"My" franchise? No, Kraft's franchise. I speculate on what the Kraft thinks based on public statrements and behavior over many, many years. No, I am not smarter than others. I may be very wrong in my interpretation of what Kraft wants as a model of team and staff behavior. I may be very wrong in assessing the degree to which Kraft wishes his team to cooperate with the league rules and to the degree he wants his franchise be a leader in cooperating with the league in complying with the spirit and letter of its rules. I agree that I may be very wrong in interpreting the intent of Kraft. In the next two weeks, Kraft will tell us, we will know, and we will go forward with one of the best franchises of all time.
I want the rest of you punished? Do you share in the punishment? Will Kraft allocate the fines to the ticket costs for next year?
If you are asking about the team's ability to succeed without Belichick, I suggest that this can be discussed at another time. However, I have every confidence in the Krafts, in pioli, in the current staff, and most of all, in the team. I also have every confidence one the best defensive coordinators and game planners in the history of the league. Kraft decides each year with regard to coaches. I was not all happy with replacing Charlie with Josh. So what! In the end, the choice of coaches is one of the most important front office decisions. I have every confidence in the near and long-term future of the franchise no matter who coaches the team.
There is no question that we owe Belichick a place in the Patriot Hall of Fame for developing a plan to take us to the SB in five years, and then taking us to three SB's in his first five years. There is no question that the performance against the jets was one of the best ever. There is no question that player management in this offseason was the best ever. There is no question that the current team, with the current coaches, and the current contracts, is among the best teams ever to suit up in the NFL.
You ask about my personal embarrassment. Yes, I am embarrassed whenever an injury report is issued and whenever there is a team press conference. I am embarrassed every time there is substance to a violation of the rules by a staff that is supposed to reflect the position of the ownership. But in the end, that is my personal problem and choice. I understand those who prefer an attitude of "win no matter what". I really do understand. I work in Boston. I lived in Oakland in the 70's. Personally, I have never felt more comfortable supporting a team than with the current patriots. And yes, I have been a hard-core patriot fan since 1979.
What is the burr up your ass really all about? You want Belichick to be punished for some reason. You find his boorish public social manner an embarassment to your franchise? You think you know what Kraft thinks just like ESPN thinks it knows what the Commissioner thinks? You think you're smarter than the rest of us because you root for the laundry irrespective of whose coaching it? So you want the rest of us punished to prove how much more in touch than us you are? You believe in your heart of hearts they would still win without BB? He sent your wife packets of money?
Really, Mg, WTF is it?
There are lots of HC in the not so illustrious history of this franchise who embarassed me, this guy simply isn't one of them. He has a resevoir of goodwill in my house that would take a whole lot more than he's obstinate and difficult for some to deal with and relatively unapologetic for his perceived shortcomings to put a dent in.
