Rocky Landing

Regardless of who came up with which ideas, the fact is that as commissioner, Roger Goodell is the chief executive of the NFL. You seem to be characterizing him as a mere figurehead (or, as you put it, "punching bag") without responsibilities, or power beyond being the owner's mouthpiece. (As if the owners are of one mind.) This is far from true. Inasmuch as Goodell answers to the owners, the owners do also, in various capacities, answer to him. And, even if such things as league expansion, playing in London, or lengthening the season were not his ideas (obviously, they weren't), as the chief executive of the NFL, it is his responsibility to facilitate, and execute the league's agenda. That is no wall task, and clearly, in these terms, he has done a great job-- fan opinion notwithstanding. And certainly, there are far more important, albeit less newsworthy, responsibilities such as marketing strategy, and other things related to the NFL's remarkable growth rate that Goodell oversees, and have his ideas, and input all over them. That-- more than being an effective punching bag-- is what makes him valuable to owners. Talking to the media isn't in his contract. But, declining an interview regarding "deflate gate" on Superbowl Sunday, after he had already scheduled an open press conference on the subject is hardly hiding under his desk. Fining players for breach of contract is, in reality, part of his job.

I seem to remember fans calling for Tagliabue to be tarred and feathered for various reasons.

Is this sarcasm? Or did you watch a different game?

In the words of Clint Eastwood, "deserve's got nothin' to do with it."

This is silly. Why would anybody believe that Goodell would allow the conversation, on Super Bowl Sunday, to be focused on deflated footballs? Were he to agree to such an interview, the owners, and other shareholders (fans notwithstanding), would be far more disturbed. Like it or not, Goodell isn't going anywhere. And, however you feel about him, the man is no idiot.

That's awesome. How can you hate this guy? Me too!

It's a small league. We found out Marrone talked trash on his way out the door, as he picked up a cool million for quitting. What more might the Jets have found out? Or, maybe after firing a HC/GM duo that famously couldn't get along, they didn't want a power hungry HC who couldn't get along with his GM? Or, maybe the reality of firing a HC that ALL the players loved, for a HC that players publicly voiced disdain for as he was leaving, set in. Or, maybe they watched some film of our offense?

My prediction: Patriots* win the Super Bowl. Brady retires. Kraft fires Bellichick. Bellichick gets a job coaching the Taliban.

We're a dynasty in the offseason.

Patriots* by 10. Then Brady retires.

The Patriots* will be at a disadvantage, as they will be playing with balls that are inflated more than they are used to.

The guy also attended UC Berkeley. He majored in social welfare. The continued assertion by some on these boards that he is merely "dumb" is, itself, dumb.

You're both just spinning your wheels at this point. The league is more than happy with the weirdness that comes out of Lynch's mouth. And, the idea that his talent is so pedestrian s just silly. His talent is what makes him a valuable commodity. Believe me, the league cares about that.

Get with the program! This was posted somewhere around page 73!!! IN

And, Marshawn Lynch doesn't have a lot to say. Why you have such a problem with this is just weird. But, there are plenty of fans-- Marshawn Lynch fans, btw-- who LOVE the fact that he has little to say, and plenty to show. Personally, this makes me a Marshawn Lynch fan. Why can't you accept this inconsequential difference in style?

OK. Well, now you're both bashing the mentally ill, and cut-and-pasting. Both classless activities, in my opinion. I am sorry to say, that this thread has caused me to lose more respect for you, than for Marshawn Lynch. And, while I'm sure you could not care less, I still will submit that your mission has not been accomplished.

Whether you like it or not, "I'm just here so I don't get fined," is an answer. Apparently, you just don't like the answer, which matters not one whit. Personally, I'll take his bland schtick of, "I'm all about the game, boss..." over thirty solid minutes of Tom Brady blatantly lying any day of the week. In fact, I find the answer, "I'm just here so I don't get fined," vastly preferable to such meaningless, hackneyed pablum like, "we're just looking forward to the next game... we need to be more effective controlling the ball... we still have a lot of work to do... blah, blah, blah..." And, I'll take his subdued touchdown performances to ANY of the pretentious, self-indulgent, childish touchdown dances that just won't go away.

I'm not sure if this has been posted in another thread, but this is clearly the most definitive piece regarding this issue of Tom Brady's balls. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=767092833380843&fref=nf

If this is such a minor violation, and it's routinely ignored by other teams, and tampering with the balls after they have been inspected by the refs is a common practice, then Brady has some seriously inflated balls to stand up at a press conference and lie about it for a solid thirty minutes.

IN

I was fairly disgusted when we hired Schwarz. The Lions were the dirtiest team in the league with him as HC (and still are, IMO), and he utterly indulged Suh's ugly demeanor. But, I'll admit it: I'm a Schwarz fan after what he did in Buffalo. The thought of Brady in Buffalo makes me want to wretch. But, as we all know, a team is greater than the sum of its parts. And, as a Bills fan, I'm as loyal as a dog, and as fickle as a barn cat.

I will, forevermore, only write or refer to the Bellichick era Patriots* with an asterisk attached.

This would be a hard pill for me to swallow, as a parent of a four-year-old boy.

Two teams that will never play in London: The New England Patriots, and the Washington Redskins.

If the Pats win the Super Bowl this year, might Brady retire?