SOURCES: Robert Kraft is 'strongly considering' suing the NFL

RDS11 said:

I'm no lawyer, bit I believe one of the reason the NFL is able to have the annual collegiate draft is because of the antitrust exemption. Otherwise, prospects could go to any team they choose.

Thus, I don't know how complex it would be for Mr Kraft to go to court to gain back his draft picks, which means attacking the very same antitrust exemption that allows the NFL Head Office (which dealt the penalty) to exist as a single entity of 32 teams ??

Click to expand...

The draft significantly disadvantages the Patriots as they can not get a chance to get Top 20 talent without large sacrifices. Given that the Pats are high value and good cash flow team bidding on Udfas would benefit them

patsfanincleveland said:

If you are considering taking legal action..............

The official KNOWS there are questions concerning psi.

How do you not know what gauge you used?..........unless..............the gauge you used shows the balls to be exactly where they need to be and that can't happen.

If you want to protect your words while under oath and allow Barney Fife to proceed........ you can say you "believe" you used.........and allow Barney to conclude what he wanted without completely contradicting you.

Anderson is also protected because his did not make a definitive statement.

Click to expand...

Yes, but I was pointing out that the Colts were exonerated on the psi issue for exactly the same reason that the Patriots were found guilty...

chasa said:

Nope. Not good enough. give us back all our picks, and lower the fine total to 100k.

there is no evidence of wrong doing, and the only evidence that could prove without a doubt are the balls which the league tampered with by over inflating.

Click to expand...

"we live in a different world than 30 seconds ago. I want all my picks back and Putney!"

Kraft has to strike at the NFL's weaknesses and greatest fears - ask for Goodell, Wells and Vincent's cell phone and electronic records and all documents pertaining at any disciplinary actions taken since Goodell has been in office. These would be a logical request and would show that we were prepared to put the entire history of Goodell on trial.

I think Kraft has to attack on two fronts. First lawyer up for a suit on what ever legal grounds available and be prepared to take it to court. Secondly, threaten to remove himself from negotiations of the TV contracts and pledge to be hardliner when the CBA comes up for renewal. Time for him to put the team ahead of the shield. He finally recognizes what putting the shield ahead of the team got him when you are dealing with a corrupt and biased piece of sh-t.

Owners and management are starting to praise Goodell for his actions. I expect Kraft to show
up at the NFL meetings next week meek as a lamb and willing to be dumped on.

Jimke said:

Owners and management are starting to praise Goodell for his actions. I expect Kraft to show
up at the NFL meetings next week meek as a lamb and willing to be dumped on.

Click to expand...

While Goodell will have support, it is a mile wide and an inch deep and only good to the next inevitable screw up. Kraft's credibility is totally on the line now with the fan base and if he caves the fans will turn on him. He chose the shield over his team before and it resulted in this. If he has any brains left he will fight back this time.

Jimke said:

Owners and management are starting to praise Goodell for his actions. I expect Kraft to show
up at the NFL meetings next week meek as a lamb and willing to be dumped on.

Click to expand...

I would be surprised if he were as you describe. I would, however, expect him to be low key and circumspect, but I'd be careful to interpret what that behavior might mean.

RDS11 said:

I'm no lawyer, bit I believe one of the reason the NFL is able to have the annual collegiate draft is because of the antitrust exemption. Otherwise, prospects could go to any team they choose.

Thus, I don't know how complex it would be for Mr Kraft to go to court to gain back his draft picks, which means attacking the very same antitrust exemption that allows the NFL Head Office (which dealt the penalty) to exist as a single entity of 32 teams ??

Click to expand...

And he just happens to have the attorney who's most "against antitrust examption" working on the case for his star QB. It's a very weird situation, NFL Kraft has had to fight Kessler now Patriot Kraft has to embrace him.

Jackson 2 said:

I would be surprised if he were as you describe. I would, however, expect him to be low key and circumspect, but I'd be careful to interpret what that behavior might mean.

Click to expand...

Don't expect any hugs or handshakes with the POS

RunAmok said:

Seems like it goes beyond just defamation but into the area of unfair business practices. The fine hurts Kraft's wallet but suspending TB12 and the draft picks damages the very core of the NEP product - players.

I would love to see the email exchanges between the various NFL front office entities. What was in the emails between Wells and Goodell? What was in the emails between Exponent and Wells?

Click to expand...

This...
If a lawsuit could get to discovery, I think the league would be in big trouble. Maybe even to the point of pursuing RICO charges.

Rob0729 said:

Yeah, they know that if Kraft can win a defamation suit, not only will it destroy the Goodell regime, it will hurt the League.

I do have some mixed emotions about that, but it is Goodell and the League who started this. I blame them.

Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but after the way the league has treated the Patriots, I could give 2 sh*ts about what happens to them. If the league burns to the ground over this, I say good riddance!

I'm not a lawyer, but I'm not stupid. There are tactical reasons to NOT sue the NFL. Sue Well's company.

YOUGOTMOSSED said:

I'm sorry, but after the way the league has treated the Patriots, I could give 2 sh*ts about what happens to them. If the league burns to the ground over this, I say good riddance!

Click to expand...

if the league burns to the ground something better will undoubtedly rise from the ashes

old 55 said:

Kraft has to strike at the NFL's weaknesses and greatest fears - ask for Goodell, Wells and Vincent's cell phone and electronic records and all documents pertaining at any disciplinary actions taken since Goodell has been in office. These would be a logical request and would show that we were prepared to put the entire history of Goodell on trial.

Click to expand...

Specifically, demand access to their personal phones. If they refuse, then that makes them pretty enormous hypocrites.

Jackson 2 said:

I would be surprised if he were as you describe. I would, however, expect him to be low key and circumspect, but I'd be careful to interpret what that behavior might mean.

Click to expand...

Kraft doesn't seem like the type of guy you screw with. He has to be thinking; fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I expect him to do something this time.

This is not just about Goodell or Wells or a bunch of angry fans outside NE. The owners have let this happen and the owners could have stopped it. Troy Vincent would not have set down that punishment if 31 owners had held him back.

So Kraft may not simply be angry at the League office but at those owners who are standing by, or are quietly cheering the mob.

By threatening to sue, Kraft would threaten to tip the boat they're all sailing. It may not serve his overall purpose, but if it's his only leverage, he may feel he must. And though a lawsuit has a downside for everyone, it at least has an upside for Kraft. Whereas inaction has a guaranteed downside for Kraft.

And not just for for today, but for the next time Belichick sneezes and the league cries foul. "Third time", they'll say, "dock those cheaters two first round picks." It doesn't stop until you punch the bully in the nose. All he needs is to get those owners that are on his side to stand up and the ones against him to back down.

Lastly, is it possible that Belichick has told Kraft that if this keeps up, he'll retire? Certainly Belichick will be that much more inclined to stay if Kraft fights this insanity with all his heart.

Can Kraft somehow threaten the league's anti-trust exemption? Wouldn't that be the best way to get revenge against the league?

YOUGOTMOSSED said:

Can Kraft somehow threaten the league's anti-trust exemption? Wouldn't that be the best way to get revenge against the league?

Click to expand...

That's probably what he would be suing for, breaching the antitrust exemption - Al Davis went after it twice in the past.

All the evidence is there that the league has broken the exemption by unfairly targeting one of its franchises

Defamation & malicious use of process would just be the icing on the cake.

It won't happen, because Kraft doesn't want to cost himself millions and millions, but in my dream world I can imagine that Kraft tells Goodell and the owners "give me back the draft picks or I am filing an anti-trust lawsuit seeking to end the draft completely and make all incoming players be true free agents."

Frankly, I'm at the point where I want to see the whole thing burn down and f**k'em all over.