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Oops. My apologies; somehow, I just completely missed that.
My point, though, on Kraft not actually knowing about it, still holds.
I agree with you about Kraft not being in on the decision to originally draft Peter. From the different accounts I've read - - he had the big fight with Parcells (siding with Grier at the last minute to draft Terry Glenn instead of a DE or LB) in the first round and then got the hell out of the room after that. In fact, drafting Peter in the 5th round was considered by some to have been a very direct FU to the Krafts from Parcells.
Obviously, the fans of New England got the better of the deal the day the Tuna swam away to subsequently poison 3 other franchises.
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"They (Patriots) may be the greatest team ever" - Chris Mortenson, January 18, 2005 on espn.com
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The three most extraordinarily fortunate events in New England Patriots history started with Bob Kraft purchasing the Patriots. Kraft was/is not only a decent man but is a rare instance of an owner who was, and had been, a true and passionate fan of the team he owned. The best decision he made is next on the list. Probably against conventional wisdom and the advice of others, he paid a steep price to hire a former assistant to be the coach and executive of all football operations, Bill Belichick. Shortly after BB's hire, the third item on the list occurred. Nearing the end of the draft, BB selected a QB named Tom Brady.
For every fan who has taken pleasure in watching the most successful franchise over the last 10 years, the lynchpin of that enjoyment started with Bob Kraft's purchase. With him, BB and TB (among others) and despite what light the media tried(tries) to portray the Patriots in, the Patriots have been an easy team to root for. While all the players certainly weren't boy scouts, they conducted themselves on the field better than any team in the league (IMHO). They played as a team and selfish antics, so prevalent on other teams, were rare on the Patriots. Off the field wasn't perfect either, however, it was rare to see a Patriot player conducting himself in an appalling way (Peter). If they did their time with the Patriot's was very short lived.
For me I see a certain difficulty in knowing exactly what the story was with Peter, however, I think it is fair to say he acted badly repeatedly. It was (is?) an example of how too many colleges operated; Football/football players mattered more than their decency and integrity. Interesting that institutions supposedly singularly devoted to higher learning should have looked to a for profit business (The Patriots) for some guidance on how to conduct themselves.
They are two different women. Women change their LAST names (sometimes) when they marry. Very rarely do they change their first names. Also, the two articles are written within days of each other.
So Natalie Tysdal is not Kathy Redmond.
Christian Peter molested SEVERAL women and never even got a slap on the wrist from the "University" of Nebraska.
Good thing Jerry Sanduskey didn't work at Nebraska - - he would have been elevated to Dean by now.
Wow, Just wow. Thanks for the clarification shmessy. I am stunned Nebraska honoured this guy.
__________________ "There is an old saying about the strength of the wolf is the pack, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. On a football team, it's not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together." - Bill Belichick
Good stuff about Kraft, not only was he a good fan, great business man, but also a man of very high standards and integrity.. he will never do anything to embarass this franchise, and has let BB have a lot of autonomy.
From Mike Reiss...
Quote:
Following the Patriots' 27-24 victory over the Dolphins, owner Robert Kraft was presented the game ball by coach Bill Belichick as players gathered around him in the locker room. The game ball was delivered in the memory of Myra Kraft.
To put Peter in the Cornhuskers HOF, serves to perpetuate the negative culture of the College Sports.. that needs to change.
__________________ "Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.
As I recall Myra took a lot of heat for the Peters decision...and was painted as the driving force behind it. She was uncomfortable with investing in the NFL to begin with. Then when Bill was hired it was with the understanding that if what it took to win in this league was hiring thugs and hoodlums Kraft would simply sell out and find another avenue for his investment. Bill promised him it would not. And when there is any question Kraft is asked to sign off on the player or they don't persue him. That was the only reason Pete Carroll got his shot here, because Kraft was concerned about Bill's background working with thugs and hoodlums under Parcell's tutelage...and that it might effect his judgement in assessing talent. Turns out Bill was never that comfortable with Parcell's approach and the fallout from it and he and Pioli were pretty intent on building an organization devoid of entitlement and with character and accountability from the top down, too. We are the beneficiaries of that meeting of the minds. It makes it harder at times because as Scott used to say it makes an already small talent pool (due to scheme) even smaller.
As the woman in question noted in her article, despite all his problems, he was never even suspended for a single game. I imagine that played a role.
We also don't know how much knowledge Kraft, personally, had on Peter; it could be that Kraft, at least, never found out until after the draft.
I think these are both right. His school had covered up for him, and I don't think Kraft found out what this guy was about until after the draft. I remember being mad at the time that the Pats wasted a draft pick on this piece of scum, not that the Krafts cut him a few days after the draft. Good for Kraft and this lady for both having courage to do what's right in the face of enormous pressure to do otherwise.
As I recall Myra took a lot of heat for the Peters decision...and was painted as the driving force behind it. She was uncomfortable with investing in the NFL to begin with. Then when Bill was hired it was with the understanding that if what it took to win in this league was hiring thugs and hoodlums Kraft would simply sell out and find another avenue for his investment. Bill promised him it would not. And when there is any question Kraft is asked to sign off on the player or they don't persue him. That was the only reason Pete Carroll got his shot here, because Kraft was concerned about Bill's background working with thugs and hoodlums under Parcell's tutelage...and that it might effect his judgement in assessing talent. Turns out Bill was never that comfortable with Parcell's approach and the fallout from it and he and Pioli were pretty intent on building an organization devoid of entitlement and with character and accountability from the top down, too. We are the beneficiaries of that meeting of the minds. It makes it harder at times because as Scott used to say it makes an already small talent pool (due to scheme) even smaller.
You're right, both Robert and especially Myra Kraft took a lot of grief from fans and the media for cutting Peter for quite some time. Interestingly the same people that criticized the Pats in the days following the draft when Peter's history was exposed in a story (I think by the Globe) then immediately criticized Robert Kraft for being a meddlesome owner and Myra Kraft for getting involved with the team in any way whatsoever. For years fans and media alike subtly criticized her with 'Myra will never approve' commentary on a variety of topics and potential player acquisition speculation.
tackle Matt Light got up and pulled out an oil painting the players paid to have commissioned for Kraft. The painting show a group of Patriots players in a huddle raising their hands and an index finger, pointing to the initials "MHK,'' for Kraft's late wife. Light said the players wanted to do something to commemorate the season that had been dedicated to Myra Kraft. An emotional Robert Kraft told the players there wasn't a player on the team he wouldn't be proud to have at his dinner table with his family, and how important the players were to the community. One of those present said it was the most emotional thing he's seen in a Patriots locker room in the Kraft era. Good for the players, good for Belichick, and very good for Kraft.
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Re: The Owner of the New England Patriots
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