The New List: The Good Guys Updated

[jacklamabe65]

Jeff Van Gundy
 
Colin Kapernick:  http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/colin-kaepernick-tom-brady-deflategate
 
Joe Posnanski
 
Please add - we're taking names.

 

[Leather]

So...that's three.

This is the party people show up to after their prom date left with the "cool" kids.

 

[canvass ali]

I thought more QBs would have spoken up by now, either as an act of enlightened self-interest or self-defense.  They all have a stake in this, assuming they want some latitude in preparing game balls.  Maybe their hyper-competitive natures are ok with seeing a competitor twist in the wind.  Or maybe they hope the searchlight doesn't find them.  Anyway, hats off to Kaepernick for putting it out there.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Matt Chatham

 

[aksoxfan]

Teddy Bruschi

 

[nolasoxfan]

I remember Pat Kirwan & Jim Miller stating on their Sirius/XM show that the whole investigation was a total waste of time and money.

​Edit:  I don’t remember the date and time of the statement nor am I 100% certain it was this commentator combination.  However, it is ‘more probable than not’ that it was these two.  So, essentially, I have no proof.

 

[J.McG]

Mike Klis:
https://twitter.com/mikeklis/status/596460388960481281
https://twitter.com/mikeklis/status/596460798894977025

 

[tims4wins]

For the record Klis is a Broncos writer. One of the Pats chief rivals right now. But likely dismissed as a footie pajama wearing Pats fanboy.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

Hasn't Chris Christie been saying this is bullshit or some such comment?
 
Note it kills me to say put CC in the good guys camp.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Donald Trump:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/596769115613896705

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

Hasn't Chris Christie been saying this is bullshit or some such comment?
 
Note it kills me to say put CC in the good guys camp.

 
Yup...
 

The NFL might think Tom Brady knew about Deflategate – but Chris Christie sure doesn't.  
 
When the New Jersey governor saw headlines regarding the NFL's report on the scandal – which was released Wednesday and states that the New England Patriots quarterback was likely aware of the deflated footballs – he shrugged off the finding as people seeing green. "So here's Tom Brady – great-looking guy, wealthy beyond imagination, married to Gisele Bundchen and four Super Bowl" wins, Christie told reporters Thursday during a press conference in New Hampshire. "You know? There are some people who just want to take a shot at Tom Brady because it seems that Tom Brady's life is almost too perfect."
 
A Dallas Cowboys fan (to the deep chagrin of his New Jersey constituents), Christie waved away the conclusions of the NFL investigation into so-called "Deflategate," saying the Wells report struck him as "a lot of 'probablys' and 'maybes.'  I see no reason to believe Tom Brady lied or cheated," he said. 
 
Christie, who's had his own Bridgegate Scandal headlines to deal with of late, was asked if he can relate to Brady being under siege.  With a chuckle, Christie responded: "I can't think of one way I can actually relate to Tom Brady."

 

[dcmissle]

Hasn't Chris Christie been saying this is bullshit or some such comment?
 
Note it kills me to say put CC in the good guys camp.

You gets your friends where you find 'em.

If Mark Cuban were an NFL owner, he would be blasting away. That's why he never will be an NFL owner.

 

[Cabin Mirror]

I remember Pat Kirwan & Jim Miller stating on their Sirius/XM show that the whole investigation was a total waste of time and money.

​Edit:  I don’t remember the date and time of the statement nor am I 100% certain it was this commentator combination.  However, it is ‘more probable than not’ that it was these two.  So, essentially, I have no proof.

I listen to those guys periodically and I've heard Miller defend Brady wrt Ballghazi. I'm pretty sure Kirwan is right there too.

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

https://twitter.com/gehrig38/status/596877282742050816

 

[Nick Kaufman]

When the New Jersey governor saw headlines regarding the NFL's report on the scandal – which was released Wednesday and states that the New England Patriots quarterback was likely aware of the deflated footballs – he shrugged off the finding as people seeing green. "So here's Tom Brady – great-looking guy, wealthy beyond imagination, married to Gisele Bundchen and four Super Bowl" wins, Christie told reporters Thursday during a press conference in New Hampshire. "You know? There are some people who just want to take a shot at Tom Brady because it seems that Tom Brady's life is almost too perfect."
 

 
No ulterior motive there, for sure. :buddy:

 

[Nick Kaufman]

But I loved this line:

 

Christie, who's had his own Bridgegate Scandal headlines to deal with of late, was asked if he can relate to Brady being under siege.  With a chuckle, Christie responded: "I can't think of one way I can actually relate to Tom Brady."
 

 

[TheoShmeo]

Drew Bledoe posted a picture with Brady on his FB page.

 

[bob burda]

I think you could add Bob Costas - I had not heard about this interview on the Rich Eisen show, but he's very thoughtful about the whole subject.
 
At one point he suggest that if the Wells Report is true, then its findings are on the level of watering down the basepaths against an opponent with good speed, or it is like when Don Shula (Ha!) kept the tarp off the field in the rain on the day before a playoff game against the Jets. Costas says this is just gamesmanship and not in the category of cheating or interfering with the game's integrity. He discounts the likelihood of a suspension in these circumstances. The whole discussion of Deflategate goes until about the 12:00 mark.  You'd want all the discussion to be this reasonable.  
 
Link: http://www.richeisenshow.com/2015/05/06/bob-costas-of-nbc-sports-talks-deflategate-investigation-more-in-studio-5615/

 

[Bleedred]

Costas doubts they'll suspend.   Of course, he was interviewed by Eisen within hours after the report was made public, and it seems like the presumption is now suspension.

 

[Remagellan]

Jeff Blake belongs on the list.  He was one of the first guys to come out and say that this was no big del because he used to have the ball boys lighten the balls for him all the time.  And he played on seven teams in his career.  If he's to be believed, the Jets, Bengals, Saints, Ravens, Cardinals, Eagles, and Bears have all done this without ever being penalized.  

 

[CantKeepmedown]

http://m.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-willie-colon-thinks-deflategate-hot-air-article-1.2216795?cid=bitly&utm_content=buffer081dd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=NYDNSports+Twitter

Jets O-lineman Willie Colon speaking truth.

 

[tims4wins]

We knew Reiss should be on this list but he nailed it today IMO

 

[jacklamabe65]

Mike Reiss's sagacity: "ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweeted something Saturday morning that resonated with me; it was advice on journalism and social media from Margaret Sullivan, public editor of the New York Times. Three points I highlighted were: Think more about fairness than objectivity; think about how close you can get to the truth; put yourself in the place of the people who will be affected by your work (that doesn't mean to pull your punches). I think those can apply in more areas than journalism, and in fact, they are three reasons that highlight why I think commissioner Roger Goodell has erred badly from the start with the league's handling of the Patriots and underinflated footballs, making this into a much bigger deal than it is. Over the last three days, I've digested the 243-page Wells report reading it multiple times, and with its bias and lack of fairness in certain areas, I truly can't believe what the commissioner has done to the legacy and reputation of one of the greatest quarterbacks and ambassadors in the history of the game -- all over air pressure in a football and without definitive proof he had anything to do with it."

 

[CaptainLaddie]

I remember Pat Kirwan & Jim Miller stating on their Sirius/XM show that the whole investigation was a total waste of time and money.

​Edit:  I don’t remember the date and time of the statement nor am I 100% certain it was this commentator combination.  However, it is ‘more probable than not’ that it was these two.  So, essentially, I have no proof.

 

No you're 100% right about this.

 

[FormerLurker]

A remarkably good editorial in the Providence Journal - maybe the first example I have seen of a counter-narrative breaking into the mainstream non-sports press.  (Strangely, one of the comments implies that a much more negative version may have been posted at one point, but the current version is the one that was in the print edition as well.)
 
http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150510/OPINION/150519938/2011

 

[Leather]

Until you see those articles in the media centers of the country, like DC and NY, it's just preaching to the choir.

 

[FormerLurker]

Until you see those articles in the media centers of the country, like DC and NY, it's just preaching to the choir.

 
True, but in the first few days we weren't really seeing them that much in New England either.

 

[Nick Kaufman]

You know what? It would be great if John Oliver used his talents to support our case.

 

[TheoShmeo]

Scott Fujita (@sfujita55)

5/10/15, 6:56 PM
Finally read Wells Report. Yawn. Barring any new developments, I've yet to see anything that warrants discipline. Chill w/ the hyperbole.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

You know what? It would be great if John Oliver used his talents to support our case.

He'll probably focus on the idiocy of the NFL and Goodell more than the validity of Brady's "verdict", but yes, that would be great.

 

[reggiecleveland]

I doubt it. Stewart went after Brady. If Oliver does it he will go ofr the "guy with it all" cheats easy jokes.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

I doubt it. Stewart went after Brady. If Oliver does it he will go ofr the "guy with it all" cheats easy jokes.

I think you misinterpreted Stewart's take on the issue.

 

[djbayko]

I think you misinterpreted Stewart's take on the issue.

Then it went over my head as well. What was your read?

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Then it went over my head as well. What was your read?

I'll fully admit that I don't watch Stewart religiously anymore, but I've never known him to bring up a topic in the media in the effort to agree with the general consensus. That's not what he is about nor what his show is premised on. It's satire. The opening and the closing of that piece are what I took from it because that's how Stewart works. He doesn't build something up and then throw you a headline from the Post to support his position. He does it to make fun of the Post and the situation, the media in general that blow shit out of proportion or take crazy slants. That's the hook that's kept him on TV for 15+ years.

I mean, Jesus, the first couple minutes of that piece are clearly mocking the severity with which news outlets are taking this. That's kind of, ya know, his thing. If he agreed with everything the press was hyperventilating over, it wouldn't have been on the show.

Do you honestly think he was comparing it to the wars he has covered over the years?

 

[reggiecleveland]

Sure he are fun of the media, but he spent time making fun of Brady's denial, using his usual arrangement of clips to make Brady look like a liar. Then he did 'dumb jock' bit about Gronk. Sure he admitted it was partisan, because he is a Giants fan, but make no mistake about it. It was a takedown of Brady.

 

[Devizier]

I'll fully admit that I don't watch Stewart religiously anymore, but I've never known him to bring up a topic in the media in the effort to agree with the general consensus. That's not what he is about nor what his show is premised on. It's satire. The opening and the closing of that piece are what I took from it because that's how Stewart works.

 
Usually, this is the case. But Stewart got caught with his pants down re: ACORN and, of course, that's an issue that actually mattered. Since ballghazi is just bread and circuses, Stewart can let his freak flag fly a little bit.

 

[Silverdude2167]

Sure he are fun of the media, but he spent time making fun of Brady's denial, using his usual arrangement of clips to make Brady look like a liar. Then he did 'dumb jock' bit about Gronk. Sure he admitted it was partisan, because he is a Giants fan, but make no mistake about it. It was a takedown of Brady.

It was a takedown of Brady till the end. When he said he would not care if he was the QB of the Giants. It was actually a takedown of fandom and the stupidity of it all and how it only mattered because it was Brady and the Patriots. 

 

[nolasoxfan]

Amani Toomer on Sirius/XM should be added to the ‘Good Guys’ list.  

 

[Leather]

Amani Toomer on Sirius/XM should be added to the ‘Good Guys’ list.  

Can you give us an inkling as to why?

 

[RIFan]

John Buccigross via Twitter:
"@Buccigross: If Tom Brady is suspended (I grew up Steelers fan) Patriots fans should unite & NOT go to opening night game. Just don't go/Stay home #balls"

 

[Ferm Sheller]

John Buccigross via Twitter:
"@Buccigross: If Tom Brady is suspended (I grew up Steelers fan) Patriots fans should unite & NOT go to opening night game. Just don't go/Stay home #balls"

 
Which would benefit the Steelers, his favorite team, right?

 

[AB in DC]

I think Florio has earned a spot on the whitelist.
 
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/10/is-football-inflation-a-big-deal-its-too-late-for-the-nfl-to-say-it-isnt/

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

It was a takedown of Brady till the end. When he said he would not care if he was the QB of the Giants. It was actually a takedown of fandom and the stupidity of it all and how it only mattered because it was Brady and the Patriots. 

This.

 

[Reverend]

This.

 
So weird for him to put the punchline at the end like that.

 

[Cabin Mirror]

Amani Toomer on Sirius/XM should be added to the ‘Good Guys’ list.  

 
I was going to mention this as well, though I only caught 2-3 minutes where Toomer was basically saying the whole thing was nonsense. Ball pressure doesn't even matter. Some caller was trying to say that a softer ball is easier to catch, Toomer responded he had no preference for how a ball felt as long as it was thrown in his direction. Actually felt that a more inflated ball had a better chance of maintaining a tight spiral which would be easier to catch.
 
The next caller suggested that they get a retinal scanner to use on Brady to determine whether he is telling the truth. Both Toomer and Bob Papa laughed in bewilderment.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Doug "SoSH's Friend" Kyed has been as objective and even-keeled as any. Here's his latest:
 
http://nesn.com/2015/05/five-biggest-issues-with-evidence-against-patriots-in-wells-report/

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Shaun King who says NFL is conducting a 'witch hunt' against the Patriots. #Preach

 

[Todd Benzinger]

Rob Neyer
 

Man, I don’t even ... I still can’t quite figure out how under-inflated footballs would really help a quarterback, but then people have said the same thing about corked bats. Which, come to think of it, have never been held against batters who got caught using them....
 
Under-inflated footballs are, I think, like spitballs and corked bats, i.e. if you ain’t cheatin’ you ain’t trying, it’s only cheating if you get caught, all’s fair in love and professional sports, etc....
 
I’m pretty sure Tom Brady’s still getting one of those weird busts in Canton, Ohio.

 

[Super Nomario]

Stephanie Stradley is killing it on Twitter right now:
 
Stephanie Stradley @StephStradley  ·  2h 2 hours ago
Why argue appropriate penalties? NFL might as well banished Brady to a pineapple under the sea. They're making this bleep up. Zero standards
 

Stephanie Stradley @StephStradley  ·  2h 2 hours ago
NFL seems blind that random/haphazard process on warnings, penalties is a greater game integrity concern than the things they're punishing.
 

Stephanie Stradley @StephStradley  ·  2h 2 hours ago
lol. When you have an arbitrary system, adverse things can happen to any fanbase. Even yours. RT @vgp100 You work for the Patriots now?
 

Stephanie Stradley @StephStradley  ·  59m 59 minutes ago
Wrote this re: NFL conduct policy in 09, tho it applies to discipline in general as well. I can see the future y'all. http://www.stradleylaw.com/roger-goodell-criminal-justice-role/
 
Stephanie Stradley @StephStradley  ·  12m 12 minutes ago

Benson got no benefit to rolling over and accepting the #Saints punishment. Kraft might as well go nuclear option on this stuff.
 

Stephanie Stradley @StephStradley  ·  5m 5 minutes ago
I deem you guilty. @ me and I will tell you your punishment. If you dispute that you are guilty, I will punish you more. Appeals go to me.
 

Stephanie Stradley ‏@StephStradley
I searched your phone. I don't like how you arranged your apps. 2 game suspension RT @TaurusBone even if I let you search my personal phone?

 

[Remagellan]

Don Banks