Pats726

Many are saying that he will come down with a hammer on the Patriots..but I also think it's not ALL that easy. If indeed he does that, he may be setting precedents that will put him in a box in the future.
Firstly, I do think it's obvious that the Patriots broke the rule..that is quite easy to say..but cheating? I think that is another step in the large picture and to mention that opens a can of worms, one I wonder if the Commish really wishes to venture into.
There's a lot of gray areas here..of practices that are LEGAL according to NFL rules..and yet far closer to cheating than what the Patriots have done. Miami's situation of last year seemed to be deemed OK, and yet was it cheating?? This could be a problem if other teams push this more...if there are practices that are acceptable that when one understands them are closer to cheating, is Goodell going to defend them? Or will he also make a push towards rules against them?? Even thr Commitition Committee may enter into this..but it's going to NOT look good if he calls the Patriots cheaters and comes down on them hard and backs up practices in the league that basically do the same thing. As many have pointed out, having coaches steal signals and get the advantage that way...is OK...NOT cheating and yet just using a video camer is?? Again...I do not think the Patriots used the tape for THAT game...why?? Despite Schlereth's fantasy of somehow breaking down the video tape and matching it up with Polaroids in a rushed half time of 12 minutes, I think actually doing that would take a heck of a longer time. It's one thing to say it in words another to do it.
But this also has broken the code of silence and if he hits teh patriots hard, do you not think every other team is going to try to do teh same as the Jets?
If this practice is widespread, there will be more than the Patriots on the carpet this season for "spying" and cheating. Once you set the bar for penalties, you can't easily turn back.
Might this give a lot of clarity as to what IS OK and what IS NOT?? Maybe..and while the Patriots pushed the envelope, my guess is that there are a number of teams a few yards behind that are concerned.
It also could open a ton of dirty laundry as well..as there are all kinds of piling on accusations against the Patriots now..and if you think it's just going to stop there, we may have a season of spying stories. If this has gone on, as I believe it has, it could be more the tip of the iceburg. I wonder if Goodell really wishes to deal with all that.
From what it seems many teams want a tough penalty...but I wonder how clean those teams really are? It could be messy.
I wonder if he's just embarrassed this has come out like it has? That it has come out at all?? How embarrassed will he be if this is just the beginning??

sebman2112

Honestly I'm thinking a 2008 2nd rounder + either a 2008 5th or a 2009 4th, as well as $500,000 in fines.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

robertweathers

Keep in mind that Bob Kraft is head of the league's finance committe and was instrumental in Goodell's approval as NFL commish. He and Goodell are also very good friends socially. I'm not saying Goodell will issue a slap on the wrist for sake of the relationship, but I would bet that prior to Friday or whenever, Goodell lobs a call into Krafty Bob and says, "Bob, I can't let this kind of stuff happen again. I need to enforce policy for the integrity of the game. Tell me what you think is fair and reasonable punishment."

Bob will say a draft pick and a $$ fine. He won't lay a hand on BB. Not a chance

This is like a John Kennedy-Sam Giancanna type thing going on (obviously Im exaggerating but for those of you who have read, "Sins of the Father" you know what Im talking about.).

My .02$

__________________
“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

stcjones

And then he will impose the same punishment on Miami for their same CHEATING incident also right? And how many other teams have been suspected or guilty of this? They better take this punishment phase across the board........or the commish looks like a horse's a##

Pats726

All teams spy to some degree...so he really has to think of all the dirty laundry that will come flying atop him...which is why I think a draft pick 2nd and 5th..and fine..NO suspension...AND maybe a real clarification of what is legal and NOT..

LloydBraun

Every team does this, it is all coming out. Anything more than a fine is absurd.

It is starting to look like the Pats are being picked on here.

maverick4

A fine of $200,000 and loss of a 4th rounder.

This violation is less egregious than what the Broncos did with cap manipulation 10 years ago, so anything higher than a 3rd is complete bull*****.

upstater1

Both Kraft and Gooddell come from prominent Buffalo families.

upstater1

I would have been fine if the NFL had simply said we have no evidence that Miami cheated. But instead they came out and said that stealing signs from a tape was perfectly legal.

Look, I am 51% positive that this is why Belichick did this, to stick it to the NFL and get them to clarify. If it means a lost draft pick, and new radios in the helmets of linebackers, it's worth it.

BelichickFan

That's about what I think it SHOULD be. But I think it WILL be worse because of the media ***** storm using the word "cheating" all over.