Roger Goodell is Dead Wrong, and Here's Why

[maverick4]

Roger Goodell just fined Belichick 500K out of his own pocket, the Patriots 250K, and a 1st round pick, and this is the most ridiculous, short-sighted, cowardly, infuriating, embarassing thing I have seen the NFL do in my entire lifetime of being a football fan. The Broncos cheated the salary cap to keep John Elway and Terrell Davis, a far worse violation, and only lost a 3rd rounder. He may think he's laying down the law, but he's really showing that he's a puppet to an irrational mob, and not his own man. I have lost complete respect for him as an objective, reasonable manager of the league.

Here's why:

- With such a harsh statement, he is clearly bringing judgement on the issue of stealing calls, which should not be part of the evaluation of the videotape violation. He is saying that videotaping the sideline for POST-game analysis is sacrilege, but that using lip readers, binoculars, audio surveillance, and other videotaping methods are perfectly legal and okay (and there is evidence of other teams doing these things). It comes off as extremely hypocritical, and also opens a HUGE pandora's box that may drown the league.

- For the past 7 years, the Patriots have been the class of the league. They won 3 superbowls, drafted well, consistently built a team of unselfish, blue-collar high character men, and were put up as a model franchise. Such a harsh punishment basically implies that the Patriots have been cheating for much longer than just one game, and it puts into question the entire dynasty of the Patriots, and it lets all the Patriot-haters use this as an excuse to explain why we beat them in any game in the past. He is allowing the mob to spit on the hard work of honest players who earned their victories.

- Goodell completely overvalues the impact of sideline videotaping of defensive calls. If it helped, wouldn't the Patriots offense have been unstoppable over the past 7 years? Wouldn't we have done much better in the 2nd half of nearly every game, including each of the 3 Superbowls? Belichick claims the sideline videotaping is only for post-game analysis, and even if this were not the case, I fail to see how the competitive edge is so much more than what teams already employ (binoculars, lip readers, audio, other video, etc).

- Finally, and this is most disappointing to me, Goodell is letting the completely biased Competition Committee, as well as rabid media and fan frenzy, influence his decision. He does not take into account that these Patriot haters have an axe to grind, whether it be because they are direct competitors, were put off by Belichick's media interviews, or were jealous/vindictive of past defeats.

Goodell, you have made a strong statement, which is what you wanted, but it was in the WRONG direction on so many levels.

 

[Pats726]

If this is true I agree with you 100%...but it IS short sighted and he has painted himself into a box on this one..By slamming the Patriots, he has made a statement of total hypocrisy of what cheating is...some forms being OK and others not..and will in fact just open teh door to all sort of charges. Het, if you think another team is doing something wrong, drop a dime or two..and see what a fiasco the league will become. A high penalty for another team??
Wasn't it Peter King who said the Colts do something quite similar?? stakes high..he's set a high penalty..he made the var high..so anything following HAS TO be similar OR he's even more hypocritical.. Follow the mob and see what will happen..No respect for him at all...If it is true..you will have a season of spying charges and cheating charges to deal with...If one thinks that once this door is open it will be shut..I do NOT think so..you are inviting a flood gate of charges...happy swimming in all the dirty water.

 

[Fahrenhype]

Belichick effed up. He should accept the consequences for that, even if they're incredibly harsh. By the same token, the NFL will have to live with its decisions. If we find out over a period of time that Belichick is being crucified for widely employed tactics, than the NFL is going to have a black eye worse than Michael Vick or the Cincinatti probation department could ever inflict.

For the sake of the league, I actually do hope that it stops here, Belichick takes his medicine, and we go back to focusing on the games.

 

[patsgo]

All You Yahooos Have To Realize We Are At The Top We Got Caught And We Have To Pay Luckily We Have Multiple Draft Picks It Wont Hurt Us That Bad, Bb Would Of Traded Them Into The Next Draft Anyway, We Are The Example If Bb Didnt Do It We Wouldnt Have To Worry , Goodell Has To Satisfy The League Who Wants To Get Us So Accept It, We Have No One To Blame But Ourselves And I Wouldnt Want Any Other Coach Coaching Us .... Lets Move On And Take It Like Men!!!

 

[makoute]

In conclusion, if he does what you think he should do, then He is a man with his own mind, a great commissioner etc... But if he doesn't do what you think he should do, then he is a puppet, he is gutless, and he is easily influence. Great analysis, how about BB screwed up royally if these rumors are intact true. Yankees fans have nothing on us these past few weeks.

 

[He Ban Me]

If it is true that Roger Goodell just fined Belichick 500K out of his own pocket on top of losing a 1st and a 3rd, then this is the most ridiculous, short-sighted, cowardly, infuriating, embarassing thing I have seen the NFL do in my entire lifetime of being a football fan. He may think he's laying down the law, but he's really showing that he's a puppet to an irrational mob, and not his own man. I have lost complete respect for him as an objective, reasonable manager of the league.

Here's why:

- With such a harsh statement, he is clearly bringing judgement on the issue of stealing calls, which should not be part of the evaluation of the videotape violation. He is saying that videotaping the sideline for POST-game analysis is sacrilege, but that using lip readers, binoculars, audio surveillance, and other videotaping methods are perfectly legal and okay (and there is evidence of other teams doing these things). It comes off as extremely hypocritical, and also opens a HUGE pandora's box that may drown the league.

- For the past 7 years, the Patriots have been the class of the league. They won 3 superbowls, drafted well, consistently built a team of unselfish, blue-collar high character men, and were put up as a model franchise. Such a harsh punishment basically implies that the Patriots have been cheating for much longer than just one game, and it puts into question the entire dynasty of the Patriots, and it lets all the Patriot-haters use this as an excuse to explain why we beat them in any game in the past.

- Goodell completely overvalues the impact of sideline videotaping of defensive calls. If this were the case, wouldn't the Patriots offense have been unstoppable over the past 7 years? Wouldn't we have done much better in the 2nd half of nearly every game, including each of the 3 Superbowls? Belichick claims the sideline videotaping is only for post-game analysis, and even if this were not the case, I fail to see how the competitive edge is so much more than what teams already employ (binoculars, lip readers, audio, other video, etc).

- Finally, and this is most disappointing to me, Goodell is letting the completely biased Competition Committee, as well as rabid media and fan frenzy, influence his decision. He does not take into account that these Patriot haters have an axe to grind, whether it be because they are direct competitors, were put off by Belichick's media interviews, or were jealous/vindictive of past defeats.

Goodell, you have made a strong statement, which is what you wanted, but it was in the WRONG direction on so many levels. You just tore down Howard Roark's statue.

Drivel, drivel, we are the Pats, drivel drivel, how could you, drivel drivel, we did nothing wrong, drivel drivel, everyone does it drivel drivel, what do you mean by "tape"? , drivel drivel.......blah blah blah


Of COURSE he's wrong, because it went against you. EVERYONE IN THE UNIVERSE IS WRONG, SAVE FOR PATTY FAN.

 

[shakadave]

Losing any Day 1 pick stings. I think there's been so much flap about this story, that even if Goodell docked us a Round 3 pick, noone in the NFL is going to be videotaping signals anymore. To make the penalty (allegedly) so much worse, is overkill, and punishes all Pats fans along with the perpetrators.

 

[khayos]

Goodell is an idiot. He'll be out of his job by 2010. He has now overblown and overpenalized an issue and the next time someone 'blows the whistle' like Mangini, it will be even more imbalancing.

The Pats will be the 2008 champs, good luck championing your league Goodell, you idiot.

 

[jman924]

Drivel, drivel, we are the Pats, drivel drivel, how could you, drivel drivel, we did nothing wrong, drivel drivel, everyone does it drivel drivel, what do you mean by "tape"? , drivel drivel.......blah blah blah


Of COURSE he's wrong, because it went against you. EVERYONE IN THE UNIVERSE IS WRONG, SAVE FOR PATTY FAN.

Look, I know that you're just a pathetic troll, trying to vindicate your worthless existence to us, and that you can't NOT post your stupid rantings and ravings, but next time, try to write something coherent, with what most of us like to call "content."

 

[maverick4]

I am absolutely furious now. The Broncos cheated the salary cap to keep Elway and Terrell Davis, a far worse violation, and only lost a 3rd rounder.

Gillette Stadium will be the most dangerously loud and passionate battle ground this year. Mangini, I hope you lose 60-0 when you come into Foxboro.

 

[DaBruinz]

Belichick effed up. He should accept the consequences for that, even if they're incredibly harsh. By the same token, the NFL will have to live with its decisions. If we find out over a period of time that Belichick is being crucified for widely employed tactics, than the NFL is going to have a black eye worse than Michael Vick or the Cincinatti probation department could ever inflict.

For the sake of the league, I actually do hope that it stops here, Belichick takes his medicine, and we go back to focusing on the games.

The problem is that the punishment doesn't fit the crime. This is worse than what happened to Denver or San Fran when they violated the Salary Cap by tens of millions of dollars.

How can it stop here? The fact remains that the league CONDONED Miami buying audio tape of the Pats audible calls, yet they give out this harsh punishment. BS. Talk about friggin hypocritical.


Gooddell proved he's nothing but the Competition Committee's stooge.

 

[DaBruinz]

Drivel, drivel, we are the Pats, drivel drivel, how could you, drivel drivel, we did nothing wrong, drivel drivel, everyone does it drivel drivel, what do you mean by "tape"? , drivel drivel.......blah blah blah


Of COURSE he's wrong, because it went against you. EVERYONE IN THE UNIVERSE IS WRONG, SAVE FOR PATTY FAN.

I knew the KING MORON would be back in here. Listen and try to understand. The Punishment does NOT fit the crime. And, if you had your head anywhere but up your own arse, you'd know that.

As was said, the league CONDONED lip readers and buying of audio tapes, but they punish THIS?

The league wasn't nearly as harsh on the Broncos or 49ers regarding their tens of millions in salary cap transgressions. And that was a far more egregious act.

 

[Gunnails]

The thing Goodell is guilty of is not explaining in detail what exactly happened and how exactly this affected the level playing field and what exactly were the reasons that he decided that this was the apoprpriate punishment.

 

[maverick4]

If I am the Pats right now, I would release vids or begin to document this behavior on other teams.

 

[stcjones]

Roger Goodell just fined Belichick 500K out of his own pocket, the Patriots 250K, and a 1st round pick, and this is the most ridiculous, short-sighted, cowardly, infuriating, embarassing thing I have seen the NFL do in my entire lifetime of being a football fan. The Broncos cheated the salary cap to keep John Elway and Terrell Davis, a far worse violation, and only lost a 3rd rounder. He may think he's laying down the law, but he's really showing that he's a puppet to an irrational mob, and not his own man. I have lost complete respect for him as an objective, reasonable manager of the league.

Here's why:

- With such a harsh statement, he is clearly bringing judgement on the issue of stealing calls, which should not be part of the evaluation of the videotape violation. He is saying that videotaping the sideline for POST-game analysis is sacrilege, but that using lip readers, binoculars, audio surveillance, and other videotaping methods are perfectly legal and okay (and there is evidence of other teams doing these things). It comes off as extremely hypocritical, and also opens a HUGE pandora's box that may drown the league.

- For the past 7 years, the Patriots have been the class of the league. They won 3 superbowls, drafted well, consistently built a team of unselfish, blue-collar high character men, and were put up as a model franchise. Such a harsh punishment basically implies that the Patriots have been cheating for much longer than just one game, and it puts into question the entire dynasty of the Patriots, and it lets all the Patriot-haters use this as an excuse to explain why we beat them in any game in the past.

- Goodell completely overvalues the impact of sideline videotaping of defensive calls. If this were the case, wouldn't the Patriots offense have been unstoppable over the past 7 years? Wouldn't we have done much better in the 2nd half of nearly every game, including each of the 3 Superbowls? Belichick claims the sideline videotaping is only for post-game analysis, and even if this were not the case, I fail to see how the competitive edge is so much more than what teams already employ (binoculars, lip readers, audio, other video, etc).

- Finally, and this is most disappointing to me, Goodell is letting the completely biased Competition Committee, as well as rabid media and fan frenzy, influence his decision. He does not take into account that these Patriot haters have an axe to grind, whether it be because they are direct competitors, were put off by Belichick's media interviews, or were jealous/vindictive of past defeats.

Goodell, you have made a strong statement, which is what you wanted, but it was in the WRONG direction on so many levels. You just tore down Howard Roark's statue.

good post mav.....sad day in nfl history.....but all this will just make us stronger,........GO PATS.....F" GODdell...!!! F' Mang-GINA!!!

 

[He Ban Me]

I knew the KING MORON would be back in here. Listen and try to understand. The Punishment does NOT fit the crime. And, if you had your head anywhere but up your own arse, you'd know that.

As was said, the league CONDONED lip readers and buying of audio tapes, but they punish THIS?

The league wasn't nearly as harsh on the Broncos or 49ers regarding their tens of millions in salary cap transgressions. And that was a far more egregious act.

Thanks for validating my post with your drivel, drivel, blah blah, broncos are worse, whine, whine......:bricks:

 

[DaBruinz]

Thanks for validating my post with your drivel, drivel, blah blah, broncos are worse, whine, whine......:bricks:

Only an imbecile would think that I validated his post. OH, you think that. Thanks for proving MY point.

 

[ClevTrev]

To all those who agree with the title of this thread, get a life.

It's over, and now we can go back to football. Anyone who's not willing to take responsibility in life is worthless. Don't get into the never-ending debates about whether it was fair, or to what degree the punishment should have been considering that there are probably other offenders or the questions as to how much this act influenced the outcome of the games.

Yes, there will be much posturing by those affiliated with other teams who will act like this is a terrible thing and hoping that the Patriots remain the only team associated with this mess. It doesn't matter, as people will quickly separate themselves from this whether they participated or not. The main point is that the Patriots did it and got caught in the act.

The Patriots got caught. Those involved in this act were wrong. Full stop.

Now, can we get on with the 2007 season????

 

[cblesz]

The thing Goodell is guilty of is not explaining in detail what exactly happened and how exactly this affected the level playing field and what exactly were the reasons that he decided that this was the apoprpriate punishment.

I agree. He should have elaborated and said either this helped New England "cheat" or it was just that they broke the rules. But then again, he is a big fat pus$y...

 

[stcjones]

The problem is that the punishment doesn't fit the crime. This is worse than what happened to Denver or San Fran when they violated the Salary Cap by tens of millions of dollars.

How can it stop here? The fact remains that the league CONDONED Miami buying audio tape of the Pats audible calls, yet they give out this harsh punishment. BS. Talk about friggin hypocritical.


Gooddell proved he's nothing but the Competition Committee's stooge.

You are right.......there are two things here:

1) The penalty is very high for a crime that has YET TO BE STATED.....where has GODdell stated exactly what was on that tape and what violations it created? Heck the guy could have been taping the cheerleaders butts for all we know.........NO ONE IS RELEASING that signals were obtained....and we obviously know that they were NOT used during the NY massacre........

2) GODdell allowed himself to be influenced and coerced into making a very foolish and over-excessive decision against the Pats, and has now set in motion a "ratting out" nightmare that will tarnish his reign as commish.......He allowed the competition committee led by Jeff Fischer (who must be a f'n choir boy the way he is talking) CONTROL the decisions that he made....Yes, BB should be punished for bringing a camera on the field.....this weekend....ANY TEAMS EMPLOYEE WITH A PAIR OF BINOCULARS SHOULD BE ARRESTED and the coach/owner/organization should be dragged through the manure pit all week long for cheating.....and BE PUNISHED in equal measures as the Pats have........make it fair puppet Roger!