Robert Kraft's Press Conference

[Steve102]

80-year olds fall across a wide span of cognitive acuity and energy. My mother died at 102, still sharp as ever, running all her own quite complex financial and other affairs. But all old people do sort of decline with some degree of suddenness, and that is what I think I see in Robert.

He stopped short of saying he doesn't have time to wait for Mayo to get it, but it seemed to me that's where he was going. At one point, I thought he was going to say that he didn't have time, but had a long pause first. Wants one more shot at a title before he steps down, can't do it or lies down.

 

[Ross12]

Oh and Wolf has a new grading scale apparently and Krafty is excited about it. Nice, where was this system last year?

Wolf did not have his new role last year, he was just doing "business as usual" from his prior role. Technically speaking 2025 will be his first draft as the EVP where he will have had the latitude to start changing things.

 

[PatsFan2]

I can see no football reason to retain Wolf.

Mack: love grows.

 

[ViperGTS]

He does know Ben Johnson a little bit, yes, and not Vrabel directly, but Ryan Crowden, yes.

I want no part of Crowden either. The Giants F/A and drafting decisions are abysmal. As bad as the Pats, maybe worse.

 

[TommyD4207]

I want no part of Crowden either. The Giants F/A and drafting decisions are abysmal. As bad as the Pats, maybe worse.

If you want Vrabel, you'd better get used to Ryan Crowden being here. They're a package deal.

 

[ViperGTS]

Wolf did not have his new role last year, he was just doing "business as usual" from his prior role. Technically speaking 2025 will be his first draft as the EVP where he will have had the latitude to start changing things.

Nah, smells to me like someone came up with a new systems to placate the old man. Thats what this smells like. Everyone said **** can Mayo, **** can Wolf etc.

Now Wolf is saying and everyone is okay with it. Makes a ton of sense.

 

[Mack Herron]

Wolf did not have his new role last year, he was just doing "business as usual" from his prior role. Technically speaking 2025 will be his first draft as the EVP where he will have had the latitude to start changing things.

 

[ViperGTS]

If you want Vrabel, you'd better get used to Ryan Crowden being here. They're a package deal.

Then I am out on Vrabel. Seriously. Why can't you bring guys from Philly, or SF, or KC etc. You don't bring guys in that were part of dumpster fires in other orgs.

 

[Steve102]

They aren't launching anyone and thats the problem. Definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

Anyone think this time around they are going to hit the draft out of the park? All previous results would point to the negative. And thatsis scary as all hell.

It seemed to me that the buck stops with the HC, not the GM, and that why the HC comes first, not the other way around. I would guess they (candidates) have people they'll bring with them. At least top shelf people will. Then they can pivot Wolf/Groh to something else.

They are looking to replace Bill still, not replace a GM who brings in their own HC. They want the HC to be at the top of the power pyramid.

 

[Boomer B]

I would imagine that someone like Vrabel or Johnson would be given more control. The Krafts aren’t dumb, they know the high valued coaches won’t sign on unless they have a higher degree of control and can bring in their own staff. Wolf doesn’t have the GM title, so if Vrabel or Johnson want their own guy it shouldn’t be an issue. Give Wolf other duties like modernizing the operation or let him go.

 

[Ross12]

I can see no football reason to retain Wolf.

Isn't that backwards? Usually an "arranged marriage" from a football standpoint is when the HC is hired first and then the GM is forced to keep the HC. That is what happened LAST year - the HC was hired first (Mayo) and then they made Wolf the "GM" in the spring and he was stuck with Mayo. Wolf is the one who was stuck in an "arranged marriage".

This year they are actually doing it the traditional way - they have their "GM" hired in Wolf and are leaning on him to help pick an HC. That is very normal and proper.

 

[TommyD4207]

Then I am out on Vrabel. Seriously. Why can't you bring guys from Philly, or SF, or KC etc. You don't bring guys in that were part of dumpster fires in other orgs.

That's a fair position, I'm just telling you, you get Vrabel you're getting Crowden too.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Wolf, Highsmith and Groh - BB was mean, he didn't take our input boo hoo

Wolf, Highsmith and Groh - Mayo and his staff couldn't coach up our outstanding draft picks.

Wolf, Highsmight and Groh - We will do better with a different head coach.

Anyone see the issue here? Anyone?

The next step is new coach says it’s all personnel’s fault. They get fired next.

This is the cycle at most flailing teams.

 

[TommyD4207]

Isn't that backwards? Usually an "arranged marriage" from a football standpoint is when the HC is hired first and then the GM is forced to keep the HC. That is what happened LAST year - the HC was hired first (Mayo) and then they made Wolf the "GM" in the spring and he was stuck with Mayo. Wolf is the one who was stuck in an "arranged marriage".

This year they are actually doing it the traditional way - they have their "GM" hired in Wolf and are leaning on him to help pick an HC. That is very normal and proper.

I mean, the problem here is, the media has done a terrible job making connections with the organization post-Belichick, and doesn't know who to talk to.

Even now, nobody's mentioning Highsmith, and nobody's mentioning Jonathan.

 

[ViperGTS]

Isn't that backwards? Usually an "arranged marriage" from a football standpoint is when the HC is hired first and then the GM is forced to keep the HC. That is what happened LAST year - the HC was hired first (Mayo) and then they made Wolf the "GM" in the spring and he was stuck with Mayo. Wolf is the one who was stuck in an "arranged marriage".

This year they are actually doing it the traditional way - they have their "GM" hired in Wolf and are leaning on him to help pick an HC. That is very normal and proper.

This is how it usually works. A GM is hired, then he starts the coaching search and finds his coach. It an work the other way around but thats generally a bit rare.

This is a ****show. You have the *GM* (Dir player per) from the previous failed regime, and has been there for years doing interviews for a coach.

This is just Kraft not wanting to clean house completely. Top to bottom and restart it in a new image.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Isn't that backwards? Usually an "arranged marriage" from a football standpoint is when the HC is hired first and then the GM is forced to keep the HC. That is what happened LAST year - the HC was hired first (Mayo) and then they made Wolf the "GM" in the spring and he was stuck with Mayo. Wolf is the one who was stuck in an "arranged marriage".

This year they are actually doing it the traditional way - they have their "GM" hired in Wolf and are leaning on him to help pick an HC. That is very normal and proper.

Not unless the GM has final say. That’s not the case here, so the two sides are going to complain to ownership about each other.

Get a coach and GM combo and let them work together.

 

[ViperGTS]

I mean, the problem here is, the media has done a terrible job making connections with the organization post-Belichick, and doesn't know who to talk to.

Even now, nobody's mentioning Highsmith, and nobody's mentioning Jonathan.

Thats fair. The big issue is you never see Jonathan. Remember he didn't show up for Mayo's press conference right, well he wasn't there today. My guess, Jonathon wants a total reset. Dad doesn't.

There is a schism there between father and son and I am sure of it. Otherwise they would be in lockstep.

 

[ChesBay]

I think Robert Kraft did a great job considering he genuinely has respect for Mayo as a person…and even as a successful coach in the future.

He made it clear what was behind the decision (“in-game adjustments”, further coaching experience needed, desire to be a playoff team next year) and we know it doesn't end there.

He also deftly handled the question about Wolf, in that he suggested others would be involved (Highsmith), while certainly leaving the door open for a new GM being hired/appointed. The bad draft comments alone suggests that Wolf/Groh will no longer enjoy the same slice of that power base going forward.

A good leader never criticizes in public…only in private…so Kraft managed to skirt many direct questions calling for such a critique.

Patriots fans, especially the newer fans, should trust in Kraft’s decision because the underlying factors transcend Mayo himself, while going significantly back into the BB regime. His mention of the “new grading system” (drafts) appears to be a step that was already taken in that regard. The exigency of the moment forces the Krafts’ to focus on the head coach right now (Vrabel, for example, already interviewing with the Jets, and Johnson currently making his own interview decisions), but other leadership decisions could still occur down the road. In addition, a savvy owner would keep current “Management Staff” in place while privately searching for an alternative. In that manner they could ultimately offer some of the existing players an opportunity to stay onboard (“continuity”) during a reshuffling of the deck…or allow them to leave.

Lastly, for all the fans thinking that it’s just Robert and Jonathan making all the decisions, with no trusted voices in the background, that’s just not how big business owners operate. I am 100% sure they have been conferring/consulting with other wise folks for the past couple of months.

 

[upstater1]

The Mac Jones fiasco and FA 2024 ####ed this Team from the Start. This team was handicapped... The Krafts are going to spend every dime in FA this year.

The undermining of coaches and the mutiny and the knives out atmosphere guaranteed that this was never going to end well. Impossible to proceed forward. Hell, you still had Belichick's son on staff!!

There's a lot of craziness here. This is reminiscent of the Sullivan / Kiam era type of craziness.

 

[TommyD4207]

Thats fair. The big issue is you never see Jonathan. Remember he didn't show up for Mayo's press conference right, well he wasn't there today. My guess, Jonathon wants a total reset. Dad doesn't.

There is a schism there between father and son and I am sure of it. Otherwise they would be in lockstep.

The schism is, the BSM has no idea that the transition has already taken place. Bob's just the face now, he's not involved in the day-to-day.

The Kraft's can use that to their advantage for a while, until someone starts to catch on.