I have encountered many episodes in business where a decision has been made by senior management that is bitterly disappointing, and several where logic told me a different decision could and should have been made. In a lot of those cases, however, I had an obstructed view of future strategies and plans, and in many of them it turned out to be the right, but uncomfortable, path for the business to take.
I was very upset by the decision by Kraft to accept the punishment, BUT he was also probably far more aware of the politics of the 'gentlemens' club" and the strengths and weaknesses of the NFL offices than either the media or the fan base. Given the fact that a significant number of owners hadn't even read the report, and many others were happy to see parity re-established by questionable investigation and arbitrary judgement and discipline, it is likely that he had the business sense to realize that he didn't hold a winnable hand....at that moment in time.
For this reason I believe he decided not to try to win the battle and risk losing the war. The war he needs to fight is the one that re-establishes credibility to the NFL, removes partisanship from the committees and introduces appropriate and repeatable procedures that ensures fairer treatment of franchises and their employees. I don't know if this is his agenda, but I fervently hope so. If it is then Bob Kraft deserves all the support we as fans can muster*.
I believe the publication of this report supports this view of Kraft's actions. I suspect that he was already aware of it's investigations. As a highly networked CEO and Chairman this is highly probable. And the value of an independent and credible source reaching this conclusion is much more believable than a Patriots team in legal defense mode. Of course the media will be reluctant to play this one up, they have already maximized their clicks and views on deflategate. But an appeal through the NFL, and more than likely another one through an independent judge, with this material may yet spring the valves on Kensilgate and the partisan corruption of the Park Avenue offices of the NFL.
Kraft is first and foremost a business man, and like Brady he likes to win. He is a physically small man but he has the mind and will of a successful entrepreneur, and the energy and wisdom to prevail. Yes, he swallowed the bitter pill of retraction, but he is still more than capable of gaining the upper hand further down the road. For all he has done for this team in the past, he deserves more sympathy and support than is currently being shown. Capitulation in a battle is not cowardice if the tactic leads to victory in the war.
* I was glad to see that I was not alone suggesting that NFL offices should be moved to Canton, Ohio, away from New York and the media. There is an on-line petition for this, however it would be far more effective if it was written in a non-partisan (ie not anti-Jet) manner. At some time in the future I will put my thoughts down for a Fan's manifest, a set of suggested requirements for NFL improvements.
