Pats made a statement claiming that they did not know about the rape allegations until the news dropped today. Since the incidents occurred over the past couple of years, and a civil suit was filed against Brown, it seems really unlikely that this is the first they're hearing of this. If it is, though, they really dropped the ball. Unless they know that the league won't do anything long-term about Brown.
It'll be very interesting to see if Brown plays this week. I can see Goodell telling Kraft to sit Brown if he wants to get off lightly with the prostitution scandal.
I'm leaning toward no. Because of the Thomas trade, I think the Pats are genuinely surprised by the allegations.
I believe this. No way they trade Thomas (who looked like he had plenty left) to us of all teams if they knew the lid was about to burst on this however it is possible they did know and thought that they could suppress it. Or that they had taken certain measures to make sure it would never leak out. They are not above knowing stuff like this and getting the malcontent anyway
Or they knew and traded Thomas precisely to alleviate suspicion. I don't put anything past reality anymore.
Now that theyve made an official statement saying they didnt know that better damn well be the truth..bc if it comes out later that they knew about this that will be a PR disaster.Dont think it was very bright to put that statement out so early & painting themselves in a corner. Imagine if somehow someway Douglas knew before the Pats did & found a way to shaft them out of a highly useful piece in the event Brown cant play.
What? Bob "Tug Job" Kraft won't run right out to defend Antonio "#MeToo" Brown? Say it isn't so! Seriously, "defensive" would not be a good look for Kraft. He should just lay low and let his PR types handle it.
Why stop there? Imagine if somehow someway Douglas knew before the Pats did, traded for Thomas, and leaked the story to the media.
Ha! I like it! Seriously though, NE will be fine. They're heading down to play Miami who just gave up what, 52(?) to Baltimore, with the same lineup that just slapped Pittsburgh all over the lease.
Ha. Maybe. It would be a brilliant and shrewd move Patriots love their receiver depth. Thomas is not the player he was but he doesn't look done either. Even if this Brown stuff doesn't come out I would figure they keep D. Thomas. He is a big physical receiver. Edelman is 33 and not immune to injuries. Josh Gordon...can you rely on him to behave? nope Maybe it won't come back to bite them at all, but to me you don't just toss quality depth like that
What a crushing thought. You've just pointed out that the Pats are managing some old farts one step away from the IR and some head cases who might jump the tracks or even end up in jail, while they're still kicking the rest of the league's collective ass. Over and over. No wonder I drink.
There was news of the victim on tape talking about extorting Brown reported before the lawsuit was filed so it may be a false claims. Personally I ll let it play out before convicting him, regardless of who he plays for.