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??
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??