Quote Originally Posted by sharpe1027 View Post
This is a classic good-cop bad-cop routine from the NFL and that Pats. The Pats organization is sticking up for the players, while the big bad NFL central office doles out unfair* punishment.

*The owners would seem to be behind the punishments (at least as a group) as Goodell has kept his position so far.

Don't be too quick to kick Goodell out the door.
Very good point. However, someone is both pushing and advising Goodell to take certain steps to accomplish what the owners want. He could have held as hard a line with other, more deliberate steps.

There is reporting that the Patriots are mad at Jeff Pash, he is being seen as the one pushing for the maximalist position here (at least by Kraft). However, its all unsourced stuff, so the Pats might just be mad he wouldn't testify in the appeal.

But if he is being the hard ass, then Pash could take the fall. Then better question then whether someone more effective takes his place because Roger doesn't get this yet.