New England Patriots Links 7/21/11 - Kraft Family In Mourning

by Marima on Jul 21, 2011 10:14 AM EDT in New England Patriots News

Bill Belichick offers a statement on the passing of Myra H. Kraft.

"On behalf of the entire Patriots football operation, we mourn the passing of Myra Kraft. As much support as her quiet but unmistakable presence provided us in the competitive arena and as much as I personally will miss her warm embraces before and after each game, Myra shined brightest in a much broader arena. In the humanitarian arena, her generosity through philanthropy was admired and appreciated by all. She made a permanent impression on hundreds of coaches, players, staff and our families as a model of grace, strength and giving. Myra's vision and example will impact and remain very much with our team forever."

Mike Reiss reminisces with Former Patriot Ellis Hobbs.

His fondest memories from four seasons (2005-2008) in New England? "The 18-0 season, even though it ended bad," Hobbs answered. "Every time we beat a team, in the locker room, Tedy Bru[schi] would play the song ‘Another one bites the dust’. Then we would go from that to Orange Juice [Jones] and ‘I saw you walking in the rain.’ I don’t know why, but those two songs stick with me. Those were some great times."

Former teammates Brandon Meriweather and Jerod Mayo have been guests at the camp this week. "It’s funny, I haven’t seen these guys in a while, but we constantly keep up with one another. I see them on the Twitter, and things like that," Hobbs said. "It’s weird, because you created this bond with these guys, and then it was kind of torn away because of business. But we picked up where we left off. We’re giving hugs, slapping each other 5, and it’s all genuine. It’s because there is a mutual respect and a real brotherhood there."

Hobbs was asked which Patriots players he keeps in contact with on a regular basis. "The whole squad," he said. "Mayo. Ty Warren, I was just at his football camp. Richard Seymour, I text him constantly. I just saw Vince [Wilfork]. Pierre Woods. Deion Branch. Artrell Hawkins, believe it or not. Kevin Faulk. Benjamin Watson. The list can go on and on. This is real life beyond the football."

REMEMBERING MYRA KRAFT

Patriots Today - Remembering Myra Kraft (1.15 min. video)
NFLN: Wife of Patriots owner Kraft passes away. (1.47 min. video)
The New England Patriots offer a Myra H. Kraft biography and service information.
Mike Reiss shares his thoughts on Myra Kraft, the "First Lady of Football" in New England.
Mike Reiss writes Myra Kraft brought compassion and generosity to football's cutthroat world.
Mike Reiss shares the immediate reactions from Twitter, on the passing of Myra Kraft.
Christopher Price talks about the indelible imprint Myra Kraft leaves on the Patriots franchise.
Karen Guregian says Myra Kraft was a difference-maker who had a tremendous impact in the local community with her charitable and philanthropic efforts.
Tom E. Curran writes about how Myra Kraft was beloved by the Patriots and the community.
Dan Shaughnessy calls Myra Kraft "the conscience and soul" of the Patriots.

LOCAL LINKS

Christopher Price thinks it now appears that both NFL players and owners are close to an agreement on a new deal.
Ron Borges reports the $320 million the players are pursuing was bargained away by both sides in the last CBA in the event of that uncapped year.
Tom E. Curran says, "don't tell me about the labor pains. Just show me the baby."
WEEI highlight's Heath Evans' guest appearance on the Mut & Merloni show.
Jerry Thornton offers some parallels with Potter as something to think about for Boston fans.

NATIONAL NEWS

Chris Chase (Yahoo! Sports) Brandon Meriweather trains like he's in 'Rocky IV'.
NFL Live (ESPN) The Patriots' biggest needs. (2.10 min. video)
Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Best, worst fits for Asomugha, Holmes, other free agents.
Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) Harrison is wrong: Roethlisberger, Manning are equals.
Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Peyton Manning didn't appear on Colts' injury report despite neck ailments.
Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Eliminating two-a-days: good or bad for the NFL?
Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Why position coaches will be key in camp.
Jeff Fedotin (Nat'l Football Post) Bring back 'Primetime,' please.
The Gamer Blog (ESPN) 'Madden 12' team ratings: AFC East.
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Crime and no punishment: Tampering is NFL's open secret.
Chad Reuter (CBS Sports) Plenty of talent left among undrafted class.
Mike Freeman (CBS Sports) A stretch? Players fear layoff could put strain on bodies.
Adam Rank (NFL.com) Putting a man on the moon makes these NFL situations harder to accept.
Peter King (SI) Access made covering Giants in Parcells era particularly memorable.

LABOR LUNACY

Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Most critical day in NFL talks is here.
Clark Judge (CBS Sports) League worried players might put last-minute halt to deal.
Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) ESPN reports conflict on whether named plaintiffs sought benefits.
Mike Freeman (CBS Sports) The hangup: players still asking for cash. Looking at you, Mankins and Jackson.
Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) NFL players own worst enemies.
Jim Trotter (SI) Players not ready for formal vote due to $320 million issue.
Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Approval of CBA by players should be a no-brainer.
Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Trying to explain the delay in player vote.
Mike Freeman (CBS Sports) A game of chicken.
Nancy Gay (Fox Sports) Owners could still vote Thursday.
Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Jeff Pash says both sides should be able to vote Thursday.
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL, players - finally - appear near paydirt.
Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: CBA more "tenuous" than widely believed.
Clifton Brown (Sporting News) Rush to resolution: Delayed vote doesn't appear to be red flag.
Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) New CBA expected to protect veterans from being cap casualties.
Jack Bechta (Nat'l FootballPost) Will chaos rule the day? Agents, GMs and head coaches have been equally kept in the dark.
AP Report (SI) Retirees sue NFL, say league hid information on concussions.

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Comments

Myra

My sympathies go out to the Kraft family and all those who knew and loved Myra.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Jul 21, 2011 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

As much as I hate to see anything delay the CBA right now, Jason Cole has a point.

What happens to Manning and Brees, or even Jackson and Mankins, has an effect on everyone elses salaries going forward.

As a fan, I don’t want to see the CBA delayed, and I can see the players getting antsie as well, but they would be better served by saying nothing than saying something negative.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 21, 2011 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Disagree

Logan Mankins and Vincent Jackson dropped their requests for unrestricted free agency but their demands for a cool $10 million each in no way helps their fellow players. None.

Remember how much they enjoyed the owners’ request for a billion off the top before the start of the negotiations? This is worse because at least the owners argued it was for expenses – it’s not like Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft each wanted $500K before they’d even sit down at the table.

The players spouting off on the news and voicing their opinions may not help their solidarity, but I can’t blame them for being upset with those four allowing requests that would only benefit them personally to hold up what’s best for everyone.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 21, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Depends on who you believe:

There’s this report.

and there’s this report.

One says they’re both holding out for $10M, and the other denies that Jackson held out for anything, and Mankins was only asking to be a free agent.

As a free agent, Mankins would make more money, and would help set the bar for all of his fellow guards (just like Jahri Evans did). Manning and Brees would also make more money as free agents which helps set the bar for every NFL player (since QB contracts tend to trickle down).

There’s a whole lot of he said, she said, and instead of showing solidarity or at least waiting until the facts were known, they chose to bash their own. With all of the “undisclosed sources” out there, it’s difficult to know who to believe.

I agree that a $10M money grab would be uncool. I disagree that we know for sure that happened. Too much smoke and mirrors for my taste.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 21, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Might as well toss this in.

Furthermore, there was precedent on the side of the players to ask for this. In 1993, all of the plaintiffs in the Reggie White case against the NFL got the benefit of never being allowed to be named a franchise player.

If they were pushing for this, then it would make some sense. Don’t know where the $10M number came from because Freeman names no source.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 21, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Technically

The four in question could say, ‘I didn’t ask for anything’ and be right because they didn’t ask personally. Their agents did it for them. If that’s the case then they’re wrong because their agents work for them and are doing whatever they do on the player’s nickel.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 21, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 21, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Not that I have teenagers and am overly suspicious about denials or anything

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 21, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand that part.

What gets me is everything is based off of one story by an “insider” who cites no source, and then Mankins, Vincent, Brees and Manning are all “douchebags”.

I could argue that most of them were douchebags to begin with, but in this instance it’s just one guy and his story and at least four denials that I have found. Manning and Brees, Vincent and Mankins.

Maybe they’re all being teenagers, or maybe it was a bogus story to begin with.

In the Mankins link there, it sounds like his only attorney in this is NFLPA attorney Jeff Kessler. This would make sense since it is a class action suit (they’re represented by joint counsel). Now Kessler could be pushing for this to remove the franchise tag on behalf of the NFLPA, and I could see him doing that, but to lay that on the players themselves is just wrong.

I don’t know who is in the wrong here, but it isn’t clear to me that the players were behind this. Not saying they weren’t, but right now we have Freeman and the four denials. In between, is Kessler who I trust about as far as I could throw him.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 21, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions