March 2015 - New England Patriots Wiretap

Kraft Testifies Hernandez Told Him He Was Innocent Of Murder

Mar 31, 2015 10:39 PM

Robert Kraft testified that Aaron Hernandez told him he was innocent when asked whether he was involved in the murder of Odin Lloyd.

Kraft spent a little more than a half-hour on the stand Tuesday at the Fall River Justice Center after being called by the prosecution in Hernandez's murder trial.

Hernandez is charged with the June 17, 2013, slaying of Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée.

Kraft said he found Hernandez in a weight room working out and pulled him into an adjacent office for a private talk.

"I understood there was an incident that had transpired, and I wanted to know whether he was involved, and if he was -- any player that comes into our system, I consider part of our extended family, and I wanted to get him help," Kraft said.

"What did he say?" prosecutor William McCauley asked.

"He said he was not involved," Kraft replied. "That he was innocent and that he hoped that the time of the murder incident came out because he said he was in a club."

ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots

Discuss
Jets File Retaliatory Tampering Charges Against Patriots On Revis

Mar 25, 2015 12:15 PM

The New York Jets have filed retaliatory tampering charges against the New England Patriots based on comments by Robert Kraft.

Kraft, speaking to reporters at the league meetings in Phoenix, commented for the first time on the departure of Revis. The remark that caught the Jets' attention was Kraft saying, "I speak as a fan of the New England Patriots, we wanted to keep him."

That accusation stemmed from owner Woody Johnson, in an end-of-the-season news conference, telling reporters, "I'd love for Darrelle to come back."

 

Although Johnson's comments may have violated the league's anti-tampering rule, based on the letter of the law, the Jets felt it was a baseless charge because there was no malicious intent.

 

Johnson called Kraft immediately after the news conference, saying he "misspoke." The Patriots refused to let it slide, leading to Tuesday's counter move.

Rich Cimini/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Legal, Suspension

Discuss
Jets Investigated On Darrelle Revis Tampering Charge

Mar 20, 2015 6:59 PM

The New York Jets are being investigated about possibly tampering with Darrelle Revis.

The league sent an investigator to the Jets facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Sunday, March 8, during the three-day “legal tampering” window before the official start of free agency to interrogate general manager Mike Maccagnan and front office personnel about the pursuit of Revis, according to sources.

Owner Woody Johnson was not interviewed.

The Patriots levied a tampering charge against the Jets shortly after Johnson’s public admission on Dec. 29 that he’d “love for Darrelle to come back,” prompting many to wonder how serious the NFL would consider the complaint.

Manish Mehta/New York Daily News

Tags: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Legal, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Brandon Browner Agrees To Three-Year, $18M Deal With Saints

Mar 12, 2015 2:49 PM

The New Orleans Saints have agreed upon a three-year, $18 million deal with Brandon Browner.

Browner spent the 2014 season with the New England Patriots.

Browner emerged in the NFL at cornerback with the Seattle Seahawks.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

Discuss
Jabaal Sheard Signs With Patriots On Two-Year, $11M Deal

Mar 11, 2015 7:10 PM

The New England Patriots have signed Jabaal Sheard on a two-year, $11 million deal.

Sheard will receive $5.5 million in guaranteed money.

Sheard is a versatile defensive player capable of playing both defensive end and outside linebacker.

Sheard was a second round pick in 2011 for the Cleveland Browns.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New England Patriots, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

Discuss
Darrelle Revis Agrees To Return To Jets

Mar 11, 2015 4:11 PM

Darrelle Revis has agreed to sign with the New York Jets on a five-year, $70 million deal. The core of the deal is three years and $48 million with $39 million in guaranteed money.

The news was announced by his agents. 

Revis was traded by the Jets to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013 and played for the New England Patriots last season.

Revis is a six-time All-Pro and was drafted by the Jets in 2007 out of Pitt.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

Discuss
Patriots Could Sign Percy Harvin

Mar 10, 2015 5:41 PM

Percy Harvin was released this week by the New York Jets and the New England Patriots have "a good chance" of signing him.

Harvin was traded by the Seattle Seahawks to to the Jets in October.

Harvin has struggled to remain healthy throughout his career, but is a productive multi-dimensional offensive weapon.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Browns, Raiders, Chiefs Interested In Darrelle Revis

Mar 10, 2015 1:56 PM

The Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs will pursue Darrelle Revis in addition to the New England Patriots and New York Jets.

The Patriots decided not to pick up Revis' $20 million option for 2015.

The Browns and Raiders also pursued Revis in 2014.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Patriots Decline Option For 2015 On Darrelle Revis

Mar 9, 2015 3:48 PM

The New England Patriots have decided not to pick up their $20 million option on Darrelle Revis.

Revis will become an unrestricted free agent.

The Patriots are now under the cap not counting the new contract for Devin McCourty.

The Patriots and Revis will continue to negotiate a deal.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Devin McCourty Re-Signs With Patriots On $47.5M Deal

Mar 9, 2015 12:01 PM

Devin McCourty has agreed to re-sign with the New England Patriots on a five-year, $47.5 million deal.

McCourty will receive $28.5 million in guaranteed money.

"I'm blessed to say we had other teams that were interested, but I said all along that I knew in my heart that I wanted to be back in New England. But I also knew the business side of football, and I had to do what I had to do. I'm back, but I'd be lying if I said there wasn't possibilities over the last two days that I was going to be somewhere else. I'm happy it all worked out."

McCourty has become one of the NFL's top safeties despite coming into the league as a cornerback.

 

ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

Discuss
Patriots Decline 2015 Option On Vince Wilfork
The Patriots create $8.06 million in salary-cap space with the move.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Rob Gronkowski: Winning The Super Bowl Changes Lives
Rob Gronkowski believes winning a Super Bowl has already changed his life.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Woody Johnson Pushing For Jets To Sign Darrelle Revis
The Jets traded Darrelle Revis to the Buccaneers in 2013 and he played for the Super Bowl champion Patriots last season.

Manish Mehta/New York Daily News

Patriots Use Tag On Stephen Gostkowski Instead Of Devin McCourty
The Patriots have used their 2015 franchise tag on Stephen Gostkowski.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com