ESPN/SI timing

Given that the ESPN and SI stories came out substantially simultaneously, my best guess is that somebody orchestrated that, analogous to a press embargo. This can happen in a very structured way, or it can also happen if you get a phone call "Hey, I understand that X is working on a story; what's the scoop?", and then agreeing to help only if Y agrees not to go out with the story before X does.

Whether or not I'm right about that part, both outfits obviously worked on those stories for a while, especially SI. So if anybody triggered them via leaks, those leaks didn't exactly happen yesterday.

I'm actually a fan of the SI story. They got a lot of info and claims from folks with agendas, and were pretty clear as to what they could confirm and what they couldn't (with almost everything about actual Patriots actions being in the latter category). Yeah, they mischaracterized Cameragate a bit, but so does almost everybody.

Nothing surprising here. They probably started working on this after the first day when Berman pummeled them in court. This was their play if they lost. They lost, so here it is. They're not going to chase this appeal because they know it's stupid. So they'll try to destroy the legacy of men who worked hard and put it all on the line to win instead. Shameful and reprehensible and a lot of other things that I probably would get banned for typing.

Nothing ever JUST HAPPENS. There is a reason that his is being put out there. My conspiracy theory is the NFL is butt hurt and has enlisted it's propaganda arm to keep the innuendo and smears going.

Just thought it was funny how few of the anonymous sources even wanted their teams mentioned. Don't think any team wants to give Pats any more motivation to whoop their asses.

Lots of ESPN employees were sources of the story .... it is what it is.

31 other teams like it ... so they will milk it for all they can.

the story was designed to make it look like Goodell was doing as he was told.

Unnamed sources really cannot take any heat ... it's all they have so whatever.

It's also worth noting how long and extensive these articles were. Seems like these articles have been long orchestrated.

Then again, maybe this was a new method to get Mark Brunell to bawl his eyes out

Joey007 said:

It's also worth noting how long and extensive these articles were. Seems like these articles have been long orchestrated.

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Yup! They have been working on it from the first day of the court hearings (and even that estimation is probably generous). Nobody knows anything anymore. With so much bad information out there, who knows anything? I'm surprised there has not been an uprising. Fans, and I'm not just saying this because it's my team, should demand more.

Joey007 said:

It's also worth noting how long and extensive these articles were. Seems like these articles have been long orchestrated.

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I heard a radio interview claiming the ESPN story was over 4 months in preparation.

My theory: espn released it in time to take viewership away from NFL'S "America's Game.," tonight at 10.

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

I heard a radio interview claiming the ESPN story was over 4 months in preparation.

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4 months? Oh so maybe Ted Wells was the one behind this report!

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

I heard a radio interview claiming the ESPN story was over 4 months in preparation.

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Really? Dan Wetzel took less than 4 hours to parody the crap out of the story.

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

I heard a radio interview claiming the ESPN story was over 4 months in preparation.

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And Wells took, what, 5 months? And both pieces found jack ****.

IMO, the NFL* and its enablers were going to run this hack hit piece regardless of the verdict. Scorched-Earth Stokoe, full-on bozo.

dales804 said:

And Wells took, what, 5 months? And both pieces found jack ****.

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Nobody ever accused these folks of being that smart.

Its a faaaaking joke anyvvay

venecol said:

My theory: espn released it in time to take viewership away from NFL'S "America's Game.," tonight at 10.

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Bingo we got Bingo.After Brady won in court and has carried the news cycle for the past month and gathering steam. If Goodell allowed "Americas Game" to air and then the Banner raising with no change in that pro Brady news cycle. Goodell may not have gotten another chance at ever controlling the cycle again about Framegate.

This is a desperate attempt to distract. I believe after the dust settles in a few days. The legit media will search for facts from their sources and this backfires. They pick it apart like the Wells report.

Desperate men do desperate things. Roger is going all in with a pair of deuces.

What was gained by ESPN for hammering away at Goodell?

It's an interesting angle. I'm still trying to figure it out.

My theory is that ESPN had this article ready to release after judge Berman upheld the Brady suspension (as they expected). This was just gonna be salt on the wound and a justification for why the punishment was so severe. When the judge vacated the suspension they decided to hold up a week. I'm not sure what SI's deal is.

venecol said:

Really? Dan Wetzel took less than 4 hours to parody the crap out of the story.

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And Bill Simmons took even less time for his brief, yet extremely poignant tweets.