Aaron Hernandez charged with 1st degree murder; released by Patriots

[redsox13]

Whatever. Did they do that to Moss or Denard or Faulk or Ty Law? No. They deserve the benefit doubt. They likely know a lot more than we do, or he was already on his last strike. Please give us one example of your supposed Boy Scout attitude.

And employers have no obligation to act on a presumption of innocence. That's a legal standard, not a business standard.

 
Yes, they aren't going to find a ton of empty seats if Hernandez is scoring touchdowns.  
 
Just feels very premature.  He's been arrested, and perhaps the Pats suspect that his involvement is more serious than the allegations in the media, but it seems like a bullshit, knee-jerk reaction that has been precipitated by the widespread coverage of the murder.
 
If he's not going to be able to participate in training camp or games, then I'd release him, but not until that was confirmed.  Perhaps I'm just not one of those people who feels that professional athletes exist to fill the void that your daddy left after the divorce, but I'd let the guy hang around until formal charges are laid. 

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJz4Ie2fD2k
 

 

[Myt1]

This is ridiculous and a terrible overreaction.  What ever happened to the presumption of innocence?

 
He'll get it in a court of law, which is where the presumption belongs.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

Also: what a fucking moron. You had EVERYTHING. Amazing career. New baby. Youth. Money. What a fucking moron.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

I wonder if they were taping him.

 

[ragnarok725]

The Pats' statement...
 

“A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do.”

 
Anyone willing to just take that at face value? Maybe they think there legitimately are more important things than winning. Maybe they just don't want this guy on the team anymore. Maximizing talent can't be the only motivation in personnel moves sometimes.

 

[HomeBrew1901]

Yes, they aren't going to find a ton of empty seats if Hernandez is scoring touchdowns.  
 
Just feels very premature.  He's been arrested, and perhaps the Pats suspect that his involvement is more serious than the allegations in the media, but it seems like a bullshit, knee-jerk reaction that has been precipitated by the widespread coverage of the murder.
 
If he's not going to be able to participate in training camp or games, then I'd release him, but not until that was confirmed.  Perhaps I'm just not one of those people who feels that professional athletes exist to fill the void that your daddy left after the divorce, but I'd let the guy hang around until formal charges are laid. 

Yes becasue as we know, the Patriots always overeact and make moves to please the fans and media.

 

[TheoShmeo]

A sad ending football wise for sure but I like the move by the Pats here.  it's decisive, it doesn't allow for this thing to drag out and I don't blame the organization for cutting ties with a guy who looks to be a much bigger scum bag than anyone ever imagined.
 
That somewhat odd Jake Ballard move last year is looking better and better, and all the jokes last season about Bill stockpiling TEs are a little less funny. 

 

[Dogman]

Yes, they aren't going to find a ton of empty seats if Hernandez is scoring touchdowns.  
 
Just feels very premature.  He's been arrested, and perhaps the Pats suspect that his involvement is more serious than the allegations in the media, but it seems like a bullshit, knee-jerk reaction that has been precipitated by the widespread coverage of the murder.
 
If he's not going to be able to participate in training camp or games, then I'd release him, but not until that was confirmed.  Perhaps I'm just not one of those people who feels that professional athletes exist to fill the void that your daddy left after the divorce, but I'd let the guy hang around until formal charges are laid. 

 
 
The charge against him has not been publicized.  It is likely the Pats know his charge today is accessory or murder. 

 

[Stitch01]

Yes, they aren't going to find a ton of empty seats if Hernandez is scoring touchdowns.  
 
Just feels very premature.  He's been arrested, and perhaps the Pats suspect that his involvement is more serious than the allegations in the media, but it seems like a bullshit, knee-jerk reaction that has been precipitated by the widespread coverage of the murder.
 
If he's not going to be able to participate in training camp or games, then I'd release him, but not until that was confirmed.  Perhaps I'm just not one of those people who feels that professional athletes exist to fill the void that your daddy left after the divorce, but I'd let the guy hang around until formal charges are laid. 

Im guessing getting arrested and dragged out in cuffs this morning might give them something more to go on than allegations in the media. 
 
Lol at him participating in training camp.

 

[ShaneTrot]

You're kidding, right? We root for tons of scumbags. If you could be guaranteed a fourth ring with Hernandez on the roster, an overwhelming majority of fans would take that.

No, there is a huge difference between guys doing young guy things (brawling, acting out, drinking) and fucking murdering people.

 

[redsox13]

Lolz. 
 
You realize this is about a murder right?  This isn't about dogs fighting, drugs, thugs, horrible tattoos, and terrible attitudes. 
 
murder

 
But what is Hernandez's confirmed role in that?  Nothing, which is why I'm calling this premature.

 

[Dogman]

But what is Hernandez's confirmed role in that?  Nothing, which is why I'm calling this premature.

 
 
Yeah, the Pats know more than you do.

 

[fairlee76]

Rae Carruth - Part II. Thanks, Aaron.

I'm going to give Weedz the benefit of the doubt and assume he actively participated in the murder, thereby making him at least less of a coward than Carruth.
 
The SI article about Carruth's son is one of the heaviest sports-related stories I have ever read.  Fucking heart-breaking.  Apologies for sidetrack.

 

[wutang112878]

I KNEW HE WOULD COMMIT A CRIME     /Boston Beat Writer

 
Thank you for getting me mentally prepared to hear about the upcoming Borges column.  I know David Terrel would never do anything like this.

 

[jsinger121]

But what is Hernandez's confirmed role in that?  Nothing, which is why I'm calling this premature.

I'm guessing Murder 1 is the charge this afternoon.

 

[Corsi]

RossTuckerNFL: NFL teams have security departments that are VERY connected to local authorities so Pats likely know more than we do

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/m4klut

 

[Ralphwiggum]

I have no issue rooting for guys with off the field character issues, you can't get away from it if you are an NFL fan. And as noted the Pats have really been pretty good about giving guys a second chance or the benefit of the doubt if they think he can be a productive player.

But, murder is something else entirely. I am assuming the charges to come will be very bad for Hernandez. What a waste.

 

[Youkilis vs Wild]

As much as this is a kick in the gut if we were jumping from two weeks ago to today, I do think this is a pretty remarkable move by the Patriots...and I applaud it. I will NEVER understand -- and perhaps it's because I'm incapable -- how this sort of thing happens. How do you throw it all away like this?

 

[redsox13]

No, there is a huge difference between guys doing young guy things (brawling, acting out, drinking) and fucking murdering people.

 
You've confirmed that Hernandez murdered someone?  Seems as though the only thing we know is that he destroyed his surveillance system.

 

[Monbo Jumbo]

.... but I'd let the guy hang around until formal charges are laid. 

 
So, until this afternoon then. When he's arraigned?  You're complaining about a few fucking hours?  And yes - it's obvious the Pats must know what the charges will be. 

 

[Corsi]

Source with direct knowledge of Hernandez situation tells us: "Assume the worst."

https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/349901839099117569

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

Interesting tweet from Schatz:

@FO_ASchatz: As for the on-field ramifications: Patriots reg-sea off DVOA last year with Hernandez: 24.0%. Without Hernandez: 42.4%. I'm surprised too.

 

[redsox13]

I'm guessing Murder 1 is the charge this afternoon.

 
If that's the case, then I fully support the decision to release him.  
 
I'm not suggesting that he has the right to be presumed innocent by the Pats, but I would at least like to have seen them use that as an excuse to keep him on the roster in the event that this is some bullshit obstruction charge.

 

[Stitch01]

But what is Hernandez's confirmed role in that?  Nothing, which is why I'm calling this premature.

If he's charged with murder, its a major distraction for the team from a player that isnt going to see the field for a long, long time even if he's found not guilty.  There's enough for Sheriff Goodell to slap on a long suspension no matter what. 
 
This team is really good at minimizing distractions.  Not perfect, but very, very good.  Its why I didnt think this was going to be transformative for the team beyond losing a good player.
 
Im a little surprised at how quick this was, but in retrospect I shouldnt have been, particularly if the charge is murder or accessory to murder

 

[RSN Diaspora]

No, there is a huge difference between guys doing young guy things (brawling, acting out, drinking) and fucking murdering people.

 
One, Your Honor, no one has been convicted of anything.
 
Two, I don't believe for a second you would stop being a fan if Ray Lewis was on the Pats last year and brought us another ring.

 

[ZP1]

You've confirmed that Hernandez murdered someone?  Seems as though the only thing we know is that he destroyed his surveillance system.

 
I'm going to say an organization as large and connected as the Patriots has enough contacts in local LE to know exactly what Hernandez is being charged with. 

 

[redsox13]

So, until this afternoon then. When he's arraigned?  You're complaining about a few fucking hours?  And yes - it's obvious the Pats must know what the charges will be. 

 
Yessir.  I'll change my position entirely if that is the case.

 

[Myt1]

You've confirmed that Hernandez murdered someone?  Seems as though the only thing we know is that he destroyed his surveillance system.

 
Dude, you should write the same post like 20 more times.  I'm pretty sure no one else here is aware that a trial hasn't taken place yet.

 

[Shelterdog]

Thank you for getting me mentally prepared to hear about the upcoming Borges column.  I know David Terrel would never do anything like this.

 
Nobody reported anything about Hernandez being a potentially violent guy until this thing hit--there was the ganja and the vague "maturity issues" but it's pure hindsight for the media to say that someone should have/could have known Hernandez might get involved in a murder. 
 
NFL teams might have had that information and if people who were GMs at the time of the 2010 draft go on the record and say that Hernandez scared the shit out of them, then that's a different issue.

 

[loshjott]

The Pats' statement...
 
 
Anyone willing to just take that at face value? Maybe they think there legitimately are more important things than winning. Maybe they just don't want this guy on the team anymore. Maximizing talent can't be the only motivation in personnel moves sometimes.

 
I take it at face value. The "right thing to do" is obvious ethics-wise and football-wise, because it is highly unlikely Hernandez's presence on the roster would result in any benefit to the Pats on the field in the foreseeable future.

 

[Bergs]

I'm going to say an organization as large and connected as the Patriots has enough contacts in local LE to know exactly what Hernandez is being charged with. 

 
Likely not only that, but the nature of the evidence involved as well.

 

[SouthernBoSox]

If that's the case, then I fully support the decision to release him.  
 
I'm not suggesting that he has the right to be presumed innocent by the Pats, but I would at least like to have seen them use that as an excuse to keep him on the roster in the event that this is some bullshit obstruction charge.

HE ISN'T GETTING A BULLSHIT OBSTRUCTION CHARGE

 

[mascho]

In one of the approximately 15 threads we have on Hernandez, there is a photo of his perp walk this morning.  Purely speculation on my part, but when I first saw it I looked at his face, and saw the look of a man who was, IMO, straining to see someone, a family member perhaps, knowing it would be the last time he would see them for a long time.  That look, that photo, tells me that he knows he's done.  And the Patriots organization, with their connections and the protections they put in place given their investments in these guys, know it too.  
 
As Laddie said, from a purely human standpoint this is a shame.  Had everything he needed in life, and it's likely gone now.  

 

[Stitch01]

Interesting tweet from Schatz:

@FO_ASchatz: As for the on-field ramifications: Patriots reg-sea off DVOA last year with Hernandez: 24.0%. Without Hernandez: 42.4%. I'm surprised too.

 
Yeah, DVOA hated him last year and Pro Football Focus didnt like him either although he played well in the playoffs
 
I dont put a lot of stock into that, I think we lost a good player and just took a big hit to our '13 chances

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Think anyone will claim him off waivers?

 

[Jnai]

In one of the approximately 15 threads we have on Hernandez, there is a photo of his perp walk this morning.  Purely speculation on my part, but when I first saw it I looked at his face, and saw the look of a man who was, IMO, straining to see someone, a family member perhaps, knowing it would be the last time he would see them for a long time.  That look, that photo, tells me that he knows he's done.  And the Patriots organization, with their connections and the protections they put in place given their investments in these guys, know it too.  
 
As Laddie said, from a purely human standpoint this is a shame.  Had everything he needed in life, and it's likely gone now.  

 
This post is amazing. I mean, 100% pure amazing.

 

[mascho]

Anyone else going to procrastinate today by watching Zach Sudfeld film?  

 

[ragnarok725]

Interesting tweet from Schatz:

@FO_ASchatz: As for the on-field ramifications: Patriots reg-sea off DVOA last year with Hernandez: 24.0%. Without Hernandez: 42.4%. I'm surprised too.

 
Part of that is a correlation with Gronk being out. A lot of the games with Hernandez were without Gronk.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

Interesting tweet from Schatz:


@FO_ASchatz: As for the on-field ramifications: Patriots reg-sea off DVOA last year with Hernandez: 24.0%. Without Hernandez: 42.4%. I'm surprised too.


Yeah, DVOA hated him last year and Pro Football Focus didnt like him either although he played well in the playoffs

I dont put a lot of stock into that, I think we lost a good player and just took a big hit to our '13 chances

Agreed. Hard to spin this as a anything but a major blow on the field, but it is an interesting data point.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Let's get Dallas Clark in for a visit as soon as possible. 

 

[ShaneTrot]

One, Your Honor, no one has been convicted of anything.
 
Two, I don't believe for a second you would stop being a fan if Ray Lewis was on the Pats last year and brought us another ring.

We are lucky, Kraft is not Bisciotti. The Krafts have run a tight ship since they took over starting with the release of Christian Peter after the 96 draft. Hey, I know these guys are not choir boys but you have to draw the line somewhere.

 

[Stitch01]

First press conference of training camp is going to be epic.  50 questions, 25 about Aaron Hernandez, 24 about Tim Tebow, 1 about players who will actually see the field in 2013.  Death stares for days coming out of that one.

 

[fairlee76]

You've confirmed that Hernandez murdered someone?  Seems as though the only thing we know is that he destroyed his surveillance system.

Most of us are assuming the worst. No way he's released for obstruction only.

 

[Gash Prex]

Simple fact is that the Pats don't want to be involved in this, regardless of his level of involvement(obstruction, aiding and abetting, conspiracy, murder, felony murder etc...).  Any involvement at all including the destruction of evidence and today's arrest,  tells them all they need to know about whether or not they want him on the team.
 
I am not surprised or upset.  I feel only disappointment that Hernandez apparently couldn't figure out how to make good choices and that I enjoyed watching him play.  I wish the best for him and the hope he was only minimally involved and does the right thing.  

 

[CaptainLaddie]

Unrelated:
 
AdamSchefter: Browns rookie LB Ausar Walcott has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly punching a man outside a NJ bar.
 
I texted this to my future brother-in-law  (a browns fan).  His response "They can't even successfully murder a person."

 

[lostjumper]

I feel bad for the victim's family, and bad for Hernandez family. He just became a dad a few months ago, right? Sad situation for all involved. And Aaron is a complete absolute idiot. He had EVERYTHING he could ever want and threw it away.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

FFFFFFFFF
 
So hoping for the best case scenario, whatever it'd be at the time. But right move by the Patriots if they know something more serious than OBS is up, and all the evidence, probative and not, points to something serious. Damn it, Herb. I agree 10000000% with laddie.
 
 
Now lets go buy some Ballard jerseys. Maybe even Tebow, jeez.  Those signings look pretty prescient now. For completely different reasons.
 
50/50, Tebow is visiting the Children's Hospital today.

 

[Wimmy Jilliams]

He looks armless in the ESPN picture.  "Just a man with no arms, defiant against a world where most people have two." 

 

[Monbo Jumbo]

Nobody reported anything about Hernandez being a potentially violent guy until this thing hit--there was the ganja and the vague "maturity issues" but it's pure hindsight for the media to say that someone should have/could have known Hernandez might get involved in a murder. 
 
NFL teams might have had that information and if people who were GMs at the time of the 2010 draft go on the record and say that Hernandez scared the shit out of them, then that's a different issue.

 
 

...NFL team personnel men interviewed for this story say they believe Hernandez is a troubled individual. One scout read from a small portion of his report on Hernandez written the year Hernandez declared for the draft: "Partly unstable ... there are anger issues, marijuana use ... edgy and very moody."
Part of the conclusion of the report, the scout said, read: "One of the bigger risk, rewards of the draft."

 
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