Fansided

Patriots suspended McNally, Jastremski at NFL’s request

By Josh Criswell

Jan 24, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Deflated footballs with Super Bowl XLIX logo at the NFL Experience at Phoenix Convention Center in advance of the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Deflated footballs with Super Bowl XLIX logo at the NFL Experience at Phoenix Convention Center in advance of the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New England Patriots are finally taking some responsibility for their role in “Deflategate”, in a blatant attempt to deflect the blame and divert the negative attention the franchise is currently facing.

More suspensions have been handed down regarding “Deflategate” in recent days, but do not expect there to be any drawn out appeal process or media frenzy.

While the New England Patriots have adamantly denied any involvement in the scandal regarding team staff deflating footballs to Tom Brady‘s preference before last season’s AFC Championship game, they have decided to suspend both of the alleged culprits; James McNally and John Jaststremski.

Apparently the move is being done in an attempt to appease the NFL, a league that the Patriots organization has given black eyes from multiple cheating scandals in the past decade, starting with “Spygate” back in 2007. While the suspensions were a necessary step in the right direction, it is a very minor one, and one that will do nothing to change a fairly accurate perception around the league; that the Patriots have generated a culture of cheating in New England.

"“This isn’t about deflating balls,” former Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney told ESPN. “It’s an issue of if there is a culture of cheating at the organization that most people look at as the gold standard in this league. Is there a culture of cheating and breaking the rules?”"

Hurley brought up the most disturbing point of this whole scandal, and something that suspending McNally and Jastremski will not change; the two biggest faces of this scandal are two of the most prominent figures in the league, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and the team’s legendary quarterback Tom Brady.

Kraft took an actual positive step towards restoring the franchise’s image by choosing to accept the punishments handed down by the league. He continues to deny any wrongdoing, however, and is merely accepting the punishment to avoid further friction with the league office, and attempt to remove the scandal from the national spotlight.

"“I don’t want to continue the rhetoric that’s gone on for the last four months” Kraft told ESPN. “I’m going to accept, reluctantly, what he has given to us and not continue this dialogue and rhetoric. We won’t appeal.”"

Accepting their punishment, albeit reluctantly, is the best way that the team can earn their way back into the NFL’s good graces. Unfortunately, the Patriots golden boy, Tom Brady, will not accept his fate and is appealing the four-game suspension handed down to him.

Get ready for many more weeks of the “Deflategate” conversation as a result.

Next: Top 30 quarterbacks in NFL history

More from FanSided

Home/New England Patriots