Travis Thomas: Patriots Games, Again
Seriously New England, can you win anything without it being marred by suspicion. Every time the Patriots win a Super Bowl, there is an Oliva Pope sized scandal right on the other side of the trophy. Everything from signal stealing, illegal plays and formations, phantom fumbles, Spygate and now this!
I for one am tired of it.
The Saints, Redskins, Cowboys, Browns and Falcons were all punished harshly and justly by the NFL in recent history for bending the rules. The Patriots got off easy with Spygate nearly eight years ago, with just a hefty fine and no suspensions. The Patriots also were docked an initial Draft Pick, which for them is chump change, seeing as how A.) They always have a plethora of picks, and B.) They are always picking last or close to it anyways. This time must be different, it has to be.
The war of words chess game has begun already between the NFL and the Patriots. The much maligned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell immediately issued a statement once the Wells Report was made public. Interestingly enough, I thought he deflected accountability for punishment by stating the following: "As with other recent matters involving violations of competitive rules, Troy Vincent and his team will consider what steps to take in light of the report, both with respect to possible disciplinary action and to any changes in protocols that are necessary to avoid future incidents of this type. At the same time, we will continue our efforts vigorously to protect the integrity of the game and promote fair play at all times."
Oh really Commish? Troy Vincent and his team will handle the disciplinary actions, huh? Hold that thought for a second.
How about some equally interesting lines from Patriots Owner Robert Kraft in his statement: "I was convinced that Ted Wells' investigation would find the same factual evidence supported by both scientific formula and independent research as we did and would ultimately exonerate the Patriots. Based on the explanations I have heard and the studies that have been done, I don't know how the science of atmospheric conditions can be refuted or how conclusions to the contrary can be drawn without some definitive evidence". From there Mr. Kraft went on a scientific rant that would make Bill Nye The Science Guy's head spin! Kraft continued:
"As far as we are aware, there is no comparable data available from any other game because, in the history of the NFL, psi levels of footballs have never been measured at halftime, in any climate. If they had been, based on what we now know, it is safe to assume that every cold-weather game was played with under inflated footballs. As compelling a case as the Wells Report may try to make, I am going to rely on the factual evidence of numerous scientists and engineers rather than inferences from circumstantial evidence."
And then my favorite line of them all, passing blame on somebody else while also saying that YOU will take whatever punishment is dished out, without protest. "What the report fails to mention is that he had already been interviewed four times and we felt the fifth request for access was excessive for a part-time game day employee who has a full-time job with another employer.
"While I respect the independent process of the investigation, the time, effort and resources expended to reach this conclusion are incomprehensible to me. Knowing that there is no real recourse available, fighting the league and extending this debate would prove to be futile. We understand and greatly respect the responsibility of being one of 32 in this league and, on that basis, we will accept the findings of the report and take the appropriate actions based on those findings as well as any discipline levied by the league."
So basically the Patriots are blaming science, and a part time ball boy for the incident. By the way, NFL if you punish us, we won't fight it because, well you know, we are guilty as hell. Oh by the way, do you remember the dinner party picture that surfaced with Roger Goodell and Bob Kraft just days before the AFC title game? Talk about a conflict of interest. How about Super Bowl week when Tom Brady and Bill Belichick absolutely bullied the media, denying all wrongdoing and even have the nerve to vilify anybody who had suspicion?
The time has come for the NFL to come down on its Golden Goose. I know outside of Baltimore everybody's favorite team is the Patriots, and I know in most peoples minds Tom Brady is Jesus of Nazareth in cleats. But let's face the facts; the Patriots always have something sketchy surrounding them when most fans are celebrating them for excellence. I, for one, am sick of it. It's time justice is served. There should be multiple picks stripped, an asterisk next to the Super Bowl title, suspensions for Brady and Beli-Cheat, and a significant fine for Robert Kraft.
But as we all know, it will be a true Patriot punishment, also known as a slap on the wrist.
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