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- Sep 11, 2007
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I disagree, I think the retroactive investigation will demonstrate just the opposite, and had they focused on the one game then the haters would have said that just because they got away with it for one game doesn't mean they weren't doing it all along. By going back and reviewing all games for years they will find that the Patriots never engaged in anything illegal the entire time and that even an exhaustive investigation couldn't find any evidence of wrongdoing. I understand the cynicism towers the league office and agree with it, however I think the Patriots wanted the Wells investigation because they didn't trust the league office and they will have complete access to Wells findings so that the league office won't be able to reinterpret them.
To me, the question becomes whether there is an investigative cause to this delay or this is simply timing the release of the conclusions in the report. My cynical view is there will be very little of this report released, with the announced conclusions being "insufficient evidence of wrongdoing by the Patriots" and "an identified need going forward to insure compliance with procedures governing the handling and testing of game footballs." I cannot see the NFL front office releasing a full report that would be egg in the face if no wrongdoing is found, and I cannot see Kraft or the Patriots counted on full disclosure of an investigation that would serve to exonerate them after how Spygate went down.
Goody released the Browns, Falcons and Jets decisions before the draft. Frankly, nobody cared. This issue represents strong media attention, and may have distracted the public from the draft itself. Now, it can be released in the media dead zone pre-season, and serve as the topic discussion and renewed media focus after the draft, another media bonanza. No draft picks will be lost, because the NFL fans would accuse Goody of helping the Pats by delaying the release of the report findings until after the draft. The Pats will then become the NFL media and fan pinata with gusto based on the soft statement on the lack of evidence found and discussion of how they got away with it. To the rest of the NFL, the Pats are Lance Armstrong - always cheating but rarely getting caught.
Goody apologize? Won't happen, ever. He represents the NFL, and the NFL wants this. These scandals are the sweet nectar consumed by all the pitiful NFL fans and teams who need a concrete answer as to why the Pats keep winning while their teams suck consistently. Strange I think back to the Patsies era and do not recall doing the same. It was the team, the coaching, and the players. At this point, the louder the NFL fans bleat and whine about this, the happier I am. It means the Pats are still in title contention.