Goodell Appears to be Taking a Turn for the Better of the NFL and Commissioner's Office Perception (of Transparency)

GOODELL UPHOLDS TOM BRADY DEFLATEGATE 4 GAME SUSPENSION - (Brady Destroyed Phone after Suspension Recently Shed Light Upon, Making Him look even worse and more guilty than before)

Brady to Kraft, "I'm Innocent and had nothing to do with the AFC Championship Deflated Balls..."

+New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft continues to lash out against the +NFL for its Deflategate punishment because he has unwavering trust in his quarterback.

Kraft, who’s already in San Francisco for the NFL Spring Meeting -- where he’ll be face-to-face with commissioner Roger Goodell and the other 31 team owners -- told the MMQB.com’s +Peter King that he believes Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had no knowledge of deflated footballs.

“Yes. Because we had the discussion: 'If you did it, let’s just deal with it and take our hit and move on,'” Kraft said. “I’ve known Tommy 16 years, almost half his life. He’s a man, and he’s always been honest with me, and I trust him. I believed what he told me. He has never lied to me, and I have found no hard or conclusive evidence to the contrary.”

Click for Rest of the story by +Doug Kyed from NESN.com

Many Many issues with this whole dynamic Mr. Kraft?! If Kraft is so peeved and apparently what we would call, "... on the defensive," why would you restrain Ted Wells' investigation by not letting him speak to the ball boys. How come Kraft suspended them after the ruling. This is what PR experts for big kahunas like Kraft and companies like +Gillette and professional franchises like the Patriots' would do in circumstances to abuse the 'due process' by civil, criminal, and even the +NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell.

How come these ball boys were not made available to the appropriate people immediately? How come Tom Brady, if he were innocent, go against all sensibility and complete and utter logic (even by +University of Michigan standards) and give up access to his phone and email to prove his innocence beyond any shadow of a doubt immediately and lay it to rest?

Photo Courtesy: Simon Brunty +Sports Illustrated

Brady might be out of touch with a normal person's perspective, given his celebrity status and sense of 'entitlement' (something that is a very common theme amongst the Patriots franchise). Practically have earned the name "PatsGate" to be linked to every accomplishment Belichick has made, Brady's, and your own name, Kraft? Even a bigtime player such as yourself is not that untouchable.

Shall the members and fans that love the game of football, NFL, and +BRONCOS CR3W just stop there? The timing and your actions tell us that you are on the defensive over something that was committed and it was not utter innocence and coincidence that it was the Patriots that have come under fire for breaking and bending the rules several times. The only other team that committed similar acts, was the +Denver Broncos, who faced punishment and came clean with their own breaking of the rules. Broncos were under the lead and acumen of Josh McDaniels, who was the former Patriots Offensive Coordinator, prior to his position in Denver. Whom is back as the current Patriots Offensive Coordinator. Glad Bowlen said that was the last straw and kicked McDaniels to the curb!! Mile High will be ever so grateful to not be tarnished like their rival in New England.

No such thing as coincidences from where we sit. Brady, whom apparently is above and worthy of bending the rules just like your Head Coach, is considered a role model by only 61% of avid NFL supporters. That is a daunting number. A number that is below even Charles Barkley when he spat on a fan playing in the +NBA for the +Phoenix Suns and said, "I am not a role model," blatantly, loud, and clear. It certainly is sufficient enough. How about Belichick? Who went on the complete offensive after the AFC Championship game versus the +Indianapolis Colts and said that he does everything to account for margin of error so that they do not fall under any fault of breaking the rulebook and the operation of NFL teams prior to, during, and after games??

There are more holes in all 3 of their stories and press conferences than the +PGA TOUR's US Open and +Augusta National Golf Club.events... Starting to acquaint this franchise and team to the likes of Lance Armstrong, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Floyd Landis. The question is do we place these guys amongst the likes of the previously mentioned athletes and competitors? Or does he go amongst perhaps a player like Nelson Cruz of the +Seattle Mariners in +MLB, Justin Gatlin, of the United States Olympic Track & Field team, that faced their punishment and came back to succeed by following the rules and not violating them? Appears the answer has already been served as you and your coach and QB will deny what appears to be utter obvious attempts at undermining the game and those that play within the lines and rules,,, 

Well Well Mr. T*m Br*dy - karma puddin?

Patriots have improved, but Broncos still Superior

Contributed by Adam Kaufman (@adamkaufman) from:
+Boston Globe

+New England Patriots

+Denver Broncos 

Fair warning: this column won’t play well with the “In Bill We Trust” crowd.

This isn’t for the sake of pessimism or to be accused of trolling. Instead, I’m hoping to inject some realism and slow down the strolling.

NFL free agency is nearly a week old and New England’s off to a good start. But that’s all it is; a start. It's not "loading up," a term seemingly thrown around when only one big name is added to the fold.

In talking to and hearing from Patriots fans and even some talking heads since the Patriots’ business-model defying signing of Darrelle Revis, there’s been this notion of, “We got Revis! Aqib Talib wasn’t that good anyhow. See you in Arizona!”

That’s preposterous on numerous counts.

"There’s no reason, on paper, to think the Broncos won’t have their horses putting up those crazy numbers again."

To start with the obvious, Talib was first on the fans’ wish list – and quite possibly that of the team – until the moment he signed with Denver. Durability was an undeniable issue in the corner’s short time in Foxborough, but he was a game-changer who absolutely altered the success of the secondary and the Pats’ ability to shut down other club’s top receivers when healthy. For the 24 hours or so before Revis Island centered in the Commonwealth, Talib’s loss was monumental.

Second, as good as Revis is – and he’s regarded as a future Hall of Famer and the best cornerback in the game, no matter what Richard Sherman thinks – there’s no way to know what to expect from him in 2014. He’ll be 29 in July and a full season removed from ACL surgery. Yes, he played a healthy 16 times for the Bucs, but he wasn’t 100 percent and certainly wasn’t the man who earned such a catchy nickname in the Meadowlands. Perhaps he blended in more to Tampa’s zone defense – lousy, though it improved from 2013 with his addition – or maybe he was still just working his way back to form. The fact remains, this belief that he’ll step in and instantly be a savior seems a bit overblown. Is he really that much better than a healthy Talib? +BRONCOS CR3W will answer this with a big, NO! He might get back to some of the form that he had with the Jets, but it will not be better than Talib at his best. Truthfully, Patriots will be fortunate if he is the same as Talib at his best. Talib moved to any spot on the defense and covered WR to TE's. Revis normally stays at one spot, just like Sherman with the +Seattle Seahawks, reigning Super Bowl Champions.

Elway and Bowlen don't know how to do it any other way

I had a Patriots’ reporter tell me that Revis’s addition will not only reinvent the secondary and improve the pass-rush because he can cover an entire side of the field, but he’ll also make the Pats’ offense better because it will have to face him in practice. To me, that’s asinine. I hope to be wrong, obviously, but it feels an awful lot like an unrealistic amount is being expected from one guy. He’s not Bill Brasky.

Brandon Browner is a helpful and physical addition on defense as well, but there’s already skepticism over whether he can play safety. That’s fine if he can’t – it only makes the depth at corner more impressive – but Steve Gregory still needs to be replaced by a viable option and those are scarce.

DRC signs with Giants but Missed on similar offer that Broncos got Talib for

The pass-rush, if Revis isn’t all-powerful, remains a grave concern. Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich need help. Jared Allen would be a perfect fit, but would cost a pretty penny to add. Julius Peppers is off the market to the +Green Bay Packers.

Tommy Kelly’s back on a restructured deal and the finds-tackles-everywhere Jerod Mayo should be healthy, but Vince Wilfork may be leaving. If the senior member of the defense is indeed unwilling to restructure his deal and granted his release, that would create not only a leadership void but also, more important, a sizeable absence when it comes to stuffing the run. The Patriots thrived at stopping the rush early last season before the 10-year pro ruptured his Achilles and looked like turnstiles on the defensive line after he went down. The Pats don’t require an All Pro tackle if Wilfork goes, but a vet would be ideal.

Moreover, Brandon Spikes (now with +Buffalo Bills) and Dane Fletcher have already departed from the linebacker corps, and they’ve yet to be replaced by suitable depth.

On offense, fortunately Tom Brady has his binky back in Julian Edelman. Had he left, it’s as difficult to know if Danny Amendola could have filled that need as it is to determine whether Rob Gronkowski will be healthy enough to play a full season – or at least the end of it.

Brady needs more targets beyond three guys with lengthy injury histories and another three entering three sophomore seasons. Brandon LaFell may be a nice addition coming to a passing offense from a run-heavy system in Carolina, and hopefully he can replicate Brandon Lloyd type numbers. But he isn’tEmmanuel Sanders who, like Talib, went to the Mile High City. Will Lance Moore or Kenny Britt swoop in next? The Pats were unable to lure Steve Smith or Hakeem Nicks to Gillette, as both wound up elsewhere in the AFC with the +Indianapolis Colts (Nicks) and the +Baltimore Ravens (Smith from the +University of Utah, ( +UTES CR3W )

Another tight end would be desirable, all respect to Michael Hoomanawanui. The offensive line needs help at the guard position, too.

Elway reportedly (never confirmed) made a comparison of free agency to dating

Some of the above needs will obviously be addressed in the draft, but the Patriots can’t take a slew of top players with one or two high picks. Prioritizing won’t be easy.

And, the most prevalent need to pump the brakes is this: While the Pats have improved, the Broncos have done more.

Denver’s bolstered its previously putrid defense with Talib, DeMarcus Ware (+Dallas Cowboys) and T.J. Ward (+Cleveland Browns)  and added Sanders (+Pittsburgh Steelers) to a record-setting offense. Sure, they lost Eric Decker to the +New York Jets, but that will prove far more insignificant once people see how much better Peyton Manning made him look when walk-on-by-comparison talent is throwing to him in New York. There’s no reason, on paper, to think the Broncos won’t have their horses putting up those crazy numbers again.

Food for thought by Broncos CR3W

People should be excited about the Patriots’ offseason so far and there’s plenty of time to go. But, for now, slow down the talks of another banner because there’s still much work to be done for Bill Belichick's group and one major obstacle to overcome in their own conference, let alone a loaded NFC.

You know, unless of course Revis Island proves to be as hospitably suffocating to opposing offenses as the tropical vacation spot it’s been in everyone’s minds over the last few days.

Contirbution to original - +Clinton Haws (@ClintonHaws) 

No Love Lost Between These Two (Welker, Belichick) Goes Without Saying

+Denver Broncos Wes Welker shakes hands with former coach, +New England Patriots Head Coach, Bill Belichick

To be fair, +Wes Welker fueled the animosity last year when he told Sports Illustrated that Belichick would rip him in front of his former teammates in New England. Welker said when he spoke with members of the Denver media, he was not worried about any backlash from his coach, but was always concerned about Belichick’s reaction in New England.

Their relationship did not improve when Welker applied a hit on New England’s Aqib Talib, which injured the cornerback’s knee and prevented him from reentering the game on Sunday. Talib reportedly does not have major knee damage, but his absence contributed to New England’s loss.

Those are just a few reasons why Belichick did not embrace Welker like they were long lost friends after the game.

To be fair, Belichick is not known for his warm and fuzzy moments. Belichick normally looks like he’s enduring an IRS audit whenever he is in public. He might be the life of the party behind closed doors, but portrays less personality than Ferris Bueller’s teacher when the cameras are on.

Welker may have expected a heartfelt moment with Belichick, but that was not going to happen

Belichick Whines About Welker - Fox's Gatorade Bath: Broncos even Execute that With Precision

Great video clip from the link below that shows the precision with which the Gatorade bath dumped on Coach Fox is done with a great performance! Haha :D

Fox's Gatorade Bath

Not much to remark on this except the hit was entirely legal as confirmed with +FOX Sports, Mike Pereira as to it being completely within the rule book. Belichick and Saban reveal sour loser traits often. Onto Super Bowl 48 and the task at hand. Bill, Brady will be in Boston, and the furthest from the +Denver Broncos minds. Also want to point out the players the Broncos lost in their loss at Foxborough earlier this year. Didn't hear the Broncos make a whisper about how badly that game went down. Also how badly, Aqib Talib had been beaten by Thomas in the first quarter and a few times the ball didn't go his way. Lose with dignity Coach Bill Belichick.

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning Enjoying Preparation Process

There are so many to point out, but a big reason why Peyton is who he is. He simply loves this game and every aspect of competition. Cannot argue against being the #GreatestEver, that's plain and simple. 
(Link to Video Below)

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning enjoying preparation process

Peyton Manning drops back at +Houston Texans in Week 16.
The Week he broke +Tom Brady's TD record. Original photo (unedited)
courtesy of: +Denver Broncos 

Watch the video Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning enjoying preparation process on Yahoo Sports . Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning talks about preparing for the Patriots' athletic linebackers, his relationship with Tom Brady throughout the years, and the advantage of learning from John Elway.

Fox Recalls Simple Decision as Biggest of the Season, Let Alone, Perhaps, His Life.

Patriots, Broncos overcame plenty of obstacles

It's a wonder the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos made it this far. Bill Belichick's smarts and Tom Brady's tenacity always seems to trump tribulation. This season, they brushed aside the Tim Tebow distraction and overcame Aaron Hernandez's arrest and the losses of Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo to put the Patriots (13-4) into the AFC championship for the third straight year.

''I'd have been 60 miles out in the woods,'' Fox said. ''They might never have found me.''

Of all the decisions coach John Fox made that kept the Denver Broncos rolling through a drama-filled season, one was an absolute life-saver. Instead of going out on his fishing boat for some solitude during his team's bye week, Fox decided to play 18 holes with some buddies some 200 yards from his offseason home in Charlotte, N.C. ''I'd have been 60 miles out in the woods,'' Fox said. ''They might never have found me.'' Fox had just seen his cardiologist in Raleigh, who told him he'd still be able to delay his heart operation until after the Super Bowl so long as he didn't feel faint or short of breath in the meantime.

Continue to read story, by clicking here:

Obstacles & Overcoming Them Could be what Broncos, Patriots Share Most with Success (AP)

Patriots, Broncos Overcame Plenty of Obstacles

By ARNIE STAPLETON (AP Pro Football Writer)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Embarrassing headlines. Sidelined superstars. Retooled offenses. Shredded defenses. It's a wonder the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos made it this far.

Bill Belichick's smarts and Tom Brady's tenacity always seems to trump tribulation.

This season, they brushed aside the Tim Tebow distraction and overcame Aaron Hernandez's arrest and the losses of Rob Gronkowski,Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo to put the Patriots (13-4) into the AFC championship for the third straight year.

''I'm sure every team is probably at this point overcome a lot,'' Brady said. ''I know Denver has done a lot of those things, too. They've overcome a lot of things and injuries and so forth. It's just part of the NFL football season.

''To get out there and play 16 weeks and really see where you stand at the end of those 16 weeks, getting to the playoffs, play the best teams and see if you can advance. It's certainly not easy to do. It's very challenging.''

Nobody does it better than Brady and Belichick, the best quarterback/coach combo in history with a record 18 playoff wins.

View gallery

Denver Broncos head coach John Fox
speaks during a news conference
at the Denver Broncos NFL football
practice facility

After last year's stumble against Baltimore in the playoffs, John Fox andPeyton Manning also steered the Broncos (14-3) through a minefield to send Denver to its first conference championship in eight years.

''That shock of what happened against the Ravens contributed to this team being able to be as flexible as it has been and survive the adversity that it's gone through,'' said Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, who led the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowls in the late 1990s and now leads them from the front office instead of the huddle.

After losing Elvis Dumervil in the infamous fax fiasco when his renegotiated contract didn't reach team headquarters in time, Elway hit the jackpot in free agency by signing Welker and Louis Vasquez on offense and Shaun Phillips, Terrance Knighton and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on defense.

They helped the Broncos weather an injury epidemic that claimed Von Miller, Kevin Vickerson, Rahim Moore, Derek Wolfe and Chris Harris while rendering captains Champ Bailey and Wesley Woodyard backups for most of the season.

Fox overcame his own heart operation that sidelined him for a month and even a player quitting on him at midseason, and Manning set a slew of records, including throwing for 55 TDs and 5,447 yards, to help the Broncos become the first 600-point team in league history.

View gallery

New England Patriots head
coach Bill Belichick listens to
a reporter's question
during a media conference.

The Broncos did it despite losing exceptional blindside protector Ryan Clady in Week 2 and being anchored by a converted guard who hadn't played a full season at center in 14 years.

So, Manning sits just one win shy of returning to the Super Bowl just two years after he was jettisoned by the Indianapolis Colts following four neck surgeries that strengthened his resolve but weakened his throwing arm.

''You don't take it for granted,'' Manning said, ''especially when you've been through an injury, been through a major change and you're in the home stretch of your career.''

Both the Patriots and Broncos have quarterbacks known as grinders, who elevate the play of those around them because of their meticulous preparation.

The head coaches have very different reputations.

View gallery

Denver Broncos head coach John Fox
watches practice at the NFL
Denver Broncos football training facility

Belichick is known as a mostly dour mad genius - even Manning called him ''the best coach that I've ever competed against,'' and Brady has high praise for the tone he sets.

''We're challenged here on a daily basis by Coach Belichick to show up, do the right thing, always put the team first and I think that's what this team has always been about,'' Brady said.

Fox is the ultimate player's coach whose bounce-off-the-walls energy and enthusiasm were very much needed after Josh McDaniels' troubled tenure - and Elway suggested those qualities only increased after he had his aortic valve repaired in November.

''He's got more energy than anybody I've ever seen,'' Elway said. ''That, to me, is the definition of John Fox: the energy level that he brings. He brings it to the practice field, and it's contagious. I think that's why he was a perfect fit for us.''

Rod Smith, who helped the Broncos win back-to-back titles in the late 1990s and will serve as their honorary captain Sunday, said he's not surprised these are the two AFC teams left standing, battered though they may be, rendering this game in many ways a skirmish among subs.

View gallery

''Honestly, you have two of the best organizations in football,'' Smith said. ''You have to give it up to Mr. (Robert) Kraft and you have to give it up to Mr. (Pat) Bowlen.''

The Patriots lose players left and right, but with Belichick they're always playing for trophies.

Elway has the Broncos doing the same thing again.

''Everybody thought it was a huge, horrible, financial disaster gamble with Peyton Manning,'' Smith said. ''And he's got those 92 touchdowns in two years. ... So, the organization has done a masterful job.''

---

View gallery

Denver Broncos quarterback
Peyton Manning speaks
at a news conference after
NLF football practice.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning speaks at a news conference after NLF football practice in …
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
---
AP Sports Writer Howard Ulman contributed.
---
Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton

View gallery

    

.

.

.

Related Stories

John Fox: Chargers showed running, defense win in the playoffs ProFootball Talk on NBC Sportsa
Team Report - DENVER BRONCOS The SportsXchange
Broncos lose injured cornerback Harris for playoff run AFP
Report: Chris Harris to have MRI on kneeProFootball Talk on NBC Sportsa
Peyton Manning: Tom Brady 'outstanding' but AFC Championship between 'two good teams' SB Nation