IMO Under The NFL Bylaws, Every NFL Team "Cheats" Every Week

[KoolAidDrinker]

According to Mike Reiss of the Globe, this is the exact rule that the Pats allegedly broke:

"Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation videotape machines, telephone tapping, or bugging devices, or any other form of electronic devices that might aid a team during the playing of a game."

I certainly could be wrong but ... the main clause of the rule (as underlined above) seems to be reasonably clear, specific, and far reaching. The rest of the rule appears to amplify the main clause.

This says that during last Sunday's Jet/Pats game, the only information gathering equipment that the Jets and Pats could use during the game was Polaroid-type cameras and field telephones.

The Pats used a video camera on the side lines, which is prohibited under this rule, assuming that it "gathered information". Okay. Fair enough. After the NFL verified that the tape had something on it, Goodell levied his punishment against the Pats.

HOWEVER, if we stick to the letter of the law, I submit that this rule is being violated EVERY WEEK by EVERY TEAM that uses binnoculars to gather information during the game (such as the offensive coordinators that are sometimes shown on telecasts positioned up in the booths.) I know it's a little silly, but binnoculars, are non-exempted equipment that aid in information gathering. And they are used by participants during the game.

Does anybody have any game film that shows these guys? If so, perhaps these should be send to ESPN, FOX, and the NFL.

It's just a thought.

Now let's go out and crush the Chargers!

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

I'd also like to know where teams get their gamefilm to study after the game.

Does the NFL courier it to them in time for Monday morning's film session at 5:30 AM ..... 4:30 AM if you are BB.

 

[Pujo]

I certainly could be wrong but ... the main clause of the rule (as underlined above) seems to be reasonably clear, specific, and far reaching. The rest of the rule appears to amplify the main clause.

This says that during last Sunday's Jet/Pats game, the only information gathering equipment that the Jets and Pats could use during the game was Polaroid-type cameras and field telephones.

The Pats used a video camera on the side lines, which is prohibited under this rule, assuming that it "gathered information". Okay. Fair enough. After the NFL verified that the tape had something on it, Goodell levied his punishment against the Pats.

HOWEVER, if we stick to the letter of the law, I submit that this rule is being violated EVERY WEEK by EVERY TEAM that uses binnoculars to gather information during the game (such as the offensive coordinators that are sometimes shown on telecasts positioned up in the booths.) I know it's a little silly, but binnoculars, are non-exempted equipment that aid in information gathering. And they are used by participants during the game.

Does anybody have any game film that shows these guys? If so, perhaps these should be send to ESPN, FOX, and the NFL.

It's just a thought.

Now let's go out and crush the Chargers!

Seems like the last sentence limits it to electronic devices.

 

[BelichickFan]

Wouldn't the communication from coach to QB in the helmet be a violation of this too ? It's certainly not a Polaroid-type camera or a field telephone.

 

[Pujo]

Wouldn't the communication from coach to QB in the helmet be a violation of this too ? It's certainly not a Polaroid-type camera or a field telephone.

They must not consider that information gathering equipment (maybe communications equipment?)

Obviously the QB headsets are sanctioned by the NFL, so the league has decided that they fall within the rules.

 

[BelichickFan]

They must not consider that information gathering equipment (maybe communications equipment?)

Obviously the QB headsets are sanctioned by the NFL, so the league has decided that they fall within the rules.

I guess it depends if the context mentions a direction for information gathering - the QB certainly gathers information from it.

 

[Pujo]

I guess it depends if the context mentions a direction for information gathering - the QB certainly gathers information from it.

Right, it all depends on how they interpret it. But since we know the NFL sanctions it, we can start with the conclusion that they interpret it in such a way as to allow headsets. There must also be another section of the rules that authorizes those, since specific headset-related restrictions (like the number allowed on the field, etc) aren't specified in this rule.

 

[BelichickFan]

Right, it all depends on how they interpret it. But since we know the NFL sanctions it, we can start with the conclusion that they interpret it in such a way as to allow headsets.

Agreed - obviously - I was just adding to the point that these rules can be interpreted differently by different people. Math is exact - English isn't.

 

[Michigan Dave]

1. Binoculars are not electric.

2. Game film is governed by the league and doesn't fall under this provision.

 

[KoolAidDrinker]

1. Binoculars are not electric.

No! That's not what it says! The rule is simple: "Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation ...

It DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ELECTRIC ... per the main clause of this rule. "Including without limitation" is just adding on other possible items.

This rule, as written, prohibits the use of binnoculars. Bottom line: every participant who is using binnoculars (or any other non-exempt equipment) to gather information during the game is in violation of this rule.

This is not a frivolous point. This is what is written; this it what the Pats were punished for. My point is that this rule is flawed! Just about everyone is in violation.

 

[khayos]

I think we should have just made the argument that our Polaroid camera shoots 30 frames per second. There you go, problem solved.

 

[Pujo]

No! That's not what it says! The rule is simple: "Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation ...

It DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ELECTRIC ... per the main clause of this rule. "Including without limitation" is just adding on other possible items.

This rule, as written, prohibits the use of binnoculars. Bottom line: every participant who is using binnoculars (or any other non-exempt equipment) to gather information during the game is in violation of this rule.

This is not a frivolous point. This is what is written; this it what the Pats were punished for. My point is that this rule is flawed! Just about everyone is in violation.

That's not what it says. You can't just cut off a section, the end of the section is clear that it's talking about electronic devices.

 

[RayClay]

No! That's not what it says! The rule is simple: "Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation ...

It DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ELECTRIC ... per the main clause of this rule. "Including without limitation" is just adding on other possible items.

This rule, as written, prohibits the use of binnoculars. Bottom line: every participant who is using binnoculars (or any other non-exempt equipment) to gather information during the game is in violation of this rule.

This is not a frivolous point. This is what is written; this it what the Pats were punished for. My point is that this rule is flawed! Just about everyone is in violation.

Binoculars don't gather anything.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Pujo's right, if an NFL rulebook is like any other body of regulation.

For example, the FAA does not allow any hazardous materials on the cabins of airplanes. There is a prohibition on any hazmats. That's the first paragraph, let's say. And then the next one says, with the exception of:

And then you get 20 paragraphs of exceptions... just mention the first paragraph, and voila, you can't have dry ice for your galley purposes, you can't have fire suppression equipment, etc.

But if you read it in whole, that's not what it says. Same probably applies here. And where it describes the coach's headsets, it probably says "notwithstanding what we said over here about information gathering equipment."

There are benefits to living around all these government workers... one of them is, no NFL rulemaking seems in the least bit convoluted from where I stand.

PFnV