#DFG: Canceling the Noise

[jtn46]

I'm not really surprised that no deal could be worked out, and there was never any chance this Patriots team would turn perception away from "lol cheatriots" so I'm not terribly upset that Kraft didn't fight. I don't have much confidence Brady's suspension will be reduced either or at least not by Goodell.
 
That said, because of the overwhelming demand for this kind of punishment from fans of other teams and apparently owners and personnel of other teams, going forward, I want this shitshow to be standard fucking practice. If a team gets caught doing something, the assumption should be that the whole organization is in on it and that it's something that they have been doing for years. Lengthy, expensive investigations should follow. if I'm Kraft, that's what I'm telling Goodell I want going forward. You can't assume the worst with us and the best everyone else. If a team is heating up a football on the sideline there's a pretty excellent chance that it's something they've done before, so find the paper trail that proves that and when you get it the punishment should be severe.

 

[bankshot1]

The owners should be furious at RG. RG's has a few jobs: make them richer, take the heat when necessary, if possible make them look good, and don't air the NFL's dirty laundry. This situation screamed for discretion, not a public shit-show that ran for 4-months.. 

 

[Dirty Sanchez Forever]

In that scenario I would imagine some of those owners calling for his head would be the ones who've been spit roasted over the last decade while he positioned himself as the right hand man of the mediocre Senator's son. I'm going to guess that Jerry Jones didn't appreciate being penalized 10s of millions of dollars in team salary because he refused to collude to keep player salaries down in an uncapped year, for example.
 
Giving him credit for not following through on his own extortion attempt in threatening to move the team to the wasteland of Hartford is sad. 

 

[Harry Hooper]

It doesn't cancel his previous accomplishments, but Kraft's continuing cowering before Goodell plus his unwavering support for a man clearly hell bent on destroying the franchise from without are going a long way to killing off both the league and the Pats organization. Backing down today was an unconscionable decision.

Al Davis was a great owner/GM once too. There's no reason why the same couldn't happen to Kraft.

To answer the question, we have every right to be angry at Kraft today for his refusal to stand up to a raving madman of a commissioner. Kraft's constant backing of this fucking moron has damaged the game ina profound way.

 
 

Kraft's decision was a smart decision for Bob Kraft, rich guy, but it sure as shit doesn't help me as a Pats fan.  A destructive scorched earth campaign doesn't cost me a time but might (just might) actually get that first round pick back and if the cost is that Kraft doesn't have quite the say in the league's marketing strategy and doesn't get to be in the Rooney/Mara club, well who gives a fuck.

 
 

Agreed Shelter and Joe.  Worse yet, we all know that any little thing that comes up in the future - real or not - they will be coming back for the pats loaded for bear.

 
 
Nicely said, one and all. Not that I'll be missed in Foxboro, but my 1-2 games per year is going down to zero.

 

[RIFan]

I have a ton of respect for Robert Kraft, but I've never bought into the saintly image of Joe Fan becoming an NFL owner. Make no mistake about it, he is a shrewd businessman who is acting in his own best interests. Saved the franchise from moving to STL? No, he saved himself from having a near worthless asset in Sullivan Stadium. Decided to self finance a stadium in Foxboro versus extorting the state or relocating? No, he tried the backdoor route to get a publically financed Boston stadium and in the end couldn't get a better deal in Hartford without some unsavory backroom dealings he couldn't stomach. The Foxboro stadium was the best long term return he could get. There is certainly a "fan" element in his dealings, but I'm sure that the fan in him is more of a tie breaker than a factor in decision making.

We're lucky to have an owner like that because he has the vision to see that a successful team on the field translate into a larger return to him. He content to play the long game and for go the short term gains at the expense of bigger long term value. That sounds simple, but it's obvious that many owners would rather loot their franchise and sit back as overall values rise than invest in their product to realize bigger gains.

I would have liked to see him go nuclear and push this issue hard. It completely sucks that we as fans have to deal with this crap. He has, however, taken it further than I ever thought he would. I'm also content to sit back and assume he is once again playing the long game that will pay benefits down the road. Some people are taking this like they just learned Santa is actually some guy off the street in a red costume. It's a business, always has been, always will be. If you can't accept that than maybe being a pro sports fan isn't for you.

 

[Stitch01]

 
There's a third option but I'll get shouted down if I suggest it

The league literally threatened to burn down his team?

 

[Ed Hillel]

I've lost some faith in the "down the road" argument, given that this whole issue happened because he's fought for 8 years to keep this clown and his regime in power.

 

[GBrushTWood]

The owners should be furious at RG. RG's has a few jobs: make them richer, take the heat when necessary, if possible make them look good, and don't air the NFL's dirty laundry. This situation screamed for discretion, not a public shit-show that ran for 4-months.. 

 
The one common link throughout all these public relation debacles is that the owners do not give a flying fuck about what us the paying customers think about these issues. Why? 
 
They know that nobody is going to stop buying their product for a different form of entertainment. Nobody is going to spend their Sundays mowing the lawn. They (and Goodell by proxy) have everyone by the balls. As long as the public keeps watching the games, buying the merchandise, buying tickets, and obsessing over this sport, there is no reason to change anything,  nevermind Goodell. The majority of people in this thread have already admitted this travesty has no bearing on whether they consume the product. Why the fuck would the these billionnaires change a thing? Someone posted the NFL revenue growth chart over the last 6-8 years. That is the only thing Goodell is measured on. Literally nothing else matters except keep growing the business.
 
Read the responses from guys like Blank and McNair to Kraft. "Admit you are wrong". The implied message is "go count your stacks of money and don't dare rock the golden boat". Kraft replenished his soma dosage over the last few days after missing a few the last 3 weeks.
 
The whole outcome is utterly revolting and bitterly insulting. I can't even believe we are here today. How the fuck are we even looking at this as reality? Beyond maddening as a fan of this team. Fuck this all six ways sideway.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

I gotta say, this is one of the most interesting things I've ever watched in my life. It's a masterclass in wide-scale manipulation and bias confirmation. Not to be hyperbolic, but I feel like so many things throughout history or the promulgation and vitality of so many ideas that never made sense to me now are clear.

 
Wait, I thought you were a Catholic?

 

[djbayko]

If a deal was made, it was more between Kraft and other owners. Other than a full realization that he couldn't win and more skeletons may come out of the closet, I can see a scenario where other owners made it clear to Kraft that if he backs down and accepts the punishment that he'll have their support when it comes time to oust Goodell. If he fights it and drags the NFL through the mud, the retaliation would be to remove him from key committee positions and minimize his influence.

The fact that Kraft's concession speech came the morning after reports of a backroom deal being made is too coincidental. It legitimizes the idea of a deal, IMO. If you're Roger Goodell, and you are not aware of the terms of such a deal, you should be very concerned.

 

[Jettisoned]

The potential "deal" between Kraft and Goodell was probably brinkmanship on the part of Kraft.  He was bluffing about filing suit and airing the league's dirty laundry in the hopes that Goodell and the rest of the owners would cave and give back one of the draft picks. They called his bluff, and he folded.
 
Goodell will reduce Brady's suspension by a game or two knowing full well that Brady won't accept it so that the media can portray him as a spoiled prima donna throwing a tantrum instead of accepting Goodell's magnanimous offer.

 

[uncannymanny]

 
The one common link throughout all these public relation debacles is that the owners do not give a flying fuck about what us the paying customers think about these issues. Why? 
 
They know that nobody is going to stop buying their product for a different form of entertainment. Nobody is going to spend their Sundays mowing the lawn. They (and Goodell by proxy) have everyone by the balls. As long as the public keeps watching the games, buying the merchandise, buying tickets, and obsessing over this sport, there is no reason to change anything,  nevermind Goodell. The majority of people in this thread have already admitted this travesty has no bearing on whether they consume the product. Why the fuck would the these billionnaires change a thing? Someone posted the NFL revenue growth chart over the last 6-8 years. That is the only thing Goodell is measured on. Literally nothing else matters except keep growing the business.
 
Read the responses from guys like Blank and McNair to Kraft. "Admit you are wrong". The implied message is "go count your stacks of money and don't dare rock the golden boat". Kraft replenished his soma dosage over the last few days after missing a few the last 3 weeks.
 
The whole outcome is utterly revolting and bitterly insulting. I can't even believe we are here today. How the fuck are we even looking at this as reality? Beyond maddening as a fan of this team. Fuck this all six ways sideway.

 

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

Yeah not gonna happen. The NFL successfully railroaded the Patriots. Over something they never even remotely demonstrated actually happened. And through it all, never were their lies and leaks and absurd, comical processes ever held up for scrutiny or critical analysis except here.

It's unfathomable but, well, there it is.

Only a dominating court victory by Brady - and not on a technicality like, oh Vincent wasn't supposed to issue the penalty so we have to drop it - where the league is given a gigantic kick in the groin over everything from the process to the leaks to the lies to the science, can the Patriots gain a measure of respect back.

 
You've been a voice of clarity in all of this, ivan, and I've really enjoyed your posts.  This one sums it up for me.
 
I should be over in the new-XP-rule thread, but I just... can't muster the energy to care.  About the NFL or anything in it, at least not right now.  I still love Brady, BB and the Pats just as much, and I'll probably watch the games come fall.  But then again... I dunno, maybe international soccer is a better use of my time.  It starts the same time of year, most games happen on the weekends, there's frankly more clarity about what the rules are and things are, somehow, less crooked (unless you're hosting a World Cup), and the term "football" actually makes sense as a name for the sport.
 
The illusion of fandom is that, if we all collectively decide to care what happens to a sports team, it makes it fun for everyone.  Sometimes those teams break your heart on the field, but that's inevitable and structural.  You don't really expect (or get prepared for) the sport itself breaking your heart, and then pushing your team onto the train tracks, Frank Underwood-style.  There are all sorts of other collective experiences to be had in this world.  Many other forms of entertainment.  Could those be just as fun as following your sports team win?  Maybe I'm under-rating the experiences of falling in love with a band, or a video game world, or a TV show, or a new technology.  Of taking up a new hobby.
 
These are all the things that this whole saga has been making me think about, and it's bizarre, but also at least a little liberating.

 

[DJnVa]

Yup

 
 
Thanks for quoting a 3 paragraph post and adding this. I learned a lot.

 

[aksoxfan]

I will add that my greatest concern today was his statement regarding how much respect he has for Goodell and the power of the commissioner's office. This is the kind of thing that rankles me as a Pats' fan both because it is viscerally uncomfortable to hear and because the Patriots are clearly targets of the rest of the league. It should also scare all NFL coaches, players, and fans about the long-term viability of the NFL.

Yeah. it sounded like a Stalinist era confession of someone who'd been re-educated.  The NFL seems to be a ruthless gang of well dressed and connected mobsters, with vendettas, petty agendas,and turf wars; and that plus incompetent officials..screw 'em. I'm done. And I don't care if you don't care.

 

[Stitch01]

If we are brutally honest, we pretty much have to admit that some poetic just has been meted out in this -- not to Patriots players, coaches and fans, certainly, but to Bob Kraft. Kraft has abided and at least once aided and abetted Goodell's reign of terror.

Where was Kraft when JJ and Snyder treated what was supposed to be an uncapped year as an uncapped year? Look at those cap penalties again. They hurt Dallas and Washihgton pretty badly. Not as cynical and unjust as inventing fraudulent charges if that's what happened here. But certainly cynical and unjust. Kraft is supposed to be a leader and styles himself as the guy who does the right thing.

Same damn thing with Adrian Peterson, who like it or not was punished retroactively largely for PR reasons. Where is the conscience of the League; not even a word in private?

And of course Ray Rice. Supporting Goodell publicly when the guy imposed inadequate discipline in the first instance and then punished twice in the second instance, against all standards of fairness.

If you support lawless behavior, tacitly or actively, it's eventually likely to be aimed at you.

Can't argue with a word of this. I think booing him on opening day or twisting history to say he hasn't been, on balance, a godsend for the Pats is ludicrous but he's been an NFL company man through and through. This is an extreme example of how the NFL front office operates these days, but it is by no means out of character.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

You've been a voice of clarity in all of this, ivan, and I've really enjoyed your posts.  This one sums it up for me.
 
I should be over in the new-XP-rule thread, but I just... can't muster the energy to care.  About the NFL or anything in it, at least not right now.  I still love Brady, BB and the Pats just as much, and I'll probably watch the games come fall.  But then again... I dunno, maybe international soccer is a better use of my time.  It starts the same time of year, most games happen on the weekends, there's frankly more clarity about what the rules are and things are, somehow, less crooked (unless you're hosting a World Cup), and the term "football" actually makes sense as a name for the sport.
 
The illusion of fandom is that, if we all collectively decide to care what happens to a sports team, it makes it fun for everyone.  Sometimes those teams break your heart on the field, but that's inevitable and structural.  You don't really expect (or get prepared for) the sport itself breaking your heart, and then pushing your team onto the train tracks, Frank Underwood-style.  There are all sorts of other collective experiences to be had in this world.  Many other forms of entertainment.  Could those be just as fun as following your sports team win?  Maybe I'm under-rating the experiences of falling in love with a band, or a video game world, or a TV show, or a new technology.  Of taking up a new hobby.
 
These are all the things that this whole saga has been making me think about, and it's bizarre, but also at least a little liberating.

The injustice of the situation is infuriating. Especially in sports, which is supposed to be a place more resitant to life's injustices by determing the strongest, the fastest, the most skilled.

But I think as the experience fades over the years, the important thing we can maybe do is understand this happens and be more critical. Suspend your desire for blood lust. This was not an outlier. I've seen a few NCAA investigations up close. They make the NFL look like amatuers. They don't even make a pretense of neutrality or even handedness anymore. How about the Paterno report? Freeh is an honorable man, right? Just like Ted Wells. But outside State College we don't give a fuck because pedophiles. If the Jets are the next ones railroaded, will any of us care? Or will we decide, serves them right?

This shit happens. Every day. In police departments. In Universities. In hospitals. In government. In religious institutions. You combine power with moral certainty and this happens. The only surprising part is how easily we swallow it when it's not something we personally care about.

 

[Grimace-HS]

That primary aspects that I am slightly frustrated about right now are that his backing off does perhaps signal two things: (1) there just might not have been enough evidence to sway support for an overturn of the penalties; and (2) we will likely never really know what the true story was behind deflategate.  I had the opportunity to enjoy the AFC Championship Game for about an hour or so before hearing about the potential ball deflation issue, and I only hoped I'd wake up on Monday to know that there was no story at all.  Many of us wanted that last "post-Spygate" Super Bowl to truly enjoy one without constantly hearing the cheating accusations from other fans, and that hope was gone right there.  I saw Brady's press conference as quite uncomfortable, but Belichick's as really very good.  And when Kraft announced in Arizona that he'd ultimately want an apology, the "us against them" motivator carried through an amazing Super Bowl.  For that and all of the success under the Kraft era, I will always be grateful.
 
I'd really hoped that the "independent study" in the Wells Report would at least lead more to an outcome suggesting that the process was just not one where we can determine any wrongdoing, and months of reading and speculation often encouraged that thought.  But once the Wells Report came out, it became clear that the public sentiment just would never fully change anyways, and I accept that.  But I had hoped for Patriots fans "peace of mind", we might be able to get to the bottom of everything and definitively know one way or the other if wrongdoing was done.  I loved Kraft's rebuttal last week (with the exception of the "deflator" explanation as Theo pointed out), but also feared that pushing through appeals without a positive chance of being successful would hurt the Patriots even more.  I ultimately wanted closure, and sadly that might not ever happen (although perhaps the Brady appeal will shed more light on this issue).
 
But as for Kraft....I just can't criticize him as he clearly has more information about the situation, and I do trust him as an owner, business man, and fan.  I had massive anxiety in college when it seemed a foregone conclusion that there would be the St. Louis Patriots (and at the time Drew Bledsoe was just wrapping up his first year and offering a lot of hope for the future along with Parcells).  The fact that Kraft stepped in and saved them at that time is something I have never forgotten.  And he is a very active owner in the league, one with a positive influence from everything I can surmise.  I'd rather this image than the possible fallout of a lawsuit.  But I do hope we can someday know what happened (or didn't happen), and perhaps Reiss will come out with a "tell all" book in ten years; who knows.
 
Kraft looked very drained, and I'm sure many of us are quite drained from the past few months as well.  And sports should be fun, not draining to this extent.  Besides, the last I remember, the Butler interception still happened.  I think I will watch more of those videos in that thread to enjoy that all over again.  Thanks to those that posted so many good links in that thread, as well as amazing insights here from lawyers, scientists/engineers, and others in here....I easily learn more in here than any other outlet.

 

[veritas]

Reading the transcripts of Kraft's press conference, I assumed he went up to the podium groveling to Roger. But after actually watching it, I thought Kraft seemed pretty confident and relaxed. He didn't seem defeated to me.
 
This is probably wishful thinking, but perhaps that's because Kraft knows a lot more about the details of Brady's case relevant to his appeal and possible further legal action that leads him to believe he'll destroy Goodell. Maybe Kraft is going to fight his battle via the Brady case, without having to publicly square off against the NFL. Best case scenario in Brady's appeal process is that Goodell and his office looks terrible, he'll be out as commish, and Brady is exonerated. At this point I think that's a lot more important to Kraft than the 1st round pick

 

[Three10toLeft]

Unless it comes out that Roger orchestrated this entire mess, down to RG himself having the balls slightly deflated, it's pretty obvious the owners have no intention of "ousting" him.

They have all pretty much agreed with Roger's handling of the situation, along with never throwing him under the bus during the Ray Rice saga. As long he continues bringing in the big bucks, this guy is Teflon.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

How about the Paterno report? Freeh is an honorable man, right? Just like Ted Wells. 

 
So are they all, all honorable men.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

How can anyone be upset with Kraft or the Patriots?  The guy and his team have been hugely successful and Kraft, in particular, has made some pretty impressive decisions as owner of the Patriots that have resulted in not only four championships and six Superbowl appearances.  His track record also suggests he is a pretty shrewd businessman.

Yet there are a bunch of folks who dwell in their respective mothers basements on some obscure message-board who know better than him what was in his and the team's best interest?  I just don't know how you can judge what Kraft did today without a lot more information - color that we are unlikely to ever get.
 
I don't begrudge anyone to be angry with Kraft but I certainly don't understand it nor do I agree with it.  From where I sit, he has earned a ton of goodwill over his time as owner of the Patriots.  He, as much as any other professional sports owner, deserves the benefit of the doubt here.

 

[Harry Hooper]

Bruce Allen's open letter to Kraft:

 

Fans have been putting up with nonsense for years now. Both locally and nationally. We’re feeling that finally, something is going to be done about this. Sabres are rattled, court documents prepared. The fight is about to be joined.
 
But today, you capitulate to Roger Goodell, citing your love for being part of the NFL. For the “dream” of being one of 32 clubs in the National Football League. For putting the interest of the 32 over the interest of the one. You chose the Shield.
 
Mr. Kraft, I’m not sure you fully understand what a slap in the face that was to the fans. More than that. It was a gut-punch. You chose the “club” of ownership over the fans. The fans have defended the Patriots at every turn. They have taken on all comers, and with a dedication and determination that is astounding. This was going to be the case in which it was revealed that the emperor had no clothes. Roger Goodell and his corrupt cronies at the NFL were finally going to be exposed and some of the Patriots good name restored. Not all of it, of course, because to many people this franchise will always be “cheaters.” Fans live with that on a daily basis.
 
Instead, you gave in. The rhetoric is not going away, and in fact, all this has done has confirmed in the minds of many that the Patriots did in fact do something wrong.
The fight would’ve been difficult, it would’ve been long, it would’ve been expensive. It would have been ugly.
 
It also would’ve been worth it. Even in defeat, you would’ve shown that you were here for the fans who have given their unwavering support.
 
Instead, you’ve got your own fans angered at you, swearing in the heat of the moment never to watch another game. Nationally, people still believe the Patriots are cheaters.
 
So what exactly have you accomplished? Tom Brady is, at the moment, still suspended for four games. The team has lost a 5-10 year starter in the 2016 first round draft pick, and another asset in the 4th round pick, you’re out a million dollars, your fans are furious and everyone else still thinks your team and QB are cheaters.
 
But you’re still in the club.
 

 
 
 
Chad Finn's column:
 

the Patriots still conduct themselves like there's some sort of perception of wholesomeness around their organization, when they're seen as equal parts brilliant and dastardly by the most open-minded opponents. Even if they are a model franchise -- and in many ways, they are an all-time model franchise -- they will never be perceived that way outside of New England.
 
Yet there still seems to be this unquenched desire within the Patriots ownership to be appreciated and respected in other NFL cities.
 
Sorry, but the former isn't happening, and the latter probably isn't in most markets, either. They win too much, and the smoky perception of impropriety follows them. Kraft did nothing to change that today, while simultaneously infuriating the only people remaining who defend his team -- the fans.
 
I've wished for a while that they'd embrace the hate, never more so than today. Go full-heel, us-versus-them. Unfortunately, the owner is still too concerned with what "them" think. There's nothing to lose by going scorched-earth on the rest of the league -- except for Goodell's good favor and the precious approval of his fellow owners.
 
Pathetic. Kraft should be fighting to keep that first-round pick.
 
But it's business and billionaire buddies' desires above everything else.
 
Kraft used to be one of you. Today, given a public opportunity to reveal his true allegiances, he chose them.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Bruce Allen's open letter to Kraft:
 
 
 
 
Chad Finn's column:
 

 
So Allen and Finn are crying yet neither of them has Kraft's perspective nor do they come up with a plausible objective.  This was never going to swing the Patriots way so they are fighting just to fight which would only keep the whole stupid thing going...with little to no upside and a lot of downside.  
 
There is a reason that Kraft is a billionaire while the Allen, Finn and the rest of us aren't.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

One word that stood out to me when he said he hopes the Patriots fans would "trust" him.
 
Yes, I'm disappointed & think fighting would be better for the league and the 32 owners including Mr. Kraft in the long run.
 
However, much like the #DG, I do not have all the information and never will. So I'm going to trust him and defer. 
 
Like Mr. Kraft just did.

 

[DourDoerr]

A few have mentioned that Kraft could conceivably lose the franchise.  I'm curious - have the rules of ownership changed since Al Davis owned the Raiders?  It seems he was far more antagonistic towards the NFL, but obviously he continued to run the franchise.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Minor correction to a couple folks, but Kraft has owned the team through 7 super bowl appearances. Pretty astounding as that averages to be about 1 every 3 years of his ownership.

I am pretty bummed that he ended the fight, but I wouldn't say it rises to the level of George is gettin' upset.

 

[lambeau]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2015/05/guregian_stunning_to_see_robert_kraft_cave_to_nfl
 
"Word is Kraft will try and talk with Brady and convince him to accept Goodell's verdict after the appeal"--Guregian
 
Say it ain't so, Tom.

 

[tims4wins]

Now THAT could create a rift. And could really turn Pats fans against Kraft.

 

[jsinger121]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2015/05/guregian_stunning_to_see_robert_kraft_cave_to_nfl
 
"Word is Kraft will try and talk with Brady and convince him to accept Goodell's verdict after the appeal"--Guregian
 
Say it ain't so, Tom.

That won't happen at all. Brady is loyal to the NFLPA not the NFL.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

 
I dunno, maybe international soccer is a better use of my time.  It starts the same time of year, most games happen on the weekends, there's frankly more clarity about what the rules are and things are, somehow, less crooked (unless you're hosting a World Cup), and the term "football" actually makes sense as a name for the sport.

 
Erm...not really.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2015/05/guregian_stunning_to_see_robert_kraft_cave_to_nfl
 
"Word is Kraft will try and talk with Brady and convince him to accept Goodell's verdict after the appeal"--Guregian
 
Say it ain't so, Tom.

Jesus H Christ. Disgusting.  

 

[jsinger121]

Jesus H Christ. Disgusting.  

Don't worry. He isn't going to listen to kraft on this one. He is a union guy and will take the league to court if he truly believes he is innocent. He sued the NFL during the lockout as his name was at the front of the lawsuit.

 

[NWsoxophile]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2015/05/guregian_stunning_to_see_robert_kraft_cave_to_nfl

"Word is Kraft will try and talk with Brady and convince him to accept Goodell's verdict after the appeal"--Guregian

Say it ain't so, Tom.

If this is true Goodell might have something very incriminating against Kraft or the team. Some kind of meaningful power play is in effect. This is just too much of a turn about.

 

[kartvelo]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2015/05/guregian_stunning_to_see_robert_kraft_cave_to_nfl
 
"Word is Kraft will try and talk with Brady and convince him to accept Goodell's verdict after the appeal"--Guregian
 
Say it ain't so, Tom.

"Please, Tom? If this goes to court the other owners won't liiike me!"
 
Still just an unconfirmed report, however, and no indication that Tom would go along anyway.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

"Word is..." Not even a source says or team insider told me....

I'm putting as much stock in that tidbit as I do the Wells report.

 

[kartvelo]

If this is true Goodell might have something very incriminating against Kraft or the team. Some kind of meaningful power play is in effect. This is just too much of a turn about.

If so, why wasn't there anything incriminating in the report?
Or do you mean something not related to HighSchoolPhysicsGate?

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Don't worry. He isn't going to listen to kraft on this one. He is a union guy and will take the league to court if he truly believes he is innocent. He sued the NFL during the lockout as his name was at the front of the lawsuit.

That's completely beside the point.  I don't care so much whether Brady sues or not.  That's ultimately Brady's decision and I am sure he is capable of making the right decision for him.
 
But either way, Robert Fucking Kraft has no business whatsoever trying to convince Brady not to sue.  As bad as Kraft's performance was yesterday, this would be worse.  
 
If he leans on Brady to play ball with the corrupt NFL, then he reveals himself to be nothing more than Roger's tool.  

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Kraft keeps this up he may not want to be on the field for Opening Night.

 

[Shelterdog]

Jesus H Christ. Disgusting.  

Time for a photoshop with Kraft as Theon, Goodell as Ramsay and Sansa in a patriots hat.

 

[TheoShmeo]

When was the last time that Karen Guregian had a scoop?

 

[NWsoxophile]

If so, why wasn't there anything incriminating in the report?
Or do you mean something not related to HighSchoolPhysicsGate?

To be honest I mistakenly read that as saying Kraft would try to convince Brady to accept the suspension as currently levied. That's not what it says. But I do wonder if Goodell has dug up some other non-gate related dirt that would be embarrassing to Kraft or the organization. It's tin foil, but this whole saga has been bizarre enough to spawn some tin.

 

[TheoShmeo]

Fans of course have the right to be upset.  It's a fan's perogative.  We have the right to boo and cheer and feel however we feel.
 
And it's an understandable emotional reaction in this case.  Kraft isn't fighting to right the obvious and ridiculous wrong.  That idiots like Felger are equating what he did with a concession of guilt increases the disgust.
 
But I come back to his phenomenal record and, as Grimace said upthread, that he undoubtedly has more relevant facts at his disposal than we do.  And with the overwhelming key fact: Fighting a fight you cannot win is a fool's errand.
 
At the end of his statement, he asked for a little deference.  In light of his full record as owner and the fact that I doubt that this very intelligent man took Stupid Pills yesterday morning, I cannot conceive of being mad at him and the organization.  The joy I have experienced since he took over conquers a lot, if not all.
 
One more thing.  I remain grateful that he came out defiantly at the beginning of the second pre-Super Bowl week.  Some are saying that doing that makes yesterday look worse but, regardless of whether that is true and much more importantly, I think that defiance helped the Pats move forward and changed the narrative somewhat in the days before the game.  It might have helped foster an "us against the world" mentality, along with BB's class Mona Lisa Vito speech.  "F'in A, they owe us an apology.  Screw everyone!"  I don't want to put too much on that but I do think that it helped much more than it hurt.  Knowing when to charge ahead and when to fold them is the sign of a great, smart leader, and that's what we have in Bob Kraft.

 

[jsinger121]

When was the last time that Karen Guregian had a scoop?

 
Agree. She is pretty useless as a writer in this town.

 

[lexrageorge]

I don't believe the report is credible as it's written.  
 
But keep in mind that once Goodell issues his ruling regarding the appeal, and Kessler/Brady take the NFL to court, Kraft technically becomes part of the opposition.  Kraft is not in position to support an NFLPA lawsuit against the league, even if it is Brady.  That's part of the deal with the devil made when Kraft joined the league; Brady is technically the "cattle".

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Don't worry. He isn't going to listen to kraft on this one. He is a union guy and will take the league to court if he truly believes he is innocent. He sued the NFL during the lockout as his name was at the front of the lawsuit.

 
And don't worry about the megamillion house Tom is having built next door to the Kraft mansion in Brookline.  I'm sure a good privacy hedge will keep things cool

 

[lexrageorge]

A few have mentioned that Kraft could conceivably lose the franchise.  I'm curious - have the rules of ownership changed since Al Davis owned the Raiders?  It seems he was far more antagonistic towards the NFL, but obviously he continued to run the franchise.

Ain't gonna happen.  It would require 3/4's vote of the owners for Kraft to be forced to give up the franchise.  People are just looking for explanations that don't exist.  
 
What Kraft would lose if the support of the other owners in league matters, and he could lose his role on various committees.  And there's the minor fact that to fight the NFL in court, he would have to spend a ton of money on a legal case that he would have zero chance of winning.  

 

[twibnotes]

If Kraft discovered he had little to no support from the other owners than I am fine with what he did.

Then he shouldn't have talked such a big game.

I'm not mad at him for relenting per se. I'm mad at him for writing a check with his mouth he was ultimately not willing to pay.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Deference? He lost all right for deference the first or second or eighth time he backed Goodell on anything. And if that's too hasty for some, the points made above about his work in thevRay Rice case should be the tipping point for anyone.

If he wanted deference, he should have earned it back by standing tall yesterday. But he chose the owners' club instead of the good of both the team and the league.

 

[TheoShmeo]

Then he shouldn't have talked such a big game.

I'm not mad at him for relenting per se. I'm mad at him for writing a check with his mouth he was ultimately not willing to pay.

Again, Kraft is is a smart guy.  Isn't it possible that he talked big and issued the Context Report to set himself up in the best possible position before the NFL meetings, went to the meetings and despite his best efforts found out that he had no support from his fellow owners and then did the smart thing by reversing course?
 
It would be nice if Kraft could have designed a plan from the beginning and stuck to it, but sometimes intervening events make it clear that the original plan needs to be revised.  Are we really going to kill Kraft for stopping to read the winds and changing direction based on what he learned?  That's like damning a man who learned that his map was faulty, finding out that a cliff is really 10 feet ahead and taking a sharp right as a result.