OT - Patriots, again- say it aint so Bill

[bironi]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

EVERY team takes advantage of opposing players that aren't 100%. I used to do it when I played and coached youth sports. Not to intentionally hurt them, but to take an easy advantage. Their coach decides who plays.

Well I see by reading some of his former Seahawk team mates, that they concur with your take. I just hope Sherman and Thomas are able to play to their potential. I hope for a good game.

[djg21]

Originally Posted by Aaron O

No - actually you didn't understand what you read or the context. It's a process guideline. Their process was followed within the context of their agreement with the union. You're looking for them to enforce their process in a way that satisfies you as an act of justice. It's not their freaking job to perform justice on the behalf of society. It's the Ravens job to sell tickets. Does having Ray rice help or hurt that endeavor? That's their decision to make within the legal framework of the agreement with the union.

The NFL's job is that of a league promoter...it's to promote the league as a whole and regulate issues between owners from a league wide perspective. It is not the NFL's job to punish Ray rice.

It is the prosecutor's job.

As a league promoter, one of the NFL's missions is to protect its brand. The value of its brand is diluted when players engage in criminal conduct and the NFL seemingly condones their conduct by not taking appropriate measures to distance itself.

I also know that domestic violence victims frequently decline to press charges, especially when they are financially or emotionally dependent on an abuser.

You are entitled to your opinion, and I'm done arguing. The Eagles still suck.

[velomonkey]

Originally Posted by Aaron O

No - actually you didn't understand what you read or the context. It's a process guideline. Their process was followed within the context of their agreement with the union.

I fully agree with your sentiment that no employer should medal in the personal life of their employees.

However, the NFL is the furthest thing from an American Employer. It's run completely socialist. Profits are split to all owners. Franchise expansion is in no way a capitalist endeavor. Owners can be kicked out - or told they can't purchase a team (see the Cliper's owner). Players are handled in a manner more consistent with cattle than that of a valued employee (well the high performers are valued, the rest can be replaced at will - and, yes, I know we all sign "at will" employment contracts).

The league fines people for not talking to the press. They fine them for not dressing right - for not taking the right entrance or exit - the list goes on.

Not saying it's right, but for sure that's the way it's run.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by velomonkey

The league fines people for not talking to the press. They fine them for not dressing right - for not taking the right entrance or exit - the list goes on.

You left out crotch-grabbing.

[Len J]

http://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com...or-other-teams

Yea, it's coaching.

Len

[bironi]

I'm going into hibernation in sympathy with the NE'ers dealing with the weather. Don't expect any sympathy after the game. Wake me when the page count hits 59. This is way more work than I anticipated. Good Night.

[unterhausen]

Originally Posted by Louis

You left out crotch-grabbing.

the NFL sold a limited edition collage of photos from that game featuring the crotch grab. That's how upset they were about it.

Hard to keep up with a thread like this, did anyone mention that Kraft wants an apology if the investigation doesn't reveal how the deflation was done? http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/...tegate-culprit

[Louis]

Looks like the scapegoat is now in the cross-hairs. So the only question left is whether or not he'll take down anyone else.

FOX Sports has learned that the NFL has zeroed in on a New England Patriots locker-room attendant in connection with the scandal of improperly inflated footballs used in the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts.

The person of interest was already interviewed by the league. The NFL is trying to determine whether any wrongdoing by this individual occurred, sources tell FOX Sports.

There is surveillance video showing the attendant taking the footballs from the official's locker room into another room at Gillette Stadium before bringing them out to the field, sources tell FOX Sports.

[djg21]

Originally Posted by Louis

Looks like the scapegoat is now in the cross-hairs. So the only question left is whether or not he'll take down anyone else.

There reportedly is a surveillance video of an equipment manager taking the bags of both teams' footballs into a restroom for 90 seconds on route to the sideline from the inspection. The Pats found the tape and turned it over to the NFL.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...into-bathroom/

Who knows, 90 seconds may be enough time to deflate 12 balls. Or perhaps the equipment manager merely stopped on route to the sideline to take a leak.

With Kraft's statement, requesting an apology from the NFL, it seems they are digging in their heels.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by djg21

Who knows, 90 seconds may be enough time to deflate 12 balls. Or perhaps the equipment manager merely stopped on route to the sideline to take a leak.

Believe it or not, I thought of that very scenario. I agree that there can be perfectly innocuous reasons for taking the balls in there.

Hopefully they'll get this all figured out.

Review the video, do some lab tests on balls using a temp profile similar to what happened that day at the stadium, talk to the folks involved, etc, etc. They should be able to construct some semi-accurate idea of what happened.

Speaking of inflation, how about that "10 swimsuit models" pic...

[Aaron O]

.

Edit

Bruce - clear.

[Bruce K]

Easy hoss

Let's not make this personal

We'd hate to have to shut this down

BK

[Climb01742]

Robert Kraft's statement yesterday was the last piece of the Pats going all in.

And maybe this is the fundamental crux of the issue. Do you believe a team would so publicly put its top people out there protesting their innocence if they were guilty? Would they double and triple down on a cover up?

Clearly, many many do believe the Pats are that amoral and/or stupid.

I don't, in particular because there was a far easier way out, for Tom to take the grenade and say, yeah, I sought an edge many QBs seek, I got caught and won't do it again.

I just don't think they're that dumb to make this countless times worse by covering up when 'caught'. But certainly most of America's fans, and everyone old jock on ESPN, disagree. Time will tell.

One other question I can't quite resolve. The Pats found the video of the ball boy going into the bathroom and gave it to the league. So they've known about the 'smoking gun' since before they doubled down on their innocence. Does that make sense?

Here is my homer's theory: the league tried to sting the Pats, they leaked info, this blew up bigger than they ever expected, they don't have unquestionable proof and now they've got their d*cks in their hands and they don't know how to get out of it. I believe if they had proof, they'd drop the hammer.

As Omar said on 'The Wire', you come at the king, you best not miss. I think yesterday Kraft said, you came at us and you missed. And he reminded Goddell who he works for.

Again, I'm a homer. But I think this is at least a plausible explanation. And yes, I'm stuck inside trying to avoid shoveling almost two feet of snow.

[unterhausen]

I see no reason for going to the bathroom to deflate the balls. I think the guy had to go. I think the smoking gun is going to be the compressor with heating elements on the air line

[verticaldoug]

The piece in Slate on the incredible fumble stats for the Pats looks a little too good to be true. Maybe the air out of the ball has to do with the grip for all ball carriers. Kraft went all in because is can deny any knowledge. He supports the team. If the team is found guilty, he will shoot Belicheck.

Originally Posted by Climb01742

Robert Kraft's statement yesterday was the last piece of the Pats going all in.

And maybe this is the fundamental crux of the issue. Do you believe a team would so publicly put its top people out there protesting their innocence if they were guilty? Would they double and triple down on a cover up?

Clearly, many many do believe the Pats are that amoral and/or stupid.

I don't, in particular because there was a far easier way out, for Tom to take the grenade and say, yeah, I sought an edge many QBs seek, I got caught and won't do it again.

I just don't think they're that dumb to make this countless times worse by covering up when 'caught'. But certainly most of America's fans, and everyone old jock on ESPN, disagree. Time will tell.

One other question I can't quite resolve. The Pats found the video of the ball boy going into the bathroom and gave it to the league. So they've known about the 'smoking gun' since before they doubled down on their innocence. Does that make sense?

Here is my homer's theory: the league tried to sting the Pats, they leaked info, this blew up bigger than they ever expected, they don't have unquestionable proof and now they've got their d*cks in their hands and they don't know how to get out of it. I believe if they had proof, they'd drop the hammer.

As Omar said on 'The Wire', you come at the king, you best not miss. I think yesterday Kraft said, you came at us and you missed. And he reminded Goddell who he works for.

Again, I'm a homer. But I think this is at least a plausible explanation. And yes, I'm stuck inside trying to avoid shoveling almost two feet of snow.