Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady on Friday issued a joint response to the ESPN story about friction within the franchise. The statement says, "For the past 18 years, the three of us have enjoyed a very good and productive working relationship. In recent days, there have been multiple media reports that have speculated theories that are unsubstantiated, highly exaggerated or flat out inaccurate. The three of us share a common goal. We look forward to the enormous challenge of competing in the postseason and the opportunity to work together in the future, just as we have for the past 18 years. It is unfortunate that there is even a need for us to respond to these fallacies. As our actions have shown, we stand united" (Patriots). Agent Don Yee, who reps Brady and now-49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, also issued a statement on the ESPN report, saying "It's tough to have a response since it didn't appear to me to have one on-the-record quote. All I can suggest is don't believe everything you read" (TWITTER.com, 1/5).
WORTH THE WORRY? In Boston, Tom Curran writes the "impending doom ESPN is forecasting feels forced." However, after interviewing sources, Curran added he "sensed uneasiness over simmering tensions and uncertainty about the future" (NBCSPORTSBOSTON.com, 1/5). Also in Boston, Greg Bedard writes it was a "good story that wasn't a bombshell, but it did a nice job of filling in the gaps in what has transpired recently, especially about the Garoppolo trade and the circumstances around it." Bedard: "No one I've spoken with thinks this situation comes close to derailing this season. It's not Armageddon, and everyone is still a professional at the end of the day" (BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.com, 1/5). ESPN’s Mike Golic said of the situation, “Am I buying into there could be a rift in there? Certainly. But that doesn't mean you can't be successful." ESPN’s Mike Golic Jr. added, “The silence and fear will do its job for now, but I don't know about next year, when this has time to marinate” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 1/5). Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith tweeted, "My prediction: One year from now, Bill Belichick will be the Patriots' head coach, Tom Brady will be the Patriots' starting quarterback, and they'll be watching the wild card games on TV and getting ready to host one of the winners." Boston-based WBZ-AM's Adam Kaufman: "There's nothing here to make me believe Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, and Tom Brady will not still be together with #Patriots next year."
BIG BOSS MAN: FS1's Cris Carter said, "Kraft is in control. ... He's in control of how long Tom Brady is going to stay there in New England" ("First Things First," FS1, 1/5). ESPN's Max Kellerman said, "By and large it does seem that there is credibility here that Kraft seems to have made a choice and taken that power out of Bill Belichick's hands" ("First Take," ESPN, 1/5). FS1’s Shannon Sharpe said of Kraft, “We always knew which side he would pick. He has made it abundantly clear how he views Tom Brady” (“Undisputed,” FS1, 1/5). "Boston Sports Tonight" podcast co-host Michael Holley said of disagreement between Kraft and Belichick, "Generally you only know as much about the Patriots as they allow you to know." But Holley said while there are "elements of truth" to the ESPN report, he "doesn't believe this is the last year of Kraft, Belichick and Brady working together." Both Holley and co-host Tom Giles noted they "did not think Belichick would leave the organization next season." But Giles noted how "tenuous these relationships can be" when ego is involved ("Boston Sports Tonight," NBCSPORTSBOSTON.com, 1/4). Boston-based WHDH-NBC's Raul Martinez tweeted, "18 year relationships have arguments. Some big ones. Ultimately I think they'll come together & keep chasing titles."
THE JIMMY G ANGLE: SI's Michael McCann addressed the Garoppolo trade angle to the story: "Brady & Jimmy Garoppolo sharing the same agent broke no rule, but it could have made it harder for the agent to maximize each client's interests when some of those interests were directly (playing time) and indirectly (salary in light of NFL salary cap realities) in conflict." CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora: "Brady never pushed for Jimmy G to be dealt." Providence Journal's Mark Daniels: "Those I've talked to say that they'd be shocked if Robert Kraft forced Bill Belichick to trade anyone. One thought is that if that happened, Belichick would resign." Boston Herald's Jeff Howe: "If you think Tom Brady forced Robert Kraft to force Bill Belichick to trade Jimmy Garoppolo, I’d recommend that you finish shoveling my driveway. There’s gold at the bottom."
JERSEY BOY: On Long Island, Tom Rock writes under the header, "Would Belichick And Giants Ever Consider A Reunion?" What "seemed like a pipedream as recently as earlier this week now has a shred of possibility." There always has been a "sense among observers that there is only one NFL job for which Belichick would even consider parting ways with the Patriots" and that job is "now open." Belichick has "remained an admirer of the Giants and the Mara family." There is "no franchise in the NFL that so clings to its glory days and has so much trouble living up to them." To bring back one of the architects of the first two Super Bowl teams would "invigorate the base and the building" (NEWSDAY.com, 1/5).
STORY OF THE DAY: This morning's edition of "PFT" on NBCSN led with the Patriots story. FS1's "Undisputed" and ESPN's "First Take" also led with the story. ESPN Seth Wickersham, who wrote the piece, appeared on Friday morning editions of "SportsCenter" and "Golic & Wingo" (THE DAILY). The Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy tweeted, "ESPN great job today. But not all new. Volin, Zo, Bedard, Curran been on it. This from Dec. 22 Globe: 'Will Brady Guru Break Up The Band?': 'We know Kraft puts loyalty to Tom above everything -- even if it perhaps means trading Jimmy G for 2nd rd pick over objections of BB.'" ESPN's Bomani Jones: "Kinda surprised at some of the fierce pushback when i don't think the story makes anyone look particularly bad."
