Originally Posted by PonyExpress

Oswlek,
The only way, as I understand it, that the Pats broke a rule is if they were videotaping for in-game use. IOW, if they were taping for later post-game research, I believe that is not technically a violation of the prohibition. It is a loophole that BB was exploiting. If my understanding is correct, then there is no violation and no punishment is warranted. If I am wrong, this seems like a gray area that deserves clarification and a mild sanction. But this issue is not really about "the video". it is about something much larger. It is about Randy Moss and his manipulated journey to the Pats on the cheap. It is about trips to China. It is about prime time appearances; magazine covers; the glory of the owner, the coach, the Qb, the players, the explosion of the Pats' BRAND. We are witnessing a palace coup against Kraft and BB by lesser owners and coaches who have been held in subjection to him for years. We are witnessing an attempt by Mangini and Tannenbaum to divide BB and Kraft and cut short BB's tenure with the Pats. In order to appease these many angry and envious interests, including a Players Association ticked off at Patriot negotiating tactics, Goodell will try to cut the baby in half for appearance' sake. The result will be a punishment whoch helps his own image (in light of harsh punishments doled out to players), a warning to coaches to rein in the chicanery, and a scapegoating of BB- red meat to the masses. Kraft IMO will be compensated in some fashion, but I fear this will divide Kraft and BB (in light of BB's other recent public relations snafoos). That was Mangini's overarching purpose to begin with.