Report: McNally and Jastremski to be reinstated with new roles

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

Ahem...So about those draft picks....

And how about withdrawing the appeal?

A public apology would be nice (with the restoring of the picks of course).

As an added bonus, maybe calling off the NFL's media lapdogs at SI, NFL network and ESPN?

 

[archstanton543]

I'm curious how this impacts the NFL's pending appeal of Berman's ruling.

It won't. Vincent's punishment letter said they could eventually be reinstated provided they have nothing to do with ball prep or handling.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I can't imagine any role they could give them that wouldn't threaten the integrity of the game?

Can't let them near the balls because they will let the air out of them.

Can't let them handle the trash because they will dumpster dive and reveal the opponents game plan.

Can't let them handle the Gatorade or they will date rape the opposing QB.

Can't let them handle the uniforms or they will coat them with Pam.

Can't let them near receivers gloves or they will Jerry Rice them.

What could they possibly do that wouldn't destroy the integrity of the game?

 

[grux]

So why again did we lose two draft picks?

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Wonder if they signed any sort of no-sue release as part of this? Hope not, but can't imagine NFL would reinstate them otherwise.

 

[archstanton543]

So why again did we lose two draft picks?

Because there's no mechanism other than to appeal to the Commish who handed down the punishment himself to get the picks back. Owners aren't allowed to sue the league. Hell, technically, they're not even allowed to say anything bad about the league publicly so be glad that Kraft didn't get whacked after his season-opening presser.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

This has little to do with them and their ability to sue for being accused of participating in a conspiracy to cheat. NFL is not off that hook. I wish I was in their position with the ability to sue the multibillion dollar NFL based on the Wells report in front of a Massachusetts jury. NFL will pay them off big time just to stop the discovery process of NFL electronic communications about Deflategate. I can almost guarantee that some NFL owners sent Goodell texts and emails about it telling him to slam the Patriots and this would all be discoverable and important to show that Goodell was under pressure from the people who employ him.

My guess is the NFL has okay'ed their rehire as part of damage control.

I'm sure their aware of a potential defamation suits from the Patriots and their employees. I suspect that the Patriots are biding their time waiting for the appeals process to play out before they decide how to play the "defamation card." If handled properly, the threat of suing the league may bring about more effective changes than actually suing the league, if the Patriots play this right.

Assuming the NFL appeal fails (and I think it will), Kraft will have all the leverage now and he can start demanding apologies, restoration of draft picks, and STFU memos from the league to other teams throwing around wild allegations against the Pats.

I take news of M & J's rehire and reports of the owners wanting the neutering of Goodell in disciplinary as evidence of a trend of meaningful positive change in the NFL.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Hopefully in their new roles they will be responsible for the headsets and other communication equipment. Just to troll everyone..

That's an all time great line. I'd love to see the Patriot media people troll twitter with that comment.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

Owners aren't allowed to sue the league.

I've heard this mentioned before, but I can't believe that's true. There have to be some limitations of this for intentional torts. I don't think a clause waiving your right to sue for defamation or assault would hold up in court.

Does someone have a link to the owner's agreement?

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

Glad for them and glad for Brady who both wanted them back and felt somewhat responsible (even though he was not) that they lost their jobs.

#OnToBuffalo

!

 

[BlueThunder]

Sure would like to see the results of the PSI checks in some of the December/January games in Green Bay, New England, Buffalo and Jets.

 

[RobertWeathers]

What needed to happen was that Jas and McNally needed to tell Vincent that they wanted to come back at their original roles.

The Patriots needed to say, "Ok, but the NFL determined the punishment. Ask them." Their interest is to not be sued for wrongful separation and discipline which would potentially fall under unfair laborpractices and be interesting to the Maura Healey's office.

It is assumed that the league would become very nervous and go along with that plan.

Once that happened, the Pats could pounce.

I view this situation as an incredibly wasted opportunity.

Anyone else see it that way?

 

[The Gr8est]

New roles because Vincent's letter specifically said that if they were ever reinstated they could not have positions where they'd prepare or handle balls.

What justification does the league have to put this restriction on innocent employees?

I hope they proceed with defamation lawsuits.

 

[Bella*chick]

Hopefully in their new roles they will be responsible for the headsets and other communication equipment. Just to troll everyone..

If I could click Winner on this from here to the end of the time, it still would not be enough win.

 

[Fencer]

so long as they're not near balls

That is why NFL HQ is a great place for them to go.

 

[Fencer]

Wonder if they signed any sort of no-sue release as part of this? Hope not, but can't imagine NFL would reinstate them otherwise.

Umm -- has this happened yet?

I can imagine that being a sticking point in negotiations, unless you're telling us that all the meetings and decisions have already occurred.

 

[NJPatsfan26]

So then this confirms that nothing really really happened at all?

 

[archstanton543]

So then this confirms that nothing really really happened at all?

It doesn't. Their potential reinstatement was part of the original punishment handed down by Vincent. This was all before Brady's appeal and court case.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

So these two knowingly conspired to cheat the outcome of the AFCC game and besmirch the sky high integrity of the NFL. Consequently their punishment is none except to have their titles changed from equipment manager to organizer of equipment.
Makes sense. I mean if you worked at a bank as a bookkeeper and were found to be rigging those books to produce a rigged financial outcomes, isn't it SOP to just change your job title to keeper of books but otherwise say "no worries"?

To me it just doesn't make sense and points to the NFL knowingly operating an investigative and administrative process in an unscrupulous and illegal.........wait!......an ESPN report just came in that the Patriots hired hotel maids to put uncomfortable pillows in the hotel rooms of the visiting team. Nevermind the irrelevant investigative and administrative process! This hotel pillow story is shocking and blockbuster!

 

[patfanken]

Here is a scenario where the Pats get their pick back. After the end of the season. After all the "new ball preparation" data has been examined, Kraft THEN appeals to recover the draft picks based on this new data, and the league agrees that nothing happened at the AFCCG and returns the picks, since it would be unjust to do otherwise.

Too optimistic ? '