" moniker just sounds so bad. And will be the only thing the detractors will take from this. It's either the most highly coincidental/unfortunate nickname one could have in this instance, or the worst possible coverup/explanation possible.

If they were trying to do a coverup I would think the Patriots could think of something better... They are not idiots 

 

[Silverdude2167]

lol NFLN
 
NFL Network ‏@nflnetwork  58s58 seconds ago
According to @MikeSilver, the Patriots rebuttal "insults our intelligence." This is why: http://at.nfl.com/KIL8rxc 

It only "insults our intelligence" if you were not aware of these flaws before they posted them. If you were aware you should be nodding along and not caring.

 

[BoredViewer]

This whole issue confuses me.  I get that a lot of people don't like the Patriots and are jealous of their success.  Ok.
 
But... in this specific instance - what is the difference between what should have happened and what the NFL is saying did happen?
 
McNally let some air out of the balls on the way to the field because Brady doesn't like to play with rugby balls?

 

[Spelunker]

Goldberg's letter: conduct "of certain League officials."  That's Kensil, right?

I think I missed who Goldberg is. Where does he come in?

 

[joe dokes]

 
This is a pretty awesome backhand slap at the league.

 
Ultimately, there's a limited universe of possibilities as to why the report is shit. I am not ready to declare Wells incompetent. Who do you think is more probably than not better at their jobs, in a general sense -- Wells or Goodell?  Goodell is a vain, dick-swinging, idiot. Sometime lawyers have those people as clients.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

If they were trying to do a coverup I would think the Patriots could think of something better... They are not idiots 

 
That's what they want you to think! I had the same reaction though. There's way more plausible explanations than when the provided that I'm more inclined to believe them. 

 

[Three10toLeft]

If they were trying to do a coverup I would think the Patriots could think of something better... They are not idiots

I agree.

But really? Even as someone who thinks the Pats are getting railroaded, I find this explanation laughable.

 

[Harry Hooper]

 "insults our intelligence."

. Is that really possible?

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

 
Weird that NFL Network reporters would be offended by all of this.
 
Weird.

The network that the NFL owns sides with Ted Wells.

Weird

 

[Myt1]

If you are referring to influencing the TB matter, sure. Whatever chance the Pats had of getting their sanctions overturned or reduced were just burned this morning. Maybe they feel on balance this is worth it.

This would be my guess. Roger and Ted have to answer for Santino. Nothing else matters.

 

[tims4wins]

 
Careful. That's like saying you wouldn't hire Aaron Hernandez's lawyer because he was convicted. Lawyers have clients. It may be that Wells's report is shit. But it may have been the best job possible under the circumstances, given who his client is and the limitations he was placed under.

 
He shouldn't have even taken the case knowing how the report would be slammed. Whereas no one blames AH's lawyer for him being convicted, IMO.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

What a horrible coincidence! The very nickname given to him would be the exact thing that would bring him down!

 
Don't blame you on that point. What did you think of the rest of the rebuttal?

 

[Bob420]

 
The texts are Rorschach tests--they're indicative of a plot to deflate footballs illegally only if you're looking for evidence to support that conclusion.  At least there are plausible (possibly even "more probable than not") explanations for their context.

Can't see how JJ can be talking about anybody but Tom there. Tom is the subject of the first text and the 2nd one 90 seconds later with no texts in between says he talked to him last night.

I guess you can say that JJ was talking about anyone when he said him and he. Could also say stress of getting them done could be about anything even though that first text was about footballs and air pressure.

 

[dcmissle]

I think the Pats response to the Wells report gives Kraft a lot of talking points with the other owners regarding the objectivity and fairness of the NFL's conclusions and penalties. And perhaps a couple of powerful envoys (Jones, Mara, Rooney) can approach Goodell to broker a deal that reduces the penalties with sufficient cover (the Pats side of the story ripping Wells) to avoid a full blown PR/court battle aimed at totally trashing Goodell.  

I think they have blown their chances for a reduction up, and have to assume the are content doing so.

Some people have speculated this is a preclude to depose Goodell in the upcoming meetings. But Bob Kraft is channeling Bulworth and Jonathan Tony Montana. This is not the way you persuade fellow owners. Sure this reflects poorly on Goodell, but it also reflects poorly on the League, and guys like Mara, Rooney -- and Kraft, for that matter -- think they are the League. At the very least they are responsible for the League, so it reflects poorly on them.

What this might do is buy some breathing space against further stings and set-ups. When a target becomes this notorious, everybody watches. The target then becomes dangerous as a target.

 

[Marciano490]

I agree.

But really? Even as someone who thinks the Pats are getting railroaded, I find this explanation laughable.

 
But it's one of those things that's so absurd it must be true.  If this is being workshopped as an excuse, it's not lasting 2 minutes in committee.  If it's real, you go with it and marshal all the evidence that it's actually his nickname due to his weight and diet plans.

 

[doc]

I just realized that McNally and Jastremski are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

So does that make TB Hamlet?

 

[GreyisGone]

The texts are ultimately a red herring if there is no evidence the footballs were altered. They can talk about deflating balls, stomachs, tires or whatever until the cows come home but it doesn't matter if it wasn't actually done. The site makes a very compelling case it wasn't actually done.

 

[Spelunker]

I just realized that McNally and Jastremski are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Bra-vo.

 

[soxhop411]

 
But it's one of those things that's so absurd it must be true.  If this is being workshopped as an excuse, it's not lasting 2 minutes in committee.  If it's real, you go with it and marshal all the evidence that it's actually his nickname due to his weight and diet plans.

exactly 

 

[Shelterdog]

I think they have blown their chances for a reduction up, and have to assume the are content doing so.

Some people have speculated this is a preclude to depose Goodell in the upcoming meetings. But Bob Kraft is channeling Bulworth and Jonathan Tony Montana. This is not the way you persuade fellow owners. Sure this reflects poorly on Goodell, but it also reflects poorly on the League, and guys like Mara, Rooney -- and Kraft, for that matter -- think they are the League. At the very least they are responsible for the League, so it reflects poorly on them.

What this might do is buy some breathing space against further stings and set-ups. When a target becomes this notorious, everybody watches. The target then becomes dangerous as a target.

 
I think they're doing something different--they're trying to compel the league to get a guy like taglibue to start this from scratch. 

 

[joe dokes]

 
He shouldn't have even taken the case knowing how the report would be slammed. Whereas no one blames AH's lawyer for him being convicted, IMO.

 
I dont think its that simple.

 

[nighthob]

Careful. That's like saying you wouldn't hire Aaron Hernandez's lawyer because he was convicted. Lawyers have clients. It may be that Wells's report is shit. But it may have been the best job possible under the circumstances, given who his client is and the limitations he was placed under.

On the other hand I might hire Aaron Hernandez if I needed someone killed. I mean, sure he'll get caught, but he won't roll...

 

[tims4wins]

 
I dont think its that simple.

 
Obviously not. But if you were a very well regarded, high powered attorney, and the NFL came to you asking to put together something you knew would end up as garbage... would you really accept that work - especially given that PW's bigger clients are like 30-50 times bigger than the NFL in terms of revenue?
 
To clarify: Wells' report is garbage, which reflects poorly on him, and the fact that he accepted the job knowing what the NFL was trying to prove further reflects poorly on him. He is coming across as arrogant and not particularly smart. No wonder Goodell likes him.

 

[Marciano490]

On the other hand I might hire Aaron Hernandez if I needed someone killed. I mean, sure he'll get caught, but he won't roll...

 
Nah, dude doesn't roll, he gets wet.

 

[ivanvamp]

This whole thing is because nobody in the NFL office knew what the ideal gas law is and can't admit this all started on a mistake. The rest of it is just covering up for that initial fuck up.

Seriously. If in the two days following the initial blowup, the NFL released a report saying, here are the measurements of the footballs. Both teams under 12.5, consistent wlth what we would have expected due to the laws of physics given the starting measurements of the balls.

If the NFL had said that, this entire thing never ever happens. They didn't do that despite KNOWING that this was the truth. Why? The answer to that is obvious.

 

[dcmissle]

 
I think they're doing something different--they're trying to compel the league to get a guy like taglibue to start this from scratch. 

Is the marching band on the field during the return? Cause that would require Roger to throw Wells and Vincent under the bus.

More likely this will go to Henderson, who will stamp the passport.

 

[GregHarris]

Love the quote about the physically big man with two large football bags moving stealthily through a crowded room down a hall and past one of the people (James Daniel) who was aware of the Colts complaints in an act of subterfuge.
 
Edit: and then they allowed McNally to handle the footballs again during halftime?
 
 
Clown shoes.  fucking clown shoes.

 

[GraysonGrandeGonads]

I think I missed who Goldberg is. Where does he come in?

Pats attorney
 
http://www.morganlewis.com/bios/danielgoldberg
 
Already defeated MillerCoors on their behalf
HLS grad, if it matters

 

[joe dokes]

 
Obviously not. But if you were a very well regarded, high powered attorney, and the NFL came to you asking to put together something you knew would end up as garbage... would you really accept that work - especially given that PW's bigger clients are like 30-50 times bigger than the NFL in terms of revenue?

 
I dont know when in the process Wells realized -- if he ever did -- that the report was so thin (to say the least). But I also think that even Wells was surprised that his conclusions -- as poorly supported as they were -- that Brady was "generally aware" (not to mention that Kraft and BB weren't involved) -- would lead to Goodell to unleash the hounds. Not all cops are happy when they bust a guy for selling loose joints and the judge gives them the electric chair.
 
Lets say the only penalty here was Brady or the team hit for 25K. Is any of this happening?

 

[bankshot1]

I think they have blown their chances for a reduction up, and have to assume the are content doing so.

Some people have speculated this is a preclude to depose Goodell in the upcoming meetings. But Bob Kraft is channeling Bulworth and Jonathan Tony Montana. This is not the way you persuade fellow owners. Sure this reflects poorly on Goodell, but it also reflects poorly on the League, and guys like Mara, Rooney -- and Kraft, for that matter -- think they are the League. At the very least they are responsible for the League, so it reflects poorly on them.

What this might do is buy some breathing space against further stings and set-ups. When a target becomes this notorious, everybody watches. The target then becomes dangerous as a target.

If the Maras, Rooney, Jones (the big dick swingers) feel that this matter was handled poorly and the Wells report was slanted and filled with inconsistencies and Goodell's penalty overly harsh, AND that Kraft's response could bring added scrutiny and or divisiveness to the league, combined with Goodell's checkered and inept  administration then perhaps cooler heads can see a war is best avoided, and a peace brokered, and Goodell gets to keep his job without being trashed.

 

[Spelunker]

Pats attorney
 
http://www.morganlewis.com/bios/danielgoldberg

Thanks, that's what I assumed, but I was really hoping it was an investigator at Wells' firm and this was an internal email that the Pats leaked

Edit: in that, of course the Pats attorney is saying they cooperated fully. That's not really unexpected.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

 
This is a pretty awesome backhanded slap at the league.
 
 
 
 
I think Laddie is ripping on Peter King's use of "weird" to describe anything he's not thoughtful enough to express properly.

 
I had an agenda to post what I wanted to post. Damn the context and I'm suing everyone's ass (except Rev & Nip. Don't bite the hand that feeds).

 

[Myt1]

I think they have blown their chances for a reduction up, and have to assume the are content doing so.

Some people have speculated this is a preclude to depose Goodell in the upcoming meetings. But Bob Kraft is channeling Bulworth and Jonathan Tony Montana. This is not the way you persuade fellow owners. Sure this reflects poorly on Goodell, but it also reflects poorly on the League, and guys like Mara, Rooney -- and Kraft, for that matter -- think they are the League. At the very least they are responsible for the League, so it reflects poorly on them.

What this might do is buy some breathing space against further stings and set-ups. When a target becomes this notorious, everybody watches. The target then becomes dangerous as a target.

"Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, you're cool, fuck you."

 

[nighthob]

I dont know when in the process Wells realized -- if he ever did -- that the report was so thin (to say the least). But I also think that even Wells was surprised that his conclusions -- as poorly supported as they were -- that Brady was "generally aware" (not to mention that Kraft and BB weren't involved) -- would lead to Goodell to unleash the hounds. Not all cops are happy when they bust a guy for selling loose joints and the judge gives them the electric chair.
 
Lets say the only penalty here was Brady or the team hit for 25K. Is any of this happening?

That's an excellent point, he has to be as pissed that the NFL stuck him on the hot seat as his partners have to be at his recent performance in regards this report. There's no way that this fiasco hasn't led to massive damage control with Paul Weiss trying to reassure their other clients that they're not normally this incompetent as regards PR.

 

[bluefenderstrat]

The halftime measurements have been totally and completely exposed as meaningless.  Nothing else even matters in this farce.

 

[BigJimEd]

I've heard deflating in reference to someone getting smaller after no longer taking steroids.

The texts supposedly not refetencing Brady but a friend seem strange in context. Wonder if there are further texts or anything. Otherwise seems clear inference that he would be referring to Brady.

The fact McNally walked out if the officials room and past another official just shows that many didn't feel it was a big deal at the time even with the Colts reference.
I think just a few, probably led by Kensil, who saw this as an opportunity.

 

[Shelterdog]

 
I dont know when in the process Wells realized -- if he ever did -- that the report was so thin (to say the least). But I also think that even Wells was surprised that his conclusions -- as poorly supported as they were -- that Brady was "generally aware" (not to mention that Kraft and BB weren't involved) -- would lead to Goodell to unleash the hounds. Not all cops are happy when they bust a guy for selling loose joints and the judge gives them the electric chair.
 
Lets say the only penalty here was Brady or the team hit for 25K. Is any of this happening?

 
You're not giving Wells enough credit.  There's no way the report bends over backwards to nail Brady, NFL superstar, unless the client is completely on board. 

 

[dcmissle]

Things that make you feel good often are not good for you. Lots of Pats' targets are wearing Teflon made of the explication of "deflator". The choir does not need converting.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

No matter what happens from here, I can't believe what a giant dumpster fire this is for the league from the "tainted" AFC Championship/Super Bowl Weeks/Super Bowl/Super Bowl MVP to one of the league's most powerful owners (and former Wooby of Rog) going nuclear on the league and this isn't nearly over.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

They probably should have given a general statement about the report being flawed and then hit on the top five or ten bullet points while acknowledging that they couldn't address everything and framing it as "the science shows no deflation, so there was no crime."

Also, I think people are legitimately asking why they suspended McNally and Jastremski. They did that preemptorily.

 

[Doctor G]

There's a lot of good stuff in there, but explaining "Deflator" as McNally losing weight sounds ridiculous.

Did you expect him to refer to himself as Dorito Dink.

 

[soxhop411]

They probably should have given a general statement about the report being flawed and then hit on the top five or ten bullet points while acknowledging that they couldn't address everything and framing it as "the science shows no deflation, so there was no crime."

Also, I think people are legitimately asking why they suspended McNally and Jastremski. They did that preemptorily.

I believe the NFL asked them to?
 
Given that the NFL itself needs to reinstate them

 

[Gambler7]

They probably should have given a general statement about the report being flawed and then hit on the top five or ten bullet points while acknowledging that they couldn't address everything and framing it as "the science shows no deflation, so there was no crime."

Also, I think people are legitimately asking why they suspended McNally and Jastremski. They did that preemptorily.

Wasn't it shown in the report they did due things they shouldn't have been doing? The signed ball Jastremski took and lied about. Bartering for signed items between each other. McNally breakig supposed "protocol" according to the league, no matter the reason he did it. 

 

[DJnVa]

 
I agree... Particularly when the two texts that follow appear to refer back to the first.  Does anyone have a plausible explanation?

 
It says right in the rebuttal, that after reviewing ALL the texts on the phone, not just the few pulled out, that he had a habit of referring back to something discussed previously. Every text didn't respond to the immediately preceding text.
 

 

[natpastime162]

'We good'(or variants that could be read that way) would fall into the aforementioned "does this really hinge on someone that grew up with party lines trying to meaningfully decipher the intent of texts???" conundrum.

Pretty much. It's not just Wells. So many interpretations exist that by Saturday we could make a Room 237-style documentary.

 

[tims4wins]

 
I dont know when in the process Wells realized -- if he ever did -- that the report was so thin (to say the least). But I also think that even Wells was surprised that his conclusions -- as poorly supported as they were -- that Brady was "generally aware" (not to mention that Kraft and BB weren't involved) -- would lead to Goodell to unleash the hounds. Not all cops are happy when they bust a guy for selling loose joints and the judge gives them the electric chair.
 
Lets say the only penalty here was Brady or the team hit for 25K. Is any of this happening?

 
Excellent point, and the answer is clearly "no'". This would have disappeared.