http://blogs.nydailynews.com/jets/archives/2007/02/jets_cleared_of_branch_tamperi.php February 01, 2007 Jets Cleared of Branch Tampering News flash: The Jets were cleared of any wrongdoing in the Deion Branch tampering case, it was revealed today. Well, duh. Tampering cases are hard to prove, and there are some within the league that believe the Patriots filed the charges in September just to rattle the Jets’ cage. The Branch case, I’ve been told, is the crux of the Mangini-Belichick feud. If you recall, the Patriots, locked in a contract stalemate with Branch, gave him permission to work out a trade. Bad move; it simply invited trouble. The Jets were happy with their receiving corps, yet they offered a second-round pick to the Patriots. Methinks they did it, in large part, to tweak the Patriots. The Patriots, in turn, complained that the Jets poisoned the process by telling Branch’s agent that they had offered a second-round pick. If the Jets had been found guilty, they could’ve been penalized a draft pick. Late today, the Jets released a statement, basically flaunting how they did nothing wrong in the eyes of commissioner Roger Goodell, who made the ruling. The issue is dead. But the Border War lives. Jets statement: The New York Jets released the following statement Thursday evening: "We are pleased Commissioner Goodell determined that the Patriots' tampering allegations were completely unfounded, that the Jets conduct did not violate League policy, and consequently, the Patriots had no basis to claim an injury. With this issue now behind us, the Patriots and the Jets remain competitors on the field and partners off the field, working together to advance the interests of the League and its fans." http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show_permalink/jets-cleared-in-branch-tampering-case
Well this isn't a surprise at all. Just the Pats trying to stir up shit as usual and nothing came of it.,
Tampering is hard to do without deliberately trying to and the Jets clearly had no reason to jeopardize the new regime in that way.
I didn't think anything would come of it either, although I was still bothered by the fact it took so long to resolve.
I love the last sentence where the Jets say they look forward to being partners with the Patriots off the field. I guarantee that was meant for Belichick to read and think "I will never work with those guys on anything!" Belichick has met his match in Mangenius.
