Ted Wells: “More probable than not” Patriots manipulated balls

"Jt0323 wrote:

I really hope not. Brady should atleast get a 2 game suspension, team should lose 1st or 2nd round pick. I think first to send them a message. Not the first time they were found cheating. They need to hit them hard to make sure they dont do this again. And a heavy fine

Only 2 game suspension? I'm thinking 6 minimum.

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"CashInFist wrote:

Only 2 game suspension? I'm thinking 6 minimum.

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exactly. sending them a message? 2 gms and/or 2nd rd pick would be incentive for them to continue cheating.

"surferosa wrote:

As noted, there was a significant exception to the cooperation provided by the Patriots. Although we requested a follow-up interview of Jim McNally after our initial interview, counsel for the Patriots refused our request. We offered to conduct the interview at any time or location that would be convenient for McNally, and explained—both in writing and in-person during other meetings—that our follow-up questions would be limited to subject matter directly relevant to the investigation that was developed following our initial interview with McNally.

McNally was one of the earliest Patriots personnel interviewed by our investigative team and a number of important follow-up questions had arisen based on subsequent interviews and information discovered after our initial interview of McNally. Counsel for the Patriots, however, declined to produce McNally, and communicated an unwillingness even to advise McNally of our request for a follow-up interview. We do not know definitively whether McNally was, in fact, informed of our request. The investigative process would have benefited from further questioning of McNally on certain topics, and we believe that the actions of the Patriots and their counsel in this regard are inconsistent both with the club‟s public pronouncements of full cooperation with the investigation and its obligations under Section 2 of the Policy on Integrity of the Game & Enforcement of Competitive Rules.

We made written requests to counsel for the Patriots on February 28, March 2, 3, 9 and 17 for a follow-up interview with McNally. Counsel for the Patriots repeatedly refused to make McNally available for a reinterview claiming, among other things, that McNally lived more than an hour away and already had missed work at his full-time job to attend earlier interviews. In addition, counsel for the Patriots asked that we provide in advance the subjects we proposed to cover, submit written interrogatories, and stated that “you have given me very little incentive or basis to try to get him back once more.” As noted above, we offered to meet with McNally at any time and any location that was convenient and explained that it would not be appropriate from an investigative standpoint to disclose in advance the specific subjects we intended to cover. We cautioned counsel for the Patriots in writing that: the “refusal to make Mr. McNally available for a brief follow-up interview raises serious concerns and is inconsistent with the obligations of the Patriots under the League Rules to provide „full support and cooperation‟ in the investigation. We also believe it is inconsistent with the public expressions of cooperation by the Patriots.” Counsel for the Patriots continued to refuse to make McNally available as requested.

Patriots personnel explained that the footage captured by security cameras in Gillette Stadium isoverwritten every 10 days as a regular practice. We were, therefore, unable to review footage filmed during prior Patriots home games, which may have proved useful.

This is the most damning info yet I think and provides a sound basis for the league punishing the entire organization.

Based on prior experiences at Gillette Stadium, it was the expectation of Anderson and other members of the officiating crew that the bags of game balls would remain in the Officials Locker Room until shortly before kickoff, when Anderson, as referee, would walk with them to the field.

At approximately 6:25 p.m., Anderson announced that kickoff for the AFC Championship Game was being delayed 10 minutes, from 6:40 to 6:50 p.m., to allow for the conclusion of the NFC Championship Game, and that the rest of the pre-game schedule would be adjusted accordingly.

According to Richard Farley, the NFL Security Representative assigned to New England, at the time of Anderson‟s announcement, Jim McNally was sitting on a trunk pushed against the back wall of the sitting room of the Officials Locker Room, with the bags of game balls in close proximity. Farley recalls seeing the bags in the dressing room area earlier in the afternoon, and understood that at some point they must have been moved to the front sitting room. Anderson also recalls that McNally, with Anderson‟s permission, had moved the ball bags from the dressing room area towards the sitting room area shortly after the officials returned from the players‟ walk-through. Anderson understood that McNally was moving the balls to the sitting room area of the locker room, so that it would be more convenient for the officials to pick them up on their way out to the field. Anderson said that it is typical for locker room attendants throughout the League to help move the game balls towards the front of the locker room, but that the footballs do not leave the locker room until the officials give express permission for them to be brought to the field at or near the time the officials also walk to the field.

By 6:35 p.m., all of the members of the officiating crew other than Anderson, Veteri, Blakeman and Yette had left the Officials Locker Room. When the remaining officials walked into the sitting room area on their way to the field, all four were surprised to find that the ball bags were not there. Both Anderson and Veteri immediately asked Farley where the footballs were. Farley checked for the ball bags in the back part of the locker room (where he saw the bags of back-up balls) and in the adjacent Chain Gang Locker Room, but could not find them. When it was suggested that McNally had or may have taken them to the field, Anderson responded that “he‟s not supposed to do that.” Anderson also stated that “we have to find the footballs.” Blakeman recalls that although Anderson is usually calm and composed leading up to a game, Anderson was visibly concerned and uncharacteristically used an expletive when the game balls could not be located. The other officials were similarly surprised and concerned. None of the officials in the locker room at the time realized that the game balls had been removed from the locker room until they were ready to go to the field for the start of the game, and all expected that the balls would not leave the locker room until it was time for them to take the field.

Although the officials were concerned about the situation, with kickoff approaching, they decided to take the field. Farley and the officials left the Officials Locker Room and walked to the field at approximately 6:36 p.m. As seen on the security footage, Farley walked approximately 10 seconds ahead of the officials because, as he explained, he was in a hurry to reach the field to look for the footballs. As soon as he reached the field, Farley looked for McNally by the instant replay booth, where McNally regularly arrives with the game balls, but did not see him. He did, however, see John Raucci, Director of Investigative Services at the NFL, shortly after stepping onto the field and asked if Raucci had seen either McNally or the game balls. Raucci said that he had seen neither. In an effort to ensure that the teams had footballs on the field for the start of the game, Farley headed back toward the Officials Locker Room to get the back-up balls. He is seen on the security footage at approximately 6:42 p.m. walking back down the tunnel leading to the field with the bags of back-up balls. Farley reported that prior to the AFC Championship Game, he has never been in a situation where the game balls could not be located or where he had to retrieve the back-up balls from the Officials Locker Room prior to kickoff.

Shortly after taking the field, after Farley had returned to the Officials Locker Room for the back-up balls, Anderson and the other officials noticed that McNally and the game balls were on the field. When Farley returned to the field with the back-up balls, he learned the same thing. He returned the back-up balls to the Officials Locker Room shortly before kickoff, and the game began at approximately 6:50 p.m. with the proper set of game balls

Smoking gun....

What the officials and Farley did not realize at the time was that at approximately 6:30 p.m.—twenty minutes prior to kickoff—Jim McNally removed the two bags of game balls from the Officials Locker Room. He is seen on the security footage at 6:30:35 p.m. walking away from the locker room and turning left into the center tunnel that leads towards the field. At the end of that tunnel on the left-hand side, just before reaching the doors that lead to the field, is a relatively large, single-toilet bathroom that locks from the inside. McNally entered that athroom with the game balls, locked the door, and remained in the bathroom with the game balls for approximately one minute and forty seconds. He exited the bathroom at approximately 6:32:27 p.m., and took the bags of game balls to the field. McNally did all of this without the knowledge or permission of Walt Anderson or the other members of the officiating crew.

According to Anderson, other members of the officiating crew for the AFC Championship Game, and other game officials interviewed during the investigation, the removal of the game balls from the Officials Locker Room by McNally without the permission of the referee or another game official was a breach of the standard operating pre-game procedure. No official could recall another time that McNally had removed game balls from the Officials Locker Room and taken them to the field without either receiving permission from a game official or being accompanied by one or more game officials.

Following the AFC Championship Game, McNally was asked to explain his actions on a number of occasions, including during three interviews with NFL Security. McNally told NFL Security representatives that he “decided to walk the balls out to the field,” and was “not certain why chose to go out to the field at this time or without an escort.” McNally also told NFL Security during this interview that he walked directly to the field and that nothing unusual occurred during the walk from the locker room to the field. According to the interview report from a telephone interview with NFL Security on January 19, McNally stated that he stopped to use the bathroom on the way to the field and took the game balls with him into the bathroom.

This guy is going to take the fall for the organization unless Brady or Kraft or Bellicheck steps up. He spoke up to faciliate the investogation and they caught him in a whole bunch of lies...

With respect to his decision to use the bathroom, McNally claimed that he has used the bathroom near the field entrance while in possession of the game balls many times. He said that on the day of the AFC Championship Game, he entered the bathroom, dropped the ball bags to his left, and used the urinal to his right. That bathroom, however, does not contain a urinal. Upon further questioning, McNally claimed that he did not pay attention to what type of fixture he used.

Thanks for reading and posting. Like said above, very damning. How can they possibly refuse to cooperate? Did we hold back at all when we were investigated?

I can't imagine hating them more but if they don't get smacked hard I will be furious.

I have a feeling this report will be just the beginning. If you play this out the it's logical conclusion the Patriots have no choice but to hang McNally out to dry. When they do that, McNally will have no choice but to come clean about everything in a tell all interview or book. If Patriots have already or attempt to pay him off, it would be noticed with all the scrutiny on this.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

I have a feeling this report will be just the beginning. If you play this out the it's logical conclusion the Patriots have no choice but to hang McNally out to dry. When they do that, McNally will have no choice but to come clean about everything in a tell all interview or book. If Patriots have already or attempt to pay him off, it would be noticed with all the scrutiny on this.

not if they put a digit followed by six zeros in his bank acct

Only God knows what else these jackasses have been pulling all these years.

Don't know if this was posted, but here's the whole report from ESPN.

(According to ESPN, NSFW)

http://a.espncdn.com/pdf/2015/0506/PatriotsWellsReport.pdf

"Itsdahumidity wrote:

not if they put a digit followed by six zeros in his bank acct

Read the last sentence of what I wrote.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

Read the last sentence of what I wrote.

ok. how can it possibly be noticed?

"MonstBlitz wrote:

I have a feeling this report will be just the beginning. If you play this out the it's logical conclusion the Patriots have no choice but to hang McNally out to dry. When they do that, McNally will have no choice but to come clean about everything in a tell all interview or book. If Patriots have already or attempt to pay him off, it would be noticed with all the scrutiny on this.

By then Brady and Bill will be retired and the Superbowl Wins will still be in the book. The records have been set. Millions upon millions have been made. Any punishment that doesnt involve taking away that Superbowl win is moot.

"Itsdahumidity wrote:

ok. how can it possibly be noticed?

Oh I don't know - a glorified ball boy suddenly has a million dollars at his disposal? You're right, nobody would notice that.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

Oh I don't know - a glorified ball boy suddenly has a million dollars at his disposal? You're right, nobody would notice that.

b/c you're privy to other peoples' bank statements right?

"Itsdahumidity wrote:

b/c you're privy to other peoples' bank statements right?

You wouldn't have to be privy to anybody's bank statements to notice someone with a low paying job had just come into a large sum of cash. The IRS would absolutely notice. These things aren't private. Uncle Sam finds out and so would the public.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

You wouldn't have to be privy to anybody's bank statements to notice someone with a low paying job had just come into a large sum of cash. The IRS would absolutely notice. These things aren't private. Uncle Sam finds out and so would the public.

Inheritance :shifty:

Say, his dying grandfather leaves him $2 Million in KRFT stock that he immediately sells.

Given the tenor of their findings, I think its unfortunate that they sugarcoat the conclusion by using flimsy allegations such as "it is more probable than not" and "at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities". Those are the soundbytes that the media picks up but they dont even begin to accurately describe the mountans of evidence of wrong-doings and contradictions captured in the report itself.

A conspiracy theorist would sugest that this is the back-room compromise between the NFL and the Patriots legal team - be as damning as you want in the report, but do not declaritively state that the team/player is guilty.

I'm thinking Collins' agent will inform the Patriots that they are now out of the La'el sweepstakes.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

You wouldn't have to be privy to anybody's bank statements to notice someone with a low paying job had just come into a large sum of cash. The IRS would absolutely notice. These things aren't private. Uncle Sam finds out and so would the public.

good freakin lord... I only mentioned bank accts/statements b/c it reads better than "bags of hard cash" or whatever. Do you really believe he would deposit a large sum of $ in the bank only to raise suspicion? The concept of hush money and the subsequent actions after receiving said hush money escapes you.

"Itsdahumidity wrote:

good freakin lord... I only mentioned bank accts/statements b/c it reads better than "bags of hard cash" or whatever. Do you really believe he would deposit a large sum of $ in the bank only to raise suspicion? The concept of hush money and the subsequent actions after receiving said hush money escapes you.

And the concept that hush money only works when the entire ****ing world doesn't already know what's being hushed escapes you. Hush money is what prevents scandals like this from ever becoming scandals. Everybody knows. They can't now pay the man at the center of the entire conspiracy a million dollars and not have it be noticed by someone. If you don't get that, then it's not worth discussing further.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

And the concept that hush money only works when the entire ****ing world doesn't already know what's being hushed escapes you. Hush money is what prevents scandals like this from ever becoming scandals. Everybody knows. They can't now pay the man at the center of the entire conspiracy a million dollars and not have it be noticed by someone. If you don't get that, then it's not worth discussing further.

just, wow.

Notable quotes.

Dave Hyde ‏@davehydesports 3h3 hours ago So the Colts GM warned the NFL before AFC title game the Patriots doctored balls -- and the Patriots hierarchy knew nothing? Huh?'

The Finsiders ‏@TheFinsiders 4h4 hours ago .@ojmcduffie81 on #Deflategate: "A fully inflated football on a wet day is hard to hold on to...had to be intentional...a huge difference."

Albert Breer ‏@AlbertBreer 7h7 hours ago Wells report cleared Robert Kraft/Bill Belichick of wrongdoing, tho this would certainly fall under Belichick's oversight in football ops.


Dave Hyde ‏@davehydesports 4h4 hours ago So Belichick didn't know about balls being deflated like Philbin didn't know about phone messages from one player to another?

Its pretty obvious to me that the Wells reports wont bite the hands that feeds them.Both Bullygate and Inflagate are blamed on players.

"CrunchTime wrote:

Notable quotes.

Dave Hyde ‏@davehydesports 3h3 hours ago So the Colts GM warned the NFL before AFC title game the Patriots doctored balls -- and the Patriots hierarchy knew nothing? Huh?'

The Finsiders ‏@TheFinsiders 4h4 hours ago .@ojmcduffie81 on #Deflategate: "A fully inflated football on a wet day is hard to hold on to...had to be intentional...a huge difference."

Albert Breer ‏@AlbertBreer 7h7 hours ago Wells report cleared Robert Kraft/Bill Belichick of wrongdoing, tho this would certainly fall under Belichick's oversight in football ops.


Dave Hyde ‏@davehydesports 4h4 hours ago So Belichick didn't know about balls being deflated like Philbin didn't know about phone messages from one player to another?

Its pretty obvious to me that the Wells reports wont bite the hands that feeds them.Both Bullygate and Inflagate are blamed on players. .

Yikes.