<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>BOSTON (June 29, 2005) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin walked off with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's diamond-encrusted 2005 Super Bowl ring, but was it a generous gift or a very expensive international misunderstanding? Following a meeting of American business executives and Putin at Konstantinovsky Palace near St. Petersburg on June 25, Kraft showed the ring to Putin -- who tried it on, put it in his pocket and left, according to Russian news reports. It wasn't clear if Kraft, whose business interests include paper and packaging companies and venture capital investments, intended that Putin keep the ring. Patriots spokesman Stacey James said that Kraft was traveling and he hadn't talked to him in four or five days, despite e-mails and calls. "He's still overseas, I can't even tell you where. ... He's not due back until next week." "It's an incredible story. I just haven't been able to talk to Robert Kraft to confirm the story," James told The Associated Press. However, a Kremlin official who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of compromising his position told the AP the ring was a present. "Such a present was made," the official said. He said Putin had given the ring to the Kremlin library where other foreign gifts are kept. James said the ring's worth was "substantially more" than $15,000, as the value had been reported. He refused to be specific, but noted that the ring has 124 diamonds. Kraft handed out Super Bowl rings to players and coaches at his home two weeks ago. The Patriots have won three of the last four Super Bowls.</div>
"He said Putin had given the ring to the Kremlin library where other foreign gifts are kept." Why the hell would you give a super bowl ring to some one to look at any ways?
I'm sure Kraft meant it as a gift. There's no way he would have just let him walk off with it...Russian leader or otherwise. Personally, I'd never give mine away. Then again, Bob has three. Maybe the thrill has worn off. *laughs*
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack)</div><div class='quotemain'>I'm sure Kraft meant it as a gift. There's no way he would have just let him walk off with it...Russian leader or otherwise. Personally, I'd never give mine away. Then again, Bob has three. Maybe the thrill has worn off. *laughs*</div> Anyone smart enough to give up a 1st round pick for 3 superbowls is smart enough to not "forget" his ring...I'm sure it was a gift.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J-E-T-S 1083)</div><div class='quotemain'>hahahaha thats hilarious</div> Have you ever wondered what would have happened had Parcells just left instead of insisting on hovering over belichick making him want to coach the pats?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Glenso1188)</div><div class='quotemain'>lol, nice one</div> Good to see you glenso...hope to see you more once traing camp and the season gets rolling.
yeah i've still been around reading a lot, just not really posting. Once the season starts I'll have a lot more to say.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'> Have you ever wondered what would have happened had Parcells just left instead of insisting on hovering over belichick making him want to coach the pats?</div> damn u Pats dont remind me but to answer ur question..... a lot
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J-E-T-S 1083)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'> Have you ever wondered what would have happened had Parcells just left instead of insisting on hovering over belichick making him want to coach the pats?</div> damn u Pats dont remind me but to answer ur question..... a lot </div> The funny thing is I (along with a majority if pats fans) thought kraft was an idiot for giving up a first round pick for a coach...guess I was wrong...haha
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J-E-T-S 1083)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'> Have you ever wondered what would have happened had Parcells just left instead of insisting on hovering over belichick making him want to coach the pats?</div> damn u Pats dont remind me but to answer ur question..... a lot </div> The funny thing is I (along with a majority if pats fans) thought kraft was an idiot for giving up a first round pick for a coach...guess I was wrong...haha</div> yea i guess it paid off huh
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>Didn't the bucs give up a 1st rounder for Gruden. I guess it must pay off then.</div> The bucs gave up more than a 1st for gruden...it was alot more if I remember correctly and it worked for a season but is part of the reason they went down hill..I don't remember exactly how many pics but it was definitely worth more than a first.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>Didn't the bucs give up a 1st rounder for Gruden. I guess it must pay off then.</div> The bucs gave up more than a 1st for gruden...it was alot more if I remember correctly and it worked for a season but is part of the reason they went down hill..I don't remember exactly how many pics but it was definitely worth more than a first.</div> They still won a SB. Not many teams turn into dynastys like NE.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>Didn't the bucs give up a 1st rounder for Gruden. I guess it must pay off then.</div> The bucs gave up more than a 1st for gruden...it was alot more if I remember correctly and it worked for a season but is part of the reason they went down hill..I don't remember exactly how many pics but it was definitely worth more than a first.</div> They still won a SB. Not many teams turn into dynastys like NE.</div> Oh they got what they wanted...its just reason they took a step back right away..they couldn't rebuild..and I know teams don't do what we have done..because only 1 other team has..Dallas....but they could have been a Playoff team with more draft pics the following year...
