If Goodell doesn't severely punish the Jets for this, Kraft should be outraged. And I don't think Goodell can afford to outrage one of the more influential owners in the league at this time. Not only were the Jets warned about this earlier this year, it goes to an institutional pattern of this kind of misbehavior. This is the same organization that was heavily fined and penalized for tampering with Bill Parcells back in 96.
That the Jets will likely be punished for this cheating incident, is not really in doubt. What is in doubt is what the punishment will be. Will it be a heavy fine? Will it be the forfeiture of draft picks, and if so which ones. And the big one for me, will the Pats get to be a beneficiary of all this.
I can see the Jets being find, or losing a mid round draft pick, but I can also see the Pats not gaining anything by it.
Given that this isn't the first time the Jets have been involved in this kind of behavior, the penalty SHOULD be harsher than just an incidental slip of the tongue. Swapping first round picks would be an appropriate penalty. But as nice as that would be for us (and certainly make the Draft season MUCH more interesting for Pats fans to follow), I can't see Goodell or the other owners allowing BB to get a shot at that kind of talent. We haven't had a pick that high since Richard Seymour in 2001.
Just a note to our resident Jet fan poster. You know in your heart of hearts, that if Kraft had made this idiotic remark, most your delusional bretheren would be calling for nothing less that the Pats removal from the league.
BTW- count me among those to welcome your thoughts. Its good to have some other views pop up occasionally.
