Carl (Roanoke, VA)
Mike, although many would say the Patriots don't deserve the benefit of the doubt, I've been very disappointed that many people with a national platform -- former players and media alike -- have been quick to judge the Patriots on DeflateGate. Your thoughts on this?
Mike
(1:09 PM)
Carl, I'll start by talking about myself because I don't think anyone should be taking anyone else to task before making sure their own house is in order. These are some thoughts I've shared on the issue:
http://www.mikereiss.net/media-coverage-on-underinflated-footballs/
Mike
(1:13 PM)
I'll add a few more thoughts in this chat. I think it stinks. If anyone has ever felt piled-on before, and a target of something that they deem unfair, we know how helpless of a feeling that can be. You just ask whoever is doing it to be fair and balanced, and let the process play out. But this has been an absolute avalanche in many circles and the general lack of personal empathy stands out to me. Words like "jealousy" and "nasty" come to the forefront of my thoughts when I recap how this whole thing has gone down.
Shimon [via mobile]
Mike! Not to beat this to death or absolute deflation, but all of these former players ripping Brady and the Pats apart are going to look foolish when this is over. Trent Dilfer had the courage to admit he was wrong after the KC blowout when he said the pats weren't good anymore. Do you think any of these guys will apologize?
Mike
(1:31 PM)
Shimon, some might, but here's the bottom line: I
t doesn't matter because the damage has already been done. Opinions are already formed/shaped. Reputations have been damaged and legacies potentially affected. It's like the correction to a mistake in a newspaper story (I had plenty of those) -- everyone remembers the story, not the correction. This is part of why the whole situation just stinks from my view. I'm not sparing the Patriots accountability; if they were found to manipulate the footballs, they should face a penalty. But the fact it has gotten to this point -- without any hard-core evidence -- is just crazy and makes me question the direction and leadership of the league office.
Peter (TX)
Mike, what was wrong with Irsay's twit? Seems harmless (assuming "arouse" was a typo).
Mike
(1:59 PM)
An NFL owner fanning the flames of an investigation directed at a team that just beat his club, at a time when the NFL's investigation is springing leaks left and right and the league is struggling to get its house in order, strikes me as an act of petty jealousy. Especially given what the person himself had just been through personally. Weak.