Soul_Survivor88
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
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This is not meant to be just a Kraft bashing thread (though as you can tell from my signature, I am still fuming from Tuesday's shameful capitulation). I can appreciate perspective just as well as any, and that's why I'm making this thread - so that people who are either critics or apologists can give their take as to where the legacy of Bob Kraft currently stands. I welcome your thoughts!
My take: I am a Millennial who has closely followed the Patriots since becoming a fan of Tom Brady in 2002 at the age of 10. Back then, I wasn't all that familiar with Bob Kraft as an owner, nor was I old enough to appreciate his role is rebuilding the franchise. Of course, as I've grown older, my perception of Kraft has changed. I realize that he played a pivotal role in keeping the franchise in New England and preventing the previous owner from relocating the team elsewhere (I also heard he seriously entertained the idea of building a new stadium in Connecticut, and at the last minute, backed out of a deal he made with the Governor there!)
Aside from that, Kraft made great efforts to re-package the franchise into something that would become more relevant to the region, in a way that it never did before, or hadn't in many years. From a business standpoint, his decisions have never been questioned. He has kept this franchise financially afloat, and deserves to be thanked for building a legitimate, first-class NFL stadium in Foxborough. I also credit Kraft with being a highly generous philanthropist and someone who has connected the success of the Patriots with local charities and foundations.
When it comes to the actual sport of football, I commend Kraft for not micro-managing the performance of the team, or becoming over-involved with its operations. Despite his unsuccessful dealings with Bill Parcels and Pete Carroll, I have to credit him with hiring Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick, and backing all their decisions as general manager and head coach.
So what's my overall opinion? Kraft helped to revive the Patriot brand, bringing his business-smarts and funding necessary infrastructure for growth. Hiring and trusting Pioli and Belichick are also, in my view, the biggest pluses of Robert Kraft's career. I can honestly say that he help lay the foundations for the Patriot dynasty. And for that, I will forever be thankful.
But that's where my appreciation ends. Kraft may still write the checks, but Brady and Belichick are the ones who create the on-field product and have played the biggest role in immortalizing this franchise. They are the reason why we watch the game. And they are the reason why we've been the so successful over the years, winning 4 Super Bowls, and contending year in and year out.
Meanwhile, there are certain things we are going to have to accept about Bob Kraft's career. Because of his failure of leadership and complacency with the NFL "Billionares club" and front-office, fans will have to live with these two things: (1) the shame of knowing that the Pats have pled guilty to two "cheating" scandals when they didn't need to and (2) rather than fight, Bob Kraft chose to accept the loss of first-round draft picks on two occasions, including the largest fine in NFL history.
There were many opportunities for Kraft to defend the honor of his team, and he simply chose not to. I won't let his mistakes overshadow the greatness of this team - but I can't pretend as though his choices did not have any impact. Today, he has condemned this franchise to further discredit and mistreatment by the NFL. He has let this team down and has lost touch with the fans who have lined his pockets with money. And from now on, we are going to have to pay the price for his cowardice.
My take: I am a Millennial who has closely followed the Patriots since becoming a fan of Tom Brady in 2002 at the age of 10. Back then, I wasn't all that familiar with Bob Kraft as an owner, nor was I old enough to appreciate his role is rebuilding the franchise. Of course, as I've grown older, my perception of Kraft has changed. I realize that he played a pivotal role in keeping the franchise in New England and preventing the previous owner from relocating the team elsewhere (I also heard he seriously entertained the idea of building a new stadium in Connecticut, and at the last minute, backed out of a deal he made with the Governor there!)
Aside from that, Kraft made great efforts to re-package the franchise into something that would become more relevant to the region, in a way that it never did before, or hadn't in many years. From a business standpoint, his decisions have never been questioned. He has kept this franchise financially afloat, and deserves to be thanked for building a legitimate, first-class NFL stadium in Foxborough. I also credit Kraft with being a highly generous philanthropist and someone who has connected the success of the Patriots with local charities and foundations.
When it comes to the actual sport of football, I commend Kraft for not micro-managing the performance of the team, or becoming over-involved with its operations. Despite his unsuccessful dealings with Bill Parcels and Pete Carroll, I have to credit him with hiring Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick, and backing all their decisions as general manager and head coach.
So what's my overall opinion? Kraft helped to revive the Patriot brand, bringing his business-smarts and funding necessary infrastructure for growth. Hiring and trusting Pioli and Belichick are also, in my view, the biggest pluses of Robert Kraft's career. I can honestly say that he help lay the foundations for the Patriot dynasty. And for that, I will forever be thankful.
But that's where my appreciation ends. Kraft may still write the checks, but Brady and Belichick are the ones who create the on-field product and have played the biggest role in immortalizing this franchise. They are the reason why we watch the game. And they are the reason why we've been the so successful over the years, winning 4 Super Bowls, and contending year in and year out.
Meanwhile, there are certain things we are going to have to accept about Bob Kraft's career. Because of his failure of leadership and complacency with the NFL "Billionares club" and front-office, fans will have to live with these two things: (1) the shame of knowing that the Pats have pled guilty to two "cheating" scandals when they didn't need to and (2) rather than fight, Bob Kraft chose to accept the loss of first-round draft picks on two occasions, including the largest fine in NFL history.
There were many opportunities for Kraft to defend the honor of his team, and he simply chose not to. I won't let his mistakes overshadow the greatness of this team - but I can't pretend as though his choices did not have any impact. Today, he has condemned this franchise to further discredit and mistreatment by the NFL. He has let this team down and has lost touch with the fans who have lined his pockets with money. And from now on, we are going to have to pay the price for his cowardice.
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