Of course they knew and of course they didn't care so long as he he was productive on the field and of course it didn't stop everyone from praising "the pats ways". I'm not saying they were doing the right thing for 3 last years, just that they were right to release him.
Why was it right to release him? It has no impact on what he did it only makes them look like they are pilling on and trying to wipe blood from their own hands. Panic moves are never the right thing to do.
If he actually shot somebody recently and then this happened I have no problem with the Pats releasing him. The question is whether he actually shot somebody recently and then this happened. I don't understand why the civil suit against him was dropped so suddenly. He's got deep pockets and somebody lost an eye. That suit should have stayed alive. That it died so suddenly makes me wonder exactly what's going on here.
Uh...because all the evidence points to him being a killer? And why does it matter? You say they are trying to wipe blood from their hands...what blood do they have to wipe from their hands? Drafting a troublesome guy doesn't make them culpable in the slightest.
It matters because the Pats are a trusted organization in NE the place where this is going to be tried. Their actions are prejudicial. They have also made it clear they don't stand behind their employees. The Pats did this for one reason, cap compensation and to get rid of the stink as fast as possible. The exact opposite of what the Ravens did with Lewis.
The Patriot way: 1) Hire thug 2) give thug large raise 3) release thug when the world see's he's a thug. 4) receive praise for doing the right thing
Here's a great Onion piece about this focusing on (you know it): Tim Tebow. "Tim Tebow's former teammate charged with murder" http://www.theonion.com/articles/tim-tebows-former-teammate-charged-with-murder,32976/
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter 12m Boston PD has located red SUV with RI plates it was looking for as identified in July 2012 homicide. Aaron Hernandez rented it.
While I normally see eye-to-eye with your opinions, I can't on this one (and please correct me if I'm wrong). But I see your stand as "the Pats don't stand behind their players and wanted cap clearance anyway." In that regard, I can't speak to cap clearance but they have no obligation (legal or moral) to retain a player who has been arrested for murder. The distractions are immense, and I'm sure it's within the contract language that if a player is accused of breaking the law and (in the determination of the organization), it becomes an individual or team distraction, then the contract is null and void. See Plaxico Burress, NY Giants Contract. With regard to their actions being prejudicial, nonsense. They did what any prudent company who is in the entertainment/marketing business would do and rid themselves of the liability... and pronto. Look at the fallout from Paula Deen with the Food Channel, Home Depot, Walmart, etc. You rid yourself of the cancer and screw "standing behind" someone who is involved in inpropriety. The evidence against Hernandez is overwhelming at this point (and now there may be other charges to two other prior murders). And although the man is absolutely "innocent until proven guilty," there is no doubt the NE Patriots do not need and do not have to tolerate this distraction, especially with him off the field and absent from practice until as long as it takes to absolve him of the crime(s). They cannot be expected to absorb that. So, kudos to the NE Patriots for cutting him. A $40 Million Contract is a priviledge, not an entitlement. You keep your nose squeaky clean, you concentrate on football and you have your folks lock up your hand guns for safekeeping so you don't fuck up this badly..
that is pretty much how it will be portrayed, and they played it perfectly. he came to the place they sent him home and distanced themselves from him. then AS SOON as it got ugly they cut ties. no questions asked. that screams we are squeaky clean and wont deal with anything like this. you have to give them credit for that. i hate them but that macaroni and cheese guy is pretty shrewd.
actually, the Pats lose the ability to recoop cap compensation by releasing him. How many employers will want to stand behind some charged with first degree murder? You keep acting like this is a run of the mill charge. Simply put, you'll have a job as long as you don't get arrested for murder....pretty huge window of leeway there.
