Don't hate on Kraft just yet

Here's the only thing that's changed for me.

Yesterday, I rooted for a team whose owner I respected, quite a bit.

Today, I root for a team that has an owner for whom I've lost a lot of my respect.

He could call another press conference now and sing I don't wanna lose your love tonight that no one would care, it's done, you already lost our love Mr. Kraft, and not only for tonight.

Bella*chick said:

Why would they consider a reduction in penalties WITHOUT AN OFFICIAL APPEAL FILED?

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Because if Goodell actually came to see the Wells report is BS, then how could he, in good conscience, not also see that this influenced his decision regarding the team itself? It would be insane, even for Goodell.

What I am saying isn't that far fetched. Other than what Deus said, which sort of kills it.

neuronet said:

Because if Goodell actually came to see the Wells report is BS, then how could he, in good conscience, also hold the team accountable in the same stroke? It would be insane, even for Goodell.

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If Goodell "came to see the Wells report is BS", why would Kraft have to drop an appeal? Goodell could just have made an announcement rescinding all punishment, based upon insufficient evidence.

Unfortunately Kraft has a history of bluffing big then folding eg the move to Hartford, the collective bargaining agreement recently.

He tried his best again - saber rattling but never intending to pull the trigger. Perhaps the NFL had him figured out....

This totally sucks, tho I am also just naively hopeful that something good might have been negotiated between adult men in a back channel way. Getting something in return for not launching a lawsuit should be worth something!

Deus Irae said:

The NFLPA is going to try and prevent Goodell from taking the appeal. How, pray tell, will Goodell be cutting back on the penalty if the NFLPA wins?

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This is the best point against my argument.

AndyJohnson said:

You are kidding right?
What do you think not putting whats best or one team over whats best for all 32 means?

Goodell being unchallenged and able to dole out whatever punishment he wants to the players is good for 'the 32'. Draft picks are good for the 1.

And if there was a backdoor deal, it wasn't for Tom Brady's sake, it was so that Goodell can float out an excuse for wiping out Bradys suspension so he won't have to show up in court.

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My thinking is that Kraft is a master diplomat, and is saying enough to give Goodell the ability to save face and do the right thing...

I realize this sounds like pure lunacy, given who we are dealing with. I'm just saying that Kraft might believe it. "Listen, let's not have a bunch of fighting. If it comes out that the Wells report is bunk, then of course we will have to dampen the sanctions against you, how could we do otherwise? But in the meantime, let's avoid a fuss." Kraft: "OK".

neuronet said:

My thinking is that Kraft is a master diplomat, and is saying enough to give Goodell the ability to save face and do the right thing...

I realize this sounds like pure lunacy, given who we are dealing with. I'm just saying that Kraft might believe it. "Listen, let's not have a bunch of fighting. If it comes out that the Wells report is bunk, then of course we will have to dampen the sanctions against you, how could we do otherwise? But in the meantime, let's avoid a fuss." Kraft: "OK".

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How is this avoiding a fuss?

neuronet said:

My thinking is that Kraft is a master diplomat, and is saying enough to give Goodell the ability to save face and do the right thing...

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What? He chose the league over his team, his QB and his employees.

I realize this sounds like pure lunacy, given who we are dealing with. I'm just saying that Kraft might believe it. "Listen, let's not have a bunch of fighting. If it comes out that the Wells report is bunk, then of course we will have to dampen the sanctions against you, how could we do otherwise? But in the meantime, let's avoid a fuss." Kraft: "OK".

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How does it come out if Goodell stands behind it and Kraft gives up fighting it?
Are you expecting Wells to say 'just kidding'?

Its over. Kraft quit. There is nothing left to play out.

Deus Irae said:

How is this avoiding a fuss?

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The drama that would come with the team officially contesting the sanctions.

Sort of ironic that the most hated post I have ever posted here is one where I am trying to come up witha way to defend Robert Kraft.

Nitro said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome

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neuronet said:

The drama that would come with the team officially contesting the sanctions.

Sort of ironic that the most hated post I have ever posted here is one where I am trying to come up witha way to defend Robert Kraft.

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If you want to defend Kraft, that's on you. I expect some people will. I'm just not buying your reasons. If Kraft was going to cave (and if you read my other posts on this, you'll find that I'm not shocked with this being the case), he should have at least waited until after the Brady motion regarding Goodell was heard. Instead, he's sold out his team and fan base, and left his QB twisting in the wind.

"The full 32" is not a valid excuse for that.

Even worse from all this is it strengthens R. Stokoe Goodell immeasurably. Just when it looked like we might have him on the run.

Felger and others are saying Kraft had no choice to bend over because he had no support among fellow owners and no chance of prevailing in court. To me, winning in court would've been secondary to simply filing an appeal and showing some fight vs. a gross injustice.

AndyJohnson said:

How does it come out if Goodell stands behind it and Kraft gives up fighting it?
Are you expecting Wells to say 'just kidding'?

Its over. Kraft quit. There is nothing left to play out.

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It is out of Wells' hands. Imagine this scenario.
1. In arbitration Brady's team eviscerates the Wells report, convincing everyone involved that it is bunk [suspend disbelief, I know this likely won't happen, but just stay with me ya' bastards]. That is, they realize that Brady never cheated, and this is all a witch hunt.

Given 1, how could Goodell in his right mind keep the sanctions against the Patriots? It has nothing to do with Wells, but with Goodell doign what is right! And that's how he could appeal to Kraft, "Listen I just want to do what is right, if this comes out that you guys are right, then I cannot in good conscience keep the same sanctions against you."

I'm saying how do you know this conversation didn't happen?

Deus Irae said:

If you want to defend Kraft, that's on you. I expect some people will. I'm just not buying your reasons. If Kraft was going to cave (and if you read my other posts on this, you'll find that I'm not shocked with this being the case), he should have at least waited until after the Brady motion regarding Goodell was heard. Instead, he's sold out his team and fan base, and left his QB twisting in the wind.

"The full 32" is not a valid excuse for that.

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Yes, this is a great point and is the best argument against my thesis. I fear I am wrong. But if I am wrong, then Kraft is a ****head. And that really bums me out....

fnordcircle said:

Backing down publicly would, invariably, be a major concession required on Kraft's part for the league to consider a reduction in penalties.

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Kraft didn't ask for a concession...so why in the world would the NFL reduce the punishment??? WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

Since Kraft does not see fit to defend his team against unjust accusations and punishments, I will no longer defend the Patriots against the haters. If an owner of the Patriots doesn't want to defend his team, then why should I.

I think I've seen this movie before

What you do have is my whole word, and it's stronger than oak

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And we know how that turned out. Kraft loses any advantage he has if he doesn't appeal by COB Thursday.

neuronet said:

It is out of Wells' hands. Imagine this scenario.
1. In arbitration Brady's team eviscerates the Wells report, convincing everyone involved that it is bunk [suspend disbelief, I know this likely won't happen, but just stay with me ya' bastards]. That is, they realize that Brady never cheated, and this is all a witch hunt.

Given 1, how could Goodell in his right mind keep the sanctions against the Patriots? It has nothing to do with Wells, but with Goodell doign what is right! And that's how he could appeal to Kraft, "Listen I just want to do what is right, if this comes out that you guys are right, then I cannot in good conscience keep the same sanctions against you."

I'm saying how do you know this conversation didn't happen?

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There are more holes in your theory than the Wells report.

Why would Kraft publicly quit?
Why would Goodell and owners put pressure on him to not appeal?
Why would Goodell ever reduce a penalty that Kraft accepted.
What is clear is that this means Goodell CANNOT find for Brady because he already finalized penalties for the team.

You seem to think that Goodell talked Kraft into abandoning his rights based upon "Hey buddy maybe I'll change my mind"

Kraft abandoned and embarassed his fan base today. He did not do that as some sort of scheme.

Agreed. Kraft has shown himself to be all Bark but no Bite. When push came to shove, he folded, and in front of all of the other 31 NFL owners as well. It's a real shame that the Patriots are owned by a man who has no ability to "man up" when the going gets tough.

BlitzFritz said:

Unfortunately Kraft has a history of bluffing big then folding eg the move to Hartford, the collective bargaining agreement recently.

He tried his best again - saber rattling but never intending to pull the trigger. Perhaps the NFL had him figured out....

This totally sucks, tho I am also just naively hopeful that something good might have been negotiated between adult men in a back channel way. Getting something in return for not launching a lawsuit should be worth something!

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