Antonio Brown

[MainePatsFan26]

If Brown works out in the long run, I hope you won’t feel like you deserved to be a fan of a championship team in any way. Your reaction to adversity is embarrassing. That’s essentially a Roger Goodell way of looking at things in not caring about whether or not he’s actually guilty because you don’t like the image it carries with it, even if he’s being railroaded.

How can you be a fan through Spygate, Deflategate, and constant fake or exaggerated stories about the Patriots and come to these conclusions? Your take on Brown’s social media stuff is somewhat legit, except that he hasn’t been given any chance yet with the Patriots, who have very different rules, standards, and culture than the two circus organizations where he played previously.

If we put all moral concerns aside (since this is a man who potentially raped a woman), it is myopic from a "win a championship" stance to dismiss the potential impact Brown could have on the team.

Adversity is not something to seek out. You deal when you have to. And I don't think Brown, if he did rape this woman, is suddenly going to stop being a sexual predator because Belichick shared a talk with him. Problems follow Brown and our culture may not have the juice, in this unique situation, to keep him from creating problems for the next four months.

I'm not coming at this from a moral place. I just happen to believe the Patriots have a better shot of winning the Super Bowl without Brown; a morale place, if you will. If you're going to attack people for sharing a different perspective and state they don't deserve to enjoy the team as a fan, well that is embarrassing far more than anything NENGFAN or myself stated.

 

[Patriot Missile]

As I understand, Goodell can put him on the Exempt List once the NFL investigates.

That seems to be the narrative of a lot of conversations today. If and for how long will be determined I’m sure within the next couple of weeks.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

But that’s exactly what you’re saying...AGAIN! So you’ll be back here on Monday to acknowledge how foolish you were to use the phrase “trap game” when you have absolutely no clue about how the actual team is effected, despite an encyclopedia of historical examples of these things not effecting their on-field performance.

And yet you're here stating that you get things, despite having no clue either. These are hypotheticals from afar and all you've offered are insults. We are currently the best team in the league without Brown on the field. I don't think, in my opinion, we need to risk team chemistry for a man who is a cancer to everyone around him based on his history.

And I won't be back on here next Monday apologizing or acknowledging how wrong I was. I'm not saying they are going to lose. I'm saying they have a greater chance of losing because of this distraction. Are you ready to say all this noise around Brown is helping to put the team in a greater position to win? If you will admit that, then at least we'll be getting somewhere.

 

[RServant]

I was against the AB signing. Never cared for the guy. I thought the facebook thing during the playoffs was idiotic, and how that would never fly with BB at the helm.

Then the thing with Ryan Clark, how AB was supposedly going around saying he was the franchise after he signed a big deal. I thought "That wouldn't be tolerated in NE, he wouldn't make it out of the locker room. Those guys would put the boots to him before he could make it to the office to find out he's been released."

Then all this other BS he's pulled, I know without a doubt it would not work in New England. They won't stand for it, and the first time he presents a problem, he's gone. No question in my mind.

But, here he is... And he's got a big ole media ****storm on his hands, yet nobody within the organization is batting an eye. Why? I'll tell ya why! Because they don't believe the accusations. They don't buy into the goofy stuff he's done in the past, either. The very fact he's still on this team- who realistically has no reason to support him and could wash their hands of him immediately, speaks volumes to me. Not only am I fine with this addition, I love it. I hope it digs at other fanbases the way the deflategate bs bothered me.

Over on Chiefsplanet there are 78 and 71 pages of posts regarding the accusations/signing.

Good. Let em talk. ​

 

[QuantumMechanic]

The exact experience I had following her on Twitter. I used to think she was one of the best at covering the team, but had to disengage because she's yelling at people online all the time. People come in tiptoeing with something like "Big fan and I agree with you but perhaps you were a little harsh just now?" and then it's rage and blocking people as a response.

She’s a blithering, broken moron. Too bad, because years ago she was actually worth reading.

 

[Dr Pain]

That seems to be the narrative of a lot of conversations today. If and for how long will be determined I’m sure within the next couple of weeks.

After seeing the videos, my guess is this will just fade away and nothing is going to happen.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Yeah, I banned Belichick from my radio show, too.

Regards,
Chris

I thought you had banned him because on every question he'd just look down, smack his lips, and say "just trying to win a game" to every question?

 

[Dr Pain]

I did not like the signing but agree will make the team more dangerous. I would not drop him because of this as it looks like a railroad job.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

I thought you had banned him because on every question he'd just look down, smack his lips, and say "just trying to win a game" to every question?

It is what it is.

Regards,
Chris

 

[MainePatsFan26]

Here's the thing. What else would we even be talking about right now if it wasn't for AB?

I mean-- we just shellacked our big conference rivals 33-3, the team's humming like a well oiled machine without AB, no major roster controversies and we've finally got Brady a young understudy, but the dude's years away from being ready for prime time.

There is nothing. Else. To talk. About. Thank GOD for the AB controversy.

Now if the noise starts getting in the players' heads that's another thing, but that's not happening to this franchise, BB will be the media lightning rod like always. so far this is just something for us to flap our wings and cluck over.

A distraction to the fans is not a "distraction" in any meaningful sense of the word. AB hasn't actually done anything wrong yet. If that changes, AB is gone, as in right then, but so far this hasn't happened

I agree that we're talking about AB to fill the void that is daily life between football games. But should we really just assume he won't impact the team just because other situations (Moss, Dillon, etc.) haven't in the past? If you court trouble, eventually trouble finds you. This situation, to me, feels different. I hope Belichick can navigate it, as I want this team to thrive.

We're in such a great position to win, I just happen to believe cutting ties will send a message we trust our guys to get it done. I understand most people don't agree with this position and have no problem with that. For those who suggest debating this topic is somehow disloyal, I don't think they're interested in having a legitimate debate about the team as much as being homers.

 

[dustcover]

I totally agree. To be honest - I would sacrifice winning a Super Bowl rather than going through AB distraction every week. We have had enough distractions every season - this was totally not needed. I was enjoying watching the AB show from the outside. Now he is one of us (( As was pointed out - we won big without him. Team looked in sync and deadly.

Even if he is not guilty - doesn’t matter. He is a circus no matter what. Who knows what he might do next week and post a video of Brady saying something not intended for the public. You don’t want someone like him on your team - no matter the talent. To me - the whole social media addiction of his is more troubling than the current allegations - from the point of view of team chemistry. Who knows how many more women will come out. Pats are not a rehab organization for the problem childs if the NFL.

This is all publicity we do not need. Pats have prided themselves with locker room unity - this guy is a loose cannon. Dillon and Moss might have been trouble childs - but this guy is at another level. Just let him go and move on.

"I would sacrifice winning a Super Bowl rather than going through AB distraction every week."

Heresy I say, heresy!

 

[captain insano]

i was ready to cut ties with brown before he signed. i hope he gets released. And I felt that way before the rape accusations. But i think his accuser is a vindictive former girl friend just looking for a pay day.

 

[Brick27]

I totally agree. To be honest - I would sacrifice winning a Super Bowl rather than going through AB distraction every week.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

I did not like the signing but agree will make the team more dangerous. I would not drop him because of this as it looks like a railroad job.

While I disagree to a point with keeping him, this does look like a railroad job. If he were a long-term Patriot, I'd agree the team should rally around him. But he's only been here half a week and, in this climate, the whole situation could be bigger than Deflategate because of how much sexual assault scandals play in the media. This story will stay in the news cycle until it is proven false or Brown gets cut. If we're all fine with that scrutiny from the national press for a guy who just arrived, then whatever -- it doesn't matter. Either way, we're in a good position to make another run as long as we don't implode.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

I was against the AB signing. Never cared for the guy. I thought the facebook thing during the playoffs was idiotic, and how that would never fly with BB at the helm.

Then the thing with Ryan Clark, how AB was supposedly going around saying he was the franchise after he signed a big deal. I thought "That wouldn't be tolerated in NE, he wouldn't make it out of the locker room. Those guys would put the boots to him before he could make it to the office to find out he's been released."

Then all this other BS he's pulled, I know without a doubt it would not work in New England. They won't stand for it, and the first time he presents a problem, he's gone. No question in my mind.

But, here he is... And he's got a big ole media ****storm on his hands, yet nobody within the organization is batting an eye. Why? I'll tell ya why! Because they don't believe the accusations. They don't buy into the goofy stuff he's done in the past, either. The very fact he's still on this team- who realistically has no reason to support him and could wash their hands of him immediately, speaks volumes to me. Not only am I fine with this addition, I love it. I hope it digs at other fanbases the way the deflategate bs bothered me.

Over on Chiefsplanet there are 78 and 71 pages of posts regarding the accusations/signing.

Good. Let em talk. ​

That is an interesting way of looking at it. I guess it is a big flipping of the bird to everyone else. We'll see - maybe his theatrics spread more to other teams than to ours.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

You could always just choose to ignore the AB threads. Presto, distraction gone.

I'm not saying that flippantly to be a jackass, I really do recommend using the feature if it's bothering you.

Oh I don't mind reading them. So much attention on Brown just makes me think the whole team may become the Antonio Brown dog and pony show. If that makes us a better team, though, I'm happy to see him play as long as he legitimately did not rape that woman. I just happen to believe cutting ties would ensure we stay focused on the task at hand since we are already LIT as another poster commented.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

And I won't be back on here next Monday apologizing or acknowledging how wrong I was. I'm not saying they are going to lose. I'm saying they have a greater chance of losing because of this distraction. Are you ready to say all this noise around Brown is helping to put the team in a greater position to win? If you will admit that, then at least we'll be getting somewhere.

They are very likely in greater position to win with Brown, but since he hasn’t actually played, I think it’s unreasonable to ask that. Assuming he is anywhere close to the same player we’ve seen in the past and doesn’t have problems seeing the field like Brady does, then the answer is yes.

Of course you won’t admit it if your take is dead wrong. That’s a real “trap game” move to freak about it and then fail to learn from your fallacy in thinking. You’re not saying they’re going to lose. You’re just saying that if they do, you called it and traced it to the AB circus. And you’re just saying that Brown makes them worse, if he is active and playing because of the distractions he brings. And no, you won’t be back here to admit you’re wrong about that either, but you reserve your right to have told us so just in case.

 

[supafly]

Just checking, this is sarcasm, right?

Of course. My comment is dripping with sarcasm. Try and soak it all up.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

They are very likely in greater position to win with Brown, but since he hasn’t actually played, I think it’s unreasonable to ask that. Assuming he is anywhere close to the same player we’ve seen in the past and doesn’t have problems seeing the field like Brady does, then the answer is yes.

Of course you won’t admit it if your take is dead wrong. That’s a real “trap game” move to freak about it and then fail to learn from your fallacy in thinking. You’re not saying they’re going to lose. You’re just saying that if they do, you called it and traced it to the AB circus. And you’re just saying that Brown makes them worse, if he is active and playing because of the distractions he brings. And no, you won’t be back here to admit you’re wrong about that either, but you reserve your right to have told us so just in case.

I won't admit any fallacy because you haven't demonstrated any fallacy through your supposed guiding me to a new line of thinking. All I've said is that these distractions place us in a spot where we're less likely to beat Miami than we would be without the Brown signing. If the controversy with Brown settles down, then he will be a great asset to the team. But all evidence suggests that if it isn't this controversy it will be another one.

If they lose, I won't come on here to gloat. I didn't bring any of this up to hedge my bets for who will win in Miami. I didn't know, by the way, I had a legacy of bragging about my prognostications. If I did previously gloat or fail to admit when my take was off-base, then that was wrong of me.

My question to you is at what point you'd be willing to release him. If the media proves he raped this woman, are you fine with keeping him because they are in a greater position to win with him on the field? It seems your position is that nothing matters except on the field play, team chemistry and morale be damned.

I also have to question how a difference of opinion can be quantified as "right" or "dead wrong." Where are you getting your "proof" of being right when this whole discussion is a matter of opinion?

 

[NENGFAN]

I won't admit any fallacy because you haven't demonstrated any fallacy through your supposed guiding me to a new line of thinking. All I've said is that these distractions place us in a spot where we're less likely to beat Miami than we would be without the Brown signing. If the controversy with Brown settles down, then he will be a great asset to the team. But all evidence suggests that if it isn't this controversy it will be another one.

If they lose, I won't come on here to gloat. I didn't bring any of this up to hedge my bets for who will win in Miami. I didn't know, by the way, I had a legacy of bragging about my prognostications. If I did previously gloat or fail to admit when my take was off-base, then that was wrong of me.

My question to you is at what point you'd be willing to release him. If the media proves he raped this woman, are you fine with keeping him because they are in a greater position to win with him on the field? It seems your position is that nothing matters except on the field play, team chemistry and morale be damned.

I also have to question how a difference of opinion can be quantified as "right" or "dead wrong." Where are you getting your "proof" of being right when this whole discussion is a matter of opinion?

I agree. It’s funny when other posters proclaim a point of view as dead wrong without any proof. It’s an informed opinion. These distractions are not good for the team. I don’t think anyone can say otherwise.