Kraft does have bomb-throwing options

It is claimed that Bob Kraft and the Patriots organization really have no legal or procedural recourse other than complaining or appealing to Roger Goodell. I find those claims fairly persuasive. HOWEVER, with a little imagination they could get quite a bit of mileage out of that option.

1. Letter to NFL Headquarters. Also posted on the Patriots' website.

"Dear Commissioner Goodell,

Under the League Constitution and Bylaws, any dispute with another league person should be referred to the Commissioner. Pursuant to those rules, we are hereby referring a dispute to you.

We believe we have been unfairly and damagingly treated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Specifically, he has made a number of public statements that he knew or should have known are false, and which have been very damaging to our team, reputation, and brand. Specifically ...

2. (One week later, similarly)

"Dear Commissioner Goodell,

Under the League Constitution and Bylaws, any dispute with another league person should be referred to the Commissioner. Pursuant to those rules, we are hereby referring a dispute to you.

NFL Operations VPs Mike Kensil and Mike Gardi have engaged in a number of prejudicial and dishonest actions which we believe have been very damaging to our team, reputation, and brand. Specifically ...

3. (Two days later, similarly)

"Dear Roger,

We are in receipt of your letter (attached) directing us not to make our communications with the league public. However, we find it puzzling, in light of ...

4. (Five days later, similarly)

"Dear Commissioner Goodell,

We are writing to call your attention to the damaging and inappropriate statements of NFL General Counsel Jeff Pash ...
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All kidding aside, what could Goodell do? Start issuing ever more draconian fines to the Patriots for publicly criticizing him? That worked for David Stern vs. Mark Cuban, but Cuban wasn't accusing Stern of personal corruption and coverup. If Goodell is maneuvered into severely punishing his critics just for criticizing him, he's doomed. But if his supposed constituents repeatedly and severely accuse him publicly of wrongdoing, he may be doomed as well.

5. Let Goodell into the stadium for the opener and order security to not get within 50 feet of him.

Better to just expose him and get him fired and douche out the NFL offices.

Fencer said:

Kraft does have bomb-throwing options

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Problem is that when push comes to shove Kraft is a ring-kisser not a bomb-thrower. Yes, I know he's changed course and is supporting Brady's appeal. The problem is that we're still stuck with losing a 1st round draft pick. He let the team down when it really mattered. Krafty now says he feels betrayed. Well, duh. Everyone but him saw that coming.

Kraft already gave up. He is depending on Brady to save his team's legacy.

Bill Lee said:

Problem is that when push comes to shove Kraft is a ring-kisser not a bomb-thrower. Yes, I know he's changed course and is supporting Brady's appeal. The problem is that we're still stuck with losing a 1st round draft pick. He let the team down when it really mattered. Krafty now says he feels betrayed. Well, duh. Everyone but him saw that coming.

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If Kraft puts on enough pressure, maybe we wind up not being stuck after all.

scott99 said:

Kraft already gave up. He is depending on Brady to save his team's legacy.

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Kraft is not too proud to admit and if possible reverse an error. He's shown that much.

That is, by the way, one of the many differences between him and Goodell.

I

QuantumMechanic said:

5. Let Goodell into the stadium for the opener and order security to not get within 50 feet of him.

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I would do just the opposite. From here on out any league employee who is at Gillette gets a Patriots security person with them every step of the way, not to protect them but to keep them in eyesight at all times. If Kensil needs to crap they keep the stall door open and simply tell him it's company policy.

Bill Lee said:

Problem is that when push comes to shove Kraft is a ring-kisser not a bomb-thrower. Yes, I know he's changed course and is supporting Brady's appeal. The problem is that we're still stuck with losing a 1st round draft pick. He let the team down when it really mattered. Krafty now says he feels betrayed. Well, duh. Everyone but him saw that coming.

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Kraft is in the position of surrendered Vichy France writing belated letters of protest to their occupier master.

Kraft should sue the NFL. It's times like this that i appreciate Al Davis (the rest of the time i don't)

Not a bad start, but it really needs to reference to league standards and code of conduct.
But, I'd first start to erode his support/supporting people and save the ringleader for the coup de grace.

QuantumMechanic said:

5. Let Goodell into the stadium for the opener and order security to not get within 50 feet of him.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis!

Bill Lee said:

Problem is that when push comes to shove Kraft is a ring-kisser not a bomb-thrower. Yes, I know he's changed course and is supporting Brady's appeal. The problem is that we're still stuck with losing a 1st round draft pick. He let the team down when it really mattered. Krafty now says he feels betrayed. Well, duh. Everyone but him saw that coming.

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Kraft will never throw a bomb at the league to help the Patriots. Just won't do it.
He was persuaded to hurt his own franchise because fighting would make it harder for the league to keep a foot on the players throats.
He will not sue, because that will be another means of weakening the league against the PA.

No suite for him at the opener ... give him section 323 ... top row.

A stiletto would be a better option for Kraft than throwing bombs. Maybe not as satisfying as a big bang, but just as effective, with less chance of collateral damage.

NFL has an owners meeting coming up the day before the first hearing before Judge Berman, might be the perfect time for a change of course. Start the meeting by calling Goodell to give a full brief on settlement talks, and the status of his contempt hearing (scheduled 8/13) in the Peterson case. Don't forget to ask him about lessons learned from the Rice case, and what substantive actions have been taken to implement improvements in process to make sure such fiascos will not happen again. Excuse him while the owners decide what to do, with all possible options on the table including firing Goodell and appointing Tags as interim commish.

No matter what happens I would love to be a fly on the wall during those meetings in Chicago on 8/11.

I don't expect much more, if anything coming from Kraft. His MO seems to be capitulate, capitulate, capitulate, capitulate, get completely backed into a corner, throw one weak punch and then disappear.

Monsieur Krafty

Safe to say the next time Goodell needs Kraft's support, he's not going to get it.

AndyJohnson said:

Kraft will never throw a bomb at the league to help the Patriots. Just won't do it.

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That's an odd claim, given that he threw a small explosive device at them to open training camp.

n6249c said:

A stiletto would be a better option for Kraft than throwing bombs. Maybe not as satisfying as a big bang, but just as effective, with less chance of collateral damage.

NFL has an owners meeting coming up the day before the first hearing before Judge Berman, might be the perfect time for a change of course. Start the meeting by calling Goodell to give a full brief on settlement talks, and the status of his contempt hearing (scheduled 8/13) in the Peterson case. Don't forget to ask him about lessons learned from the Rice case, and what substantive actions have been taken to implement improvements in process to make sure such fiascos will not happen again. Excuse him while the owners decide what to do, with all possible options on the table including firing Goodell and appointing Tags as interim commish.

No matter what happens I would love to be a fly on the wall during those meetings in Chicago on 8/11.

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It's not an either/or. Further, Kraft doesn't have the authority to just order Goodell around unless the other owners back him up.

My suggestion of bomb-throwing is to help the other owners get really, really sick of having Goodell around.