Opinion: Pats are cleared - Page 4 - New England Patriots Forums

DagoTom · 09-16-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primetime

But he's also OCD about things. Strategizing is clearly one of them. Belichick's a strange person and some of the things he does may defy normal logic. Call that genius or intelligence, if you must; call it arrogance or obsession, too. They all fit.

You know what--I'm honest enough to admit maybe that's exactly what we're seeing here. But I also tend to think people do things for reasons. Sometimes those reasons fall under the category of simple paranoia. Hell, back in the day Sid Gillman (I think it was Sid) actually stopped a practice because there was a helicopter in the area and he was convinced Al Davis was spying on the practice.

I don't claim to KNOW what was going through Belichik's mind, but in my own mind I can see how documenting all the opposing team's signals could be used advantageously in the future. I also agree that part of the outrage over this is artificially generated by people who hate the Patriots and/or Belichick. That's inevitable.

I do think the league has a reasonable case, though. I don't think this sort of thing should be allowed, or else make it completely legal and then give radios to the defensive coordinators like they have on offense so that it's all moot. But either way, teams should not be able to win even a single play by knowing the other team's signals.

BadMoFo · 09-16-2007, 02:23 PM

How are we cleared? We are still fined, we are still losing a first round pick ands we are still under investigation. Because Jimmy Johnson thinks nothing bad happened.

DagoTom · 09-16-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtbrks

Only if your opponent was stupid enough to NOT change plays and calls. Most teams change their plays and calls each week

You can't change everything every week. The best you can do is have a set of varying signals and cycle through them, but you can't completely change out your signals. If you did, you'd spend all your time re-training your players as to what the signals are. In case you haven't noticed, some of these guys aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer.

dtbrks · 09-16-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DagoTom

You can't change everything every week. The best you can do is have a set of varying signals and cycle through them, but you can't completely change out your signals. If you did, you'd spend all your time re-training your players as to what the signals are. In case you haven't noticed, some of these guys aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer.

Yes, some aren't that sharp

sieglo · 09-16-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slagathor

I think another perceived advantage is that if the opposition sees/knows you are trying to steal signals, they will go through great lengths and efforts to prevent it. This might take valuable time away from the usual X's and O's and throw the opponent off a bit.

On the contrary, it gives your opponent an unparalleled opportunity to **** you over by sending in fake signals.

Hardboiled · 09-16-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DagoTom

If filming the opposing team's coaches yielded NO meaningful competitive advantage, the WHY did Belichick do it? Why risk being punished by the league and tarnishing the awesome reputation he had built if using the camera gave him no advantage? Why?

... But I'm just seeing so many people acting like there's no advantage to using the camera and that makes me wonder why Belichick was doing it in the first place.

DT, as mentioned before, the possible advantage is for future games. Try taking that Estrella video of MULTIPLE guys giving DIFFERENT signals along with the panning to the down info and then editing that to try to determine what was the signal for that play? You don't even know who was the correct signaler!

Why is this done then? Because with study you could pinpoint calls and their signals. Some coaches have said it's not worth it - not that it's wrong, but that it is too time consuming compared to the results and may lead you conclude wrongly about a signal and call.

BB obviously thinks differently. Remember who he is. He has been quoted talking about a play in a seeminlgy meaningless game between other teams in the past. How does he know little stuff like that? He studys games. He is a type to study everything. That's his style. That's why he was doing it.