The results of the NFL’s investigation into the New England Patriot’s use of deflated footballs during a game with the Colts and most likely other teams was made public last week (just a bit late for me to mention in last weeks column). Among the investigators findings was that at least two employees of the Patriots did deflate game balls during the course of the Colts contest and Patriot quarterback Tom Brady was most likely aware that he was using deflated footballs. He was then accused of not cooperating fully with the investigation because he refused to turn over transcripts of his cell phone calls during the game in question. There were other allegations that the Patriot front office was also aware of the practice but refused to act upon it. No direct charges were made against head coach Bill Belichick but its generally considered that he is in total control of anything that happens with the team. As the story unfolded the speculation of the penalties against New England, Brady, and Belichick that they would face ran rampant. The Patriots were defiant, claiming the investigation was biased and flawed. Team owner Robert Kraft has maintained the clubs innocence since the charges first were made and has demanded an apology from the league, the media, and the other teams, and the Colts in particular. Brady has maintained his innocence of any wrong doing and Belichick claimed no knowledge of any wrong doing by anyone on the Patriots team and further, that he believed that everyone in the Patriots organization followed every rule to the letter.
The hammer came down over the weekend and it came down hard on the Patriots. Commissioner Roger Goodell has fined the club a million bucks, the highest fine ever on an NFL team. He took away the Pats first round pick in 2016 and their fourth round pick in 2017. He also has suspended Tom Brady for the first four games of the 2015 season. Oddly enough, Belichick received no direct punishment although most observers believe he was the one whispering in Brady’s ear. There was no hard evidence linking him to any rule violations, however. The two employees that actually deflated the balls have been suspended and cannot work in the NFL again without the leagues permission. Patriot fans are outraged and say the investigation was contrived to punish the Pat’s for their success. Many blame jealousy and envy among Patriot haters. Others say that it’s more about “Spygate” and revenge for that incident. Team owner Robert Kraft is screaming foul and that the punishment is way out of line and clearly undeserved. He vows litigation. Brady is possibly the most hurt by this. The four game suspension is relatively minor. It’s the damage to his reputation and legacy that will haunt him. Considered by many experts to be the games greatest quarterback, the dark cloud of suspicion will forever hang over his head. His record of success is unparallelled, but did he cheat to attain that success? Brady vows to appeal the verdict and clear his name. Brady’s agent, Don Yee, is livid and is demanding an investigation of the investigators, and claims that the investigation was illegal. Many in the media feel that Brady was too harshly dealt with particularly since Belichick received no penalties.
For many fans and media critics, the punishment wasn’t harsh enough. New England’s success has led to envy and the arrogant and condescending attitude that the team and many of their fans have maintained, has earned them the title of the nation’s most hated sports franchise. Even more than the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankee, and that’s saying something. Patriot haters are elated and they are turning somersaults of joy! I have already read some bloggers claims that both Brady and Belichick should have been suspended for the entire season. That’s a whole lot of pent up anger. And in truth, much of it is justified. The attitude of the New England team has always seemed to be that winning justifies anything, no matter how illegal it may be.
I wish I could say that the matter is now closed but in fact it has only begun. Like the Ray Rice episode last season, the Deflategate case will be the principle topic of debate from now until the 2016 Super Bowl and even beyond that. As to the New England Patriots, they are sort of like Dracula. Just when you think you have finally driven a stake through their hearts and destroyed them, they rise up stronger and more deadly then ever.
Colts Rookie Camp
Our Indianapolis Colts along with the rest of the NFL teams conducted their rookie orientation camp over the weekend. All of the rookies were on hand including the as yet unsigned number one draft pick, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. Among the rookies turning heads were fourth round pick Clayton Geathers a safety from the University of Central Florida. Geathers showed speed, agility and toughness and the team could use help at safety. Sixth round pick running back Josh Robinson from Mississippi State showed speed and explosiveness. He is 5 ft. 8 in. tall and weighs 217 pounds. He comes from Vic Ballard’s school so he could work out. The camp went smoothly for the Colts and their rookies, not so with some other NFL teams. The Jacksonville Jaguars saw their top pick linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. tear his ACL in a drill mishap. Fowler is done for the year. The Bronco’s lost their third round pick, tight end Jeff Heurman again to a torn ACL. Denver was counting on him to replace the departed Julius Jones but he too is done for the year.
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