Krafty Bob sets up Brady tribute

[Tunescribe]

Since Gillette opened, there were some amazing (disappointing) instances of stadium Gestapo roughing up innocent fans and them subsequently losing their season tickets. Don't know if that has improved. They do have a long wait list, but no excuse to muscle long time customers out the door over nothing.

Regardless of cameras, eyewitness accounts could be used against us.

Sorry, but this is yet another problem with Kraft. There is an absense of common sense, practical understanding there. I believe under similar circumstances, several owners would be amused by it and tacitly encourage it, but would NEVER punish their own fans over something like that.

It's simply NOT the same as being drunk and disrupting other patrons' ablility to enjoy the game.

That's one advantage to ownership not having PSLs -- they can revoke season tix as they please.

I have no idea what kind of potential damage a sticker can make to the inside of a urinal. At a minimum, maintenance people would have to scrape the things off. I can imagine getting caught would be problematic. The first thing security does whenever there's a problem is ask to see your ticket so they can identify whose seats they are.

 

[raduray]

It isn't just the deflate witch hunt. It has been Kraft's actions since 2007 including supporting Goodell over BB in the camera placement debacle which have been a disaster for the team and its fans. He wasn't duped by Goodell's minions, but he has been totally complicit with Goodell unless you consider his meaningless PR statements and gestures to have some merit. I used to think that Kraft was like Chamberlain duped by Furher Goodell but I now realize the more appropriate analogy for him is Quisling.

Not only with regards to the Patriots, but he was supportive of Goodell's abuse of power during Bountygate and Bullygate.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

He didn't fight for what was right, at least not in any meaningful or constructive way, he instead cowered, and let the people conspiring against Brady and the team walk all over and have their way with him.

All of Kraft's passive aggressive little tactics fall under the categories of way too little and way too late.

I'm among those who remain hopeful and supportive of him, obviously in light of the many impressive and good things he's done, including those which allowed people working for him to succeed.

But...

The Birth of Pat Patriot opens September 2

...I'll be waiting next year for The Death of Pat Patriot, or more accurately:

The Tasteless and Ignorant Execution of Pat Patriot

1976: Aw, see, the world just isn't ready for the little Patwiots to be World Champions, so why don't you just wait a millenia or two and check back wif us.

1993: Aw, see, other cities get to see their teams they rooted for for generations finally win out there on the field, but yoo wittle Patwiots don't get to; we need to dwess yoo up in somefing compwetewee diffewent cuz we, the league and the media just wuv dumping on yoo and tweating yoo wike second-class citizens, or weally illegal immigwants who don't bwong here.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

That's one advantage to ownership not having PSLs -- they can revoke season tix as they please.

I have no idea what kind of potential damage a sticker can make to the inside of a urinal. At a minimum, maintenance people would have to scrape the things off. I can imagine getting caught would be problematic. The first thing security does whenever there's a problem is ask to see your ticket so they can identify whose seats they are.

As far as I know, this is the first and only franchise that Bob has owned.

He obviously has a view of team fans as "you" or "them" and acts accordingly.

He does not think like a fan, and simply cannot accurately say "us."

He's not the only owner to suffer from "it's my own little team and I get to do whatever I want with it" syndrome.

He deserves credit and has earned prosperity for the steps and risks he took to provide financial security and a new stadium and stability for the franchise-that jealousy thing from his peers isn't just because we win on the field.

But since he bought the team it's been clear: We're on our own.

Not fooled by all that hand-shaking and waving.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

That's one advantage to ownership not having PSLs -- they can revoke season tix as they please.

I have no idea what kind of potential damage a sticker can make to the inside of a urinal. At a minimum, maintenance people would have to scrape the things off. I can imagine getting caught would be problematic. The first thing security does whenever there's a problem is ask to see your ticket so they can identify whose seats they are.

Bob did own the original Lobsters, and they were a lot of fun, and very good. And later he founded the Revs. That's all the other experience he has as an owner.

He obviously has a view of team fans as "you" or "them" and acts accordingly.

He does not think like a fan, and simply cannot accurately say "us."

He's not the only owner to suffer from "it's my own little team and I get to do whatever I want with it" syndrome.

He deserves credit and has earned prosperity for the steps and risks he took to provide financial security and a new stadium and stability for the franchise-that jealousy thing from his peers isn't just because we win on the field.

But since he bought the team it's been clear: We're on our own.

Not fooled by all that hand-shaking and waving.

 

[patfanken]

Well I can't tell you what to do. But I will offer this observation. How do you think it would play out with Kraft's core constituency if it became public that he too away season ticket right from fans who were simply protesting Brady's unjust suspension. You don't see him punishing anyone wearing "FIRE GOODELL" T-Shirts. Why would he punish someone for simply pissing on a Goodell sticker.

That being said, I'm not the one with season tickets.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I don't think they have cameras in the rest rooms. That's got to be a privacy violation

I think they do. That's how I got arrested for....Wait, this is a family forum.

 

[Deus Irae]

Kraft had opportunity after opportunity. Instead of doing anything of value, he gave us words after refusing to give actions. Now he's giving a picture of the guy who's not there, probably at least in part because Kraft didn't give a **** enough to fight for him.

And, of course, the suckers will buy this, just like they buy the other ********. After all, what else could poor Bob have done? It's not like he is a billionaire NFL owner who could have afforded to call Goodell out from day one, or anything crazy like that. No, Bob had no choice but to go into the barrel and think of the queen.

And, naturally, that's what the suckers in the fan base are now doing by buying into the charade. Enjoy that barrel, folks. When Bob stands up in public and gives Roger the ol' GFY, while Roger's still the Ommissioner, let me know.

 

[Joker]

Delete two of those posts , Mr Actual...we got the point after the first one...in fact, we got your point when you first joined. Why not put a reminder in your sig for any newbies?... "I will never forgive the Pats for getting rid of Pat Patriot...and I hate Bob Kraft"

 

[patfanken]

Kraft had opportunity after opportunity. Instead of doing anything of value, he gave us words after refusing to give actions. Now he's giving a picture of the guy who's not there, probably at least in part because Kraft didn't give a **** enough to fight for him.

And, of course, the suckers will buy this, just like they buy the other ********. After all, what else could poor Bob have done? It's not like he is a billionaire NFL owner who could have afforded to call Goodell out from day one, or anything crazy like that. No, Bob had no choice but to go into the barrel and think of the queen.

And, naturally, that's what the suckers in the fan base are now doing by buying into the charade. Enjoy that barrel, folks. When Bob stands up in public and gives Roger the ol' GFY, while Roger's still the Ommissioner, let me know.

Yeah, everyone is a sucker but you.....and your 53, 000 posts.

 

[Deus Irae]

Yeah, everyone is a sucker but you.....and your 53, 000 posts.

As usual for many years now, Ken, you miss the forest for the trees.

 

[luuked]

THIS is the key distinction. It is perfectly fine to be pissed at Kraft for his handling of the "deflategate" debacle. But that is just one incident. You can't wipe out 20 years of exemplary ownership and leadership because he was likely duped by Goodell's minions into a horrible decision..

This is like when your parents did something that made you hate them. EVERYONE has had that moment....some more than others. But for 99% of us, we get over it, and we all love our parents and usually come to understand why they did what they did.....even if its many years later.

Meanwhile Kraft is doing what he can given the situation he's in. In my mind what he did with the Brady photo was a very subtle piece of rebellion but not too subtle that the media and the league offices won't get it.

So what exactly make those 20 years exemplary ? Not trying to be snarky or anything but I honestly don't see it.

You can be thankful that he didn't move the team towards the beginning of his reign but that is a long time ago. I am not sure why I should still give him a break over something that happened 2 decades ago.

Since then he looked over a couple of meh years in the 90s followed by the genius decision to hire BB. Since BB took over the franchise essentially is running on autopilot because the unprecedented success he brought into this stadium (together with Brady) made the team one of the most valuable and recognizable sports brands in the world without Kraft lifting a single finger. Again, the only situation I can give him credit for - since BB arrived - is when he supposedly didn't interfere during Bledsoe/Brady 2001. Apart from that there was never any reason for him to "Jerry Jones" himself into decisions because every season was a (relative) success.

I am not saying he is a bad owner but simply dont understand why people give him so much credit for the teams success. He is an average owner that puts a lot of resources into community outreach (good for him) but generally makes money-first decisions while sometimes hypocritically talking about the "Patriots family".

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Well I can't tell you what to do. But I will offer this observation. How do you think it would play out with Kraft's core constituency if it became public that he too away season ticket right from fans who were simply protesting Brady's unjust suspension. You don't see him punishing anyone wearing "FIRE GOODELL" T-Shirts. Why would he punish someone for simply pissing on a Goodell sticker.

That being said, I'm not the one with season tickets.

A security tool or the 'rat line'? NFL targeting the unruly fan - USATODAY.com

Gillette Stadium - General Security Protocol

"Kraft's core constituency" cares as little about publicized harassment of our own fans by security at Gillette as it does about ignorantly and insultingly ruining our logo and uniforms.

 

[Jlaff]

It is always harder to be in the hot seat and putting your billions on the line than being a backseat commentator saying what he should have done when we have no skin in the game.

What I have seen is a man conflicted between wanting to support brady and not wanting his "kingdom" to come crumbling down. Could he have done things better? Absolutely, but that is easy for me to say after the fact and not being involved. I personally think the hate he is getting is outrageous, but what do I know??

I walked away from a 1%er salary to enter law because of what I saw as too much injustice to ignore (I've said this before). A lot of people have the fortitude to do what they think is right in the face of great risk. And then I think about soldiers who have actually gone to war and fought and died for a cause, and then you have this coward who can't even file an appeal by right. F*** his "kingdom".

And I loved that response earlier about Kraft's catchphrase, "we are all Patriots". What a disingenuous joke that turned out to be.

 

[Jlaff]

So what exactly make those 20 years exemplary ? Not trying to be snarky or anything but I honestly don't see it.

You can be thankful that he didn't move the team towards the beginning of his reign but that is a long time ago. I am not sure why I should still give him a break over something that happened 2 decades ago.

Since then he looked over a couple of meh years in the 90s followed by the genius decision to hire BB. Since BB took over the franchise essentially is running on autopilot because the unprecedented success he brought into this stadium (together with Brady) made the team one of the most valuable and recognizable sports brands in the world without Kraft lifting a single finger. Again, the only situation I can give him credit for - since BB arrived - is when he supposedly didn't interfere during Bledsoe/Brady 2001. Apart from that there was never any reason for him to "Jerry Jones" himself into decisions because every season was a (relative) success.

I am not saying he is a bad owner but simply dont understand why people give him so much credit for the teams success. He is an average owner that puts a lot of resources into community outreach (good for him) but generally makes money-first decisions while sometimes hypocritically talking about the "Patriots family".

Totally agree, what is it that Kraft has done that is so great? Being really good at falling into a couple good situations? Like first using his wife's dad's money to buy a team, and then being fortunate enough to have the greatest coach and QB just happen to be on the team at the same time?

I'm not trying to shame someone for gaining an advantage through inheritance; someone earned that money fairly (hopefully) and the right that comes with it to do what they wanted with it. And some recognition that he didn't screw up that advantage is warranted. But geeze, in some peoples' minds you'd think he was throwing the football and catching it.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

So what exactly make those 20 years exemplary ? Not trying to be snarky or anything but I honestly don't see it.

You can be thankful that he didn't move the team towards the beginning of his reign but that is a long time ago. I am not sure why I should still give him a break over something that happened 2 decades ago.

Since then he looked over a couple of meh years in the 90s followed by the genius decision to hire BB. Since BB took over the franchise essentially is running on autopilot because the unprecedented success he brought into this stadium (together with Brady) made the team one of the most valuable and recognizable sports brands in the world without Kraft lifting a single finger. Again, the only situation I can give him credit for - since BB arrived - is when he supposedly didn't interfere during Bledsoe/Brady 2001. Apart from that there was never any reason for him to "Jerry Jones" himself into decisions because every season was a (relative) success.

I am not saying he is a bad owner but simply dont understand why people give him so much credit for the teams success. He is an average owner that puts a lot of resources into community outreach (good for him) but generally makes money-first decisions while sometimes hypocritically talking about the "Patriots family".

The things he accomplished are huge:

-Orthwein would've moved the team faster than you can say "Lindbergh", baby
-most teams' stadiums were only built with taxpayer subsidies and deals with and for their owners
-Belichick was not a popular guy, yet Bob took full advantage of a conversation on the plane ride home from LA in January of '97...that was almost Auerbach-like...granted, Bill B. wanted to come here...

Now, I surmise that he didn't want to make waves before the sale to him was official, therefore his apparent response to JBO's declaration "Hey, Bob, my marketing team is commissioning the league to hastily come up with a total replacement of the team's logo and uniforms because everybody in the U.S.A. hates and disparages the Patriots; How'd you like to help pick it out?" was "Sure, I'd love to; Great idea!" instead of what any real Patriots fan would say, namely "Over my dead body! F*ck you!!"

But obviously he likes F.E. No, he loves F.E. It's his image wearing an enormous hat with a star on it and the remnants of a flag attached to the back.

Now, Parcells didn't plan and then escape right as the final gun sounded on SBXXXI because he felt like it any more than Fairbanks cut a deal with CO despite being happy as a clam with Pats ownership. He was royally pissed, and he was clearly irritable, irritated (and irritating).

Bledsoe's Record Deal: 10 Years, $103 Million

excerpted from the above link:

"The Patriots held a press conference Wednesday to announce Bledsoe's $103 million, 10-year deal, the richest in NFL history, eclipsing the $100 million, 10-year deal Brett Favre just signed with the Packers.

...Kraft also said Bledsoe has a chance to be remembered in Boston like Ted Williams, Bill Russell and Larry Bird"

...just returned from throwing up in the bathroom...

If Grogan had been treated like this we would have won two Super Bowls. I have a personal checklist I kept since '93 for my favorite team:

Orthwein. Gone 1994. Check.
Parcells. Gone 1997. Check.
Bledsoe. Gone 2002. Check.
Flying Elvis. still waiting

So..."exemplary"? Maybe, especially if you neither knew nor cared anything about the team in its first 34 years before he bought it.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Delete two of those posts , Mr Actual...we got the point after the first one...in fact, we got your point when you first joined. Why not put a reminder in your sig for any newbies?... "I will never forgive the Pats for getting rid of Pat Patriot...and I hate Bob Kraft"

Sorry. But I don't hate Bob. I just haven't forgiven him.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Kraft had opportunity after opportunity. Instead of doing anything of value, he gave us words after refusing to give actions. Now he's giving a picture of the guy who's not there, probably at least in part because Kraft didn't give a **** enough to fight for him.

And, of course, the suckers will buy this, just like they buy the other ********. After all, what else could poor Bob have done? It's not like he is a billionaire NFL owner who could have afforded to call Goodell out from day one, or anything crazy like that. No, Bob had no choice but to go into the barrel and think of the queen.

And, naturally, that's what the suckers in the fan base are now doing by buying into the charade. Enjoy that barrel, folks. When Bob stands up in public and gives Roger the ol' GFY, while Roger's still the Ommissioner, let me know.

I'm afraid he's just giving him another "Good For You"...

 

[1960Pats]

THIS is the key distinction. It is perfectly fine to be pissed at Kraft for his handling of the "deflategate" debacle. But that is just one incident. You can't wipe out 20 years of exemplary ownership and leadership because he was likely duped by Goodell's minions into a horrible decision..

This is like when your parents did something that made you hate them. EVERYONE has had that moment....some more than others. But for 99% of us, we get over it, and we all love our parents and usually come to understand why they did what they did.....even if its many years later.

Meanwhile Kraft is doing what he can given the situation he's in. In my mind what he did with the Brady photo was a very subtle piece of rebellion but not too subtle that the media and the league offices won't get it.

This is where we differ @patfanken. There's no way in hell that I agree that Kraft was fooled by anything. He's no fool. During both "gates" he sided with the owners and Goodell over his HC and his QB, the two people most responsible for the success of the team and the rise in revenue and ticket prices.

I don't hate the guy at all. I save my hate for Goody and the NYJFL, where it belongs.

 

[1960Pats]

It is always harder to be in the hot seat and putting your billions on the line than being a backseat commentator saying what he should have done when we have no skin in the game.

What I have seen is a man conflicted between wanting to support brady and not wanting his "kingdom" to come crumbling down. Could he have done things better? Absolutely, but that is easy for me to say after the fact and not being involved. I personally think the hate he is getting is outrageous, but what do I know??

I don't feel like I have no skin in this game. The whole thing has been painful.