Bob Kraft Statement

vyrago · Jan 23, 2015

IntentionalSafety said:
How can you all expect Robert Kraft to issue an official statement defending his coach and quarterback when the NFL has not accused the Patriots of anything?

The NFL is investigating underinflated balls. That's very specific language. They're not investigating tampering, they're not investigating deflating balls, and they were very specific in saying that they were not in any judgment at this time.

I think the NFL is as inept as everyone else, but the language was precisely chosen so that no one could take the statement and then infer that the NFL was accusing the Patriots of deflating or tampering with the balls. So if that's their official statement, how can you then expect Robert Kraft to issue a statement that says, in effect, "the league's investigating the under-inflation of the balls, but my team didn't do it."

I mean, behind the scenes they could very well suspect tampering, but publicly they've not accused the Patriots. Only the media has done that. For Kraft to issue some fire and brimstone statement in defense of his team would be to defend against accusations that, officially, do not exist at this time.

Agee about the NFL's ineptitude, but they take themselves more seriously than does the Catholic Church. Ooo, maybe that's not such a great comparison.

Username · Jan 23, 2015

"This whole thing is nothing to do with me so leave me out of the whole media bashing thing please. I'm still the same highly respectful, nice guy owner who gets on with everyone. Please continue to like and respect me. I respect truth and sporting integrity and everyone involved in trying to publicly destroy my franchise is great and I respect them and the job they do. Roger Goodell is a fine man, who respects everyone and is respectful to the game and is doing a great job. Leave me out of this, Robert Kraft"

resdubwhite · Jan 23, 2015

Sicilian said:
I'm beginning to think that the people here who want him to come out and definitively defend BB and Brady have never had to make a statement like this.

thats a bit of a captain obvious statment now isnt it.

People are looking for support from their owner. This statement didnt give them that.

FCB02062 · Jan 23, 2015

Kraft puts $ above everything else....above his qb, above his coach...I would expect nothing less from Krafty Bob - go ahead Bob, it's ok to criticize the league or their stooges in the media....

JMC00 · Jan 23, 2015

Ya Robert, great job rushing to defend Herr Goodell for his incompetence in the Ray Rice thing but not rushing to defend your coach and QB over some air in a ball.

nowayback · Jan 23, 2015

You mean he couldnt give a word of support for his team? But he can give it for the process. Guys you are on your own here !!!

Bobs My Uncle · Jan 23, 2015

IntentionalSafety said:
How can you all expect Robert Kraft to issue an official statement defending his coach and quarterback when the NFL has not accused the Patriots of anything?

The NFL is investigating underinflated balls. That's very specific language. They're not investigating tampering, they're not investigating deflating balls, and they were very specific in saying that they were not in any judgment at this time.

I think the NFL is as inept as everyone else, but the language was precisely chosen so that no one could take the statement and then infer that the NFL was accusing the Patriots of deflating or tampering with the balls. So if that's their official statement, how can you then expect Robert Kraft to issue a statement that says, in effect, "the league's investigating the under-inflation of the balls, but my team didn't do it."

I mean, behind the scenes they could very well suspect tampering, but publicly they've not accused the Patriots. Only the media has done that. For Kraft to issue some fire and brimstone statement in defense of his team would be to defend against accusations that, officially, do not exist at this time.

I agree. However, I think Kraft should consider issuing a formal statement of support directed to all of the Pats fans out there with some not so subtle digs at the media tossed in for good measure.

Dr Pain · Jan 23, 2015

JMC00 said:
Ya Robert, great job rushing to defend Herr Goodell for his incompetence in the Ray Rice thing but not rushing to defend your coach and QB over some air in a ball.

Tweaking the NFL at this point does no good. Wait till they are out of your colon. Patriots are fully cooperating. What more does anyone want. Patriots havent been accused of anything by the NFL.

Sicilian · Jan 23, 2015

resdubwhite said:
thats a bit of a captain obvious statment now isnt it.

People are looking for support from their owner. This statement didnt give them that.

I want my owner to do what's right for the team. I'm hard pressed to imagine a scenario where going on the offensive before anyone has even been found guilty of anything as being a smart PR move. BB and Brady can tell him whatever they want, and he can even believe them if he wants, but he's a business man, and a smart business man isn't going to bet his reputation on something before he's sure it's not going to blow up in his face.

BradyManny · Jan 23, 2015

robertweathers said:
A) Unlikely.
B) Possible.

I'm hoping for an option C

C) League is inept.

Kdo5 · Jan 23, 2015

Dr Pain said:
Tweaking the NFL at this point does no good. Wait till they are out of your colon. Patriots are fully cooperating. What more does anyone want. Patriots havent been accused of anything by the NFL.

He doesnt need to tweak the NFL. Expressing support and confidence in HIS organization is fairly easy to do.

Instead he did none of that and basically legitimized this ridiculous investigation. He is not standing up for the team. He'll take whatever they give us laying down. No respect for Kraft. He has lost it all through the handling of the Rice situation and this.

I don't give a damn about Kraft's reputation. You'd think he could express confidence in his organization. Fcking ridiculous.

Haley · Jan 23, 2015

Well, that's disappointing.

resdubwhite · Jan 23, 2015

Sicilian said:
I want my owner to do what's right for the team. I'm hard pressed to imagine a scenario where going on the offensive before anyone has even been found guilty of anything as being a smart PR move. BB and Brady can tell him whatever they want, and he can even believe them if he wants, but he's a business man, and a smart business man isn't going to bet his reputation on something before he's sure it's not going to blow up in his face.

without his coach or his qb his business isn't worth near as much.

Sicilian · Jan 23, 2015

Kdo5 said:
He doesnt need to tweak the NFL. Expressing support and confidence in HIS organization is fairly easy to do.

Instead he did none of that and basically legitimized this ridiculous investigation. He is not standing up for the team. He'll take whatever they give us laying down. No respect for Kraft. He has lost it all through the handling of the Rice situation and this.

Except imagine this scenario: He comes out in public support of his coach and QB, saying they told him nothing happened and he believed them. Then the NFL actually finds something, conclusive evidence that Belichick orchestrated it for example. The NFL comes down hard on BB, and now it's known that he LIED to his owner. Even if Kraft didn't think the offense was a big deal, the public pressure on him (and the pressure from any investors) to fire BB would be impossible to ignore, wouldn't it? This is a much safer statement, and I'm not so insecure as a fan that I need Kraft to do something stupid to make me feel better.

Now, if there's no evidence, and everything looks kosher, yet the NFL lays the hammer on BB and Brady for no reason, and Kraft does nothing? Then I have a serious issue with him. But that hasn't happened yet, and I don't anticipate it happening.

Sicilian · Jan 23, 2015

resdubwhite said:
without his coach or his qb his business isn't worth near as much.

And he didn't lose either one of them with this statement.

Bobsyouruncle · Jan 23, 2015

Sicilian said:
I want my owner to do what's right for the team. I'm hard pressed to imagine a scenario where going on the offensive before anyone has even been found guilty of anything as being a smart PR move. BB and Brady can tell him whatever they want, and he can even believe them if he wants, but he's a business man, and a smart business man isn't going to bet his reputation on something before he's sure it's not going to blow up in his face.

It may be smart business, but it says exactly what you state. I'm not betting my reputation means I'm not sure they did nothing wrong. Whether that's good PR is separate issue. But in this case perception is reality.

It's good PR if it helps his public relations. If this thread is the public (and they are), then no it was not good PR. It was a bigger failure then saying nothing.

RobertWeathers · Jan 23, 2015

I just don't see the upside for the NFL to find the Patriots guilty- before or after the SB.

They are better off saying the game day operations team had some operational mishaps and the league will be earnest and transparent in correcting the issue for the SB and 2015 season.

Sweep it under the rug and move on.

QuantumMechanic · Jan 23, 2015

BradyFTW! said:
Kraft is what he is, for better or worse. Increasingly "for worse" these days, to the point that I've come to outright dislike him as an owner.

Agreed. I despise him these days. As far as I'm concerned his only positive qualities are (a) 15 years ago he hired BB, and (b) he lets BB run the team as BB sees fit.

JMC00 · Jan 23, 2015

robertweathers said:
I just don't see the upside for the NFL to find the Patriots guilty- before or after the SB.

They are better off saying the game day operations team had some operational mishaps and the league will be earnest and transparent in correcting the issue for the SB and 2015 season.

Sweep it under the rug and move on.

They probably would have but Jim Irsay is an *******.

Kdo5 · Jan 23, 2015

Bobsyouruncle said:
It may be smart business, but it says exactly what you state. I'm not betting my reputation means I'm not sure they did nothing wrong. Whether that's good PR is separate issue. But in this case perception is reality.

It's good PR if it helps his public relations. If this thread is the public (and they are), then no it was not good PR. It was a bigger failure then saying nothing.

I regret wanting him to speak up. Shouldve just stayed quiet...

Bob Kraft Statement

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