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

Froob said:

**** that, that's accepting guilt.

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I share your sentiment and frustration, however we have already been convicted both in the court of public opinion and by the league...nothing will be able to remove that. Even if numbnutts officially exonerated us.

Tuck said:

You guys are going to be disappointed. I personally hope they accept nothing less than a full retraction of all sanctions and a public apology but it's not going to happen. A million bucks is a lot of money even to Robert Kraft so if Goody removes that piece of the penalty Kraft may suddenly be willing to eat the draft picks.

Brady on the other hand has motivation to fight this to the end. His endorsement deals are on the line and he's gotta be thinking future deals are in jeopardy now too. Not to mention hall of fame consideration and the legacy. If I'm him I don't budge an inch.

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You really think that Kraft values the million more than the draft picks? Seriously?

Kraft has to listen and negotiate.

He can't go to court if they are offering some kind of resolution.

He has to appear reasonable even if he is not. He can always go to court when he decides they are at an impasse.

This is always the way these things work. You know you are at an impasse, but you have to listen. You have to at least put up a facade of reasonability.

Tuck said:

You guys are going to be disappointed. I personally hope they accept nothing less than a full retraction of all sanctions and a public apology but it's not going to happen. A million bucks is a lot of money even to Robert Kraft so if Goody removes that piece of the penalty Kraft may suddenly be willing to eat the draft picks.

Brady on the other hand has motivation to fight this to the end. His endorsement deals are on the line and he's gotta be thinking future deals are in jeopardy now too. Not to mention hall of fame consideration and the legacy. If I'm him I don't budge an inch.

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The fine is a damn tax write off he doesn't care about that.

Best case scenario is penalties reduced to something like what Kraft already said he would accept.

All the fans expecting fairness are going to be disappointed. Just my best guess. Love to be wrong.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

Adam Bogdan ‏@PatriotsInform 27s27 seconds ago
Essentially, the NFL is trying to get to numbers where both the #Patriots & the NFL are comfortable, to avoid lawsuits & more embarrassment.

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I wonder how in the world the Pats can avoid more emberassment, all the damage has already been done. The only ones that can avoid the emberassment are the NFL...if RK is true to his words about complete innocence, then he shouldn't be "comfortable" with any punishment...the more I think about this, the more I tend to doubt the possibility of a resolution.

Tuck said:

You guys are going to be disappointed. I personally hope they accept nothing less than a full retraction of all sanctions and a public apology but it's not going to happen. A million bucks is a lot of money even to Robert Kraft so if Goody removes that piece of the penalty Kraft may suddenly be willing to eat the draft picks.

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Nah, a million bucks really isn't a lot of money to Robert Kraft. It's probably less than a tenth of what he pays in investment and wealth management fees for his enormous multibillion dollar fortune. It's the equivalent of getting a $200 speeding ticket for you or me: a substantial annoyance, but nothing life-altering. The draft picks, on the other hand, affect the value of his $2 billion investment. They could also save millions of dollars in equivalent player compensation over the course of the player's career. They're likely far more valuable to him than the million dollars.

Mack Herron said:

Best case scenario is penalties reduced to something like what Kraft already said he would accept.

All the fans expecting fairness are going to be disappointed. Just my best guess. Love to be wrong.

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If Kraft caves, it will mean he didn't learn his lesson from spygate. If he doesn't fight now, we're going to have to deal with an endless stream of allegations of picayune rule violations from the NYJ rascals comprising the NFL office.

Have feeling the NFL doesn't want their dirty laundry spilled to the masses. I'm sorry, but even a reduction to 1 game doesn't sit well with me. It's almost an admission of guilt Imo. As far as the draft picks? If you would of asked me a week ago if I thought they would get them back I would of said no way. However I'm starting to think it will be reduced from a 1st to a 3rd. It still doesn't sit well with me even if that happens. I just feel the overreaction to appease the torch and pitchfork crowd was unjustified and everything is hinging on those emails that go hand and hand with the cooperation factor. As far as Brady not turning over his phone or texts? If you still can't understand why he didn't then your just as lost as Wells and his henchman are.

Jackson 2 said:

"Oh, yeah, and zero days left on Kensil's NFL employment contract.

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I'll hoist a pint of your favorite for that!

The million dollar fine is for US!...it's for the poor schlubs like us that WORK their asses off everyday for what amounts to a lousy tip for these billionaires. It's so WE go "oooooh" and "ahhhhh" and "they really got the Patriots GOOD this time!"....and then plunk down half a week's paycheck taking our kids to some stadium so an idiot like Rex Ryan can throw the finger at us. "Look at that rivalry!! Roger is GROWING the game!!! Let's give HIM 44 million dollars!!!"...yeah, I can equate to a 44 million dollar a year salary... of course, NOT ON THIS PLANET...NOT IN THIS DIMENSION.

TheBeers said:

Could it be the NFL actually had somebody smart read the stupid report and realize... Hey this thing is a huge stinking pile of ****! Why the hell did we go ahead and punish them with the harshest sanctions in the history of the sport with literally zero proof of wrongdoing? We are going to get sued and lose our jobs! Maybe we should reconsider this?

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There is nobody like that in the NFL offices today - trust me!

But than you for sharing that fantasy with us!

Well according to Troy Vincent this isn't happening because "the appeal process will speak for itself" and he has no plans to give a response to what the NFLPA and Patriots have said since he handed out the punishment.

What's a matter Troy don't want to slip up because you aren't very bright and are going to spending sometime in court because you legally couldn't hand out the punishment.

ausbacker said:

Things I want:

1. Brady's suspension overturned.
2. The fine tabled against the Patriots dismissed.
3. The return of the Patriots draft picks.
4. A full and unreserved apology from Roger Goodell.
5. An independent investigation into the sting operation.
6. Roger Goodell being removed from office.

Missed anything?

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just one thing to add.
Goodell and Brady on a podium, where Goodell has to kneel down behind Brady, pucker up, and kiss Brady's ass while begging for forgiveness.

If there are back door negotiations - it was initiated by the NFL, not Kraft. The CBA agreement and the NFL Constitution are difficult obstacles, yet it is a question of right and wrong. Both Kraft and Brady will not compromise their values here. Would not be surprised to see both of them walk away

GaryfromTO said:

just one thing to add.
Goodell and Brady on a podium, where Goodell has to kneel down behind Brady, pucker up, and kiss Brady's ass while begging for forgiveness.

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Haha, makes for a good opening offer anyway.

If there were good faith discussions, why would the NFL leak this in a PR stunt?

mike freeman · @mikefreemanNFL
19th May 2015 from TwitLonger

Owner: 'Right now I don't sense a great movement to rally around (Kraft)'
If you believe there will be owners who will make some sort of move to support Patriots owner Robert Kraft in his fight against Roger Goodell, well, it's looking like that's not happening. At least, not now.

One owner told me on Monday: "Right now I don't sense a great movement to rally around Robert. That could change but for now I'm not sensing that. I think most owners feel the same way I do. The Patriots don't need anyone helping them to defend Brady."

The owner added that Goodell "has strong support from many owners. No one is running Goodell out of town on this issue. Won't happen."

The sense I get from this owner and others is that a significant portion of ownership is backing Goodell. I can't put a percentage on it but it sounds like a lot.

Several sources also believe that Goodell and Kraft will have a clandestine meeting--if they already haven't--sometime soon.

After the report was issued, Kraft issued a statement saying that he disagreed with the report but that he would accept the punishment. If these rumors are true, we will likely be very disappointed in the outcome. I can see Kraft accepting a 3rd rounder rather than a first, a $500,000 fine rather than a million, and a statement by the NFL that the report was inconclusive and that the league will discuss how to improve investigations and punishment in the future, etc., etc.

Brady will be on his own (along with the NFLPA) to defend himself and his honor.

I'm with you guys.. I would love to see a full retraction and a reversal but that would be more embarrassing to the league than a potential lawsuit.

another owner weighs in ....F*** these guys

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk
Texans owner Bob McNair defends Roger Goodell's handling of #DeflateGate http://wp.me/p14QSB-9M7s