NFL files its opening brief in Deflategate appeal.

[BradyFTW!]

So first the NFL* tries to dictate to Berman on what he can and cannot do and now they're telling the Appellate court what it can and cannot do.

Yeah, and as we all know instructing the court on what it is and is not allowed to do worked really well for them last time.

 

[ReverendMaynard]

1/32.

You do the math.

In the past 4 years, the Saints owner "capitulated". The Redskins and Cowboys owners "capitulated". Kraft is not the first owner to get hit.

And by the way, he OWNS AN NFL FRANCHISE. Put aside for a moment WHOM the target of this particular case is, he WANTS the NFL to win on the CBA issue.

If he could have his cake and eat it too, he would want the NFL off of Brady's back but the courts to uphold the NFL's powers regarding the CBA.

Did they all lead the charge to save Goodell's ass after the Rice affair? Because, from what I've heard, Kraft did. He also went around telling those other guys to capitulate.

It's really no surprise that he was unable to do anything about Framegate when it happened, but he should have had the foresight after Spygate to know that this guy was bad news and starting working for his removal right then and there. His failure to do that, and in fact redoubling his support after, is 100% his fault. "Fool me once", and all that. The fact that he's now tripling down on his bad bet is the most baffling and unforgivable thing about this whole mess. You're trying to shift blame to lawyers now? After all the warnings you've had? F that.

I'm well aware that Kraft winning the appeal is in the league's best interest and that Kraft has fully subjugated his own teams needs for those of the league. It's just yet another nail in the coffin for me. Some of our fellows don't seem to see it, though.

 

[BradyFTW!]

1/32.

You do the math.

In the past 4 years, the Saints owner "capitulated". The Redskins and Cowboys owners "capitulated". Kraft is not the first owner to get hit.

The last owner to take on the NFL was Al Davis over a third of a century ago.

And by the way, he OWNS AN NFL FRANCHISE. Put aside for a moment WHOM the target of this particular case is, he WANTS the NFL to win on the CBA issue.

Furthermore, WHO do you think was one of the major architects of that CBA agreement while his wife was on her deathbed??? Kraft's not going to go back and chop down that tree he planted.

If he could have his cake and eat it too, he would want the NFL off of Brady's back but the courts to uphold the NFL's powers regarding the CBA.

Yup, Kraft is not on Brady's side in this. Not a chance. The rights that the NFL is fighting to maintain are something that the NFLPA tried to get removed in 2011, but it was a non-starter for the NFL. Kraft was instrumental in bringing the two sides and getting a deal done. He was negotiating as part of the ownership that insisted that Goodell had to have this unchecked power.

In short, Kraft went to bat in 2011--left his wife's deathbed, by all accounts--to among other things ensure that Goodell would have the very powers that they're trying to keep in court. I'm fairly certain that Kraft wants the NFL to win this appeal, no matter how he feels about Brady personally or whether or not Brady "did it". Even if he's finally realized how unbelievably stupid it is to let Goodell have this kind of power, at a minimum he'll want it upheld so that they can get some concessions from the NFLPA in the next CBA negotiation in exchange for reining him in.

It's entirely labor vs. management at this point, and he's management.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yup, Kraft is not on Brady's side in this. Not a chance. The rights that the NFL is fighting to maintain are something that the NFLPA tried to get removed in 2011, but it was a non-starter for the NFL. Kraft was instrumental in bringing the two sides and getting a deal done. He was negotiating as part of the ownership that insisted that Goodell had to have this unchecked power.

In short, Kraft went to bat in 2011--left his wife's deathbed, by all accounts--to among other things ensure that Goodell would have the very powers that they're trying to keep in court. I'm fairly certain that Kraft wants the NFL to win this appeal, no matter how he feels about Brady personally or whether or not Brady "did it". Even if he's finally realized how unbelievably stupid it is to let Goodell have this kind of power, at a minimum he'll want it upheld so that they can get some concessions from the NFLPA in the next CBA negotiation in exchange for reining him in.

It's entirely labor vs. management at this point, and he's management.

I understand your point, but Kraft's statement after TB12 won his appeal do not jive with your assertion.

 

[Deus Irae]

I understand your point, but Kraft's statement after TB12 won his appeal do not jive with your assertion.

His words don't. His actions, and lack thereof, do.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I understand your point, but Kraft's statement after TB12 won his appeal do not jive with your assertion.

Actions trump words, always. When words and actions are in direct conflict, you can pretty reliably assume that the words were just paying lip service to someone or something.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

I understand your point, but Kraft's statement after TB12 won his appeal do not jive with your assertion.

At this point, I can't even begin to fathom the relationship between Kraft and Goodell. I'd love to be a fly on the wall for what goes on in owners meetings and in private conversation between those two.

I don't see how Kraft can reconcile his public statement that he was wrong to trust the league and Goodell with the fact that . . . he apparently still trusts them.

I keep hoping that Kraft has some GOT/Littlefinger-type plot to destroy and humiliate Goodell and that his outward appearance of support is simply part of the scheme.

 

[BradyFTW!]

At this point, I can't even begin to fathom the relationship between Kraft and Goodell. I'd love to be a fly on the wall for what goes on in owners meetings and in private conversation between those two.

I don't see how Kraft can reconcile his public statement that he was wrong to trust the league and Goodell with the fact that . . . he apparently still trusts them.

I keep hoping that Kraft has some GOT/Littlefinger-type plot to destroy and humiliate Goodell and that his outward appearance of support is simply part of the scheme.

He went bizarrely far out of his way to clarify that he wasn't ripping on Goodell, but rather on "the lawyers" who work for him. It's a stupid distinction, and I don't for a minute believe that he's dumb enough to honestly believe that they acted against Goodell's instructions or his wishes. But he said it anyway, precisely to get around the clear conflict that you identified.

 

[RobertWeathers]

His words don't. His actions, and lack thereof, do.

Actions trump words, always. When words and actions are in direct conflict, you can pretty reliably assume that the words were just paying lip service to someone or something.

I know, I know.... Hard to cite Bob taking a pro-Brady stance when he hasn't done really anything besides sending in absentee ballots on Tom's behalf and damaging his team's ability to replenish it's resources.

 

[ReverendMaynard]

I know, I know.... Hard to cite Bob taking a pro-Brady stance when he hasn't done really anything besides sending in absentee ballots on Tom's behalf and damaging his team's ability to replenish it's resources.

LOL! I'd forgotten about that. He literally mailed it in...

Much like all the other "support" he's lent his team throughout this affair.

 

[RobertWeathers]

LOL! I'd forgotten about that. He literally mailed it in...

Much like all the other "support" he's lent his team throughout this affair.

I think I have "Split Bob Kraft Personality Disorder". I'm glad he is the owner of the team because he stays the hell out of BB's way and is a stable, wealthy owner but regarding this issue his lack of tangible, meaningful support of Brady and the franchise is indefensible and unacceptable.

 

[flasox27]

Sorry, but the post I quoted would have me believe that you don't. It's well known that many of the other owners are satisfied with the job that Goodell has done on "Deflategate". So,k even if Kraft wanted those people gone, he has no way to get it done.. Which isn't what you said..

I am well aware that the ship to get rid of Goodell sailed a year ago when Kraft, Mara and Rooney through their support got the POS through the Rice Fiasco. So that is not my point, what I find absurd is that Kraft for what ever reason is "fine" with Goodell after all the abusive treatment that the Pats have received from the POS and the backstabbing fellow owners. I would think that as shrewd and good person that Kraft apparently is he would distance himself as much as possible from an obviously corrupt and biased POS like Goodell.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

I am well aware that the ship to get rid of Goodell sailed a year ago when Kraft, Mara and Rooney through their support got the POS through the Rice Fiasco. So that is not my point, what I find absurd is that Kraft for what ever reason is "fine" with Goodell after all the abusive treatment that the Pats have received from the POS and the backstabbing fellow owners. I would think that as shrewd and good person that Kraft apparently is he would distance himself as much as possible from an obviously corrupt and biased POS like Goodell.

I can't help but be curious about what Bob Kraft thinks he's getting out of this relationship with Goodell?

Bob Kraft's continued support of this d-bag has been a major source of embarrassment for the franchise. Although Pats haters are a pretty loathsome and willfully ignorant bunch, the one question I can't answer from them is- if the Patriots are being wrongfully accused of cheating by the commissioner, why does Kraft continue to support him? I wish Kraft would answer that question.

 

[DaBruinz]

Yup, Kraft is not on Brady's side in this. Not a chance. The rights that the NFL is fighting to maintain are something that the NFLPA tried to get removed in 2011, but it was a non-starter for the NFL. Kraft was instrumental in bringing the two sides and getting a deal done. He was negotiating as part of the ownership that insisted that Goodell had to have this unchecked power.

In short, Kraft went to bat in 2011--left his wife's deathbed, by all accounts--to among other things ensure that Goodell would have the very powers that they're trying to keep in court. I'm fairly certain that Kraft wants the NFL to win this appeal, no matter how he feels about Brady personally or whether or not Brady "did it". Even if he's finally realized how unbelievably stupid it is to let Goodell have this kind of power, at a minimum he'll want it upheld so that they can get some concessions from the NFLPA in the next CBA negotiation in exchange for reining him in.

It's entirely labor vs. management at this point, and he's management.

Article 46 has never been an issue until now because of Goodell. Making ridiculous claims like you are is disingenuous. Kraft NEVER insisted that Goodell had to have this unchecked power during the previous negotiations.

 

[flasox27]

I can't help but be curious about what Bob Kraft thinks he's getting out of this relationship with Goodell?

Bob Kraft's continued support of this d-bag has been a major source of embarrassment for the franchise. Although Pats haters are a pretty loathsome and willfully ignorant bunch, the one question I can't answer from them is- if the Patriots are being wrongfully accused of cheating by the commissioner, why does Kraft continue to support him? I wish Kraft would answer that question.

Maybe Kraft just can't believe that the man that has been blowing smoke up his rear for all these years is really a bad guy or that he is that bad a judge of character.

 

[moejr]

This is the stuff that kills me. You just can't tell which side is going to win. What happens if TB loses this round? Will NFLPA appeal again?

 

[flasox27]

Article 46 has never been an issue until now because of Goodell. Making ridiculous claims like you are is disingenuous. Kraft NEVER insisted that Goodell had to have this unchecked power during the previous negotiations.

This was never an issue because the previous commissioners, Rozelle and Tagliabue were rationale people. I would have thought that after the camera placement incident with its unprecedented punishment that Kraft could see that Goodell was a corrupt and biased meglomaniac that couldn't be trusted with that power. Unfortunately Kraft decided to support him fully even becoming part of his bodyguard during the Rice fiasco . We are now reaping what was sown then.

 

[TommyD4207]

This is the stuff that kills me. You just can't tell which side is going to win. What happens if TB loses this round? Will NFLPA appeal again?

You're watching a different game than I am, I guess.

 

[Observer]

There is only one explanation for the relationship between Kraft and Goodell. The other owners hate Kraft so much that Goodell is the only remotely neutral party in the whole club. If Kraft is not friends with Goodell he is completely isolated.

My theory is this. The NFL, although comprised of 32 teams, operates as a single entity. All the owners pool their monies to pay for the show. In return for that, they want their share of glory and limelight (which also means more profits). The whole draft structure is set up to ensure that everyone gets a fair share but Kraft and Belichick are spoiling that whole deal. They are breaking the system and it has to be fixed- whatever it takes.

 

[rochrist]

This is the stuff that kills me. You just can't tell which side is going to win. What happens if TB loses this round? Will NFLPA appeal again?

You can make a reasonably informed guess since Berman is only reversed roughly 8 percent of the time. If they lose, it will almost certainly be remaned to Berman who's likely to stick the other four issues he held in reserve up the NFL's ass. And then the NFL can appeal again, and by then we'll be on to 2017.