Patriots Owner Robert Kraft yesterday responded to the team's punishment for Deflategate in a statement indicating that the organization is "even more bothered now that his team has been so harshly disciplined," according to Shalise Manza Young of the BOSTON GLOBE. It also "sounds as though Kraft may have changed his mind in regards to his declaration in last week’s statement that New England would accept the report and any punishment handed down." Kraft stated the punishment "far exceeded any reasonable expectation" and it was "based completely on circumstantial rather than hard or conclusive evidence." Another member of the organization indicated that the team "was not expecting the punishment to be as harsh as it was" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12). ESPN BOSTON's Mike Reiss noted an "enraged Kraft decided this fight is not yet over," as the battle lines have "been drawn." For all his efforts on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's behalf, Kraft is "now left with a feeling that his team didn't get a fair trial from the man he has empowered as the NFL's iron-fist ruler." Kraft was "part of funding the 'one-sided' Wells report ($5 million is our guess on the price tag) that Goodell used as the impetus to drop the hammer on his team and further slap the 'cheater' label on them." Kraft will "continue the fight," with his relationship with Goodell "almost certainly forever changed" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 5/11). SI's Greg Bedard reports the Patriots this morning changed the avatar for their official Twitter feed "to the back of Brady's jersey." Bedard: "Might as well be wrapped around a middle finger. #itson" (TWITTER.com, 5/12).
IT STARTS AT THE TOP: CBSSPORTS.com's Jason La Canfora wrote league insiders will be "watching closely to see where Kraft aims his inevitable retort." Several sources said that Kraft has been "less than thrilled" with NFL Exec VP/Labor & General Counsel Jeff Pash in recent months and has "groused about him to confidants with increasing regularity" (CBSSPORTS.com, 5/11). A source close to Kraft said, "I really don’t see how Robert is going to get past this with Roger. Robert was furious with the leaks and the investigation in the first place, but he figured they’d be exonerated. Now he’s out of his mind with anger.” SI.com's Greg Bedard asked, "Will Kraft seek to have Goodell replaced? It’s possible, and we’ll know soon." Goodell, by "standing up to Kraft may save a career that once looked headed for ruin." In the end, Goodell "may have realized that loyalty only gets you so far" (SI.com, 5/11). In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro writes the man "who will pay the steepest price" is Kraft. He has gone from "model boss to boss enabler in 10 short years." Vaccaro: "And whose own reputation now lies in tatters. Maybe forever" (N.Y. POST, 5/12). In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy writes Patriots QB Tom Brady has made Kraft "look like a fool" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12).
LOOK IN THE MIRROR: In Boston, Ben Volin in a front-page piece writes the Patriots have "no one to blame for this but themselves," as they "have been arrogant and defiant from the start." It was the "exact wrong tactic for a team that has been called to the principal’s office one too many times in recent years" (
BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12). ESPN BOSTON's Jackie MacMullan wrote, "The Patriots have once again proven to be their own worst enemy" (
ESPNBOSTON.com, 5/11). NFL.com's Judy Battista wrote the Patriots underestimated that the "one absolute they could have controlled, their candor, was the one that would be a significant part of their undoing." It was their "lack of cooperation in the investigation that was at least as much of an issue for the NFL" (
NFL.com, 5/11). In DC, Adam Kilgore writes Brady and the Patriots defended themselves when they "should have explained themselves." The Patriots’ response "turned an obscure accusation ... from minor rule-bending into full-blown spectacle." They "upbraided detractors, evaded questions and defied the league." It was an "error of strategy as much as a failure of morals" (
WASHINGTON POST, 5/12). In Richmond, Paul Woody writes Kraft “might want to consider retaining new counsel.” Trying to “bully the NFL and questioning the integrity of league office members never is the way to go” (
RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 5/12). In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington writes Kraft “must publicly apologize for his organization, which is hardly the paragon he thinks.” He “needs to take a good hard look at the people working for him.” Then, he “needs to look in the mirror” (
DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/12).
PAYING FOR THE PAST? In Boston, Christopher Gasper writes the sins of coach Bill Belichick "have been visited upon" Brady, Goodell and the NFL. They "wanted their pound of Patriots flesh from Spygate," and "took it right out of" Brady. Gasper: "It is the water that poisons the well. Brady is serving a suspension for two" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12). PRO FOOTBALL TALK’s Mike Florio wrote the league’s decision not to punish Belichick “seems a bit unusual” (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 5/11). Meanwhile, the AP’s Jimmy Golen noted the Patriots yesterday “postponed” this week’s “previously scheduled media availability with their rookie draft class” (AP, 5/11).
