Pat's season is done now too

by mikem1224 on Sep 12, 2007 7:28 AM EDT

Ballsy. If the NFL gave rings for having a huge set of balls, the Patriots should have a jewelry box the size of a coffin. Last year, Miami got a little attention for admitting they'd legally figured out some of Brady's offensive calls. Some wondered if it was cheating, others said it was crafty, but nobody realized that it was really just desserts. Saban, a former staffer of Belichick, must have known something about the man's practices. So is it any surprise that NY Jets head coach Mangini, another former Belichick staffer, was present when the Patriot's were caught with their hands in the jar yet again? I say again because as this story develops, at least 2 other teams have reportedly had the Patriots film their signals from the sideline (Packers and Lions - and really...why the Lions???).
You can read the story on newswires everywhere - But my rant is this; How deep does this go? This is a team with Hall of Famers to be on it. This is a team with 3 Superbowl rings. This is a team that, on paper, could very well win the Superbowl this year. How longs have they been cheating? If this is happening now, while the Pats have assembled their best team ever, what about the last several years during Belichick's tenure as coach? Some call Belichick a genius, and I scoff at that. I have for years. He's classless and detached. He's a poor sport. Look at his career prior to New England - he wasn't bad, but he wasn't great. He was merely average. He took Cleveland to the playoffs. His resume's brightest spot was "Defensive coordinator for Bill Parsells."
This scandal mars everything. The NFL in general (I personally think it is WORSE and more egregious than steroid use to gain advantages). The rings. Brady's career and purported "best all time QB status. And most importantly, it destroys the Pats season before it gets off the ground. Whether every player, or only a few were clued in to these illegal practices, no matter how great the team performs, any success they have will only be met with hisses and boos.
There should be no first three rounds of draft picks for the Pats. I'd take those right away. I would asterisk their every Superbowl victory. Most importantly - i'd drum Belichick out of New England and out of the sport all-together.
How much better would the last several seasons been for Miami, Buffalo, or NY had the Pats been merely average and honest? How might the difference of 2 wins made for each of those teams in those years?
Us fans don't get those unsuccessful seasons back.
The Pats should be punsihed. And hard.

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Begs the question.....

How long have the Pats been doing this? And, if they did this against the Lions...were they doing it during the playoffs? Super Bowl? I don't think we'll ever really know.

I think they will be fined and lose a draft pick or two. And, it should be a first day pick.

I don't know how people will react to the Pats' legacy. I read one article saying it takes nothing away. Then again, that was on ESPN and I don't really like their reporting.

Teams will have more security looking for videotapers. They could solve this by letting the defense have radios. Just like the QB. No need for hand signals.

by KDesai on Sep 12, 2007 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

This is a tricky subject...

...because I'm not sold on how much this actually helps. However, it certainly puts into question all of New England's achievements. It's hard to really respect them anymore.

by Matty I on Sep 12, 2007 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

i hate the pats

just as much as the rest of us here.. but we'd be fooling ourselves if we think that they are the only team doing something like this. they just got caught is the only difference. yes they should be punished. yes it's wrong. but i think that fans and players alike need to think before they villify and smear the pats and their legacy. it has to be going on in some shape or form all around the league. it doesn't make it right, but it doesn't make the pats any more the vile for getting caught.

by NumberSeven on Sep 12, 2007 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting article

This was a good read. The arguments got so heated between NFL, Pats, and Jets officials...they called the cops as a precaution!

http://tinyurl.com/2mcwga

by KDesai on Sep 12, 2007 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

Lost respect?

I don't buy it for one second.

So they got caught videotaping? Guess what, trying to get an edge in this league is hardly anything new. Look back at the history and you'll see this goes way back past the days of Tom Landry and Don Shula. Teams are always trying to get an edge.

The Dolphins did something not dissimilar last year against the Pats and won that game. Ultimately the Dolphins didn't make the playoffs though as they fielded an inferior squad - no matter how clever or savvy nick saban and his crew were at figuring out audibles.

Finally, ask yourself this...the camera the pats were using was confisicated in the first quarter...first quarter ok? The score at that point was pats 7, jets 0. So how do you explain the fact the pats went on to score 31 more points? That tom brady's uniform was spotless? that randy moss had ran rampant? That the jets had no running game whatsoever?

by Natalya on Sep 12, 2007 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

You're missing the point...

...I don't think that this gave the Pats any advantage in that game. It was reported that they would use the tape for the two teams' second meeting.

However, I agree with you that I don't think it's THAT big of a deal. But it goes to show how much of a history the Pats have cheating. Remember the snow plow game? Or the fact that they intentionally ran the sprinkles overnight at Foxboro before a playoff game at home against Indy in order to slow down Indy's offense.

And it goes beyond cheating. The Pats are just a classless organization. How about when thye mocked Shawne Merriman's dance in SD last year after that playoff game. Absolutely no class!

by Matty I on Sep 12, 2007 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

The real point here is...

that the patriots are not winning games, division titles, or super bowls for that matter, because of this or that scheme they have used. Football I think, is a game largely still won on the field by players.

As for the rant of the pat's being classless, is that even something that is up for discussion? I mean seriously who freaking cares? I could care less about what dance they did in SD, let's not forget the real cheater there, Merriman was allowed to play in the pro bowl after being busted for roids. Did you stop following the NFL?

Did you stop following the dolphins because they were stealing audibles last year against the pats? Did you stop being a fan of the fins when they basically pushed out Don Shula for JJ?

Seriously dude, you know this and I know this - you'd trade being a so-called classy organization for some playoffs and titles any day.

And lay off the I'm missing the point routine - your point is hardly the only one to be made.

by Natalya on Sep 12, 2007 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Not similar

Yes, teams always look for an edge. But, you can find an edge and not break the rules while you're at it.

I don't believe what happened last year in the Fins/Pats game is similar to this situation. One method was legal and the other was illegal. The Dolphins, to my knowledge, were not punished by the league for enhancing the audio on the coach's tape. The Patriots will be punished for videotaping the sidelines. There is a line and the Pats crossed it.

The Dolphins found an edge within league rules. The Pats got their edge by breaking them.

by KDesai on Sep 13, 2007 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Too Much of nothen, but then again...

I think this story is being blown up by the media and alot of people think this is the first time this has happened, or that stealing signs is abnormal. My only problem with this is that they used a video camera. If they were doing it on their own, that's fine. The dolphins and other teams have fake signal callers putting in signs so the teams don't know which is which. My real problem is the Pats will take the low road to win games. Pushing the limit with stealing signs, watering the field in the Indy game, and Del Rio said in the playoff game 2 years ago his and the QB's headset went dead, out of no where. I think Bill will be suspended and fined. The Pats will lose draft picks as well.

Matt

by Matt27 on Sep 13, 2007 1:47 PM EDT reply actions