Mr Kraft, The Time has Come To Ask: Whose Side Are You On?

BradyManny said:

Well said Shmessy. Look, its Bill Belichick's job to ignore the noise. It's Kraft's job to protect the brand. The Patriots brand, not the NFL brand. He can't let Goodell use this to change the conversation. The NFL should be taking a beating right now for the terrible year they've had. Instead, we're talking about PSI and barometric pressure.

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How do you defend the brand from stupidity? I mean does Kraft have to come on national TV and tell the world he didn't put a TV screen in the parking lot that only the Pats' sidelines can see (which I don't think is even true) for replays? Or that other teams don't put locks on the doors in their locker room so spies don't steal play sheets?

Bob Kraft can go TV and say that they didn't deflate balls, but that will not sway anyone either way. We will be happy he defended the brand. Haters will be saying that Kraft is trying to cover up an elaborate cheating scandal. The winners will be Florio and all the other writers who write crap to fan the flames on both sides for clicks and eyeballs.

Unless Kraft could produce indisputable proof the Pats didn't deflate balls, nothing he said publicly would make a lick of difference. And how do you disprove the fact that they didn't deflate balls unless there were no balls that were deflated. And since the ball was deflated that the Colts had (even if they deflated it to get the Pats in trouble), Kraft cannot prove that it was not intentional.

I hope Bobby Kraft reads this thread. Or maybe Johnny will find it and tell his dad about it.

Rob0729 said:

How do you defend the brand from stupidity. I mean does Kraft have to come on national TV and tell the world he didn't put a TV screen in the parking lot that only the Pats' sidelines can see (which I don't think is even true) for replays? Or that other teams don't put locks on the doors in their locker room so spies don't steal play sheets?

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That's true, he can't protect the Patriots from the overwhelming stupidity of the sports watching world. But he also doesn't have to let the team be the martyrs for the NFL, a scapegoat and a diversion for the league.

Brady is the only guy who had the right response so far - complete dismissal. The Pats need to be above it. Kraft needs to echo these sentiments. He can't be mum on this. He needs to come out, and passive-aggressively insult the intelligence of the people making the accusations the way Brady did. It's not of benefit to the team to have this linger for two weeks. As a fan, I'm over it, I really don't give a crap, but for the team it's one more distraction in two weeks filled with them. It might motivate them, it might distract, it might not matter - we don't know.

But Kraft not addressing it is not helping.

Bledsoehasaring said:

This thread has to be a joke right? We patriot fans who are so proud of the patriot way.. Want our owner to whine to the media that we are innocent, to plead our case, and make people understand how we are unfairly cast the villain. Give me a break. This has got to be the most ridiculous thread I have ever read on here. I love how the patriots handle negative press. They stick their middle finger to everyone and say the hell to you and what you think. In case you haven't been paying attention for the last 15 years Around here we don't make f@cking excuses.. We don't plead our case to the media so people like us and our fans don't get teased by their friends. And we certainly do not hold press conferences to educate the public of the absurdity of spygate or deflated balls. Around here We win that's what we do. And anything other than that is a waste of our f@cking time. If you want excuses and a cry baby owner.. Go be a Dallas or Baltimore fan and post this loser crap on their forum

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Agreed. The essential message here is that we, as fans, are giving agenda-driven media too much power over the way we feel. We know this whole issue is nonsense and is being twisted into a false narrative by the haters and opportunistic media. Like the Patriots, we should learn how to "ignore the noise" and ENJOY this unique ride.

Rob0729 said:

How do you defend the brand from stupidity? I mean does Kraft have to come on national TV and tell the world he didn't put a TV screen in the parking lot that only the Pats' sidelines can see (which I don't think is even true) for replays? Or that other teams don't put locks on the doors in their locker room so spies don't steal play sheets?

Bob Kraft can go TV and say that they didn't deflate balls, but that will not sway anyone either way. We will be happy he defended the brand. Haters will be saying that Kraft is trying to cover up an elaborate cheating scandal. The winners will be Florio and all the other writers who write crap to fan the flames on both sides for clicks and eyeballs.

Unless Kraft could produce indisputable proof the Pats didn't deflate balls, nothing he said publicly would make a lick of difference. And how do you disprove the fact that they didn't deflate balls unless there were no balls that were deflated. And since the ball was deflated that the Colts had (even if they deflated it to get the Pats in trouble), Kraft cannot prove that it was not intentional.

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Once again, you are writing 3 long paragraphs and missing the salient point that was CLEARLY stated in the OP.

He can demand (and get with his influence) an investigation into this particular and non-complex matter (it is the Warren Commission or 9/11 report) that is rendered within 48 hours.

The cloud does not have to linger for 4+ weeks until well after the Super Bowl.

Tunescribe said:

Agreed. The essential message here is that we, as fans, are giving agenda-driven media too much power over the way we feel. We know this whole issue is nonsense and is being twisted into a false narrative by the haters and opportunistic media. Like the Patriots, we should learn how to "ignore the noise" and ENJOY this unique ride.

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I agree with this. But I still agree with Shmessy. The part that is missing is that Kraft himself hasn't come out and said the whole issue is nonsense and being twisted into a false narrative by the dumbass media. I think the situation would diffuse more quickly if he did.

The approach fans should have, and players should have is: be above it. Kraft isn't even doing that right now. To even ignore the noise, you have to hear it and acknowledge it is there first.

shmessy said:

He can demand (and get with his influence) an investigation into this particular and non-complex matter (it is the Warren Commission or 9/11 report) that is rendered within 48 hours. It does not have to linger for 4+ weeks until well after the Super Bowl.

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This is a good point. Swift resolution to this clearly benefits the Patriots, it's one thing off their plate, and Kraft could ask for that.

This story is so laughable that any reporter actually trying to make an issue of it is only clowning themselves. The Krafts can't set a precedent of having to defend every silly accusation.

BradyManny said:

I agree with this. But I still agree with Shmessy. The part that is missing is that Kraft himself hasn't come out and said the whole issue is nonsense and being twisted into a false narrative by the dumbass media. I think the situation would diffuse more quickly if he did.

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Yes, but then they're going to ask him to PROVE what he's saying, and that can only come from the league -- assuming even THAT will be accepted when the NFL's "official" findings are announced.

BradyManny said:

The approach fans should have, and players should have is: be above it. Kraft isn't even doing that right now. To even ignore the noise, you have to hear it and acknowledge it is there first.

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Acknowledging it gives it credence and power. The best response is Brady's. Laugh it off for the silly nonsense it actually is.

UK_Pat37 said:

Hardly helps...other than a little venting.

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Unless any of us is Ernie Adams or Vince Wilfork, THAT is exactly what this forum is about, UK.

BradyManny said:

I agree with this. But I still agree with Shmessy. The part that is missing is that Kraft himself hasn't come out and said the whole issue is nonsense and being twisted into a false narrative by the dumbass media. I think the situation would diffuse more quickly if he did.

The approach fans should have, and players should have is: be above it. Kraft isn't even doing that right now. To even ignore the noise, you have to hear it and acknowledge it is there first.

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Then there is the implication the Goodell is in Kraft's pocket, as Kraft is on the board of directors of VIACOM(CBS) and they broadcast a lot of games, lots of money for the NFL or other such nonsense.. this is the world of biggest business and lots of things are linked together.

Pretty confident Mr. Kraft has a team of media relations folks advising him on how to handle this..

Tunescribe said:

Yes, but then they're going to ask him to PROVE what he's saying, and that can only come from the league -- assuming even THAT will be accepted when the NFL's "official" findings are announced.

Acknowledging it gives it credence and power. The best response is Brady's. Laugh it off for the silly nonsense it actually is.

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I agree Brady's response was the best so far. Kraft should at least do something similar - and I think Shmessy's suggestion he ask for a 48 hour investigation is a good one. Why not resolve this quickly? Clearly benefits the Patriots.

Kraft can say whatever he wants right now - there is no burden of proof on him. The accusers offered no proof, he is not demanded to offer it in return. At the very least, a bordering on arrogant and non-plussed dismissal would be a good start to Kraft. At least come out and say this is BS and that your players aren't going to respond to these questions for two weeks.

Rob0729 said:

Ask the Ravens or Roger Goodell about how coming forward and heading the Ray Rice thing off in advance worked out for them. What they said back then came back to blow up on them. I know that is the extreme, but giving this overblown story more press only keeps it overblown even longer.

Besides, even if he comes forward and denies this, what does it accomplish? It will satisfy the Pats fans that he spoke while the conspiracy theorists and Patriots haters will just say he is lying and the fact he came forward he has something to hide.

If people here need Kraft to come forward satisfy their own personal doubts or needs, then fine. But don't think it is going to do anything to change anyone's minds who think the Pats are guilty or change the press from vigorously pursuing this story. It will be just another excuse for Florio to have another Deflate-Gate post and hundreds of responses of people calling the Pats "The Cheatriots" and Belichick "BeliCHEAT".

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It's not about denying. It's about standing up for your franchise. This story is on the cover of papers around the country as well as national non-sports TV shows and it's only going to grow. If he came out and simply fought back, asking for who made these accusations, why and wanting a quick investigation, it would at least help. Instead, the NFL moves slowly, the Patriots don't really say anything (besides Brady), have cheated to make the SB in the eyes of many and that won't change regardless of what is found in the investigation.

DarrylS said:

Then there is the implication the Goodell is in Kraft's pocket, as Kraft is on the board of directors of VIACOM(CBS) and they broadcast a lot of games, lots of money for the NFL or other such nonsense.. this is the world of biggest business and lots of things are linked together.

Pretty confident Mr. Kraft has a team of media relations folks advising him on how to handle this..

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I don't know much about that but there are overlapping interests here. Even for Kraft, who wants to see both the Patriots & NFL look good. I do think the NFL is probably content to see another Patriots-nontroversy dominate the headlines. It's the status quo and does not damage the NFL brand, the Patriots have already been dragged through the mud. I do think two weeks of people actually contemplating the kind of season the NFL had would've been bad for them.

I agree with the premise of this thread. I've said for years that Bob Kraft has done many things right as the best owner the NE Patriots ever had. But, his biggest failure was not standing up to the NFL back in 2007.

A different take is that BB will probably use the deflated ball non-sense as a way of pissing the team off and having that us against the world mentality going into the SB.

shmessy said:

Once again, you are writing 3 long paragraphs and missing the salient point that was CLEARLY stated in the OP.

He can demand (and get with his influence) an investigation into this particular and non-complex matter (it is the Warren Commission or 9/11 report) that is rendered within 48 hours.

The cloud does not have to linger for 4+ weeks until well after the Super Bowl.

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I am sorry, but I guess you and the original poster think that he has to do things publicly. Doing things publicly would only appease the fans.

The issue will likely be resolved one way or another in the next 24-48 hours. The league doesn't want this to hang over the Super Bowl anymore than the Pats do. They want to protect their brand too and having one of the Super Bowl participants to be under the specter of cheating is not good for the NFL. They want this over quickly.

BSR said:

This story is so laughable that any reporter actually trying to make an issue of it is only clowning themselves. The Krafts can't set a precedent of having to defend every silly accusation.

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They are laying credence to it by taking it seriously to this point. Again, the only person with the appropriate response was Brady, and that's because we were fortunate enough to hear his unfiltered reaction to the news.

What does it hurt for Kraft to similarly dismiss this as BS?

DarrylS said:

Then there is the implication the Goodell is in Kraft's pocket, as Kraft is on the board of directors of VIACOM(CBS) and they broadcast a lot of games, lots of money for the NFL or other such nonsense.. this is the world of biggest business and lots of things are linked together.

Pretty confident Mr. Kraft has a team of media relations folks advising him on how to handle this..

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Then he needs a new one.

dales804 said:

It's not about denying. It's about standing up for your franchise. This story is on the cover of papers around the country as well as national non-sports TV shows and it's only going to grow. If he came out and simply fought back, asking for who made these accusations, why and wanting a quick investigation, it would at least help. Instead, the NFL moves slowly, the Patriots don't really say anything (besides Brady), have cheated to make the SB in the eyes of many and that won't change regardless of what is found in the investigation.

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It is splitting hair here. It is just a different way of publicly denying the allegations. Publicly demanding a quick investigation will do nothing to getting a quick investigation.

If Kraft wants a fast resolution, he is fighting for it behind the scenes. That is how you get things done. Goodell is not going to act faster because Kraft demanded on publicly.

Again, the league wants this resolved as quickly as the Patriots. They do not want this to be one of the biggest storylines next week. It isn't in the best interest of the league.

Rob0729 said:

The issue will likely be resolved one way or another in the next 24-48 hours. The league doesn't want this to hang over the Super Bowl anymore than the Pats do. They want to protect their brand too and having one of the Super Bowl participants to be under the specter of cheating is not good for the NFL. They want this over quickly.

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Didn't the league come out yesterday and say this wouldn't be resolved until the offseason? I do think the league is fine having this hang over them [the Patriots]. They realize it's trivial and does little to nothing to damage their reputation.

What the league doesn't want is its larger problems being discussed in the next two weeks - the things its worked hard to sweep under the rug the last several years: player safety & domestic violence. They are super-consciouss of these things and don't want you thinking about them (just ask Rihanna, she had it right when she ripped them for pulling her song.) With the current political and social climate, you can be sure they were expecting this to be an issue in the coming two weeks. But wait - great news, another Patriots nontroversy to the rescue!