Tapes n' Tapes
As a Patriots fan, of course I want this videotape scandal to go away. It's embarrassing. If they are breaking the rules, they deserve whatever punishment they get.
With that said, the incredulous response from the media is naive or manipulative. Of course they cheat and bend the rules every way possible - like any high-level business. They all cheat, and I'm sure there are varying degrees. Why else would coaches hold up the play-calling sheet to their mouths? Why else would you be forced to change signals so much? As John Czarnecki points out, cheating has gone on in the NFL for decades. And there are many teams out there doing the same thing. Anything for an edge.
The most questionable action by the Patriots was continuing the practice against the Jets after receiving a letter, like all NFL teams, about the issue in the offseason. Eric Mangini has members of New England's video staff in New York and knows what goes on. As any Patriot fan is legally bound to point out, they confiscated the tape early in the first quarter. It's not like it was the difference in the game, and now they have to hear about it all season. They could lose a third-round pick and/or Belichick for a game.
The competition committee narrowly missed passing a rule (by two votes) that would allow defensive captains to have a radio helmet. I'll bet anything the committee gets the votes they need next year, and this won't be an issue.
You can bet Belichick will use the scandal to his advantage. If there was one aspect about this Patriots team that worried me this offseason, it was the universal love they were receiving. The Patriots have always done their best when they create an "Us vs. the World/Disrespect" mentality, whether it was forced or not. They have won the most when they faced the most adversity. Now they have some.
Comments
i think it's ridiculous that it's this blown out of hand. the media coverage is ridiculous, and it's the top story everywhere now.
it goes on with every team in every league across the country.
i think it should be a part of the game. if you can gain the upper hand by stealing intel, have at it.
baseball players have been doing it for decades.
Posted by: matt | September 12, 2007 02:03 PM
GREGG, WHETHER EVERYONE IS DOING IT OR NOT, IS NOT THE POINT. FOOTBALL IS A GAME OF RULES. EVERYONE MUST ABIDE BY THEM, AND IF YOU DO NOT, YOU DESERVE TO GET PUNISHED. I BELIEVE THE PATRIOTS SHOULD BE MADE AN EXAMPLE, AND PUNISHED SEVERELY. SPORTS DOES NOT NEED ANY MORE SCANDALS. THINK OF THE LESSONS THIS TEACHES OUR KIDS.
Posted by: GLS | September 12, 2007 02:08 PM
Extra points for the Tapes 'n' Tapes reference. Nice.
But come on, cheating in such a blatant way seems like it was designed to be discovered. It's either over-the-top arrogance or just plain stupid. And only one of those applies to Belichik.
Enjoy the under-siege mentality, Pats, you deserve it.
Posted by: Henry | September 12, 2007 02:09 PM
Please step away from the CAPS LOCK sir!!!
Posted by: Belichick | September 12, 2007 02:12 PM
I'm more offended by reading that comment in all caps than what the Pats did. Every team does it, one finally got caught. But that all caps stuff is just wrong.
Posted by: Tony C | September 12, 2007 02:37 PM
I agree on the arrogance. I think the NFL has known about this stuff and never done anything in the past.
I'm not saying it's right or wrong, though, just saying it happens.
Posted by: Gregg | September 12, 2007 03:24 PM
I love the "Every Team Does It" defense.
It's like a kid getting caught with marijuana in his room. "Everyone's doing it Mom"
Once Goodell spoke to every team and said "hey, don't use unauthorized camera on game day, it's unethical and if you are in violation, I'm going to come down on you hard", my guess is 31 coaches listened. And one guy had a glimmer in his eye and said to himself "Me thinks me will continue and have the advantagae on everybody" Then he did the Dr. Evil laugh and wished he had a pencil thin mustache he could rub in between his fingers.
Posted by: TD | September 12, 2007 03:28 PM