After Landing in Arizona, Robert Kraft Lands Punches at His Team’s Detractors

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Well, the New England Patriots made two things abundantly clear upon arriving in Arizona.

1. They’re making a concerted effort to move on from Deflategate.

2. Bob Kraft is ticked.

The Patriots’ flight out of Boston touched down in Phoenix Monday evening, escaping one blizzard, only to run into another one in regards to the ongoing ball deflating scandal.

Even with Media Day lurking on Tuesday, Deflategate certainly won’t go away, but the Patriots have made it known that they are not going to address it any longer, despite the rumors, accusations, and theories — ranging from benign to preposterous — that continued to swirl in the jet stream that followed in their wake en route to the site of Super Bowl XLIX.

That was evident the moment the team owner stepped to the podium to deliver an unplanned address during a press conference upon arrival at the team’s hotel headquarters in Arizona, going so far as demanding an apology from the NFL should their investigation not “definitively determine” that the team violated any league rules.

“I would expect and hope that the league would apologize to our entire team and in particular, coach Belichick, and Tom Brady for what they have had to endure this past week,” Kraft said. “I am disappointed in the way this entire matter has been handled and reported upon. We expect hard facts as opposed to circumstantial leaked evidence to drive the conclusion of this investigation.

“I’ve spoken with coach Belichick. I’ve spoken with Tom Brady. I’ve taken the time to understand to the best of my abilities what goes on in the preparation of gameday footballs, and I want to make it clear, unconditionally, that the New England Patriots have done nothing inappropriate in this process or in violation of NFL rules.”

Kraft referred to Belichick and Brady as “my guys, part of my family,” in preaching confidence that the team did not knowingly alter the air pressure in game balls used in last week’s AFC Championship game win over the Indianapolis Colts.

“Bill, Tom, and I have had many difficult discussions over the years and I have never known them to lie to me. That is why I am confident in saying what I just said. It bothers me greatly that their reputations and integrity and by association, that of our team, has been called into question this past week.”

That continued well into the Patriots’ flight across America on Monday. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported earlier in the day that the NFL had “zeroed in” on a “person of interest” (Really? What is this, Skyfall, Mr. Bond?) in the Deflategate scandal, focusing on Patriots locker room attendant who may have taken footballs from the officials’ locker room to another area on their way to the field. That was followed by a statement from attorney Ted Wells, who is leading the league’s investigation, announcing that he expects the process to take “at least” several more weeks.

Kraft said he is confident that the investigation will turn over “facts” and “science.”

“This would be in direct contrast to the public discourse which has been driven by media leaks as opposed to actual data and facts,” he said. “Because of this, many jump to conclusions, and made strong accusations against our coach, quarterback, and staff questioning the integrity of all involved.”

Kraft’s statement didn’t stop the media horde from questioning Belichick about the latest developments in the controversy’s timeline.

Do you expect an apology?

“I appreciate the question,” Belichick said, “my attention is totally turned now and focused on the Seattle Seahawks and our game Sunday, and that’s where it’s going to stay for this week.”

Did you or anyone higher up in your organization order an attendant to deflate those footballs?

“Again, I appreciate the questions, but I’ve covered everything that I can cover in the previous week, and my attention is focused on the Seattle Seahawks. Our job is to get ready to play this game on Sunday, and that’s where it’s going to be from here on out.”

Bill, you were in the air when that report came out…

“Right now, the only thing I’m focused on is the Seattle Seahawks. That’s what we’re going to talk about.”

That’s what we’re going to talk about, apparently.

The last time the Patriots were here in Arizona, of course, was in 2008, when perfection went horrifically wrong against the New York Giants at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, where they’ll try to rectify their deal with karma on Sunday. Just like a perfect, 19-0 season would have helped to erase the memory of Spygate, so too might a win over the Seahawks at least put accusations of deflating footballs in the rearview mirror.

For his part, Brady has already put them there.

“I’ve left those things behind and I can only look forward because that’s what the team expects of me,” Brady said. “I think we’ve dealt with a lot of adversity in the season and…you know, we’ve got to deal with some more.”