J. Kraft: Pats probably won't get picks back

Share

BOCA RATON – Deflategate anger from Patriots fans isn’t just directed at the NFL. Some fury also gets directed at ownership for what fans believe is the team’s capitulation last May.

Robert and Jonathan Kraft have tried explaining why standing down was all they could legally do and why it was better than a symbolic fight. They made it clear that, when the go-along-to-get-along plan didn’t work, they were livid.

Even after Robert Kraft unloaded on the league at the start of training camp people’s opinions didn’t change. And the news from Monday that the Patriots sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell requesting the Deflategate punishment be lifted was met with a fair amount of derision too.

Tuesday afternoon, I asked Patriots president Jonathan Kraft whether he could still feel the fans’ anger.

“We empathize greatly with their feelings and I can tell you that we are extremely angry, disappointed, confused,” Kraft said in an interview that will air on Quick Slants tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Responding to the oft-asked question of why the Patriots didn’t sue the league to regain their picks, Kraft said, “You can go to court, but when you sign up to be a part of this league you agree essentially not to sue the league. But even if you did go to court, you go to court you win money damages. It’ll take longer than the time before the draft happens and the money isn’t the issue here, the issue is getting your draft pick back and at some point you have to realize it’s not gonna happen and the best revenge will be putting the best team on the field next year and hopefully having a very successful season.”

Aside from that acknowledgment that the picks are lost, Kraft speaks about efforts the team made behind-the-scenes to get through to the NFL and about his anger with the stain left on Tom Brady’s reputation.

Listen to the full interview on Quick Slants The Podcast

Contact Us