Kraft's response

Deus Irae said:

I think we're all hoping that this was the last straw for Kraft.

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I hope so. Enough is enough. Also, you know that book that everyone says BB is going to write after he is done with football. I think we may see a preview of it soon.

Wrath Mania said:

. Or maybe Goodell finally went too far even for amenable Kraft.

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I think its just disloyalty or even more likely that there was just no evidence that anything was done. At least with Spygate they were guilty. This is a farce.

Nothing wrong with what he said. He's probably exhausting all avenues through back channels before getting nasty and public, which has never been Kraft's M.O. We may see another side of Kraft in the upcoming week, I really hope.

MuscleCarLover said:

“Despite our conviction that there was no tampering with footballs, it was our intention to accept any discipline levied by the league. Today’s punishment, however, far exceeded any reasonable expectation. It was based completely on circumstantial rather than hard or conclusive evidence.

“We are humbled by the support the New England Patriots have received from our fans throughout the world. We recognize our fans’ concerns regarding the NFL’s penalties and share in their disappointment in how this one-sided investigation was handled, as well as the dismissal of the scientific evidence supported by the Ideal Gas Law in the final report.

“Tom Brady has our unconditional support. Our belief in him has not wavered.”

I actually find this strongly worded from a legal standpoint. It's about to go nuclear IMO.

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I'm no lawyer, but I read the statement the same way you did. Kraft is ready to take the gloves off. Most noticeably to me, mentioning the "Ideal Gas Law." I truly hope he goes full crazy al, and sues the league for slander, while completely and publicly trashing wells' character. Let's start with hiring a company that argues second hand smoke doesn't cause cancer, he can cite the nationally mandated text on smokes as an arguement it is more probable than not Exponent is not an independent scientific source.

It is more probable than not ted wells picked and chose the testimony he wanted to favor from Walt Anderson. It is also more probable than not that if Exponent used the logo gauge assumption, they would have to say it is more probable than not that the IGL explains the lower measured pressures. It is also more probable than not that if Exponent used chilled water, sprayed randomly to random balls, they would find variation in psi.

I am no scientist, but scientifically, that report and it's study is complete garbage. I would expect my son to be failed in HS for such an abomination. Maybe a C in 8th grade...

Then there are the facts. Walt Anderson has an iron clad memory, hence there is no reason to record pregame psi, or note the gauge. However, Exponent's report (you know, the company that claims lighting a dart with your three month old in the car doesn't increase their risk of cancer) ignores Walts memory, and runs everything of the assumption the second gauge was used. The secondary refs, along with the guy (as matt Chatham put it, is in charge I'd making sure nobody walks into a stadium with a bomb) also weren't sure if they switched gauges while not being able to measure the psi of 23 balls in 12 minutes (Exponent claims one could easily deflate 12 in 70 seconds).

What's more probable than not folks? I think it is more probable than not that Goodell and Wells end up taking one on the chin.

Unfortunately Tf'inB's legacy is already tarnished. Fortunately, as Deuce has mentioned, that letter from the NFL more than opens the door to a defamation suit, should Brady want to pursue that option.

TheBeers said:

Good start, I like how he closes with "as well as the dismissal of the scientific evidence supported by the Ideal Gas Law in the final report". It's maddening that things like this and the ref not knowing which beat up gauge he used.. or the fact that they measured two different psi levels or.. the other numerous holes in the report, not to mention evidence of the sting right there in the report.. get glossed over.

The collective media is so stupid they missed the best controversy sitting right there in front of them. Maybe it's not to late. This should be the downfall of the current rein in the NFL office. If the Pats fight this from the top down then I'm happy with that. If they have to drag the league down with them.. F**K it. A great Boston sports icon once said "THIS IS OUR F*CKING CITY!!" Well this is our f-ing team and you cant do this **** to us! This aggression will not stand!!

(yes I have been drinking)

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I believe that same icon was quoted in response to Brady's suspension, "they (NFL) f***ed up on that one." I may be off a bit, but Big Papi was on record for essentially that statement.

With all due respect to those who want loud action -- I do understand the anger -- you have got to be kidding me about being angry about Kraft's statement? What Kraft just said was practically a mutiny. He just called the league to the mat, he just nullified his previous statement and that he now doesn't accept it, he just tacitly said he will be fighting the league (did he actually mean it?), and he just said they are in Brady's corner 100%.

What do you want him to say, that he is out recruiting a personal army of mercenaries to siege the NFL headquarters? As a first statement this was very encouraging. I look forward to the next statements and actions. I am a bit shocked, pleasantly so, he just took a small page out of the Al Davis book.

Remember that this is an extremely tough position for him to be in too. He has to fight and impugn his own business, the NFL. Every victory he could win through a public/PR fight may hurt his own team's financial prosperity. But I hope at this age and with his kind of massive financial worth he sees the patriots as more than a business, he sees it as something much more personal and special.

TommyBrady12 said:

i disagree. the saints and drew brees stood up to goodell and punched him right in the mouth. no one is talking about bountygate today.

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But they absolutely were for months after the commissioner's ruling. Come on man, it's a handful of hours after the league decision. Don't you think you're expecting a bit much given this thing has just started?
Relax, Kraft's statement -- while certainly prepared and precisely written -- does say this will be fought. His first statement was "we don"t agree" (but I guess we have to accept it), his next statement is "we don't agree and we no longer accept it". Seems to me a good foundation has been placed to completely fight this as you/we want.
Of course time and what actions are taken will be the ultimate proof (aka words are cheap).

The media capital of the world has spoken....it is now OFFICIALLY RECORDED HISTORY and will be taught at every level of education for the next thousand years.

Jackson 2 said:

If you read those texts in the report and still, to use your words, assume they were doing nothing wrong, then I can't help you. Hey, I use the saltiest language imaginable at times, but I never even said "hell" or "damn" on my company owned cell phone. Their language alone was stupid.

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Your job isn't to cater to football players.

That said, are you a fisherman? Do you work in goods transportation (IE, trucking)?

O **** (GASP!), maybe you aren't supposed to swear!

Cmon now...your job I'm sure is different than a long time ball "man."

patsinthesnow said:

@MikeReiss: Patriots vs. Steelers is NFL kickoff game, but Robert Kraft v Roger Goodell might turn out to be just as compelling, if not more, that night

We'll see Mike. I hope there is a vs.

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Roger Goodell is an expert at dirtying his own nest. He may leave his position with more money than it had when he assumed it, but he'll leave it with the reputation of professional boxing.

woolster22 said:

Your job isn't to cater to football players.

That said, are you a fisherman? Do you work in goods transportation (IE, trucking)?

O **** (GASP!), maybe you aren't supposed to swear!

Cmon now...your job I'm sure is different than a long time ball "man."

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Apparently he was never in the military or around any either.

The fact that the NY Post isn't regarded on the same level as the National Enquirier by the general public is a never ending source of depression.

The NY Post stares out at the populace from coast to coast in every convenience store/market/WalMart checkout line imaginable.That .jpg is the back cover...her's the front cover that will be seen in Sydney, Australia by this evening....



The Post and the Daily News have been paper parrots for Goodell and NFL offices since the start of this farce.

BelichickFan said:

I love you guys (channeling my inner Edelman) but I think some of you need to learn to parse English better :

it was our intention to accept any discipline levied by the league. Today’s punishment, however

Clearly means it's no longer their intention.

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The "however" is key here.

"the dismissal of the scientific evidence supported by the Ideal Gas Law"

I'm glad this made it into Kraft's statement. Maybe the media, or someone else will pick up on it.

Kraft is clearly stating that the fines are unacceptable and unreasonable. Kraft is very shrewdly sending Goodell a threat that he is going to fight this. Get your popcorn ready.

Bruins29 said:

I think its just disloyalty or even more likely that there was just no evidence that anything was done. At least with Spygate they were guilty.

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Guilty? Of what? If you want to call them "guilty" of misinterpreting a league directive for camera placement, perhaps so. But that also was a farce.

Kraft better do something. This punishment is way, way overboard. Even if TB were guilty, the rule says $25,000. This is clearly Pats biased. He took Camera gate lying down. If he as any hope of me remaining an active participant in the MFL, he better come out swinging like a mad man

This was an initial reaction by Mr. Kraft, suspect that as the day proceeds today and after conferring with his legal team.. there may be further developments..

As many have mentioned it seems as though he did not expect anywhere near this response from the ex-NY Jets staff at the NFL...

Losing a first round pick and a million dollars.. that is beyond excessive..

Will Goodell be invited to sit in Mr. Kraft's box when he comes to Foxboro??.. Have Goodell sit in the upper deck so he can "mingle" and "interact" with the fans...

Fox News started with Kraft's statement, and talk of whether the punishment is correct. Look at that, Kraft speaks out and it reverberates through the media.

Edit: Now the headline is: "Crime vs. Punishment", and they are listing off the punishments handed out for Rice (they cite the first 2 game suspension) and others. And talking about the appeal.

It seems to be turning into a debate now, which I see as a good thing.