PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin,
second right, holds the diamond-encrusted 2005 Super Bowl ring belonging to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left , as News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch,
second left, and Citigroup Chairman Sanford Weill look on during a meeting of
American business executives at the 18th century Konstantin Palace outside St.
Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 25, 2005. Kraft showed the ring to Putin _
who tried it on, put it in his pocket and left, said Russian news reports. It
isn't clear yet if Kraft, whose business interests also include paper and packaging
companies and venture capital investments, intended that Putin keep the ring.
(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
It's the Ring Thing
The
Newswire
today is full of stories about how the head of state of one of the most powerful
countries in the world has made off with the prized possession of a famous American
businessman. If true, the meeting arranged to be a meeting of western investors
with the head of Russia over foreign business development may have just turned
into something more newsworthy than an international investment pitch.
Reported
yesterday by the New
York Sun, and seen on an independent
Russian News site PI visitors learned of the Super Bowl ring fiasco via
the Tipline. The Sun reported that during a visit over foreign investment
in Russia, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, showed his valuable
piece of jewelry to the Russian leader only to have Vladimir Putin pocket the
prized possession and leave the room.
The Sun reported that Kraft did not
wish to give the ring to Putin, only to show it to him. Asking for it back would
be difficult considering the protocols involved in diplomatic relations. The Russian
news site however had a slightly different take, considering the ring to be a
possible gift that Kraft could cleverly pass along to Putin without having it
subjected to State Department policy.
In either case, Patriots spokesman
Stacey James has confirmed Kraft met with Putin, but cannot confirm the accounts
being reported about the ring. Kraft continues his trip overseas and was unavailable
for comment.
The original sites where this story broke can be found on yesterday's
NEWSWIRE, or on the TIPLINE.
Patriots' fans have already had a chance to read the news and talk
about it here on the message boards.
Morton In The Fold
The
Chad Morton signing became official yesterday, with every news outlet and it's
brother reporting on the official release. As a matter of policy, the Patriots
do not confirm signings until they release the news on their website. Think that
sounds like shameless self-promotion… you're not alone.
You can read
the "Official
Press release" here. Or check the NEWSWIRE for the rest of the links
from the other beat reporters. PI reported the Morton Signing here "The
Return Game"
Two Draft Picks Sign
The Official Site
is also reporting
that two more of the Patriots 2005 Draft picks have agreed to terms. 5th-round
linebacker Ryan Claridge (UNLV) and 7th-round quarterback Matt Cassel (USC).
Another
Lineman
Former Chicago Bear, Bryan Anderson was claimed off waivers
by the Patriots. After releasing amiable Mike Lorenz (Wisconsin), the Patriots
decided that passing up Anderson was too much to resist. According
to Lorenz, the Pats were looking to shore up another position due to injuries,
yet, the first guy they claim is another lineman. Raises some questions about
the truths being told to players who get their release.
Anderson's
acquisition was announced on PI via the HOTNEWS
Monday night.
More On The Law Man
Peter King in his annual
hiatus chose to write about the Patriots' all-pro cornerback Ty Law, and the ongoing
search for a new home. Law, as has been reported previously here on PI, has been
shopping his services while recovering from the foot injury which sidelined him
in 2004.
King reports Law is running and cutting now, something he hasn't
been able to do in weeks past. In Law's own words, he's about "85%"
healthy" now, a bit further away from the "nearly
100%" his agents claimed.
Law's news can be found here: Ty
Law Player Page
Or you can use that nifty tool Scout promotes called
the MyHotlist, and add Law,
Bruschi, or whomever you want to the list to be alerted by email whenever there's
a story, which breaks on Law. Better than a search engine news alert, the Hotlist
doesn't send you every story with the word "Law" in it, it will only
send you stories about Ty Law.
Final Note: Tom Brady's a Nice Guy
No
kidding. Tell Patriot Nation something they don't know. The TIPLINE and NEWSWIRE
have stories from Brady's latest visit to a football camp at Williams & Mary,
where Brady was mingling with kids who aspire to be the next 6th-round success
story.
Brady hung out with his two sisters while dispensing advice to those
who dream about one day being in the NFL. The reports generally confirm what 1000's
of Patriots fans already know - Tom's a good guy. More impressive than being a
good guy, he's a heck of a role model for a successful sports celebrity.
It
should continue to be an interesting summer as the team manages to make headlines
even during the summer break. Stay tuned to PI, as we'll be here through the July
heat and summer doldrums right up to and through the start of Training Camp July
25th (rookies) and July 29th (veterans).
You
can find the original article with all links enabled or on PatriotsInsider.com
URL: http://www.patriots.scout.com
Or talk about it in
the Forums
URL: http://mb.scout.com/bpatriotsinsider