CHANDLER, Ariz. — Robert Kraft did the smartest thing to kick off a long week ahead for his Patriots at Super Bowl XLIX — he took ownership of “Deflate-gate” and took all the heat off his coach and quarterback.
Kraft was the surprise opening act for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady at New England’s press conference upon arriving in Arizona, and by the time his four minutes were done, the coach and quarterback suddenly were allowed to go back to not saying much.
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“I’ve taken the time to understand to the best of my abilities what goes in(to) the preparation of game-day footballs,” Kraft said. “I want to make it clear that unconditionally the New England Patriots have done nothing inappropriate in this process in violation of NFL rules.”
Kraft could have done the mic drop there and walked away. But he made it clear several times that if anyone wants to get through Belichick and Brady, they will have to go through him.
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“Tom, Bill and I have been together for 15 years. They are my guys. They are part of my family. We have had many difficult discussions over the years, and I have never known them to lie.
“It bothers me greatly that their reputations and integrity, and by association, our team, has been called into question this past week.”
Kraft not only had to defend his organization, he also, after Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman called him out for being too chummy with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, had no choice but to come out with deft deflation defiance.
“Many jumped to conclusions about our coach, quarterback and staff. If the (Ted) Wells investigation is not able to definitely determine that our organization tampered with air pressure of footballs, I would expect and hope the league would apologize to our entire team and in particular coach Belichick and Tom Brady and what they’ve had to endure this past week.”
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Translation: Belichick and Brady will not deal with that this week. Because I just did.
Kraft’s statement had the power to make both Belichick and Brady smile at the podium again. They were able to field fluff football questions from foreign press rather than face more domestic enemies.
“My attention is totally turned on the Seattle Seahawks,” Belichick said as many times and many ways possible.
Brady, whose practical perfection has come into major question enough to have his “feelings hurt,” also could start feeling relief again.
“He said some awfully nice things,” Brady said of Kraft.
“I feel very much the same about him," Brady said. "We have a very special relationship. Mr. Kraft, (he’s) family to me."
Now that Kraft has taken care of his family, the Patriots should feel like they can get back to business as usual.
