Rough week on the PR front for ESPN. Last night, the Patriots did the unthinkable - they released a statement directly contradicting an ESPN report from the intrepid Wendi Nix. Thursday morning, the Boston Herald reported that Tom Brady has had two additional procedures on his knee to clean up an infection. No response from the Patriots. Later Thursday, Nix, not wanting to simply report what the Herald was reporting, added that the team was pissed off about it. Uh-oh.

“Today, ESPN cited an unnamed source who supposedly expressed the feelings of the Patriots ‘organization.’ This unsubstantiated report does not represent the team’s views whatsoever. We have supported Tom Brady one hundred percent from day one of this process and will continue to do so. We issued a statement last Saturday expressing our complete organizational support for Tom. That support includes all aspects of the process. Unfortunately, our statement was not mentioned or referenced in ESPN’s report. Today, we reiterate our total support for Tom as he recovers from his injury.”

For what it’s worth, Nix didn’t parachute into Boston for this report - she’s familiar with the market, having gone to school there and worked there for a few years before getting snapped up by the WWL. She’s also married to a Boston Red Sox executive and resides there.

The Patriots, under Belichick, have to be one of the most difficult-to-deal-with franchises in the NFL. He’s always tried to control the message - moreso than any other coach in the league, in our opinion - and keep the media at a safe distance. Perhaps that is because he detests the media. We’re most interested in seeing how ESPN handles this. This statement is a pretty large slap in the face and will do one of two things: 1) Make ESPN back down from reporting on this story or 2) Make ESPN angry and get on the offensive against the Patriots.

We could - could - be on the cusp of a first: What if ESPN brass decides: ‘You know what, we don’t need the Patriots. Their run is over. Let’s aggressively report this out with Mort, Clayton and the gang.’ ESPN would get no cooperation from the Patriots, but like it matters, they’re not on MNF anymore this season, and Tom Brady’s still eight months before becoming relevant again. In eight months, all these old wounds will be forgotten.