I only caught a segment in the car (ESPN Boston is in commercial almost every time I get in that car) but here's what little I heard:
Borges did let something slip that I bet he wishes he hadn't revealed. Felger kept peppering him about how can you know what was said between BB and DB. So finally he blurted out "because who do you think Drew called for advice the night before that meeting" (when Drew was cleared to play)? Apparently Borges and deep throat were exchanging regular calls back then and their relationship apparently evolved into more than mere reporter/player, (and created in my mind a serious conflict for Ron). DB asked him what he should say at the meeting. Ron told him ask Belichick specifically what you have to do to get your job back. The next day after their meeting Drewpie called uncle Ronnie and told him BB's answer. He said Bill told him you would need to show us in practice that you should be starting. Drew asked how long do I have to prove it, and BB said as long as it takes. (Sounds like a fair deal - although BB pretty much knew already he couldn't really prove it. He was letting him down easy as opposed to saying "Get your job back...?
)
Shortly thereafter it apparently dawned on uncle Ronnie and Drewpie (and cousin Nick) that Drew wasn't getting the lions share of the reps in his Don Quixote quest to regain his job, which BB explained to them rationally it was not possible to give him because Tom and the team were preparing for actual games. Therein the "lie" mantra was born.
At that point they veered into discussing the significance of lying to a player. Felger contended they (all HC's) lie every day, so what, all that matters for a HC is winning. Ron insists that lying will eventually eat at relationships within the team. Felger threw the 3 superbowls in 5 years at him as proof it didn't damage this team. Ron's only retort was well I guess that's why they're still waiting for callbacks from Givens and Branch's agents (note to myself - someone should have pointed out to Ron that they weren't here in 2001 and went to the team willing to show them the money...).
Ron also went off on a caller who said Grogan was a better QB (here) than Bledsoe. Really went off, called him insane and certifiable. Felger said he would take Grogan over Bledsoe every time. <Ron did admit that he was in OAKLAND during the Grogan years.> Then Felger rattled off a list of current QB's he would take over Bledsoe - kind of brutal as it included Matt Schaub among others - and Ron basically didn't argue with the idea that 24 or so of them yeah, you probably would NOW. Felger asked him if he thought Bledsoe was a HOF QB. Ron said it was hard to say because of their friendship <sigh> and because he might have to bring his name up when the time came, but no - he personally would not vote for Drew. 'Cause as Ronnie is fond of saying it's the hall of fame, not the hall of very good.
If he's still here when the time comes, Ron can't hurt BB or TB - once presented they will be in by acclaimation. Who these reporter/voters hurt are the fringe guys. If they fight for you they can turn the tide. If they don't nobody else usually will. McDonough is the one to talk to about why guys like Gino and Andre aren't in - only it's too late to ask him to justify not pushing for them 15-20 years ago 'cause he's dead. This ballot will be Ron's until he dies or gets fired from the Globe.
