If You read Nothing Else Today, Read This From "Above The Law"

shmessy · May 15, 2015

YOUGOTMOSSED said:
Well, the NFL party line seems to be "Why would we want to humiliate one of our franchise players"?

Good question, but if you look at Goodell's punishment history, it looks like he bends over backwards to help the Jets and screw the Patriots. It's almost as if he believes he has some religious obligation to crusade against the Patriots. It's sooo over the top and obvious, I think a jury could find a malicious intent on the part of Goodell and some of the other NY friends in the NFL office.

I think Troy Vincent's avatar today sort of puts that "party line" thing to rest.

Mack Herron · May 15, 2015

Here is the link to the Gardi letter:
http://wellsreportcontext.com/nfl-letter-to-patriots/

Kensil's expletive filled emotional fit at thinking he had proof of tampering combined with this erroneous report is at least evidence of "pre-judgment."

shmessy · May 15, 2015

Mack Herron said:
Here is the link to the Gardi letter:
http://wellsreportcontext.com/nfl-letter-to-patriots/

Kensil's expletive filled emotional fit at thinking he had proof of tampering combined with this erroneous report is at least evidence of "pre-judgment."

Gardi's letter, therefore contains TWO bold-faced lies.

1) One of the Patriots footballs measured 10.1 PSi

2) Each of the Colts footballs "met the requirements set forth above" (between 12.5-13.5 PSi)

Buchanty · May 15, 2015

The NFL followed the Joseph Goebbels script for propaganda -

“The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over.”

The only narrative that was fed and eagerly consumed by the media and its pliable public was that the Patriots had deflated the balls. Mortenson, Gardi, and even the proscription not to release the communicated figures (to the Patriots) until the Wells report was out, meant there was only one line to the oft repeated chorus.

The majority think the Patriots cheated and Brady lied. And so the propaganda was exceedingly effective. The media will find it hard to retract their invective once the real nature of things becomes more apparent. And those with poor reading habits will never be able to escape the dungeon of their preconditioned minds.

"Think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play.”
― Joseph Goebbels

Opeds like the one referenced in the title help to dissolve this propaganda.

Danger Zone · May 15, 2015

shmessy said:
I think Troy Vincent's avatar today sort of puts that "party line" thing to rest.

If this gets to court or neutral arbitration, the Patriots should actually use Troy Vincents avatar along with the NFL's Wacky Wednesday helmet catch.

One by themselves just says Pats being paranoid.

Two says the League has it out for the Pats.

NFL ‏@nfl May 13
The Helmet Catch. Enough said. #WildPlayWednesdays

#WildPlayWednesdays has never been used before.

Troy Vincent @TroyVincent23 · 9h9 hours ago
#Footballmatters.

Tony2046 · May 15, 2015

upstater1 said:
There is enough here that they can go after the NFL for defamation.

Maybe a few news and TV stations as well.

I mean, Mark Brunell called Brady a liar outright.

I didn't say they would win, but the Vincent-Kensil-Gardi-Harbaugh-Grigson crew conspired.

If you go after Mark Brunell bring a box of tissues with you. He tends to get slightly emotional when throwing a GOAT under the bus.

Sfpat · May 15, 2015

Jlaff said:
Even what constitutes intent might not be a simple dictionary definition of the word in the context of defamation (just speculating, don't know US laws concerning this).

"Intent" in some circumstances can include being wilfully blind to consequences of actions, or "wilfully courting the risk" (know there is potential harm in actions, but proceed anyway). Heck, I believe gross negligence in some circumstances can fall under "intent", but don't take any of this to the bank.

Edit: and I don't buy that because it's been difficult to prove in the past means it won't happen here. The facts are almost unprecedented, which could very well lead to a supposedly unprecedented result. Then you throw in the best lawyers money can buy. You might be reading about Brady v NFL for years to come in law school casebooks.

Good post but I don't buy that it will be difficult for Brady and / or Kraft to win a defamation case(s). They were called liars and cheaters, which are strong words and have substantial meaning and implication. When one, makes these claims, one fully knows the implication of what is being said and the damage that goes with it. That's why in normal circumstances, one is or should be very careful when making these claims, i.e.I'll wait for the facts to come out before making any claim. TB's only problem is there are too many people to go after, but the NFL, ESPN and the NFL network should suffice as starters.

GaryfromTO · May 15, 2015

I would agree. I think Brady has a very good defamation case. Tom Brady was the squeaky clean, all American, good looking, boy next door. Dismissed as a 6th round draft pick, gets his big shot when Bledsoe goes down, and the rest is history.
So the NFL, on the basis of the laughable Wells investigation, and seriously that's what it is, has tried and convicted Brady.
Goodell brands him a cheater and casts a doubt, that some will hold forever (no matter how this mess turns out), on his legacy and career.

If that isn't defamation of character I don't know what the hell is. Brady should sue Goodell personally for damages and donate the proceeds to charity.

Froob · May 15, 2015

Danger Zone said:
If this gets to court or neutral arbitration, the Patriots should actually use Troy Vincents avatar along with the NFL's Wacky Wednesday helmet catch.

One by themselves just says Pats being paranoid.

Two says the League has it out for the Pats.

NFL ‏@nfl May 13
The Helmet Catch. Enough said. #WildPlayWednesdays

#WildPlayWednesdays has never been used before.

Troy Vincent @TroyVincent23 · 9h9 hours ago
#Footballmatters.

I'd say they probably were bagging on the Pats but I doubt they can use that as proof vs the NFL. But, worth a shot I suppose.

Danger Zone · May 15, 2015

Froob said:
I'd say they probably were bagging on the Pats but I doubt they can use that as proof vs the NFL. But, worth a shot I suppose.

Why would the NFL, or Troy Vincent who just handed out an unprecedented punishment decide that its okay to "bag" on the Patriots? That level of unprofessionalism shows bias (in my opinion).

But sure, its not proof by itself, but its a little more evidence in that direction.

YOUGOTMOSSED · May 15, 2015

shmessy said:
I think Troy Vincent's avatar today sort of puts that "party line" thing to rest.

What was the avatar?

YOUGOTMOSSED · May 15, 2015

Sfpat said:
Good post but I don't buy that it will be difficult for Brady and / or Kraft to win a defamation case(s). They were called liars and cheaters, which are strong words and have substantial meaning and implication. When one, makes these claims, one fully knows the implication of what is being said and the damage that goes with it. That's why in normal circumstances, one is or should be very careful when making these claims, i.e.I'll wait for the facts to come out before making any claim. TB's only problem is there are too many people to go after, but the NFL, ESPN and the NFL network should suffice as starters.

Going after ESPN and the other mediots would probably be a waste of time. They can always say that they received inaccurate information from the league and were simply reporting based on what they had been told.

Froob · May 15, 2015

Danger Zone said:
Why would the NFL, or Troy Vincent who just handed out an unprecedented punishment decide that its okay to "bag" on the Patriots? That level of unprofessionalism shows bias (in my opinion).

But sure, its not proof by itself, but its a little more evidence in that direction.

Idk I mean it's worth a shot but not sure you can prove they aren't starting a wildcatch Wednesday. But you're right you could definitely throw it in there. Or if you were Ted Wells it'd be enough to convict someone and hand out a harsh punishment but that only works for him.

shmessy · May 15, 2015

YOUGOTMOSSED said:
What was the avatar?

Namaths back with the number 12 and a quote of his saying how football is an honest sport or something.

VJCPatriot · May 15, 2015

First level headed, adult conversation I've heard about Deflategate on a public outlet in a long time.

I'm glad that we are getting to hear the opinion of a lawyer, who admits to being not a fan of the Patriots, but who still feels that the Wells Report was biased and actually did not show enough to prove its point to meet the legal standard of "preponderance of the evidence".

RobertWeathers · May 15, 2015

Buchanty said:
The NFL followed the Joseph Goebbels script for propaganda -

“The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over.”

The only narrative that was fed and eagerly consumed by the media and its pliable public was that the Patriots had deflated the balls. Mortenson, Gardi, and even the proscription not to release the communicated figures (to the Patriots) until the Wells report was out, meant there was only one line to the oft repeated chorus.

The majority think the Patriots cheated and Brady lied. And so the propaganda was exceedingly effective. The media will find it hard to retract their invective once the real nature of things becomes more apparent. And those with poor reading habits will never be able to escape the dungeon of their preconditioned minds.

"Think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play.”
― Joseph Goebbels

Opeds like the one referenced in the title help to dissolve this propaganda.

I don't call them the Brownshirts for nothing.

ctpatsfan77 · May 15, 2015

Sfpat said:
Good post but I don't buy that it will be difficult for Brady and / or Kraft to win a defamation case(s). They were called liars and cheaters, which are strong words and have substantial meaning and implication. When one, makes these claims, one fully knows the implication of what is being said and the damage that goes with it. That's why in normal circumstances, one is or should be very careful when making these claims, i.e.I'll wait for the facts to come out before making any claim. TB's only problem is there are too many people to go after, but the NFL, ESPN and the NFL network should suffice as starters.

See this thread about actual malice, which is what Brady would have to prove.

VJCPatriot · May 15, 2015

It's true that Defamation suits are very difficult for celebrities and public figures to prove. But Actual malice is just one standard, one can win a Defamation suit based on "reckless disregard for the truth" as well. And that's easier to prove than someone releasing Defamatory information because they have an "axe to grind" and did it just to hurt your reputation.

In any case, as long as there is a colorable claim that he could win, I don't see why Brady wouldn't go after the League for 250m or more. What is the price of the legacy of a multi-million dollar star athlete like Brady? How many millions in endorsements could he lose in the future because of how Deflategate painted him as a cheater?

ctpatsfan77 said:
See this thread about actual malice, which is what Brady would have to prove.

shmessy · May 15, 2015

YOUGOTMOSSED said:
What was the avatar?

My bad, not an avatar but a tweet:

Troy Vincent @TroyVincent23 · 9h9 hours ago
#Footballmatters.

Jackson 2 · May 15, 2015

shmessy said:
My bad, not an avatar but a tweet:

Troy Vincent @TroyVincent23 · 9h9 hours ago
#Footballmatters.

And that's our own Teddy Wells staring back adoringly at Broadway Joe. What a moment...

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