Pats owner Kraft defends Brady and Belichick, hopes for apology from NFL

CHANDLER, Ariz. — New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft opened Monday’s press conference with a stern statement in which he voiced displeasure for the way the NFL is handling the “Deflategate” investigation and how media is covering it, with assumption of guilt from the head coach to quarterback and, by association, the entire franchise.

Kraft said he expects hard facts, not “circumstantial leaked evidence” to drive the investigation. And if the probe does not turn up evidence that the Patriots tampered with the footballs, Kraft said he wants the NFL to own up to its errors.

“I would expect and hope that the league would apologize to our entire team, and in particular coach (Bill) Belichick and Tom Brady for what they’ve had to endure this past week,” Kraft said.

Kraft said he is confident, based on the relationship going on 15 years together with coach and quarterback, that Belichick and Brady are telling the truth when they say they had no knowledge of intent to break rules.

Kraft said he is confident the investigation by NFL-appointed Ted Wells will be in “direct contrast to the public discourse fueled by media leaks” that led to strong accusations of his coach, quarterback and staff.

“I know how difficult it is to get to this game,” Kraft said, referring to the Super Bowl. “Given the events of the last week, I want to take a minute to address the air-pressure matter before we kick off this week’s media availabilities. … I’ve spoken with Coach Belichick. I’ve spoken with Tom Brady. … I want to make it clear, unconditionally, that the New England Patriots have done nothing wrong or in violation of NFL rules.”

Belichick said he appreciated Kraft’s words and said he is “forever indebted” to Kraft for making him his head coach.

“We have a great personal relationship, we have a great professional relationship,” Belichick said.

Belichick also said he is done airing thoughts on the NFL investigation into how 11 of 12 AFC Championship Game footballs introduced by the Patriots became underinflated.

“Our team has worked very hard all through the year, I’m very proud of what they’ve done. We’re very much looking forward to the week of preparation here in Arizona,” Belichick said Monday, a few hours after the Patriots touched down in Phoenix and made the way to their team headquarters for the week at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass.

“I’ve spent as you know quite a bit of time and had two lengthy press conferences about that. My intention is to turn my attention to the Seattle Seahawks. I’ve covered everything that I can cover.”

Brady said he is moving forward from Deflategate, that he is past the initial hurt feelings.

“That’s what the team expects from me,” Brady said. “We’ve dealt with a lot of adversity. We have to deal with some more. Hopefully we can come out and get a win. That would be the most satisfying thing.”

The Patriots are back in an Arizona-based Super Bowl for the second time in seven years. New England entered Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants in 2008 as 12-point favorites. This week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks is a virtual pick ‘em.

Belichick said he considers the Seahawks’ Pete Carroll “one of the great coaches of my time.”

“What he’s done at USC and now in his five years with Seattle is beyond impressive,” Belichick said. “I’ve tried to study him closely and learn from the things his organization has done. … It’s very obvious to me why they were world champions last year and why they are here again.”

Belichick dodged questions regarding a reported “person of interest” in the Deflategate investigation and changed the subject repeatedly to the Seahawks.

“It starts with (Marshawn) Lynch and (Russell) Wilson,” Belichick said. “(Lynch is) the best back we’ve faced. Wilson’s just a winner. Plays great in the fourth quarter. They’re great across the board defensively. Create a lot of negative plays.”

The Patriots are playing in their sixth Super Bowl under Belichick, all started by Brady.

“It’s a challenging week, but it’s going to be a great week,” Brady said. “To make it to the Super Bowl is a pretty amazing experience — to do it once. To do it six times, that’s amazing.”

NOTES: Patriots C Bryan Stork (knee) is making progress, coach Bill Belichick said, and he is expected to play Sunday after missing the AFC Championship Game. … QB Tom Brady said the Patriots will have a great level of confidence Sunday based on preparation. New England held three full practices in Foxborough, Mass., before flying out of the incoming blizzard and into Phoenix, where the temperature was 68 degrees when the team touched down Monday.