Why Bob folded - and what it should tell you.

Funny thing is, anyone who has been calling Bob Kraft out for what he is for the last 10 years - a cheap, money loving, billionaire who puts money first and everything else second was neg repped, called a NYJ Fan, and even banned on this forum at some point...now who's right?
I don't think there's any arguing this now. Kraft did NOTHING to support HIS team, his players, coaches or fans. The fans who go to Jonathan City every home game and drop probably between $200 - $500 per person for a day of football & tailgating. The fans who rallied behind HIM when he made his now ill-fated speech leading up to the super bowl.
Bob Kraft simply values his seat at the billionaires table more than he values us - his team's fans....F You Bob Kraft...Forever your franchise and your players will be known as cheaters with 4 tainted super bowls....

supafly said:

I have no reason to not believe you, as your word has always been good with me. I do however, question the authenticity of some other fans here who claim the same. If a game were coming on tomorrow afternoon at 1:00, about 99 percent of us would be tuning in---and guys like Kraft and Goodell KNOW that.

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While I agree most will continue, some of us won't.
Myself and others I attend games with have declined our tickets for 2015 already.
Not enriching Kraft with tickets, parking, concessions, material.
Not buying the 3 Games Blu-Rays for self or gifts as planned.

GFY Kraft.

Bottom line, we were all duped into believing that Kraft would be going to war against the NFL to defend his team, Tom Brady and us fans

Yesterday we found out that Bob Kraft is, and will always be, on the NFL's side. For him the league is more important than his team. He said so himself.

And I also agree that Kraft's caving will do nothing to help Brady's fight. It will make it worse. Goodell knows that Kraft is a big time chump, so why would he take it easy on him? When a schoolyard bully finds a wimp to push around, he takes that wimps lunch money day after day after day

Mack Herron said:

Now Kraft is asking me to subordinate the idea of fair competition for "the collective good."

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As a fan, I've had the great good fortune to see the likes of Russell, Orr, Bird and Brady. But the greatest two were not athletes but coaches - Red Auerbach and Bill Belichick. BB's greatness, in particular, is such that the rest of the NFL, not being able to compete with him, has stopped at nothing to haul him down to their level, with rule changes, rule interpretations, spectacularly disproportionate and unfounded penalties. Now, they've convinced even his employer that the league would be better off if the Pats would just do without draft picks now and again. And the spineless worm, Kraft, agrees with this!!! I have been convinced by this 2x4 to the head that "competition" in the NFL is no more real than it is in roller derby, rasslin' or a Globetrotters game.

I'm done. I'll keep checking in here to follow the soap opera aspect of it all but $$-wise, I'm done.

Too much about the sequence of events here has me perplexed, so I am reserving judgment until I see how this plays out.

1. Why now? What did he gain by this? The largest component of this scandal has been Brady, so lacking a complete resolution this notion of reducing the clamor is absurd. It goes on, and gets louder with regard to Brady.

2. Why go public with a demonstration of disgust, and then back off? That makes it look worse for all with this new statement. I guarantee that Kraft has Goody's number on speed dial, and spoke to him immediately over this claim and its handling, so that exercise is strange at best.

3. If Brady is cleared by Goody now (on a lack of evidence basis, not really cleared), the fans of the other 31 fans will scream bloody murder. It will be Goody is in Kraft's pocket, and he caved to Kraft's threats.

4. If eating a punishment without true evidence is the good of the NFL, then how do you envision the NFL supporting you when your team is one day so handicapped it falls off into oblivion? That is like the victim submitting to the lynch mob rather than running and fighting in order to "calm things down". Ridiculous.
5. If Kraft somehow became aware that Brady really did it (and I do not believe that personally), then why hasn't Brady folded? Brady is not stupid, and virtually every PED scandal has shown that admitting it early with an explanation is better than a public fight when the world is against you.

6. If this was meant to create power in Goody, a brief reading of the media offerings on this shell game to move the real issues (concussions, domestic violence, etc.) should immediately prove otherwise. He has been a joke, so dropping an arbitrary and draconian punishment makes him a dangerous joke.

My central concern with Deflategate issue has been Brady and his status, not Kraft. I have had a sinking feeling throughout that much has this has been scripted and pre-ordained, and every shocking twist is a chapter to reach a known conclusion. I wanted the fight to vindicate the fact my enjoyment was tainted by this stupidity, and Brady has been dragged through the mud unnecessarily. Brady is still in it, so I will wait for the next chapter of this. The Pats are more than the owner, and I will not leave or stop supporting them because of Kraft. Brady is the man, and my focus is on what happens to him. The Pats were not accused of orchestrating this debacle. He was.

Mr. Kraft has lost touch with reality and the fan base. He has forgotten what it was like to be a fan before Parcells, Brady and Belichick. The stands were empty (you could walk up to the gate and get a ticket), dirt parking lots and no patriot place. He made a lot of great moves to make the franchise one of the best in the league but HE DIDN'T DO IT ALONE. A good employer would stick up for a great employee through thick and thin, especially one who helped him build an empire. This will make a little more sense if Goodell doesn't make himself the arbitrator and Brady's suspension is lifted. However, if Brady's suspension is upheld, we know Mr. Kraft is nothing more than a Billionaire money mogul who is only about the $$$$.

I hope he realizes that Belichick and Brady won't be here for ever and the Bandwagon fans who jumped on during the past decade will jump off mighty fast when them team misses the playoffs a couple years in a row. Things wouldn't be to bad because the diehards usually hang in there through thick and thin. However, his decision to not back Brady could piss off the diehards who may also jump ship. He will be fine in the short term but 5 0r 6 years from now things could get very interesting.

So, in essence, Kraft's message to the fans was "this is business, guys, nothing personal."

Okay, fair enough. Allow me to retort.

My time is valuable. Your product is garbage. Sorry we can't do business, nothing personal.

From Mike Reiss' article today:

"In the end, I think Kraft's decision was mostly about feeling he had reached a point that he could no longer win. Appealing the team's penalty to commissioner Roger Goodell was viewed as a dead end, while taking the issue to court was never seriously considered once initial emotions cooled, because it would forever change Kraft's standing in league circles and he didn't want that."

So Kraft chose to forever change his standing in fan circles in order to maintain it in league circles.

raduray said:

From Mike Reiss' article today:

"In the end, I think Kraft's decision was mostly about feeling he had reached a point that he could no longer win. Appealing the team's penalty to commissioner Roger Goodell was viewed as a dead end, while taking the issue to court was never seriously considered once initial emotions cooled, because it would forever change Kraft's standing in league circles and he didn't want that."

So Kraft chose to forever change his standing in fan circles in order to maintain it in league circles.

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Fine, all well and good, but why did he just completely capitulate like the French to the Germans in June 1940? At least put up a fight. Be firm. Be assertive. Be demonstrative. At lease tell the world how much you disagree with the penalty, the findings, the Wells Report! Tell us how much you support your players, your quarterback, your coach, your fans...
This whole situation makes me sick to my stomach. His statement was a complete azz kiss to Goodell and the other 31 owners who've pretty much never had his back in any of this or any other situation involving his team...

Did any owner, coach or player stand up for Krafty Bob and/or his team when:

• Polian got the rules changed because "your" team was too rough?
• SD players and one of the "faces" of the NFL called your team & coach classless in wake of 06 Div Game?
• The entire league & national/local media called your team & coach cheaters for placing a camera in wrong position?
• Your team was accused of fiddling with headset communication on numerous occasions?
• Your team was accused of cheating for an "illegal" kick block formation?
• Your team was accused of cheating for eligible/ineligible receiver formations?
• Your team was accused of poor sportsmanship for "running up the score?"
• Your team was accused of "gamesmanship" for running a no huddle?

There are many other instances in which the Patriots have been in the national crosshairs and no one has stood up for you, Krafty Bob....so why take a bullet in back now??????

lol The French unfairly get such a bad rep

Brit patriot said:

We have been served up on a platter by Kraft. He has allowed the league to call us cheats and liars, he has allowed the name of Brady to be permanently tarnished outside our franchise.

It is one I thought we were all in together...the results are beyond distressing.

I just hope Brady gets recourse in court

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Well if any consolation just remember you're not on the Patriots payroll, so you're not a cheat.

PATS16N0 said:

lol The French unfairly get such a bad rep

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and it shouldn't. The French soldier was/is a gallant and brave soldier. His leadership was, without question, amongst the world's worse in both world wars. Sort of like our situation wrt to Pats - non-existent leadership.

The more I think about it, Kraft probably backed down because he knows Brady's case will probably bring this thing out for what it really is, a set up. He gets to save face with his butt buddies, owners club and Brady takes the heat. If TB takes this to court, it could, conceivably, drag past his retirement. Kraft keeps his owners happy, TB gets to play till this is resolved. Everybody's happy. .......except us.!!

The NFL (and Kraft) has decided that EQUALITY OF OUTCOME is more important to the league than the INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM of each team to compete and excel on an even playing field.

It's symptomatic of broader social issues. Liberalism rears its ugly head again.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ert-kraft-surrender-ok-to-avoid-wrestlemania/

“If he feels like it’s going to be a black eye for the league, I guess he’s making the right decision based on the business of the NFL, and not his team in the short run. .

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livinginthe past said:

t's best to think of the 32 franchise owners, not as competitors, but as partners in a business venture - 31 fanbases are overjoyed - 31 fanbases have increased their odds of winning the Superbowl.

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Point. It's like the music business. Once they have particular markets sewed up, they are no longer interested in performers, even if they are better. The bottom line: Sports is entertainment; keeps people thinking about sports, instead of what is really going on...one of the reasons why our world is so screwed up right now. Ironically, most of the followers believe it's actually about the game itself, competition et al.

Could kraft have not filed an appeal without going to court ? Why didnt he just do that like the skins did for their penalty for salary cap violations ? He wouldve lost but at least he would done something in the eyes of the fanbase.

UK_Pat37 said:

Some of the reactions to this are really bugging me...

This is not an admission of guilt. At the end of the day we are likely fighting a losing battle. Unless Brady is cleared, this punishment isn't going away for the team. If anything this is a smart move; If Brady IS cleared and his ban wiped, then the league would have no choice to then repeal the punishment handed out to the team.

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This is untrue. A timid Kraft basically admitted he turtled for "the good" of his fellow billionaire boys club members so the draft pick forfeitures and million dollar fine will stand even if Brady is vindicated.

Some have suggested, and I agree, that the team isn't going to war over this to help negotiations over Brady's punishment. If the team started mud slinging (which we already had), then that could really hurt the relationship between the League and the team and may then hurt Brady's chances in an appeal. Even a reduction in the 4 game ban is a WIN whether you see it that way or not. Two games is better than four.

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Brady has facts on his side on which to successfully appeal. The fact that Kraft has no backbone is not a win; if the suspension is reduced it will be because of Brady's case.

People want apologies from Kraft? What the hell has he done wrong? Jack. We have a new season to focus on and the less distractions the better. $1M is pocket change to him and the team. The draft picks suck but you can accumulate those back.

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Your dismissal of the draft pick losses is perplexing as if they have minimal impact toward the make up of the team roster. If not an apology how about an explanation with a little less groveling and more details as to why Kraft did a 180 in a matter of days between the defiant Peter King interview and hugging Goodell? Kraft goes from pledging to appeal the HARSHEST penalty in NFL history to saying "never mind" and the fan base is supposed to march lockstep behind that sudden capitulation?

I would have thought, after every time Kraft and Belichick have shut their haters up, you would all have come to trust his judgement by now. Clearly my faith is misplaced. Whose pride is hurt here? Anyone? Not mine.

Fans would still call us cheaters even if we are cleared. Get over it.

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Speaking of hurt pride you seem take personal issue at those those calling out Kraft's inconsistency and hypocrisy. Smart business decision among the billionaire boys club owners- yeah. Smart business decision from a PR perspective? Nope.

raduray said:

From Mike Reiss' article today:

"In the end, I think Kraft's decision was mostly about feeling he had reached a point that he could no longer win. Appealing the team's penalty to commissioner Roger Goodell was viewed as a dead end, while taking the issue to court was never seriously considered once initial emotions cooled, because it would forever change Kraft's standing in league circles and he didn't want that."

So Kraft chose to forever change his standing in fan circles in order to maintain it in league circles.

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While I agree that it was likely a dead end, if he had an ounce of integrity he would appeal anyway. And when Goodell declines to bring down any of the punishments, you blast him for being a stupid ******* and get on with your life. I don't think anyone here would have begrudged him that in any significant way.

Of course, that would mean committing the mortal sin of undermining the commissioner's authority and maybe even getting a fine. And maybe your 31 billionaire buddies would even like you a little less, god forbid.

Joey007 said:

Well if any consolation just remember you're not on the Patriots payroll, so you're not a cheat.

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What a relief..I though I was in on this and all