#DFG: Canceling the Noise

Is there any level of suspension that you would advise Tom to accept?


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T&A
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And who might this be? The late Dick Schaap would have been great. Who is out there that isn't attached to either ESPN, NFLNetwork, or local media source (whether that be a Boston-area or elsewhere) who has not only the required level of football knowledge but also some sense of gravitas/journalistic bona fides/whatever that would create the tone you are seeking?
Isn't the answer Sally Jenkins?
Writes for the Washington Post, is well versed on the details of the issues, does not have personal ties to the NFL, Patriots or Brady.
 

lexrageorge

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Meh, think he's got of all those things in abundance. Doubt one more GQ cover is going to matter much. I'd kind of enjoy it if he took the BB approach to the rest of his career: do the league-mandated bare minimum press, and middle finger the rest of the media/publicity/stardom machine.
Obviously, I don't know what goes on inside Brady's head. But I'm guessing Team Brady decided that there's not much downside to agreeing to an interview as a condition of being the subject of a GQ cover story. The DFG stuff has been out there anyway, and this interview really doesn't move the needle very much in the court of public opinion very much, if at all. You could argue Taylor Swift doesn't need much more publicity either, but she still gets cover stories. There is a point in time in which Brady will no longer be a candidate for a GQ cover story; he may as well enjoy it while it lasts.

As for the "tell all interview", I'd go to Vegas and put my money on it not happening anytime soon if ever. Sometime after he's in the HoF, he'll eventually do his autobiography, and I'm reasonably certain there will be a chapter on the episode in which he states that the whole thing is a bunch of BS and makes a point to defend Jastremski and McNally. The flunkies will not believe him no matter what he says, but they will not matter very much by then.
 

loshjott

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Isn't the answer Sally Jenkins?
Writes for the Washington Post, is well versed on the details of the issues, does not have personal ties to the NFL, Patriots or Brady.
Except for her long association with and defense of Lance Armstrong, well after everyone else had jumped ship.

And I don't think Brady owes the media (or us fans) one more word about DFG. Unless the NFL drops its appeal, he's going to have to get back into it in a legal setting. After that, unless he decides to write a memoir or feels his HOF slot is in jeopardy (which is laughable), I wouldn't mind if he never says anything about it.
 

dcmissle

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Everyone on Pats needs to STFU about this, at least until we get a decision from the Second Circuit.

And yes, Sally Jenkins was hopelessly, willfully blind on Lance Armstrong -- even after it began filtering out that he was in the business of destroying people's lives. She was just awful on that.
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
You could argue Taylor Swift doesn't need much more publicity either, but she still gets cover stories. There is a point in time in which Brady will no longer be a candidate for a GQ cover story; he may as well enjoy it while it lasts.
While TB12 is branded and he has those side ventures, a cover story isnt going to put any more butts in the seats nor give him a bigger check for team apparel. Swift, on the other hand, relies so very much more on moving product on any number of platforms, which a GQ cover helps immensely.
 

lexrageorge

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While TB12 is branded and he has those side ventures, a cover story isnt going to put any more butts in the seats nor give him a bigger check for team apparel. Swift, on the other hand, relies so very much more on moving product on any number of platforms, which a GQ cover helps immensely.
Maybe not, but more exposure and endorsement deals that come with additional exposure does put $$$ in his pocket.

I think we're overstating the downside of this interview. It doesn't move the needle at the 2nd Circuit. It doesn't move the needle among the haters and flunkies. Brady did the right thing: he kept his mouth shut about DeflateGate. But there's no reason for him to decline a cover story opportunity at GQ. So some reporters got their panties twisted; BFD...
 

edmunddantes

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It might not have been a cover story, but Klosterman would still be out there going "I was ready to give Brady an interview for CQ. Give him a chance to tell his side of the story. He refused to even sit down with me."

There are ways to twist it (and media are not below twisting it) no matter how Brady responded.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Any theories on why the Brady camp changed from a face to face interview to an over the phone? Klosterman used the term "weird" to describe their explanation. You'd think if it was a timing issue, he could've just said that.
How many face to face interviews does Brady give during the season? I mean besides the league mandated stuff like press conferences and sit downs with Jim Nantz and Jon Gruden and Al Michaels? I imagine Brady's days are tightly scheduled to the minute. He calls in his weekly obligation to WEEI during his drive to the stadium because that's when he has the time to do it. At home is family time. At the stadium is work time. Car ride is interview time. Pretty simple equation. Unless Klosterman wants to fly in to take the drive into Foxboro from Brady's house, on the phone is likely his only chance to talk to Brady until after the Super Bowl. But if he admits that, then he can't portray himself in the "how dare he not want to sit face to face with me, the Great Chuck Klosterman" light.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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I'm surprised Brady has been speaking at all. The next logical step to taking him down is digitally splicing his words together into a full confession sent to the Globe for Ben Volin to print. Why even open that door?
 

twothousandone

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And who might this be?
Michael Lewis or Ben Mezrich could probably do a story on the Patriots post-Parcells and include a chapter on Brady and football PSIs. Does Halberstam still write? DeFord has probably lost his fastball. Feinstein?

I suspect the only way to get Brady to talk about it is in a broader context -- Jastremski and McNally haven't spoken publicly (right?). If they are part of a broader book, and Brady wants to speak to how unfairly they were treated, then he has to answer some questions, right?
 

hoothehoo

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Michael Lewis or Ben Mezrich could probably do a story on the Patriots post-Parcells and include a chapter on Brady and football PSIs. Does Halberstam still write? DeFord has probably lost his fastball. Feinstein?

I suspect the only way to get Brady to talk about it is in a broader context -- Jastremski and McNally haven't spoken publicly (right?). If they are part of a broader book, and Brady wants to speak to how unfairly they were treated, then he has to answer some questions, right?
Unless Halberstam ghostwrites, no. He's been dead for years.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Right, and what I'm saying is that if GQ felt aggrieved of misled, they likely would have had plenty of time and opportunity to change the cover. It's not like anyone outside the magazine and Brady's camp expected him to be on that cover of that issue before it hit the stands.
They didn't even need time, the issue was a split cover i different markets with Obama being the other cover. They could have just done all Obama.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Michael Lewis or Ben Mezrich could probably do a story on the Patriots post-Parcells and include a chapter on Brady and football PSIs. Does Halberstam still write? DeFord has probably lost his fastball. Feinstein?
Mezrich's books have been criticized to have more fiction than the Wells Report. So he'd probably be perfect.
 

joe dokes

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Michael Lewis or Ben Mezrich could probably do a story on the Patriots post-Parcells and include a chapter on Brady and football PSIs. Does Halberstam still write? DeFord has probably lost his fastball. Feinstein?

Jon Krakauer --- "Under the Banner of Roger"?
 

troparra

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We do not need another interview with Brady. What will come of that?
We need a journalist who is interested investigating why the NFL was biased against Brady. It's not like the idea of bias against Brady is something made up by Patriots' fans. It was specifically cited in Berman's decision. For example:
(B) Commissioner Goodell Improperly Denied Brady the Opportunity to Examine Designated Co-Lead Investigator Jeff Pash
Denied the opportunity to examine Pash at the arbitral hearing, Brady was prejudiced. He was foreclosed from exploring, among other things, whether the Pash/Wells Investigation was truly "independent," and how and why the NFL' s General Counsel came to edit a supposedly independent investigation report.

(C) Commissioner Goodell Improperly Denied Brady Equal Access to Investigative Files

The Court finds that Commissioner Goodell's denial of the Players Association's motion to produce the Paul, Weiss investigative files, including notes of witness interviews, for Brady's use at the arbitral hearing was fundamentally unfair and in violation of9 U.S.C. § 10(a)(3) and that Brady was prejudiced as a result.
....
Compounding Brady's prejudice is the fact that, as noted, Paul, Weiss acted as both alleged "independent" counsel during the Investigation and also (perhaps inconsistently) as retained counsel to the NFL during the arbitration(21). Paul, Weiss uniquely was able to retain access to investigative files and interview notes which it had developed; was able to use them in direct and cross-examinations of Brady and other arbitration witnesses; share them with NFL officials during the arbitral proceedings; and, at the same time, withhold them from Brady.
Is there something unclear about what is stated in the Berman report? The investigation was biased. Why? What is in those investigative files that Brady shouldn't see? Isn't investigating corruption at the highest levels what journalists are supposed to live for?
 

Punchado

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We do not need another interview with Brady. What will come of that?
We need a journalist who is interested investigating why the NFL was biased against Brady. It's not like the idea of bias against Brady is something made up by Patriots' fans. It was specifically cited in Berman's decision. For example:


Is there something unclear about what is stated in the Berman report? The investigation was biased. Why? What is in those investigative files that Brady shouldn't see? Isn't investigating corruption at the highest levels what journalists are supposed to live for?
This is the answer right here. Because Brady said what he had to say in that GQ interview. He testified under oath for five hours. Answered every question in detail and gave up his personal phone records and emails. Anyone who wants to know Brady's "side" of the story can go look at all of it. It's all there. The transcripts have been unsealed (against the hopes and dreams and arguments of the NFL). There is no new info for him to give. There are just people who think that his part of the story is the story so they want to keep asking the same stupid questions hoping that there is a scoop somewhere in there. There isn't. And there isn't because Brady has always told the truth. Every step of the process. From the first press conference until now.

If someone wants to tell a NEW story about his abortion they need to have a "no holds barred" interview with RG. Perhaps someone can talk him into being on the cover of Ginger Quarterly.
 

twibnotes

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This is the answer right here. Because Brady said what he had to say in that GQ interview. He testified under oath for five hours. Answered every question in detail and gave up his personal phone records and emails. Anyone who wants to know Brady's "side" of the story can go look at all of it. It's all there. The transcripts have been unsealed (against the hopes and dreams and arguments of the NFL). There is no new info for him to give. There are just people who think that his part of the story is the story so they want to keep asking the same stupid questions hoping that there is a scoop somewhere in there. There isn't. And there isn't because Brady has always told the truth. Every step of the process. From the first press conference until now.

If someone wants to tell a NEW story about his abortion they need to have a "no holds barred" interview with RG. Perhaps someone can talk him into being on the cover of Ginger Quarterly.

There's an amazing book to be written on Deflategate...what is Seth Mnookin up to these days?
 

PayrodsFirstClutchHit

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Marciano490

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Paul Weiss has long-standing Democratic connections. Jeh Johnson was one of my recruiters there when I was going through that whole process.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Dan Wetzel with a fun takedown supporting BB's unstated, but obvious, disdain for being used for NFL propaganda:

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/bill-belichick-s-stiff-arm-of-nfl-s-camouflage-campaign-an-unlikely-coincidence-013058598.html
"It's comfortable, I carry stuff in my pouch," and "I have short arms."

I love this man.
If I were a fan of any other team, I'd really want to know why he does what he does.

As a fan of the Patriots, I instinctively don't care and get agitated that people don't leave the man alone. BB would make a great hypnotist.

Or cult leader.
 

dcmissle

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Any other coach for any other team, BB's cammo "diss" would be fodder for Dennis and Callahan douchebaggery. BB does what he does and I love him for it.
 

EricFeczko

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If I were a fan of any other team, I'd really want to know why he does what he does.

As a fan of the Patriots, I instinctively don't care and get agitated that people don't leave the man alone. BB would make a great hypnotist.

Or cult leader.
It's stuff like this that make me wonder whether BB has an Autism Spectrum Disorder and a genius-level intellect.
 

TheoShmeo

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Any other coach for any other team, BB's cammo "diss" would be fodder for Dennis and Callahan douchebaggery. BB does what he does and I love him for it.
Actually, D&C&M spent considerable time on Tuesday of this week talking about the issue. They took a light touch but they did discuss why Bill doesn't participate in the cammo program at length.

That they don't understand that Bill doesn't waste even a second pursuing an initiative -- whether it be wearing pink for breast cancer awareness or cammo for the military or really anything else -- that isn't directly related to the Patriots' on field goals surprised me. That, to me, is the driver. There may be other factors, including a belief that wearing a "costume" is insufficient and ultimately meaningless.

Their thesis was essentially that it was Bill giving the finger to the NFL and doesn't like being told what to do, not military hate or any such thing.
 

Leather

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It's not that it's not related to the Patriots' success. He just has a brain and doesn't like his name/image being used in what he feels is an empty or cynical gesture. If the NFL was sincere and respectful in its efforts to support these organizations, I have little doubt he'd go along with it.
 

kenneycb

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And who might this be? The late Dick Schaap would have been great. Who is out there that isn't attached to either ESPN, NFLNetwork, or local media source (whether that be a Boston-area or elsewhere) who has not only the required level of football knowledge but also some sense of gravitas/journalistic bona fides/whatever that would create the tone you are seeking?
There's a great Bob Knight-Jeremy Schaap joke someone wittier than I can make here.
 

TheoShmeo

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It's not that it's not related to the Patriots' success. He just has a brain and doesn't like his name/image being used in what he feels is an empty or cynical gesture. If the NFL was sincere and respectful in its efforts to support these organizations, I have little doubt he'd go along with it.
I guess I don't see how you can be so sure. That's certainly a logical response but it doesn't have to be Bill's response and it doesn't have to be just one thing.

One thing we do know about Bill -- based on how he conducts press conferences and comports himself generally -- is that he is singly focused on advancing the Pats' chance of success. Based on what I recall from Patriot Reign, that's why he doesn't reveal more than he is required to reveal, he doesn't allow bulletin board type statements, etc. I think it flows from that he doesn't have time for the various costumes, as well. "Right now I'm all about the Bills, not the NFL's latest promotion."

It could also be what was suggested by D&C (FU to the NFL) and Bill's contrarian nature. And it also might be partially based on what a caller suggested: that Bill doesn't wear the cammo or the pink because he feels he hasn't done enough to earn the "uniforms."
 

pappymojo

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It could also be that BB respects the history of the game too much to participate in something that he thinks cheapens the sport and/or the military & people fighting cancer.
 

Leather

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It could also be that BB respects the history of the game too much to participate in something that he thinks cheapens the sport and/or the military & people fighting cancer.
Exactly. He doesn't buy it so he wants no part of it.
 

Leather

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One thing we do know about Bill -- based on how he conducts press conferences and comports himself generally -- is that he is singly focused on advancing the Pats' chance of success.
"
This is a cliche, and as such it has a large kernel of truth to it, but it's not always the case, 100% of the time. Like most cliches, it's overly simplistic.

Bill Belichick does plenty of stuff that isn't directly related to success on the field. He is not an automaton. He talks football history or strategy with reporters when they deign to ask him a decent question, for instance, despite there being a 0% chance that doing so will help the Patriots on the field. Why? Because he values substance and disregards the rest. He also participated in a "A Football Life" back in 2009, which was clearly contrary to his supposed "no distractions, ever" mantra. Why? Because he has great respect for NFL films, and sees value in it as a historical medium, so he did it, despite there being no chance of it helping them "on the field".

Also, from that very article, he often talks to the players about military service and what the National Anthem means, and has them visit Walter Reed (even though they are not required to do so). If you believe he does that because he thinks "Hey, I can use the military and wounded veterans to make my football team better!", then you think he's an even bigger asshole than most Jets fans do, I guess.
 

loshjott

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Visiting Walter Reed is great, don't get me wrong, but is certainly not unique to the Pats and therefore IMO is not something that separates BB's respect for the military and wounded soldiers from that of other coaches.

I live in the DC area, and quite often when championship teams visit the WH, they go to Walter Reed. Even visiting teams on routine trips to play games in DC often do it. And that's not counting the trips that aren't publicized.
 

Myt1

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He didn't say that it made Belichick unique he said that it was evidence that Belichick did plenty of things that weren't single-mindedly calculated to increasing the chance of a Patriots win because he's a human being, not a cartoon.
 

Bdanahy14

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But separating BB's respect for the military from some other entities is not, i don't believe, the point. Respect for the military is fundamental to who he is. It's always been part of his personal life... and we know it quite often bleeds into his professional one. It's not a "monthly" thing. It just is..

So I can see how conforming to the NFL's PR machine in this regard falls somewhere between "not at the top of my priorities right now" to "an offensive display of how we should be respecting military".

Lastly, and one of the articles pointed this out this week, he leaves a lot of money on the table for not being part of the coaches union so he doesn't have to do a lot of these things. He swims in his own lane against nearly all league wide policy unless he is forced.
 

TheoShmeo

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It's of course true that Bill does things in the course of the week that don't relate only to winning. Rumor has it that he takes an occasional dump.

My point remains that I don't see him worrying about which different clothes to wear when it simply doesn't matter regarding winning or advance the cause. I note that Tom Brady also does not wear pink or otherwise veer from his normal routine dress-wise and given Tom's laser focus, I suspect it is for similar reasons.

And yes, Bill talks about other things, especially on Fridays, but I note that he's doing that when he is already required (I believe) to be talking to the media. It's not an extra. Like spending time on which costume to wear this week.

I'm sure there are other factors at play, as I mentoned.
 

Bleedred

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This discussion about BB has really nothing to do with the thread topic. Can a new one be started by the people who want to continue to discuss it?
 

Leather

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I consider the issues to be related. People's (especially those outside New England) misunderstanding of Bill Belichick, and this belief that he'll "do anything to give his team an edge!" at the expense of everything else is a pernicious viewpoint that colors how the team is viewed by the media, and hence how it gets treated by the NFL.
 

E5 Yaz

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This discussion about BB has really nothing to do with the thread topic. Can a new one be started by the people who want to continue to discuss it?
Your post is the 37,538th in this thread. Care to estimate how many of those have nothing to do with the thread topic?
 

TheoShmeo

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I consider the issues to be related. People's (especially those outside New England) misunderstanding of Bill Belichick, and this belief that he'll "do anything to give his team an edge!" at the expense of everything else is a pernicious viewpoint that colors how the team is viewed by the media, and hence how it gets treated by the NFL.
Except that the view that Bill will avoid spending times on things that have nothing to do with winning does not mean that he will do anything to give his team an edge. They are related concepts as they speak to his preoccupation with winning. But you can decide not to play the NFL's marketing game because it wastes time without choosing to bend the rules. One does not perforce lead to the other.
 

Bleedred

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Your post is the 37,538th in this thread. Care to estimate how many of those have nothing to do with the thread topic?
No, I don't. By your logic, the thread topic doesn't matter, so long as others have gone off topic, it's fair game to discuss whatever comes to mind. At least Drleather gave his reason. You, not so much.
 

E5 Yaz

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No, I don't. By your logic, the thread topic doesn't matter, so long as others have gone off topic, it's fair game to discuss whatever comes to mind. At least Drleather gave his reason. You, not so much.
I didn't have to, si dr. leather already had. But whining about staying "on topic" in this particular thread borders somewhere between performance art and cluelessness
 

djbayko

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I'd wager that the number of off topic posts isn't that large. Yes, there is a wide spectrum of things discussed, but that's the result of having such a broad, long-lived topic.

Much like the rest of the site, folks have been fairly intolerant of off-topic posts, and kids have broken out separate threads a number of times.
 

jsinger121

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Don't poke the Patriots

Ravens - lose Flacco to torn ACL and possibly MCL and have stunk this year.

Colts - Luck has stunk and been hurt this year.

Cowboys - Lose Romo for half the season and season just about over.
 

CausewayCoe

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What other owner spoke out against the Pats? Was it Richardson? Maybe his karma is coming in the form of a SB loss to the Pats