EDIT: Schefter Patriots get taken through the back channel by NFL

PatsSox363804 · May 18, 2015

There is no acceptable deal that doesn't involve a full exoneration. They're getting scared and want this handled. Screw em, they hit the pats with the biggest sanctions ever while havin a report that isn't fit to line a bird cage and now they want to make a deal? no dice.

flasox27 · May 18, 2015

The Gr8est said:
I hope not. This NEEDS to go to court, so that the head of the snake can be exposed and dealt with.

NO punishment for the Pats is acceptable.

What I tried to propose is what would be acceptable to Kraft. I don't think Goodell is going to be ousted now.

Soul_Survivor88 · May 18, 2015

Rob0729 said:
I hate to say it. Kraft is a League first guy at heart. He will ultimately cave if he can get a significant enough reduced punishment. He really doesn't have a lot of options to begin with, but he doesn't have the stomach to sue his 31 other owners.

Brady, on the other hand, will fight until he is completely exonerated or he runs out of options.

Kraft helped to create a monster when he put Goodell in power and backed him....and now he's willing to mortgage the future of the franchise just to stay buddies with the owners?

Bobsyouruncle · May 18, 2015

How the negotiation is going-

Goodell: "I am willing to bring the suspension to two games and fine 500k if you admit guilt."

Kraft: "Here's my proposal, I am going to take you to court, and you can go f*** yourself."

fgssand · May 18, 2015

Brady suspension has to be lifted 100% otherwise his reputation remains stained. Possibly he can accept a token fine for not surrendering phone, period.

Patriots #1 choice must be returned, go ahead and fine them for,again, not cooperating 100%.

If Goodell Isn't given something to " save face" (not that he deserves it), then there won't be any deal.

Keep this in mind Patriot nation, outside of NE, public opinion is on Goodells side, media has done a wonderful job of ignoring facts and blaming Brady and the patriots.

RelocatedPatFan · May 18, 2015

While I agree with Rob, as a businessman that would make the most sense.

if Kraft were more of a fan, though he'd push this thing to the limit and then 1 step more. But 2.6 billion dollars net worth is going to put a sock in his "inner" fan.

Soul_Survivor88 · May 18, 2015

fgssand said:
Keep this in mind Patriot nation, outside of NE, public opinion is on Goodells side, media has done a wonderful job of ignoring facts and blaming Brady and the patriots.

But the NFL is also terrified to go to court...keep that in mind too

blackglass3 · May 18, 2015

Its BS. No way is Robert Kraft "negotiating". I imagine this was a feeler put out by someone in the NFL front office to see if they can open the lines of communication.

Oh, and FXXK negotiations. Since the penalties last week came out more and more media are rounding into " Wait a sec, this doesn't make sense..." territory. Every step of this the NFL has done wrong, and some lawyer is starting to realize that and praying to get out of it.

borg · May 18, 2015

1) Absolve NE of all charges
2) Dismiss all punishments
3) Public apology to the Patriots by the NFL brass
4) Immediate enshrinement of Brady in Canton
5) An award of a supplemental draft pick (#33) at the end of first round as compensation for NE's pain and suffering
6) An additional supplemental draft pick (#34) awarded to NE as compensation for Goodell's Spygate over reach
7) Dismissal of Troy Vincent for malfeasance
8) A four game ban of Goodell for failure to preserve the integrity of the commissioner's office
9) Dismissal of all NFL employees involved in the Brady sting
10) Reinstatement of all NE personnel erroneously accused by the NFL....and significant compensation for their pain and suffering
11) Termination of all business with Ted Wells and company with no future dealings
12) The NFL files a malpractice complaint on Ted Wells with the appropriate Bar Associations
13) Indy gets fined $25,000 (the correct punishment) for gauging a football during AFC Championship game
14) All NFL Network employees that danced on NE's grave must be dismissed

DW Toys · May 18, 2015

ausbacker said:
Things I want:

Brady's suspension overturned.

The fine tabled against the Patriots dismissed.

The return of the Patriots draft picks.

A full and unreserved apology from Roger Goodell.

An independent investigation into the sting operation.

Roger Goodell being removed from office.

Missed anything?

Kinsel, anyone?
DW Toys

Rob0729 · May 18, 2015

Chiuba E. Obele said:
Kraft helped to create a monster when he put Goodell in power and backed him....and now he's willing to mortgage the future of the franchise just to stay buddies with the owners?

It has nothing to do with Goodell. Goodell is dead to him. It is more about the League. He doesn't want to tarnish the legacy of the League or create a precedence where owners can sue the League if they get punishments they do not like.

I think if Goodell was on fire, Kraft wouldn't cross the street to pee on him. But he cares about the League almost as much as he care about the Patriots. I think he will ultimately cut a deal and just sit and wait until Goodell publicly screws up again and uses that as an opportunity to get him ousted.

cmasspatsfan · May 18, 2015

I keep hearing from writers and radio that this is the deal they signed off on (BK and Brady) but the deal didn't include people in charge with a bias abusing their power. I don't think BK wants to sue or even has to sue just the fear of it may scare some of the guilty parties into settling for some sort of middle ground. Brady might take this as far as he has to but I don't think BK wants to go to the mattresses. Of course I don't know what he's looking for to reach a settlement but I'm pretty sure it won't include everything on the lists you guys are writing, there's too many egos involved for that to happen.

The Gr8est · May 18, 2015

borg said:
1) Absolve NE of all charges
2) Dismiss all punishments
3) Public apology to the Patriots by the NFL brass
4) Immediate enshrinement of Brady in Canton
5) An award of a supplemental draft pick (#33) at the end of first round as compensation for NE's pain and suffering
6) An additional supplemental draft pick (#34) awarded to NE as compensation for Goodell's Spygate over reach
7) Dismissal of Troy Vincent for malfeasance
8) A four game ban of Goodell for failure to preserve the integrity of the commissioner's office
9) Dismissal of all NFL employees involved in the Brady sting
10) Reinstatement of all NE personnel erroneously accused by the NFL....and significant compensation for their pain and suffering
11) Termination of all business with Ted Wells and company with no future dealings
12) The NFL files a malpractice complaint on Ted Wells with the appropriate Bar Associations
13) Indy gets fined $25,000 (the correct punishment) for gauging a football during AFC Championship game
14) All NFL Network employees that danced on NE's grave must be dismissed

That's a good start but what about compensation for the Rats tampering with Revis?

Also, that is much too light of a penalty to the Colts.

nabwong · May 18, 2015

flasox27 said:
I think something like this is possible
Brady suspension overturned or he will go to court and win
Pats penalty reduced to mid round pick and $100M fine.
Nothing will happen to Goodell for now.

Holy crap

BradyFTW! · May 18, 2015

If the Patriots are willing to compromise with the NFL and get their picks back in exchange for stopping the public assault on the league/investigation's credibility I'm okay with that. Brady is an entirely separate issue though; nothing that the Patriots do (or don't do) should stop him from demanding a complete exoneration, and going to court if necessary.

If this is true, it means that the league at least understands that it needs to give some ground, which is a step in the direction. It's about time someone figured out that they're the ones with a ton to lose if anything about this finds its way into a courtroom.

Bobsyouruncle · May 18, 2015

RelocatedPatFan said:
While I agree with Rob, as a businessman that would make the most sense.

if Kraft were more of a fan, though he'd push this thing to the limit and then 1 step more. But 2.6 billion dollars net worth is going to put a sock in his "inner" fan.

In what way does Kraft stand to lose money. He's out a million plus a likely hit to his franchise bottom line if he capitulates. I don't see how caving is good for his him as a fan or as a businessman.

bruce_w · May 18, 2015

No ****ing way. Of course they are talking now. You think they want to hand over their cell phones?

Deus Irae · May 18, 2015

NFL & Patriots are attempting to resolve their differences without appeal through "back-channel conversations." (via @AdamSchefter)

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/600439765029236736

TheBeers · May 18, 2015

I honestly don't see how the league backs out of this. You all read Troy's letter.. can they really go "oops, our bad.. nevermind"? or "we initially thought you were guilty as f**k, but now in light of all this new ****.. we realize you like.. didn't do anything wrong and stuff". The mediots would eat them alive! I actually think this might be fun to watch.

raduray · May 18, 2015

I wonder what that would look like. And would it satisfy Brady?

EDIT: Schefter Patriots get taken through the back channel by NFL

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