The teflon Colts

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Not surprising, but I have noticed that Benson's Boating while drunk arrest has gotten a lot more coverage than the Harrison shooting.

 

[Wildo7]

It seems like the details of the Harrison thing are pretty unclear right now. But if it's worst case scenario for him I don't see how it wouldn't get a ton of coverage.

 

[mavfan2390]

It seems like the details of the Harrison thing are pretty unclear right now. But if it's worst case scenario for him I don't see how it wouldn't get a ton of coverage.

The fact is, if Harrison is found to have shot bullets at a man running AWAY from him, that's attempted murder, that means he'll never play a down in the NFL again.

 

[flasox27]

Two things you do not take into consideration. first is that Harrison plays for the Good Guys in the Goodell universe. Secondly Goodell is afraid to take on Polian with his position on the competition committee. The only way Goodell punishes Harrison is if he can't play anymore and Polian wants to get out of his contract.

 

[mavfan2390]

Two things you do not take into consideration. first is that Harrison plays for the Good Guys in the Goodell universe. Secondly Goodell is afraid to take on Polian with his position on the competition committee. The only way Goodell punishes Harrison is if he can't play anymore and Polian wants to get out of his contract.

Harrison should be in jail, a suspension won't even be necessary (unless the trial date is set for months from now and Harrison is free on bail).

 

[jmt57]

The coverage is skewed by previous perceptions. Benson had an image of an under achieving slacker. He held out his rookie year, didn't perform up to expectations, lost carries to a free agent backup, etc. Harrison on the other hand was the #2 face of the good guys in the white hat, silently handing the ball to refs, not holding out, never making negative comments.

The Benson story lets people shake their head and say tsk, tsk over what they have already perceived to be a bad guy. It affirms that their previous concepts were true, which is reassuring. The Harrison story is disconcerting for many because it goes against the grain of what the public perception was of Marvin. The public is not as inclined to grab hold and follow it because it makes us doubt our previous beliefs which we beleived to be solid and true, and that is very unsettling to our psyche.

 

[flasox27]

Funny thing about kindly Marvin. He had a couple other incidents of violence that weren't reported widely just like the boy scout playing quarterback who had to pay hush money to settle a couple sexual harassment suit.
There is nothing like having a sanctimonious hypocrite as your frontman to protect your image. As I seem to have heard once before, this is a sad day for the NFL.

 

[JoePats]

The fact is, if Harrison is found to have shot bullets at a man running AWAY from him, that's attempted murder, that means he'll never play a down in the NFL again.

I agree.

However, it's 5 days now since the incident, and I feel if they were going to make an arrest of him, then it would have happened by now. All of the evidence that's public knowledge (his gun, his dispute, his car wash where they found the gun) points to Harrison. So what's the catch? I'm guessing there is something that the police knows that we don't.

 

[Rob0729]

I don't think Goodell has anything to do with this. He and Kraft are friends. He would be no more biased for the Colts than the Patriots.

As for the media, I do think they have in the past swept Harrison's disgressions under the rug since incidents like him getting into a shoving match with a Jets ball boy and a fight with some kids at the Pro Bowl have gone unnoticed.

But I think this shooting incident has gotten plenty of coverage. Harrison hasn't been named as the shooter yet so the media interest should grow when more developments arise.

 

[flasox27]

I would suggest that your statement Kraft and Goodell are friends is not factual in the reality based universe. of course I could be wrong in thinking that Kraft does not enjoy getting royally screwed by every decision that biased piece of crap rules on. I think a very real indication of Kraft's feelings will be when Kraft leads the big market teams in opting out of the bargaining agreement rather than playing peacemaker like the last time.

 

[Rob0729]

I would suggest that your statement Kraft and Goodell are friends is not factual in the reality based universe. of course I could be wrong in thinking that Kraft does not enjoy getting royally screwed by every decision that biased piece of crap rules on. I think a very real indication of Kraft's feelings will be when Kraft leads the big market teams in opting out of the bargaining agreement rather than playing peacemaker like the last time.

Kraft was instrumental in getting Goodell in place. Those are well known facts. Kraft willingly too take one for the team on the original Spygate. I don't think he was that upset at Goodell personally and that was the only ruling that Goodell made to hurt the Patriots or Kraft personally.

You assume that since most Pats fans hate Goodell that Kraft does too. I am sure Kraft hates the media for making this whole thing continue and are being one sided in his reporting, but I don't see any evidence of animosity between Kraft and Goodell.

As for the collective bargaining agreement. Big market and small market teams hate the deal. Kraft will still try to play the role of peacemaker if he can even if he did hate Goodell. A work stoppage does not benefit him and his billion dollar empire no matter how he feels about Goodell. Kraft would be a fool not to try to help strike a deal that might be more favorable to the league out of spite.

 

[jmt57]

I agree.

However, it's 5 days now since the incident, and I feel if they were going to make an arrest of him, then it would have happened by now. All of the evidence that's public knowledge (his gun, his dispute, his car wash where they found the gun) points to Harrison. So what's the catch? I'm guessing there is something that the police knows that we don't.

It took five days for police to charge OJ after Nicole was murdered, and the entire nation was all over that case. In this one, the Harrison shooting is secondary to the shooting of a cop in Philly and nobody was seriously hurt. Don't expect it to get much priority for a while.

 

[flasox27]

Robo
I beg to differ. It is well known that Goodell was not Kraft's choice to be commissioner. the complimentary remarks Kraft made were face saving when his candidate lost. I will agree that Kraft wiling to take the punishment on the understanding that the case was closed with the turning over the tapes. However in no way shape or form did Goodell live up to his part of the bargain. I also assume that the non investigation of the leaking of the tape to Fox and the destruction of the Pats tapes were also met with the approval of Kraft. I suppose Kraft is going to do handstands when Goodell caves and punishes the Pats more after Walsh lies. I agree with you that the agreemnet is bad for everybody but it will be very bad for a small team without subsidies and a commissioner who can bring the parties together. I will be happy to admit I am wrong when Kraft performs the peacemaking action to help out his so called friend Goodell as he did for Tasgliabue.

 

[Rob0729]

Robo
I beg to differ. It is well known that Goodell was not Kraft's choice to be commissioner. the complimentary remarks Kraft made were face saving when his candidate lost. I will agree that Kraft wiling to take the punishment on the understanding that the case was closed with the turning over the tapes. However in no way shape or form did Goodell live up to his part of the bargain. I also assume that the non investigation of the leaking of the tape to Fox and the destruction of the Pats tapes were also met with the approval of Kraft. I suppose Kraft is going to do handstands when Goodell caves and punishes the Pats more after Walsh lies. I agree with you that the agreemnet is bad for everybody but it will be very bad for a small team without subsidies and a commissioner who can bring the parties together. I will be happy to admit I am wrong when Kraft performs the peacemaking action to help out his so called friend Goodell as he did for Tasgliabue.

I don't know where you get your information from, but Kraft definitely championed Goodell to get the Commissioner position.

That image has taken a hit during the Patriots unbeaten season - the Spygate controversy in their first game, a temporary restraining order against wide receiver Randy Moss this week - but Kraft is one of the most respected and influential NFL owners.

He's been instrumental in hammering out television deals and at times has put the good of the league above his own interests. He is considered close to commissioner Roger Goodell, who may have imposed his stiff penalty on the Patriots for illegal use of a camera in the opener to avoid hints of favoritism.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-01-16-2786849443_x.htm

In the days leading up to Goodell's ruling, a number of league observers predicted the Patriots coach would skate. They cited the popularity of the Patriots in general and the power and prestige of owner Robert Kraft in particular. Kraft and Goodell enjoy a close, solid relationship. In fact, New England's owner was one of the major proponents of elevating the former league attorney to his current lofty position.

http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...2007/09/15/goodell_proving_a_man_of_his_word/

As for some of your other comments, I think you are twisting facts and making assumptions. It is doubtful Goodell will do anything to the Patriots unless Walsh produces a smoking gun. It isn't in the best interest of the league to give Walsh credibility if he has nothing to back it up.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Kraft was instrumental in getting Goodell in place. Those are well known facts.

Saying something is a 'fact' does not make it so. It's wrong.

Kraft's candidate was a guy from Concord MA. When the finalist list did not include his guy, Kraft as any astute owner interested in preserving the value of his assets (the league and his team) said the 'right things' for public consumption.


http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/31/people/main1850566.shtml?source=search_story


Robert L. Reynolds, of Concord, Mass., the vice chairman and chief operating officer of Fidelity Investments

 

[Rob0729]

Saying something is a 'fact' does not make it so. It's wrong.

Kraft's candidate was a guy from Concord MA. When the finalist list did not include his guy, Kraft as any astute owner interested in preserving the value of his assets (the league and his team) said the 'right things' for public consumption.


http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/31/people/main1850566.shtml?source=search_story


Robert L. Reynolds, of Concord, Mass., the vice chairman and chief operating officer of Fidelity Investments

So me actually posting a link supporting my claim doesn't make it so either. Sorry, but just because Kraft proposed someone else doesn't mean that after going through the discovery process that he didn't determine that Goodell was the better candidate.

Besides, Kraft could have nominated Reynolds to get a good selection. If you have ever been part of a hiring process, many times you have a guy who is going to get the job from the start, but other candidates are brought in almost to validate the initial decision.

It has been reported in multiple sources that Kraft played a key role in getting Goodell into the commissioner spot and that they are close.

 

[flasox27]

I agree with you. I think Robo is starting to believe the press clippings. Aside from that I would welcome Robo explaining any action taken by Goodell that was not to the detriment of the Pats from the severity of the initial punishment which was unprecidented for a rules violation ( refer to the punishment given the 49ers and Broncos), through the phony investigation of the Pats tape leak to Fox (perhaps Robo knows the results of the investigation)ending with the decision to give credibility to Walsh. Even if Goodell was Kraft's choice does Robo really think Goodell is still his friend after this debacvle.

 

[JoePats]

You could argue, and some have, that the reason the penalty was so harsh was because they are close and Goodell did not want to appear to be going soft on his buddy.

 

[flasox27]

With friends like Goodell who needs enemies. Then I can reason that the reason he ignored the transgressions of the Colts and Jets is because he must dislike there owners. That makes perfect sense.

 

[Rob0729]

I agree with you. I think Robo is starting to believe the press clippings. Aside from that I would welcome Robo explaining any action taken by Goodell that was not to the detriment of the Pats from the severity of the initial punishment which was unprecidented for a rules violation ( refer to the punishment given the 49ers and Broncos), through the phony investigation of the Pats tape leak to Fox (perhaps Robo knows the results of the investigation)ending with the decision to give credibility to Walsh. Even if Goodell was Kraft's choice does Robo really think Goodell is still his friend after this debacvle.

So the press is wrong and you know more than the press? Eventhough you you probably have never met Kraft or Goodell.

I don't know the result of the investigation of the leak to Fox, but apparently you do. Was it Goodell who leaked it to get his buddy? Of course it was! Who else wants to bring down Kraft more than Goodell.

You people and your paranoia. Kraft and Goodell are probably as close now as ever. If Kraft felt that Goodell was screwing him, he would have appealed the penalty. The fact that he publically did not complain about the penalty clearly states that Kraft didn't feel like he was being screwed.

Goodell had to come down hard on the Patriots because he came down hard on players. He would have faced problems with the NFLPA if the Patriots got a slap on the wrist when guys like Pacman Jones got suspended indefinitely without being convicted of anything. Kraft understands this.

Goodell is not out to get the Pats. His punishment of the Patriots was fairly consistent to what he gave against players. He is the guy who wanted to clean up the NFL and that is why he was so severe with the Patriots punishment. You can disagree with his decision, but it wasn't done to get the Patriots.