SOURCES BELIEVE PATRIOTS BEHIND DRAFT RANKINGS EDIT
By Chris Mortensen/ESPN
Sources close to ESPN NBA analyst Chad Ford have confirmed that they are investigating claims that the New England Patriots retroactively changed pre-draft rankings to make Chad Ford look better. The Patriots are renowned for pushing the envelope on what's legal and what's not although it remains unclear what their end game was here. Although the Patriots beat the Colts comfortably in last weeks AFC Championship game sources close to the NFL are said to be furious that they may have done so after altering Chad Ford pre-draft rankings and are sure to punish the Patriots for this latest crime against integrity. Speaking at the ProBowl Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said "It's the Patriots, they knew what they were doing. I don't know how it helped them, but it probably did. The league should obliterate them for this, I'm so angry about this and I don't know why, I just hate the Pats, man" before later adding "I love the Patriots, Bill Belichick is a great friend and true inspiration".
Respected ESPN football analyst Mark Brunnell, who has always been used by the network and hasn't just been wheeled out to pile on the Patriots, said he doesn't believe New England, who claim ignorance when it comes to this latest scandal to affect their franchise. "Look, New England say they have nothing to do with this, but I don't believe them" sobbed tinfoil hat wearing Brunnell, "I mean I didn't have a job last week, no-one knows who I am. Hating on New England gets me paid, so yeah, they did this." Although no evidence has surfaced as yet to even remotely link New England to ChadFordGate sources tell me they are likely to be fined, lose all their draft picks and be suspended from the Superbowl for 5 years if found guilty.
More to follow
Poll: Do you think the Patriots are guilty of retroactively tampering with ESPN pre draft NBA rankings?
* Yes
* Of Course