Signal-gate

[PatsFanSince74]

I was tending towards writing "Signal-gate" off as a story of either sour Jets grapes or forgiveable Belichickian excess, a story that would just go away.

But, after reading what Ellis Hobbs had to say in this morning's Globe, I'm not so sure anymore: "We put too many hours in as individuals and as a team to have to go out there and cheat...We take pride in what we do. We know the rules of the game. By no single form have we ever tried to cheat or anything like that because we don't need to. I'm not saying that we're that good, but we take pride in what we do."

If this is the locker room sentiment and if the old adage about "where there's smoke there's fire" proves true in this case and if the national media keep the story alive (as they seem hell-bent on doing), then I think it's "Foxboro, we have a problem."

I've never even set foot on an NFL playing field during a game, but I suspect that there are players who would gouge out their opponents eyes at the bottom of a pile going after a fumble or who would grab a rusher's jersey if the umpire were looking the other way, who would draw the line at the actions of which the Patriots are accused. "That other stuff is part of the game. This is 'cheating.'" I don't think these prideful players would take well to signs in the stands at their next road game, accusing them, as a group, of cheating.

Belichick would then face a serious dilemma, he either does not address this in the lockerroom and allows bad feelings to fester or he addresses it and admits to the infraction in a way that would surely get to the press and, more importantly, the commissioner.

Also, if this is true, I am concerned that it could drive a large, but hopefully not fatal, wedge between BB and the Krafts.

Please tell me why I'm wrong.

 

[danny88]

I was tending towards writing "Signal-gate" off as a story of either sour Jets grapes or forgiveable Belichickian excess, a story that would just go away.

But, after reading what Ellis Hobbs had to say in this morning's Globe, I'm not so sure anymore: "We put too many hours in as individuals and as a team to have to go out there and cheat...We take pride in what we do. We know the rules of the game. By no single form have we ever tried to cheat or anything like that because we don't need to. I'm not saying that we're that good, but we take pride in what we do."

If this is the locker room sentiment and if the old adage about "where there's smoke there's fire" proves true in this case and if the national media keep the story alive (as they seem hell-bent on doing), then I think it's "Foxboro, we have a problem."

I've never even set foot on an NFL playing field during a game, but I suspect that there are players who would gouge out their opponents eyes at the bottom of a pile going after a fumble or who would grab a rusher's jersey if the umpire were looking the other way, who would draw the line at the actions of which the Patriots are accused. "That other stuff is part of the game. This is 'cheating.'" I don't think these prideful players would take well to signs in the stands at their next road game, accusing them, as a group, of cheating.

Belichick would then face a serious dilemma, he either does not address this in the lockerroom and allows bad feelings to fester or he addresses it and admits to the infraction in a way that would surely get to the press and, more importantly, the commissioner.

Also, if this is true, I am concerned that it could drive a large, but hopefully not fatal, wedge between BB and the Krafts.

Please tell me why I'm wrong.

You are wrong in speculating how the team and or Kraft would feel. We have no idea what is going on. Just because the media says something does not mean it is true. Didnt you hear, Moss is being traded!

 

[PatsFanSince74]

You are wrong in speculating how the team and or Kraft would feel. We have no idea what is going on. Just because the media says something does not mean it is true. Didnt you hear, Moss is being traded!

That's not going to fly in this case. This is a real, not imagined, problem and the Patriots have to face it head-on before the story gets away from them.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

You know what I was just thinking to myself ----------------

"SELF, you know what we need this morning? Another thread about "signal-gate/camera-gate/idiotic-non-story-gate"


An "poof", another one bursts forth....... Outstanding

 

[PatsFanSince74]

You know was just thinking to myself ----------------

"SELF, you know what we need this morning? Another thread about "signal-gate/camera-gate/idiotic-non-story-gate"


An "poof", another one bursts forth....... Outstanding

I guess we disagree. My view is that those of us who are long-time and loyal fans of this franchise can't afford to keep our heads in the sand when this story is taking on a life of its own all over the country. The Patriots have to get ahead of it aggressively and quickly.

 

[khayos]

You're right, so add your comments to another thread rather than dilluting the discussion with your own "hey look at MY opinion" thread.

 

[rsd]

I guess we disagree. My view is that those of us who are long-time and loyal fans of this franchise can't afford to keep our heads in the sand when this story is taking on a life of its own all over the country. The Patriots have to get ahead of it aggressively and quickly.

What does being a long-time fan have anything to do with how upfront or aggressive the Patriots FO should be?

First, you know whatever they do they will do it discretely and outside of the media. They will not provide any more kindling to this "fire".

Second, I would take all of this with a grain of salt until it's fully investigated, as we've seen the media trying to make the stories as opposed to reporting the stories (see: Cutting Moss, "Handshake Gate", etc etc).

So basically (and no offense intended), but I don't see the points of the fans getting worked up over this nor a need for another thread on this subject. It's out of our control and it will play itself out.

 

[danny88]

That's not going to fly in this case. This is a real, not imagined, problem and the Patriots have to face it head-on before the story gets away from them.

Whats not going to fly? What if Bill and co are not found guilty of any wrong doing. Are you saying Kraft and co should make a move BEFORE the NFL lets them know if they are even in hot water or not?

Your opinion is flawed imo.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

I guess we disagree. My view is that those of us who are long-time and loyal fans of this franchise can't afford to keep our heads in the sand when this story is taking on a life of its own all over the country. The Patriots have to get ahead of it aggressively and quickly.

Why not? If you're really a long time fan, you've been through a lot worse than this. Why all of the concern now?

 

[PatsFanSince74]

You're right, so add your comments to another thread rather than dilluting the discussion with your own "hey look at MY opinion" thread.

if a moderator wants to merge this with another thread, fine with me. however, i hadn't seen Ellis Hobbs comments picked up anywhere else.

thanks for the personal attack, tho, it really moves the dialogue forward.

 

[oldskool138]

Can we stop calling scandals "word describing the scandal-Gate"? It's lame and overused.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Why not? If you're really a long time fan, you've been through a lot worse than this. Why all of the concern now?

i've been through a lot worse "on the field" stuff as well as the Milloy, Parcells and other controversies but this is the first story that has been picked up by non-sports media and that also gets at the heart of the franchise. if you don't believe me, go to the front pages of the CNN and MSNBC web pages this morning. in my experience, the only way to deal with something like this is directly and quickly.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

I guess we disagree. My view is that those of us who are long-time and loyal fans of this franchise can't afford to keep our heads in the sand when this story is taking on a life of its own all over the country. The Patriots have to get ahead of it aggressively and quickly.

They won't................

This story is beneath them............ first off, I'll wait to the "real details" emerge on this story first. There some smelly stuff about it at the moment.

Everything the Patriots do now is being so closely scrutinized that they will be inundated every win with, "they did this, they did that". He said, she said stupidity.

A week ago, it's Childress pimping that BB tried to bully him on the phone. A day later, it BB was deliberately "d!icking" with Reche by releasing him late. Then it's calling "Dwight" in for the sole purpose of.......... on and on and on.

The only thing, that I could possibly see the Kraft's jumping into "football" affairs in on all this is the Harrison situation. It's possible (yet most unlikely) that they'd come in and say....... He's gotta go, we can't have that here.

Other then that. everything else comes with the territory. Just wait if we win the SB this year. It'll be BB resorts to which-craft to stupefy opposing players. It's only gonna get worse.

 

[MDD]

if a moderator wants to merge this with another thread, fine with me. however, i hadn't seen Ellis Hobbs comments picked up anywhere else.

thanks for the personal attack, tho, it really moves the dialogue forward.

People are getting way too defensive here. This deserved its own thread because of the Hobbs quote.

However, I read his quote differently. I don't see this affecting the locker room negatively.

I do see it galvanizing the haters, so I get reminder yet again that this team has had the smallest bandwagon, least winning over of fans nationally, and most petty jealosy of any dynasty in the history of professional sports.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

What does being a long-time fan have anything to do with how upfront or aggressive the Patriots FO should be?

First, you know whatever they do they will do it discretely and outside of the media. They will not provide any more kindling to this "fire".

Second, I would take all of this with a grain of salt until it's fully investigated, as we've seen the media trying to make the stories as opposed to reporting the stories (see: Cutting Moss, "Handshake Gate", etc etc).

So basically (and no offense intended), but I don't see the points of the fans getting worked up over this nor a need for another thread on this subject. It's out of our control and it will play itself out.

i think its mostly wishful thinking that this will play itself out. in this case, the media are reporting a story that is starting to take on a life of its own and not making something up. also, it's already moved beyond sports blogs and the sports pages.

i only started a new thread on the subject because i hadn't seen Ellis Hobbs' comments picked up anywhere else. if a moderator wants to merge this with another thread, fine with me.