Adam Schefter on WEEI

[QuiGon]

was just complete speculation by Dale yesterday afternoon. I find it humorous that it seems to have spun away into people now saying that is BB's defense. No one but NE officials and Goodell know what BB's defense is.

Dennis is a complete moron.

Huh...?

John Dennis was very clear in his statement. He said "This is a report I have heard from inside league offices, I don't know if it's true or not, but here it is... and let me again emphasize we don't know if this is true, but the report says..."

What is he supposed to do..? Get a story from a source inside league offices and then keep it his own personal secret...?

 

[Rob0729]

It's all about technicalities. If that's how it's written then we have NOTHING to answer for.

Dennis said later that his league source said that the league put out a clarification of the rule that there should be absolutely no filming of the other team's bench.

 

[BelichickFan]

Dennis said later that his league source said that the league put out a clarification of the rule that there should be absolutely no filming of the other team's bench.

For the league's case they'd better have said sideline not bench If not we still have nothing worry about . . .

 

[Oswlek]

Huh...?

John Dennis was very clear in his statement. He said "This is a report I have heard from inside league offices, I don't know if it's true or not, but here it is... and let me again emphasize we don't know if this is true, but the report says..."

What is he supposed to do..? Get a story from a source inside league offices and then keep it his own personal secret...?

I guess that I was wrong, because I have heard nothing by Dale's speculation about BB's defense. Then, later in the Big Show, the wording started to change and by the time NEST came on they were talking as if it definitely was the defense.

I'm still a little skeptical considering just how little credibility I give to D & C, but I didn't realize that he claimed to have a source.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I live in NYC and follow the local and national media on this closely. I think we got so spoiled that most of us forgot what it means to win ONE SuperBowl, let alone three in a few years in this media-driven environment, 14 years into the Cap/Free Agency Era. Everyone who resented us since the Superdome in 2002 is coming out of the woodwork and stretching the significance of this incident up to and well beyond the limits of rationality, including otherwise thoughtful people like Hines Ward and Michael Strahan.

The bottom line is, we're fu*#ed in the short term. Well and truly fu*#ed.

We can either drive ourselves crazy or turn off our TV's and Radios, stop reading all but homer columnists, get a good book and ride out the storm. Here's how I see it:

The sh!t storm will grow in intensity this week until Goodell issues his decision and penalty. If the penalty is excessive, we'll have to deal with boundless gloating. If the penalty is reasonable, we'll have to deal with endless complaints about Goodell's "hypocrisy" and "leniency."

Things will reach a crescendo during Sunday night's game, when we can only hope that John Madden "tut tuts" but otherwise takes a "boys will be boys" attitude. You know that his colleagues in the booth and on the pre-game will draw and quarter us before the kickoff.

If we beat the Chargers, people will quiet down a bit. If we lose, the volume will rise again and the mantra will be that we "can't win without cheating."

After that, the only way we will get this to quiet down to a reasonable level is by winning, winning, winning.

Our most virulent opponents will do their utmost to keep the story alive until the Bengals game on a Monday night when we can look for Turico et al to scour the stands for the cleverest "cheating" posters. That will be good for another storm.

Then, especially if we're winning, things will settle down until the Jets game, which no doubt will be moved to Prime Time. Assuming that we put the biggest possible hurt on Mangini & Co. in that game, things should start to settle down by Thanksgiving.

But things will rev up for the Playoffs when a Patriots loss will be attributed by many if not most to the loss of our "cheating" advantage. The only thing that will settle this whole mess down will be a victory in Phoenix, when Goodell will have to hand the trophy to Kraft and Belichick. Now, THAT would be sweet.

 

[DarrylS]

Never can understand how anyone can demonize BB based on press reports, go back to an experience I had with BB when he first came to NE. Was at a function honoring Jim Brown one night, and when took the podium, he said something to the effect that:

"If Michael Jordan did 1/2 as much good works as Bill Belichick, the world would be a much different place."

Enough said, never seen so much crap about a man who brought us back to the limelight quickly. It is all so much bullcrap, how this franchise is pure or goody two shoes.. that is how the media made them, they did nothing except win. They never said that, anyone who says this stuff and is jumping on this bandwagon has never read the books or does not understand this man at all. Time to F...ing move on, there is a big game sunday nite.

 

[Bargod]

I think the most interesting comment was that at least one person told him that the tape was most definitely not to be used during the game at hand. Instead, this person said that the Pats compile a book, or as he called it DNA, on every defensive coach in the league including what signals they use. This makes a lot more sense than what most have been reporting as it always seemed hard to believe that somehow the Pats would have time to break down the tape at halftime and decipher the signals. It also explains why they would film Green Bay and Detroit as it was the coaches they were studying not the teams. In my view, this fits more with what we know about BB and his legendary attention to detail. I think if we were to find out who the 10-12 teams who do this were we would find that they are amongst the most successful franchises in the league. Not because they are cheaters but because they are probably more prepared and detailed oriented than their peers. I also think that if aspect was reported this whole incident would be looked at in a much different light. Sadly, I doubt that this will happen.

Schefter said this? This is probably the one explanation that makes more sense than any of the others. Even Bill Simmons point about how Ernie Adams has a photogrphic memory and could decipher hand signals seemd a stretch to me. Can you tell me if this is posted elsewhere or if it was just in thei WEEI interview?

 

[BelichickFan]

I think the most interesting comment was that at least one person told him that the tape was most definitely not to be used during the game at hand.

When you say "at least one person told him" is him "Belichick" or "Shefter" ? In other words are you saying at least one person told Belichick the tape is not to be used during the game or that someone was describing how the Patriots use it ?

Not that it's that important as it's clear it couldn't be used real time - I was just curious exactly what you were saying here.

 

[bobcalkin]

Schefter said this? This is probably the one explanation that makes more sense than any of the others. Even Bill Simmons point about how Ernie Adams has a photogrphic memory and could decipher hand signals seemd a stretch to me. Can you tell me if this is posted elsewhere or if it was just in thei WEEI interview?

Yes, obviously I paraphrased from memory but he said this in response to a question about why they would film Green Bay, which was towards the end of the segment. Schefter said that he asked someone how it would make sense to film a team that they would not play again for years. I'm sure EEI will put the segment in the archive at some point today or tomorrow.

 

[QuiGon]

Schefter said this? This is probably the one explanation that makes more sense than any of the others. Even Bill Simmons point about how Ernie Adams has a photogrphic memory and could decipher hand signals seemd a stretch to me. Can you tell me if this is posted elsewhere or if it was just in thei WEEI interview?

I don't think there is an official transcript anywhere, but I can vouch that that is a very accurate representation of the Schefter interview on D&C this morning.

The part I found most interesting was Schefter predicts a suspension but Peter King doesn't. I guess well just have to wait and see

 

[JoeSixPat]

I'm seeing comments from teams around the league like the Steelers who have lost out in the playoffs to the Patriots a couple of times "wondering" if the Patriots "cheating" affected them

Give me a break - these guys all know that signal stealing is legal and likely as Schefter says that a dozen teams use video as well.

Frankly the only failing of the NFL is that, unable to step signal stealing they allowed all teams to do it, they should have done the same thing with videotape if indeed 10-12 teams were doing it on the sly.

 

[Oswlek]

Schefter said this? This is probably the one explanation that makes more sense than any of the others. Even Bill Simmons point about how Ernie Adams has a photogrphic memory and could decipher hand signals seemd a stretch to me. Can you tell me if this is posted elsewhere or if it was just in thei WEEI interview?

Felger said this on NEST Monday night before the whole thing really blew up.

It is also what I have been saying since post 1.

 

[upstater1]

The problem is the general public doesn't 'know' him, or at least they know what they see on TV. Public image is EVERYTHING. See Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning, etc. They come off as angels and Brady and Belichick come off as villains. Maybe that's what the NFL is driving at.

Hey, it works for pro wrestling, right now.

The NFL is right on script with this stuff.

And that game Sunday night is going to get HUGE ratings.

 

[bobcalkin]

When you say "at least one person told him" is him "Belichick" or "Shefter" ? In other words are you saying at least one person told Belichick the tape is not to be used during the game or that someone was describing how the Patriots use it ?

Not that it's that important as it's clear it couldn't be used real time - I was just curious exactly what you were saying here.

He (Schefter) asked one of his sources why they would film a team they would not be playing again. The source said (and I'm quoting from memory) "Don't you see? They complile the DNA for every defensive coach in the league so that if they go elsewhere they have a book on him." Again, that is from memory but the jist of what was said. Schefter did not say if the source had direct knowledge that this was what the "Patriots" were doing but I think all agree that he has some pretty inside sources and it certainly makes a lot more sense than anything else that has been put forth.

 

[upstater1]

Dennis said later that his league source said that the league put out a clarification of the rule that there should be absolutely no filming of the other team's bench.

Interesting. Haven't heard that one before.

And just now a huge can of worms opened. Good luck with this one. No filming of the opposing team's bench? Maybe then the whole side of the field will be blacked out, LOL. And since cameras are usually only on one side of the field during a game, yeah that's real fair!!! the NFL looks like clowns with this stuff.

I'm not excusing the Patriots. They clearly shouldn't have pushed the envelope. But the truth is the NFL deserves it for callously dismissing the stolen signals issue in the Dolphins game last year.

The NFL's Steve Alic said, "That's football."

Indeed. Tell that to your boss, Steve. LOL!

 

[BelichickFan]

He (Schefter) asked one of his sources why they would film a team they would not be playing again. The source said (and I'm quoting from memory) "Don't you see? They complile the DNA for every defensive coach in the league so that if they go elsewhere they have a book on him." Again, that is from memory but the jist of what was said. Schefter did not say if the source had direct knowledge that this was what the "Patriots" were doing but I think all agree that he has some pretty inside sources and it certainly makes a lot more sense than anything else that has been put forth.

Ah, OK, thanks. That clearly makes the most sense. Nothing else does

 

[fourthandmiles]

John Dennis said that Belichick's arguement said that Belichick's defense was that the rule says "you can't use videotape for use during the game". Belichick contends that he was going to use the videotape to compile information for the end of the year.

This is the little nugget that I have been waiting for. Did BB actually say that this is his defense and is that what the rules actually say? (Sorry I have not read the 134 page rulebook in the sticky yet..)

Everybody is saying "How can BB be so stupid?" This will answer that question. I think he is playing dumb as a fox. :singing:

Other teams will still be crying cheaters because they did not think of interpreting the rule like this first. But you know they all will from now on if this pans out like this.

If I am wrong in this interpretation just let me know.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

Dennis did say this morning that he got his information from someone in the league office.

For quite a few decades now, Dennis has been a 15-watt bulb in a 100-watt environment.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Most of his peers in the media are at that comfort level, too.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

I live in NYC and follow the local and national media on this closely. I think we got so spoiled that most of us forgot what it means to win ONE SuperBowl, let alone three in a few years in this media-driven environment, 14 years into the Cap/Free Agency Era. Everyone who resented us since the Superdome in 2002 is coming out of the woodwork and stretching the significance of this incident up to and well beyond the limits of rationality, including otherwise thoughtful people like Hines Ward and Michael Strahan.

The bottom line is, we're fu*#ed in the short term. Well and truly fu*#ed.

We can either drive ourselves crazy or turn off our TV's and Radios, stop reading all but homer columnists, get a good book and ride out the storm. Here's how I see it:

The sh!t storm will grow in intensity this week until Goodell issues his decision and penalty. If the penalty is excessive, we'll have to deal with boundless gloating. If the penalty is reasonable, we'll have to deal with endless complaints about Goodell's "hypocrisy" and "leniency."

Things will reach a crescendo during Sunday night's game, when we can only hope that John Madden "tut tuts" but otherwise takes a "boys will be boys" attitude. You know that his colleagues in the booth and on the pre-game will draw and quarter us before the kickoff.

If we beat the Chargers, people will quiet down a bit. If we lose, the volume will rise again and the mantra will be that we "can't win without cheating."

After that, the only way we will get this to quiet down to a reasonable level is by winning, winning, winning.

Our most virulent opponents will do their utmost to keep the story alive until the Bengals game on a Monday night when we can look for Turico et al to scour the stands for the cleverest "cheating" posters. That will be good for another storm.

Then, especially if we're winning, things will settle down until the Jets game, which no doubt will be moved to Prime Time. Assuming that we put the biggest possible hurt on Mangini & Co. in that game, things should start to settle down by Thanksgiving.

But things will rev up for the Playoffs when a Patriots loss will be attributed by many if not most to the loss of our "cheating" advantage. The only thing that will settle this whole mess down will be a victory in Phoenix, when Goodell will have to hand the trophy to Kraft and Belichick. Now, THAT would be sweet.

I've already been picturing that scene in my mind. Yes, it WOULD be sweet!!!

 

[njpatsfan]

Here are some highlights of his spot:

• Belichick's attitude towards the media over the years is coming back to haunt him because every media jacka$$ is turning on him

Fixed adam's statement.

R