Bob Kraft on EEI re Schefter "apology" story

I hate to say it but I dont think we are going to see Mankins in Pats jersey again...Hope he goes outside of the Division...I'd hate to see him punching a Patriot in the Balls

cstjohn17 said:

It still sounds to me like it will get worked out. It is a tough negotiation but both sides only have to give a little and this is done.

It Is What It Is Robert Kraft on D&H: ‘Never had a deal with Logan Mankins’

Mankins in uniform by week 3, write it down.

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I kind of lean towards what you're predicting. It's possible.

That Bauer guy, however, will probably never see the commission. Kind of like the Watson rookie deal.

Here's what I wrote yesterday morning in the other thread when this story first broke:

I'll go on record here as believing that this is all coming from Mankins' agent. Kraft and the Patriot's front office rarely, if ever, comment on ongoing negotiations. I can't believe for one minute that this information, even if true, came from anyone in Kraft's office, of the Patriot's staff.

This is, IMHO. a stupid move by Mankins' agent that will likely backfire on him and Mankins both. I have said all along that I truly believe that Mankins is being poorly served by his agent, and this, to my mind, confirms that statement.

Mankins' agent is simply trying to stir up the pot, and by going to the press with this story has likely set up his client for a bad situation, and possibly no football for a year or more.

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I still stand by that statement. I think that if Logan Mankins understands that it's his agent who is the problem, that both sides can get this wrapped up quickly and he can be back on the field with the Patriots, IF that is where he wants to be.

Respects,

Taking Mr Kraft at his word, I'm optimistic that the Pats now have a shot at geting Logan here at least for a good part of 2010. Beyond that, not so much.

I'm happy to hear that no 'deal' was squashed by after the fact owner pride, simply a reasonable request for record seting straight apology made and accepted.

Fixit said:

True. It's not like we could lose a first-round pick and be labeled cheaters for violating a rule about camera placement on the words of some meatheads, either.

What people say publicly matters. That's why we have slander/libel laws.

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If you guys are just going to BS there's no point in continuing this conversation.

The Patriots did NOT lose a draft pick because of Matt Walsh, and you know it.

To use Kraft's words, that's a boldfaced fib.

Belichick was called a liar by Law. Now, because of Law, everyone thinks Belichick is a horrible person? Is that right?

So Kraft's business partners in Indonesia got wind of what Mankins said, and they believe it.

Right!

Gwedd said:

Here's what I wrote yesterday morning in the other thread when this story first broke:



I still stand by that statement. I think that if Logan Mankins understands that it's his agent who is the problem, that both sides can get this wrapped up quickly and he can be back on the field with the Patriots, IF that is where he wants to be.

Respects,

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Agreed. Seems to me that Mankins' agent is pulling out all the stops in a desperate attempt to stir things up and get his client "noticed" at a point when he's quickly becoming an afterthought in New England. He's just trying to make Kraft/BB look bad to the point where they will feel compelled to address it and possibly throw more money on the table to get a deal done and end the distraction.

upstater1 said:

The Patriots did NOT lose a draft pick because of Matt Walsh, and you know it.

To use Kraft's words, that's a boldfaced fib.!

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No, they lost a 1st round pick because the public perception was that they had stolen 3 superbowls by cheating.


Like I said, perception is everything. They didn't realize that back in 07. They do now.

Tunescribe said:

Agreed. Seems to me that Mankins' agent is pulling out all the stops in a desperate attempt to stir things up and get his client "noticed" at a point when he's quickly becoming an afterthought in New England. He's just trying to make Kraft/BB look bad to the point where they will feel compelled to address it and possibly throw more money on the table to get a deal done and end the distraction.

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Well put, Tunescribe.

As stated in Kings column two weeks ago, when it comes to negotiating, the Pats are "maddingly indifferent".

They may have ruffled BK's feathers a little, but not to the point of changing their position.

Re: Kraft on EEI

5 Rings for Brady!! said:

Seems like Mankins had the common sense to resolve the 'apology' issue which many people insisted we should blindly ignore.

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And that apology is now public via R. Kraft via WEEI, so there's that issue settled.

Re: Kraft on EEI

RhodyPatriot said:

Kraft says he never had a deal in place Mankins....says Mankins did apologize to him and Mankins stated to Kraft that he would make it clear that his prior comments about the Patriots were uncalled for and untrue and he would publicly clear the air when he (Mankins) either signed with the Patriots OR with another team. Kraft says Shefter's story is a boldface fib.
It's clear that Mankins camp is who leaked this
Logan may be a man of principle (??) but I'm not so sure his agent is.

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So Mankins offered to apologize to the media himself and wasn't strongarmed into it by Kraft? That would be the situation that makes the most sense. I didn't think that Kraft, with the business past that he has, would force a holdout to go in front of the media and publicly apologize for his comments. That seemed way too petty for him.

upstater1 said:

If you guys are just going to BS there's no point in continuing this conversation.

The Patriots did NOT lose a draft pick because of Matt Walsh, and you know it.

To use Kraft's words, that's a boldfaced fib.

Belichick was called a liar by Law. Now, because of Law, everyone thinks Belichick is a horrible person? Is that right?

So Kraft's business partners in Indonesia got wind of what Mankins said, and they believe it.

Right!

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I was actually talking about media members. We were absolutely labeled as cheaters by the nation because of them, though I admittedly don't know how much impact they had on the actual punishment.

I never stated what "will" happen, but what could and does often happen when people lie publicly.

You think that what people say doesn't matter, and, I guess, that the laws designed to provide legal recourse against such are unnecessary. That's cool.

Re: Kraft on EEI

KontradictioN said:

So Mankins offered to apologize to the media himself and wasn't strongarmed into it by Kraft? That would be the situation that makes the most sense. I didn't think that Kraft, with the business past that he has, would force a holdout to go in front of the media and publicly apologize for his comments. That seemed way too petty for him.

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Krafts words as I heard them on EEI went something like this...

~I said to Logan that it would be nice if you repeated that apology in public. It would help clear the air about our business practises. Then Logan told me he'd do so once he signed a contract with the Pats or was traded to another team.

Kraft was fine with that timeline.

Both siad they hoped Logan retired as a Patriot.

It seems, IMHO of course, that Mankins and his agent's thinking was: 1) feed this story to Schefter an hour before gametime to get people talking about Mankins again and then 2) Look like a savior for the OL when Brady gets sacked 5 times during the Kickoff game.

Unfortunatley, the OL looked great, and now Mankins and agent look like tools.

Re: Kraft on EEI

PatsWickedPissah said:

Krafts words as I heard them on EEI went something like this...

~I said to Logan that it would be nice if you repeated that apology in public. It would help clear the air about our business practises. Then Logan told me he'd do so once he signed a contract with the Pats or was traded to another team.

Kraft was fine with that timeline.

Both siad they hoped Logan retired as a Patriot.

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"It would be nice if you repeated those in public", and supposedly calling the guy back and demanding a public apology as well are two very different things. The former I'm just fine with.

Re: Kraft on EEI

KontradictioN said:

"It would be nice if you repeated those in public", and supposedly calling the guy back and demanding a public apology as well are two very different things. The former I'm just fine with.

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Precisely. A HUGE difference, especially with Logan immediately agreeing.

EDIT: audio now up on Patriots.com home page

Re: Kraft on EEI

KontradictioN said:

"It would be nice if you repeated those in public", and supposedly calling the guy back and demanding a public apology as well are two very different things. The former I'm just fine with.

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Little differences in the story like this (which make a world of difference in the end) are why I've been saying that people shouldn't be jumping to conclusions, in either direction.*



*Just to be clear, this is not intended as a shot against you in any way, shape, matter or form.

Re: Kraft on EEI

My Kraft notes from Patriots.com audio

never had a deal

hate violating a private conversation (but I will)

Logan told me he regretted he said it and in retrospect he knew it was not true

told Logan it would be nice if made apology public because I'm hoping we do a deal and I don't want people to think that the way to get a deal here is to say something not true or involve ownership

ownership does not get involved in deals or make commitments to players

Logan said he'd correct what was said when he signed with the Pats or got traded and signed elsewhere

both said they hoped Logan would retire as a Pat

offer was pro bowl guard comparable with Mangold not sure his people feel that that is appropriate pay

said negotiations are tough and each side has to do what they think is right

stressed that at no time did we ever have a deal

bold faced fib that a deal fell apart over public apology

doing this talk because it's the beginning of the season and want folks to know that we live up to our worldwide (other) business commitements at our word

Good for Mr. Kraft. Can't ever remember him speaking about a player contract since he has owned the team, but obviously the perception that "The Pats don't pay" is beginning to wear thin. I don't think it's out of line for the owner to ask the player to make it clear that he was wrong to call out ownership once he got a new contract. The difference with this organization has always been the ability to keep things in house, and each year now it seems there are one or two vocal malcontents that chime off about the way the team handles their business. Combine those players with the vultures you have in the media in Boston and you have the makings of a very hostile environment to deal fairly with your players and potential free agents.

jimmyjames said:

Good for Mr. Kraft. Can't ever remember him speaking about a player contract since he has owned the team, but obviously the perception that "The Pats don't pay" is beginning to wear thin. I don't think it's out of line for the owner to ask the player to make it clear that he was wrong to call out ownership once he got a new contract. The difference with this organization has always been the ability to keep things in house, and each year now it seems there are one or two vocal malcontents that chime off about the way the team handles their business. Combine those players with the vultures you have in the media in Boston and you have the makings of a very hostile environment to deal fairly with your players and potential free agents.

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I took it that it wasn't over the Felger cheap mantra but that Kraft was seriously concerned that misinformation of his (Patriots) business practises could hurt his other international business ventures where they agree in word and then proceed to a written contract

Kraft's word has got to be considered the truth, otherwise he would never have been able to rise to the level of success he has. I'm self-employed, and believe you me, even at my much lower level than Kraft, a man's word is his bond and if people start to question your word or your business ethics, it's all over.

There is a world of difference between being a shrewd negotiator, a hardline businessman, and a shyster just looking for a deal at any price.