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***bevster*** · 09-18-2007, 01:47 PM

A big discussion about whether BB was cheating or just breaking the rules.

If BB is a cheater, then everyone is a cheater. Everyone cheats in football. If a player breaks a rule, then they are a cheater. A player gets a pass interference call, he is a cheater. A player holds another player. That player is a cheater.

Everyone cheats. Did Bettis ever hold another player? He broke a rule. He is a cheater.

This has gone too far.

BB just broke a rule. He is not a cheater.

***BelichickFan*** · 09-18-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevster

BB just broke a rule. He is not a cheater.

That's what I keep telling people (others, not those here) but they're too stupid to figure out the difference - so I've given up.

PonyExpress · 09-18-2007, 01:53 PM

It's called "gamesmanship", tried and true since George Halas. This firestorm has nothing to do with "cheating"; it has to do with bitter jealous rivals capitalizing on a rookie, mush brained commissioner to accomplish off the field what they can't accomplish on it: beating the Pats and damaging the franchise. If Kraft really is "the most powerful owner in the NFL" he needs to use that power NOW. Backroom threats, behind the scenes blackmail, forced resignations, media backlash etc. should be employed to destroy those who are attacking him. He should make it clear if the league intends to damage his brand, he will damage the NFL until it sits in the ash heap wearing sackcloth next to the NBA. Power is fool's gold unless one is willing to use it. Obviously no one is afraid of Kraft, which tells me he is not wielding his power sufficiently as a deterrent. That needs to stop immediately.

Metaphors · 09-18-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PonyExpress

It's called "gamesmanship", tried and true since George Halas. This firestorm has nothing to do with "cheating"; it has to do with bitter jealous rivals capitalizing on a rookie, mush brained commissioner to accomplish off the field what they can't accomplish on it: beating the Pats and damaging the franchise. If Kraft really is "the most powerful owner in the NFL" he needs to use that power NOW. Backroom threats, behind the scenes blackmail, forced resignations, media backlash etc. should be employed to destroy those who are attacking him. He should make it clear if the league intends to damage his brand, he will damage the NFL until it sits in the ash heap wearing sackcloth next to the NBA. Power is fool's gold unless one is willing to use it. Obviously no one is afraid of Kraft, which tells me he is not wielding his power sufficiently as a deterrent. That needs to stop immediately.

How do you know everything the commissioner has done so far has not been done with Kraft's blessing? If Goodell doesn't get to play the bada$$ against the Pats, Kraft looks like the puppet-master of the league. The penalty, the turnover of tapes/documents, the ongoing investigation...all to classify the Pats as squeaky clean from this day forward and the commissioner as on top of this situation.

It is becoming clear that the information leaks are from the competition committee. But who on the committee would want to touch this issue with a 10 foot Polian...I mean, pole? I guess we'll never know.

The key is if this really stops the "gamesmanship" on the field for all teams. I believe that is what Kraft wants and is accepting of the Pats penalty to see it happen. The early returns on that, at least from the Jets, are not promising. Loss = New Cheating Accusation. Barking out the snap count on defense. BTW, isn't Ozzie Newsome on the competition committee? "Mangini!!! You got some 'slainin' to do!!!"

***psychoPat*** · 09-18-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PonyExpress

It's called "gamesmanship", tried and true since George Halas. This firestorm has nothing to do with "cheating"; it has to do with bitter jealous rivals capitalizing on a rookie, mush brained commissioner to accomplish off the field what they can't accomplish on it: beating the Pats and damaging the franchise. If Kraft really is "the most powerful owner in the NFL" he needs to use that power NOW. Backroom threats, behind the scenes blackmail, forced resignations, media backlash etc. should be employed to destroy those who are attacking him. He should make it clear if the league intends to damage his brand, he will damage the NFL until it sits in the ash heap wearing sackcloth next to the NBA. Power is fool's gold unless one is willing to use it. Obviously no one is afraid of Kraft, which tells me he is not wielding his power sufficiently as a deterrent. That needs to stop immediately.

and Metaphors:
who on the committee would want to touch this issue with a 10 foot Polian

Oh, Metaphors, you say the sweetest things!

But it is PonyX i truly love!