Kraft as Spin Doctor

[BlitzFritz]

First of all, in watching Kraft at half time (in line for a beer at Gillette), I realized how GOOD he is at PR and spin, and saying exactly the right things. It was good to finally have someone out front for the Pats, telling their side of the story "This is not what we are about". "The penalty from Goodell was more a message to all the teams in the league" etc.

Second, it was brilliant to have leaked the BB contract prior to that. Suddenly on national TV he is saying he was unhappy with BB like he had to, and then next minute basically agreeing that he gave BB a 5 year extension.

Third, there was some nice "stagecraft" at Gillette last night, the whole focus on BB, introducing him for the first time, him waving to the crowd. Pretty sure who thought all that up, and made it happen. Someone who owns the stadium maybe.

Fourth, suddenly BB is at least trying to behave more emotionally and openly in his interviews, thanking the fans (the way Kraft has always done it). I think a few whispers to BB might have included "Bill, why lose the PR battle for no good reason? Give em a reason to be on your side. etc"

The past few days we were counter punching a little bit. Oh and we kicked the crap out of SD to prove the point.

 

[Fencer]

Yeah. There aren't many subjects on which Kraft will educate and perhaps even dictate to his employee Belichick, but an extreme PR problem is evidently one of them.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

Didn't Goddel say something to one of the reporters (Mort?) to the effect that one reason he didn't impose a suspension was that he wanted Belichick to have to deal with the effect of the draft pick forfeiture -- that a suspension might have been more in play if he thought Belichick was going to leave after this year?

I guess when I heard that I wondered whether perhaps the Patriots had assured him in the discussions last week that Belichick would be sticking around, and once they revealed that to the league they assumed it might get out so they announced it themselves to control it.

 

[PatsRI]

Third, there was some nice "stagecraft" at Gillette last night, the whole focus on BB, introducing him for the first time, him waving to the crowd. Pretty sure who thought all that up, and made it happen. Someone who owns the stadium maybe.

Fourth, suddenly BB is at least trying to behave more emotionally and openly in his interviews, thanking the fans (the way Kraft has always done it). I think a few whispers to BB might have included "Bill, why lose the PR battle for no good reason? Give em a reason to be on your side. etc"

The past few days we were counter punching a little bit. Oh and we kicked the crap out of SD to prove the point.

Aren't you kinda buying into the media's portrayal of BB as a heartless guy when you say this was all spin? He has shown emotion in big situations before (with Romeo and Weis when they won the SB, with his dad, the throwing of the headphones in the air, etc). Last night had to be one of those situations too, he had the crap beat out of him all week and the crowd and team stood by him. Sure they showed him but I think no matter what he would have gotten that ovation with or without prompting.