This is hysterical, angry fans are writing open letters all bum hurt
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.
====
The Patriots are cheaters.
I've never been around people who act this way. This is fascinating to watch...
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.
====
The Patriots are cheaters.
I've never been around people who act this way. This is fascinating to watch...
From DAN SHAUGHNESSY
Kraft caved. He took the (gulp) high road. And then he took no questions. He wimped out, and left combative Patriot fans spitting out pieces of their broken luck. He chose to honor the NFL Shield. He opted to keep his seat at Goodell’s head table. Or maybe (best case for Patriot fans) Kraft cut a deal with the commissioner and managed to get Tom Brady’s four-game suspension reduced.
If Brady’s entire punishment is stricken from the record, Patriots fans might be able to turn this into a victory, but anything short of that makes Kraft’s capitulation a big loss for the New England franchise.
The battle is over, Patriot fans. And the war has been lost. The Patriots have been found to have cheated twice in eight seasons. They have accepted the loss of first-round draft picks twice in eight seasons. They have accepted the biggest fine in NFL history.
Despite their 20,000-word rebuttal to the Wells Report, and their continued public position that they did nothing wrong, the Patriots have chosen not to fight. Kraft is never going to get the apology he demanded when he arrived at the Super Bowl. Instead, he goes down in sports history as a somewhat tragic figure — a guy who presided over a franchise that won (at least) four Super Bowls, but was caught cheating twice.
Kraft caved. He took the (gulp) high road. And then he took no questions. He wimped out, and left combative Patriot fans spitting out pieces of their broken luck. He chose to honor the NFL Shield. He opted to keep his seat at Goodell’s head table. Or maybe (best case for Patriot fans) Kraft cut a deal with the commissioner and managed to get Tom Brady’s four-game suspension reduced.
If Brady’s entire punishment is stricken from the record, Patriots fans might be able to turn this into a victory, but anything short of that makes Kraft’s capitulation a big loss for the New England franchise.
The battle is over, Patriot fans. And the war has been lost. The Patriots have been found to have cheated twice in eight seasons. They have accepted the loss of first-round draft picks twice in eight seasons. They have accepted the biggest fine in NFL history.
Despite their 20,000-word rebuttal to the Wells Report, and their continued public position that they did nothing wrong, the Patriots have chosen not to fight. Kraft is never going to get the apology he demanded when he arrived at the Super Bowl. Instead, he goes down in sports history as a somewhat tragic figure — a guy who presided over a franchise that won (at least) four Super Bowls, but was caught cheating twice.
Have a nice day.
How are those suspension reduction forum bets going Willie?
I'm going to win, thank you
unless you think Brady's suspension will remain at 4 games
Kraft decided he didn't want to violate the owners' agreement that they (he) won't bring legal action against the NFL. I guess the Saints owner made the same call. Goodell is lucky in that respect, because he would be used as a dust mop.
As for Brady, full steam ahead. His suspension won't stand, not sure why you axe me in a mocking fashion. Tell me, how much of my money do you want? I'll still take action
PS: I'd be surprised if Kraft doesn't go after Goodell in some fashion, probably will want the commissioner's authority curtailed since Roger proved he's not capable of handling such responsibility.
really, and why won't they talk now? because Kraft is not going forward BUT Brady is?
please do connect them there dots
I don't know man. There is just nothing that bridges the gap between Brady not wanting over inflated balls versus Brady wanting them to cheat. It's possible, just not a single shred of evidence that remotely could be used to prove it. To me, the most important string of text messages were on October 17th. This was the day after the game where Brady was visibility upset with the ball boys and yelling at them because the balls felt too heavy. Then on Oct 17th the guy says he checked them and the refs had pumped them up to 16psi. This tells me two things, the refs probably don't care and just do a feel test and if it feels deflated they pump it up and feel it again, two the conversation where the guy calls himself the "deflator" which was used as evidence against Brady happened 5 months before this game. Kind of weird they have this huge elaborate scheme going on every game except that game.
I just haven't seen a shred of evidence that would imply Brady knew they were taking the balls and deflating them below 12.5. In my opinion the ball boys could very well have made sure the refs didn't over inflate the balls like they did in the Jets game. Not saying that for sure, but there are definitely way too many questions to definitively say Tom Brady knew of any wrongdoing.
I honestly hope the pats win and make goodell look like a fool.
I would rather root for the pats to make him look like a clown then go the other direction sweating a few hundred bucks.
