Can Goodell put an end to Spygate tomorrow?

[BradyManny]

I think to a large extent, our fate in the media-realm lies largely in Goodell's hands. I think every Patriot fan out there is hoping that tomorrow can mark the day that spygate begins to die down and that we can get back talking about football.

Goodell started this mess by never properly giving perspective to the Patriots actions in Week 1 and completely over-reacting and handing out an absurd penalty, for fear of not coming down as hard on a coach (BB) as he did players (Vick, Make it Rain).

Even as of the Super Bowl week, he was trying to downplay what the Patriots did by - correctly - noting that what they did provided them with no competitive advantage and did not in any way taint their accomplishments. If he is very forceful and vocal about this theme tomorrow, it will go along way to silence the media members out there that will do anything in their power to take BB down.

 

[BradyisGod]

No. He has proven to be completely unsavvy when it comes to media, and the media wants this to continue.

 

[RussFrancis]

He can and he will. 24 hours and your worries will be over. Then, it'll be back to dealing with just good old fashioned hate. Get a good night's sleep. And avoid the news until Wednesday.

 

[Jimke]

Goodell will say that there is nothing new from these tapes and

from my conversation will Matt Walsh to warrant further punishment

at this time. However, I have accepted Arlen Specter's kind

invitation to provide a team of FBI agents to look into all aspects

of the Patriots operation. I will brief the media monthly with any

findings of new transgressions.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

If I'm Matt Walsh, and my lawyer has not succeeded in getting me any coin from either the NE Patriots, or from the NFL, what is my move?

"Mr. Goodell, this afternoon is your last opportunity. You're aware that I go right from THIS meeting, to a meeting with Arlen Specter. Now, what do you want me to tell Arlen?"

"There is nothing there."

(Later that day)

"Sen. Specter, I am disappointed to say I believe the NFL is engaged in a coverup. They didn't take me seriously."


OR

"Mr. Goodell, this afternoon is your last opportunity. You're aware that I go right from THIS meeting, to a meeting with Arlen Specter. Now, what do you want me to tell Arlen?"

"How much do you want?"
-------------------------

Walsh isn't about truth, justice, and the American way. Having let "nothing there" become the story, I doubt Goodell says there is now something there after all.

That means that to complete the loop, Walsh goes to Specter and says the NFL process is broken.

The NFL needs Senate oversight. Oh yeah that also means of the telecom industry as it relates to the NFL Network vs. Comcast, but we won't talk about that. No, this is all about the integrity of the game.

And at the end of it all, Walsh has a show on Comcast's cable sports network, or at least free skinemax or something.

And it's Act II, Scene 2.

 

[blackglass3]

He can and he will. 24 hours and your worries will be over. Then, it'll be back to dealing with just good old fashioned hate. Get a good night's sleep. And avoid the news until Wednesday.

That's awfully optimistic. I hope you're right, though.

 

[Rob0729]

The Pats being in any real danger of being piunished ends tomorrow. Spygate does not.

Arlen Specter is going to use Matt Walsh as his poster boy to keep this alive. He will use the NYT and ESPN to try to gain public interest in allowing the government to use its power to investgate a cover up.

Since the Patriots enable the NYT to play both sides of the fence and be the key voice for people on both sides of the Spygate argument, it is too profitable for them and their subsidiary the Boston Globe to drop this story. Both their papers are getting far more readership from this story to stop it now. And they win because they look like heroes to their primary audiences in the process. Neither the NYT or the Boston Globe (they are the same company anyway) want this to go away.

There are too many people outside the NFL with too many personal interests for this to die tomorrow. It is only the beginning.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

This should have been put to bed months ago, but the drive by media has kept it alive, I hope and pray it is, but Im sure more lies and accusations will follow, and will have to deal with this by espn on some aspect..

But for the most part once goodell speaks tom, I think it should be over..

Oh lets not forget Arlen Spazter...

 

[Rob0729]

This should have been put to bed months ago, but the drive by media has kept it alive, I hope and pray it is, but Im sure more lies and accusations will follow, and will have to deal with this by espn on some aspect..

But for the most part once goodell speaks tom, I think it should be over..

Oh lets not forget Arlen Spazter...

I hope you are right, but I think Specter is just starting. He has two of the biggest platforms in the media to spew his garbage that will shed him in a glowing light - ESPN and the NYT (Ironic that a liberal newspaper would get in bed with a Republican who co-authored the Patriot Act which shows you how much the NYT wants to get Belichick and the Pats).

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I think some people wont rest until Belichick is suspended or kicked out of the leauge... And the list well if there is some one on this list that you think should not be on this list , or if there is more let me know...

The offical, people who wont give up on Spy gate and who hate Bill Belichick

1 Arelen Spector
2 Espn with the exception of Chris Berman and Colin Cowherd, every one else is fair game
3 Gary Myers
4 Mike Lupica
5 the new york times
6 Peter King
7 John Tommose- only because he should have got his facts first, and should have waited on that aritcle...
8 Matt Fish- Even though he is employeed by Espn , he deserves this .
9 Roger Godell- for letting this continue
10 Mitch Albom
11 Skip Bayless
12 Rob Parker- both of espn first take
13 Chris Collingthsworh- though we have not heard from him since this crap started
14 Bob Costas- sad i have to put him on the list, I respected him

 

[RussFrancis]

Peter King is by far the most influential person on that list, and he just stated on Dan Patrick's show today that this thing's about over. The two of them spent roughly a minute on the topic. Trust me. Its done. He thinks so. So does anyone with objectivity and relevance. The thing is, reporters and writers can continue to dig or write stories, but the reasoning itself has lost credibility. Theyre clinging now to offensive vs. defensive signals. That's about as ******ed as felon stealing a red Mercedes vs. a black one. If your steal cars, you steal cars. That's the one last gasp of air this story had, there was one single tape of one game with O calls (which of course are transmitted over a wireless headset anyway, so how COMPLETELY ******ed can that concept be?). When guys like Mike Greenburg and Chris Mortensen reject the notion that this is still a story, you know its over. Those guys would bleed a bloodless stone of a story until its dust. Knuckleheads will continue to be knuckleheads. Just call 'em knuckleheads and leave it at that.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I agree it's a done deal that Goodell does not flip-flop. There has been a league source quoted saying it's more of the same, as I understand it. The league is not an undisciplined organization; they want to demonstrate that the message is consistent.

The trouble is, Walsh has three possible motives:

- Revenge
- Notoriety
- Money

He has had notoriety for far too long. It could be imagined that he had painted himself into a corner, and just "went with it," so when he bragged with his buddies in Hawaii, he'd have a cool story to tell, not a loser story to tell. Well, that's possible. But I think having retained counsel and got interviews with the league and a U.S. Senator, he and/or any representation he's obtained will be looking for more than just buzz.

On the revenge count, it's either one or the other. Either he still harbors a grudge or he doesn't. He might not. Even if so, it's likely he tells himself that his timing destroyed the perfect season, so I don't think revenge is really driving him now.

In terms of money, as stated above, it is difficult to imagine that by now he is not trying to parley his notoriety into some serious coin, even if he originally brought the tapes forward in a sort of puckish outburst. It is my belief that he's been aiming for money throughout the whole soap opera.

Now: after his meeting with Goodell, Walsh meets with Sphincter.

The good Senator has an agenda that Walsh fulfills no matter the outcome with Goodell.

If Goodell agrees with Walsh on more punishment - which will not happen - Specter says that the fact that we only have about half the tapes we should have had, which indicated the necessity for further punishment, all but proves the even-more-incriminating nature of the original tapes.

If, as is far more likely, Goodell says "go away little boy," Specter says it is another part of the cover up.

The opportunity for blackmail pay vis a vis Goodell was provided by the presence of Specter in the process. Goodell, wisely, did not bite.

Now comes Act II. And for this act, Specter will find some way to make sure Walsh is taken care of, back in Hawaii (or even elsewhere.)

And even in the absence of so obscene a form of remuneration, Walsh can write a book, badda bing, badda boom, and hope to cash in.

I think I remember something like this at the end of ************ Superstar, involving Pilate and Herod... "And so the king is once again my guest/And why is this? Was Herod unimpressed?"

Except this time they've got a guy of the caliber of Barabas, not Jesus; and predictably, they're listening attentively to his accusations, rather than making them against him.

Eh well. Live and learn, die and forget it all

PFnV

 

[Rob0729]

Peter King is by far the most influential person on that list, and he just stated on Dan Patrick's show today that this thing's about over. The two of them spent roughly a minute on the topic. Trust me. Its done. He thinks so. So does anyone with objectivity and relevance. The thing is, reporters and writers can continue to dig or write stories, but the reasoning itself has lost credibility. Theyre clinging now to offensive vs. defensive signals. That's about as ******ed as felon stealing a red Mercedes vs. a black one. If your steal cars, you steal cars. That's the one last gasp of air this story had, there was one single tape of one game with O calls (which of course are transmitted over a wireless headset anyway, so how COMPLETELY ******ed can that concept be?). When guys like Mike Greenburg and Chris Mortensen reject the notion that this is still a story, you know its over. Those guys would bleed a bloodless stone of a story until its dust. Knuckleheads will continue to be knuckleheads. Just call 'em knuckleheads and leave it at that.

Actually, the New York Times is the most influential. They are responsible for bringing Matt Walsh to the public light and bringing Arlen Specter into this whole thing.

Personally, they scare me more than anyone on the list because they have single handily done more damage than anyone to the Patriots even Tomase in Spygate Act II and they aren't even pretending to hide their anti-Patriot bias anymore.

That is why I have been advocating today (against protest of others) the Patriots cutting off all access to all NYT publications including the Boston Globe. The NYT won't stop until Belichick is suspended and they have Arlen Specter as an ally. Yet, the Pats make them money by giving exclusive access to their own paper in the Boston Globe. Yes, Mike Reiss is a very good writer and a fair, maybe even sympathetic ear, but every exclusive he gets fuels the Times to run a counter piece that makes them money with additional readership on both ends. Maybe if the Globe loses access because of the NYT actions, they will back off because money is king.

People have been calling for a boycott of the Herald, but we should be really boycotting the Globe. The Globe through their parent company have conducted a systematic war against the Patriots and are winning in the court of public opinion. Tomase's piece did damage, but he has not constantly hit the Patriots with blow after blow like the NYT.

 

[Frezo]

I think I remember something like this at the end of ************ Superstar, involving Pilate and Herod... "And so the king is once again my guest/And why is this? Was Herod unimpressed?"

Except this time they've got a guy of the caliber of Barabas, not Jesus; and predictably, they're listening attentively to his accusations, rather than making them against him.

Eh well. Live and learn, die and forget it all

PFnV

Caiaphas: We've been sitting on the fence for far too long.

 

[Jackson 2]

Actually, the New York Times is the most influential. They are responsible for bringing Matt Walsh to the public light and bringing Arlen Specter into this whole thing.

Personally, they scare me more than anyone on the list because they have single handily done more damage than anyone to the Patriots even Tomase in Spygate Act II and they aren't even pretending to hide their anti-Patriot bias anymore.

That is why I have been advocating today (against protest of others) the Patriots cutting off all access to all NYT publications including the Boston Globe. The NYT won't stop until Belichick is suspended and they have Arlen Specter as an ally. Yet, the Pats make them money by giving exclusive access to their own paper in the Boston Globe. Yes, Mike Reiss is a very good writer and a fair, maybe even sympathetic ear, but every exclusive he gets fuels the Times to run a counter piece that makes them money with additional readership on both ends. Maybe if the Globe loses access because of the NYT actions, they will back off because money is king.

People have been calling for a boycott of the Herald, but we should be really boycotting the Globe. The Globe through their parent company have conducted a systematic war against the Patriots and are winning in the court of public opinion. Tomase's piece did damage, but he has not constantly hit the Patriots with blow after blow like the NYT.

Given Mike Reiss's and Chris Gasper's fairness in covering the Patriots, along with Bob Hohler's brilliant expose' on Walsh, I can't figure out why boycotting the Globe makes sense. Contrast their coverage with that of Thomase and Felger from the Herald. Thanks, anyway, but I'll take the Globe.

 

[BadMoFo]

Given Mike Reiss's and Chris Gasper's fairness in covering the Patriots, along with Bob Hohler's brilliant expose' on Walsh, I can't figure out why boycotting the Globe makes sense. Contrast their coverage with that of Thomase and Felger from the Herald. Thanks, anyway, but I'll take the Globe.

You do know that the Globe is owned by the New York Times Company, right?

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Caiaphas: We've been sitting on the fence for far too long.

Dang it I am sure that's part of the movie version but not in the stage version... I remember the brown album jacket from the stage version...

Song name was "Then We Are Decided"?

Some talented Pats Fans should write "Matt Walsh, Superstar".

 

[SoCal Pmen]

According to the Big Show the next act may be the Patriots counter attack on the media once its announced that the tapes are nothing new. So to answer the question of this post, No it may not be the end. The Patriots may have the final word...

 

[Rob0729]

Given Mike Reiss's and Chris Gasper's fairness in covering the Patriots, along with Bob Hohler's brilliant expose' on Walsh, I can't figure out why boycotting the Globe makes sense. Contrast their coverage with that of Thomase and Felger from the Herald. Thanks, anyway, but I'll take the Globe.

I like the Globe writers, but they work for the New York Times who have made it their personal vendetta to bring down the Patriots. As much as Felger plays the contrarian, he isn't advocating Belichick getting a year suspension and writing blatantly biased and slanderous articles to help achieve that goal.

I'm sure there were a lot of good people caught up in the lower ranks of the Nazi Party back in the 1930s and 1940s. If hurting them in some way would have brought down Hitler and his inner circle earlier than they did, I would have advocated that too.

The only way to stop the NYT from this vendetta is to hurt them in the wallet. Boycotting the NYT will do nothing since most of us don't read it anyway. Boycotting the Boston Globe will hurt their wallet though. I don't blame Reiss, Gasper, et la at all, but their bosses are out to get the Patriots.

 

[Rob0729]

According to the Big Show the next act may be the Patriots counter attack on the media once its announced that the tapes are nothing new. So to answer the question of this post, No it may not be the end. The Patriots may have the final word...

I wish it was so, but everything the Patriots have done so far has been spun against them.

Walsh not having a confidentiality agreement was so ignored by the media when Reiss reported it that John Clayton reported as breaking news when he reported it from the owners meeting a month later.

Pioli's allegations of Walsh audiotaping his conversations was spun as a desperate attempt to ruin Walsh's reputation.

Belichick saying that he has never authorized a taping of a practice or ever seen one was spun as him laying the ground work to weasel his way out when Walsh produces the Rams' walkthrough.

The problem is that the media that is controlling the tone of this story (primarily ESPN and the New York Times) are clearly against the Patriots and want this to blow up into a major scandal. Even the media people who are on the Patriots side are not really fighting to control the story at all.

There will clearly be an orchestrated counter PR campaign by Specter through the NYT and ESPN to promote every accusation by Walsh no matter how little evidence there is to support it as truth. Those will be the stories that will be picked up across the country.