When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Chris Mortensen sure has irked New England Patriots fans throughout Deflategate. Mortensen acknowledged earlier this month he could have done a “better job vetting” his original report that 11 of the 12 footballs the Patriots used in their AFC Championship Game win over the Indianapolis Colts were found to be underinflated by 2 pounds per square inch. The ESPN NFL insider continues to face backlash, though, and he shed more light on his Deflategate reporting Thursday during a radio appearance on Arizona Sports’ “Doug and Wolf Show.” “The whole narrative that somebody from the league deliberately leaked false information to me is so much baloney,” Mortensen said. The Wells Report disproved Mortensen’s original report. He finally deleted his tweet containing the information six months later. But Mortensen said Thursday his main focus was the fact that 11 of the 12 footballs were discovered to be underinflated, not the specific PSI of each, and that’s where he ran into trouble. “If I could have changed the tweet, and I should have changed the tweet, it simply would be to the dialogue that I used, which was 11 footballs — that was my focus, not the PSI — 11 footballs were confirmed to have been underinflated, and you can argue whether they were ‘significantly underinflated’ or not,” Mortensen said. “But I stand by that story.” Mortensen said earlier this month he spoke with Robert Kraft since the Patriots owner ripped the NFL and the “initial erroneous report.” Essentially, according to Mortensen, the Patriots’ displeasure is with the league and not with the reporter. That said, Mortensen raised some eyebrows Thursday by revealing that the Patriots’ side actually reached out to him to smooth things over amid the Deflategate madness. “I understand the passion of the fanatical nation that is in New England and certainly anybody who’s going through this,” Mortensen said. “I’ve had both Krafts — Robert Kraft and Jonathan Kraft — call me and apologize for just the way this thing has gone down.” Interesting. While it’s understandable that the organization’s beef is more with commissioner Roger Goodell and the league than with Mortensen, an apology seems a bit excessive, all things considered. In fact, it doesn’t make much sense at all, unless it’s simply the Krafts trying to take the high road. Nevertheless, Mortensen added that he never implicated Tom Brady throughout his Deflategate reporting and never had a source implicate the Patriots quarterback. He also questions how the whole ordeal has been handled. In Mortensen’s mind, an independent investigation was unnecessary. “Regardless of what happened with the footballs, I think it could have been handled by the competition committee and the league, and I think it could have been over with in two or three weeks,” Mortensen said, “and that includes with some type of penalty going to the team, maybe for lack of institutional control, and a fine. … and then clean up your protocol.” Mortensen’s entire radio interview can be found at the link below. It’s worth a listen.
Man, some teams have taken it in the shorts this pre-season (GB in particular). Hope my Hawks start to rally here before long because they haven't looked all that great, although Lockett has been awful fun to watch.
Trying to figure out if I should risk Bradford as my FFB QB (I do the draft-QB-later approach). I think he'll be boon-or-bust, but he's looking more like boon in that offense.
Just had my draft last night. I got stuck with 9th pick (snake draft). No biggie, always get a middle to end of round pick.
After the first 3 rounds, everything out there was trash . But I think I still came out with a good team.
Something jacked up during my 6th round pick and it drafted Buffalo defense for me . Great D, but shoulda taken it much later on.
The only thing I was surprised at and am kinda giving myself a hard time about is that Le'Veon Bell was still available for me to pick! I was debating him or CJ Anderson because I know they've moved toward more of a running offense in Denver and he was a beast last season. Since all the stud RBs were taken I decided to go with Anderson to get points from week 1 rather than wait a couple of weeks after Bell's suspension. Oh well, I'm ok with it.
We play standard, not PPR. I literally waited til 1 second left to pick Anderson... such a tough decision. Another reason I leaned toward Anderson, other than Bell's 2 game suspension, is that the Steeler's C Pouncey was just injured and is out til week 12... I'm thinking it could have a slight affect on their run game.
Second attempt: free play league? Quote this if you want to play. If there's enough, I can set it up, or someone else can take the lead. Doesn't matter to me, just want to play with people I (sorta) know.
Second attempt: free play league? Quote this if you want to play. If there's enough, I can set it up, or someone else can take the lead. Doesn't matter to me, just want to play with people I (sorta) know.
^ Our draft is Friday - getting excited to get rolling as well.
I get to keep Le'Veon Bell and DeMarco Murray (cost of 2nd and 6th round) so everyone hates me already. I pick 11 out of 12, I'm thinking WR will be my first pick. I like Brown or Bryant at that spot. Kinda staying away from Denver. Just a feeling they won't be as productive as Manning usually is.
08-26-2015, 09:03 PM
</p>
. But I think I still came out with a good team.
. Great D, but shoulda taken it much later on.
I think ESPN has Bell as the #1 back in a PPR league.
I pick 11 out of 12, I'm thinking WR will be my first pick. I like Brown or Bryant at that spot. Kinda staying away from Denver. Just a feeling they won't be as productive as Manning usually is.
