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In Sounding Off On NFL Over Deflategate, Patriots' Kraft Finds His Inner Maverick

Patriots Owner Robert Kraft's "scorched-earth" statement yesterday regarding the NFL's decision to uphold Tom Brady's four-game suspension "is going to have far-reaching impact on his legacy and his relationship with his fellow owners, and its impact may be felt for years," according to Tom Curran of CSN NEW ENGLAND. Kraft "had a lot at stake when he stepped to the mic and he pushed it all to the middle of the table." He made clear he "believes the league office needs an enema." Kraft "circled back to the NFL's lawyers," and his words were "directed at whoever’s been crafting things for the league from a legal standpoint." It "also tacitly implies" that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell -- who is not a lawyer -- "was pushed into this by the people pulling the legal levers" (CSNNE.com, 7/29). In DC, Mark Maske writes if Kraft's anger over Deflategate "someday translates into him attempting to oust Goodell, with whom he has had a close relationship in the past, or trying to restrict the commissioner’s powers, he probably could enlist the support of some allies within the ownership ranks." But there "is strong support among many of the owners for what Goodell did by sticking to the original penalty." Several owners "contacted Wednesday steered clear of the matter" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/30). In N.Y., Gary Myers cites an "influential" NFL owner as writing yesterday in an e-mail, "I would rather not comment" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/30). ESPN DALLAS's Todd Archer reported Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones yesterday "backed Goodell." Jones said, "He's doing an outstanding job. I can tell you firsthand that in his spot ... with people that you are counting on to help build and to help excel as far as the National Football League, I'm talking about the owners, you have to know that you're going to make some decisions that are very unpopular with that particular group. This is the case. ... He has to make hard calls, and more often than not, you're going to have a season or you're going to have a period of time where those go against you as an owner in the NFL" (ESPNDALLAS.com, 7/30).

CHANNELING HIS INNER AL DAVIS: ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert wrote Kraft's reaction "is unprecedented in modern NFL history." Within league circles, Kraft "has never been" compared to late Raiders Owner Al Davis. His opposition here "is understandable from a standpoint of loyalty but also counter to the one-for-all ethos that the league and its owners expect from one another" (ESPN.com, 7/29). The N.Y. Times' Ken Belson said, “We haven’t seen the likes of this since perhaps Al Davis. ... This case has turned into a much bigger media circus than you typically see” ("Charlie Rose," PBS, 7/29). YAHOO SPORTS' Charles Robinson wrote not since Davis "have we seen an owner so boldly announce his wavering belief in the league's integrity." Robinson: "Buried within that message, he exposed an ugly belief about a smear campaign." Kraft in essence "painted the league as being on a single-minded and destructive bent against" Brady. Kraft "might be on an island in this battle, but everyone can see the flag he just hoisted: 'You cannot trust the league office'" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/29). NFL Network's Jamie Dukes said, "What we’re seeing here is the first example that we’ve seen in a long time with owner-commissioner-league that it’s all about business for all of us" (NFL Network, 7/29). CSNBAYAREA.com's Ray Ratto wrote what Davis did "was try to gut, bone, fry and eat" late NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. Ratto wrote rhetorically to Kraft: "What you did was tell Roger Goodell you were going to hold your breath until he turns blue. So what else you got, Bob? You ready to start working the room and convince owners that the monster they created needs to be replaced by a new monster? Are you going to make your team off-limits to them, including on game day? You want to pick the fight, you have to go for total war here, or back down like you did before, to your great public shame. ... Are you willing to make this a crusade that consumes you?" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 7/29).

BABY, NOW WE GOT BAD BLOOD: NFL Network's Judy Battista said it was "extraordinary" that Kraft "said publicly what we all suspected privately, which was that he thought there was an arrangement, an understanding, that if he stood down that they would maybe go easy and take some mercy on Tom Brady." She noted Kraft's statements were a "shot across the bow" to the NFL (NFL Network, 7/29). In Boston, Shalise Manza Young writes Kraft's anger "seemed to stem from his belief he had been duped by Goodell" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/30). USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes Kraft "came off as jilted by Goodell" (USA TODAY, 7/30). The DAILY NEWS' Myers writes Kraft "had reason to believe Goodell owed him one, but was foolish to think Goodell was going to let him cash in on such a hot-button issue." Myers: "In his mind, it’s pretty obvious Goodell betrayed him. ... This was not the old maverick, Al Davis, taking shots at his nemesis, Pete Rozelle. This was Kraft ... heaving verbal grenades at Goodell." Kraft "seems done with Goodell" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/30). The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe said yesterday was "one of the five craziest atmospheres I've ever seen for a news conference." Howe: "He is going toe-to-toe with Roger Goodell to kind of drag this thing out as nasty as he can get it” ("America's Pregame," FS1, 7/29). ESPN's Mike Greenberg: "This is now a war. I mean, that's what we have here. They've gone to the mattresses" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 7/30).

APPEALING TO YOUR FAN BASE: N.Y.-based Silverman Media & Marketing Group Founder Ira Silverman, who used to be an NFL PR consultant, said of Kraft, "I don’t understand. I’ve never seen someone of his stature do a total 180 like this.” But in Boston, Callum Borchers reports others "contend Kraft's pivot was wisely calibrated." The important audience "is the ardent core of supporters who invest in tickets and gear and tune in each week during the season" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/30). In Providence, Jim Donaldson writes it may "have factored in Kraft's latest reversal of field ... that much of his ticket-and-merchandise buying fan base was upset with him for what they perceived in May as knuckling under to Goodell." Donaldson: "Clearly, Goodell no longer can count Kraft ... among the faithful" (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 7/30).

PATS UTILIZED POOR STRATEGY: YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel wrote Kraft "was acknowledging the obvious: the Patriots lost this case" and did so "as much out of poor strategy as evidence." The Patriots "have been mostly flat-footed." Goodell's office "put this on steroids," went for the Patriots' "throat, and Kraft and Brady either didn't see it or didn't understand it." Goodell "played him as a fool." Wetzel: "This wasn't a court of law. ... This was the court of public opinion. ... This was politics, hardcore and ugly. This is how the NFL operates under Roger Goodell. ... It's pro wrestling. How the heck Kraft and Brady didn't see that, how they walked right into the trap and thus never really stood a chance to make their case is baffling. ... The Patriots were naïve here, incredibly naive" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/29). ESPN's Field Yates said it was “poor optics” on Brady’s part to destroy his cell phone when the "information on that cell phone, which the NFL truly needs, is all still available” ("SportsCenter,” ESPN, 7/29). ESPN.com's Jason Whitlock wrote Goodell "chose to be sports' top cop/discipline czar because the elite football media baited him into believing that clamping down on lawless players would be the key in building a legacy to rival" Rozelle's. Brady now is "part of Goodell's campaign blitz -- a political pawn used to strengthen Goodell's platform." Brady "should have accepted a plea a long time ago" (ESPN.com, 7/29). In Boston, Ben Volin writes yesterday's press conference "was a rousing show," but it was not "totally convincing." There are "still inconsistencies in the Patriots’ explanations, compared with those offered by Goodell and the NFL" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/30).

GOODELL LOOKING GOOD
: USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes with every word Kraft and Brady said or wrote, "the better it was" for Goodell. Goodell "is very likely to end up being the good guy -- or at least the guy who is right" (USA TODAY, 7/30). In Buffalo, Jerry Sullivan writes by "standing firm against one of the NFL’s iconic players, Goodell has reasserted his position as the most powerful man in the game, if not all of professional sports." The commissioner "has elevated himself above his troubles of a year ago and made it clear that he is not a man to be trifled with" (BUFFALO NEWS, 7/30). 

TIME TO TALK? In Boston, Steve Buckley writes under the header, "Time To Speak Up And Defend Yourself, Tom Brady." Brady is "getting killed" and fans "need to hear" from him. It is "time for him to go on the offensive" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/30). In N.Y., William Rhoden writes even if he "wriggles free, Brady’s reputation and his legacy have taken a tremendous hit" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/30). In New Jersey, Tara Sullivan writes of Kraft and Brady, "They have done themselves no favors, not on Wednesday, when their words came across as whiny and petulant," At this point, who "could have faith in anything that happens with this case anymore?" (Bergen RECORD, 7/30). But in Minneapolis, Patrick Reusse writes, "I’m a bigger fan of Brady today than after any of his magnificent Super Bowl performances. Hopefully, he’ll be the guy to finally slap around Goodell and the NFL in court and get the gutless union to which he belongs to rise up against management" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/30). Meanwhile, ESPN N.Y.'s Ian O'Connor wrote Kraft "isn't one of Deflategate's bad guys," as he instead is a "victim of circumstance and of a fearless quarterback." Kraft yesterday "took time to apologize to Tom Brady," when it "should've been the other way around" (ESPNNY.com, 7/29). 

HOW DID WE GET HERE? ESPN's Adam Schefter said Kraft's words yesterday "carry a message," and league execs "know he’s not happy." Schefter: "There’s a lot on the line here. Somebody in the end here is going to look very bad, and even if the NFL wins this court case, they still lose because they’ve basically beaten up their favorite son, their poster child. ... Even if you win in court, what do you win there by doing that to a guy who you’ve alienated from the league for the rest of his life?" ("The Dennis & Callahan Morning Show," WEEI-FM, 7/30). In Florida, David Moulton asks, "How did Tom Brady and the NFL both let this get [so] far?" (Ft. Myers NEWS-PRESS, 7/30). In Toronto, Doug Smith asked, "In the grand scheme of things, hasn’t this whole affair been a bit over the top?" Smith: "I’d sure say yes" (THESTAR.com, 7/29). In Philadelphia, Bob Brookover writes the Patriots and Brady vs. the NFL and Goodell "is like an unfunny episode of 'Seinfeld.'" Brookover: "Nothing but bad people to see here." Goodell last year "was in the midst of mishandling the Ray Rice mess." This year, the league "is involved in its own domestic dispute with its defending champion." Brookover: "You could not make this stuff up if you tried" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/30).

CORNWELL CONCERNED: Sports attorney David Cornwell, who has represented players in a variety of legal cases, said that the "troublesome issue for the league ... is the tarnishing of Goodell’s public image while the NFL attempts to boost revenues" from about $9B annually to more than $20B. Cornwell: "The commissioner will be fine. ... But I’m concerned about the larger picture. I don’t think it’s appropriate to question the integrity of the people in the league office when they’re doing their job. It’s particularly destructive at a time when the effort is being made to grow this entire thing and make it better and make it bigger. ... The strategy of demonizing the commissioner undermines the very thing that you’re trying to accomplish in growing the game and benefitting everyone in it. I think it’s a problem" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/30).

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