Thinking about what Goodell may do??

[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]

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??

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

 

[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$

 

[stcjones]

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

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 bullsh*t.

 

[upstater1]

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$

Both Kraft and Gooddell come from prominent Buffalo families.

 

[upstater1]

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##

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]

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

That's about what I think it SHOULD be. But I think it WILL be worse because of the media sh!t storm using the word "cheating" all over.

 

[BostonBullit]

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 actually see that working against the Pats here....Goodell can't have it look like he's Bob's biotch so there's a good chance things are going to be more harsh than if this was the steelers or seahawks (just reaching for a couple teams with some measure of recent success here).

sucks but it's all about perception

 

[He Ban Me]

The "every team does it" argument is old and tired. Sure, everyone around the league is pretty much confirming that yes, you do try to gain an advantage, one way is to try and pick up the opponents signs. Doing it from your OWN sideline (which I assume, every team does) WITHOUT the help of cameras and mics is obviously ok. How could you police that? Doing it FROM the field of play is ALSO tolerated, again, will you throw a flag if a player looks over to the opposing teams bench?? Doing it ON THE OPPONENTS SIDELINE, with CAMERA and MIC in hand, this is NOT DONE BY EVERYBODY. I would be highly amused if this were a standard practice, and everyone knew it. The guy was about 20 yards away, JEEZ!!! You mean to tell me that every team ALLOWS the opponent access to their sideline like that??

 

[Pats726]

That's about what I think it SHOULD be. But I think it WILL be worse because of the media sh!t storm using the word "cheating" all over.

I agree about the firestorm...SOME cheating per se seems to be OK.(coaches using biboculars etc..)..but OTHER cheating is not..(a video camera)...seems a bit hypocritical if u ask me..If the results of BOTH are similar..(one possibly being a bit better.maybe even in a fantasy world.) BOTH are cheating... HERE, I think Goodell will put MORE of an emphasis on BREAKING THE RULES..(having it taped) versus CHEATING...
If the emphasis is on the Patriot's cheating..then ALL the teams do it and it will be open season. I DO think there is a distinction between the two. The media storm is going the wider route and THAT, cheating brings into question ALL of the practices that have gone on for many years. A Pandorra's box. HOPEFULLY, the defensive radios will be ready for next season.

 

[NEPatriot]

I think with the amount of commentary on sports talk radio, espn, etc, he has to come down on the Pats. Otherwise, he can't hold up his "new sheriff in town" tittle. Let's just get it over with and move on.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I wish we were talking about what we are doing against the chargers, which I think the game is moot now... Something tells me he and or the franchise, is going to be fined 1 mil, 3 draft choices or 2 draft choices and a 1 game suspension....

 

[Patstopia]

I think we get called for having the camera on the sidelines. No mention of cheating or any of the other crap being thrown around. They will say they looked at the tape and found nothing inapppropriate. So we get a fine, possibly less than $200,000. I don't see a loss of draft picks. Remember that most of these accusations have no bearing on anything. Its all just piling on.

 

[sebman2112]

The "every team does it" argument is old and tired. Sure, everyone around the league is pretty much confirming that yes, you do try to gain an advantage, one way is to try and pick up the opponents signs. Doing it from your OWN sideline (which I assume, every team does) WITHOUT the help of cameras and mics is obviously ok. How could you police that? Doing it FROM the field of play is ALSO tolerated, again, will you throw a flag if a player looks over to the opposing teams bench?? Doing it ON THE OPPONENTS SIDELINE, with CAMERA and MIC in hand, this is NOT DONE BY EVERYBODY. I would be highly amused if this were a standard practice, and everyone knew it. The guy was about 20 yards away, JEEZ!!! You mean to tell me that every team ALLOWS the opponent access to their sideline like that??

The Patriots did it from THEIR SIDELINES. Get your facts straight, gus! The only thing the Patriots did different from what is actually legal was the use of the Camera, which to me is not different than using the methods Mike Shanahan has admitted to, and the Methods Miami admitted to using


Edit: I want to make sure He Ban Me knows the photo it sounds like he's talking about (when he talks about the camera guy being less than 20 yards away) has already been discredited and the cameraman (Matt Estrella) was wearing a completely different outfit.

 

[He Ban Me]

The Patriots did it from THEIR SIDELINES. Get your facts straight, gus! The only thing the Patriots did different from what is actually legal was the use of the Camera, which to me is not different than using the methods Mike Shanahan has admitted to, and the Methods Miami admitted to using

The guy was on the Jets sideline.

 

[sebman2112]

The guy was on the Jets sideline.

No he wasn't guy, do some research before you speak, got it? read my edit.

 

[He Ban Me]

No he wasn't guy, do some research before you speak, got it? read my edit.

I have not heard that. Can you be more specific, with references?? I mean, there was talk that a cohort had a boom mic, and that his proper attire was in his back pack, etc..., Also, talk about moving back and forth from sideline to sideline. IF this guy had a backpack, you don't think it's feasible that they were wearing the correct stuff on Pats side, then peeled clothing off when moving to the opposite side? Not trolling, just had not heard that the photo shown was not the correct photo. Who WAS the guy in the photo we saw yesterday?