Weekly King's snippet on videogate

[thomas144]

Because instead of this quote:


agenda-driven writers would only quote:

and would use it to paint BB as a <insert your villifying adjectives here> cheater, rather than acknowlege that everyone steals signals and BB's 'crime' was more the method used than the actual stealing of the signals.

yes, everybody "steals signals" - that's part of the game - something you are supposed to do. it's why they have signals in the first place, and don't just announce on the public address system "the defense will be executing a safety blitz on this play."

I am very disappointed that the Patriots didn't protest this more.

 

[bradmahn]

I agree with Peter King on this and I don't understand why all Patriots fans apparently don't feel the same way. I guess some of you guys don't care about losing a first-round draft choice or the fact that other teams (and their fans) will continue to question the validity of the Patriots' SuperBowl victories.

It's all very good to wish the incident would go away but it's not going to, unless you are 1.) content to lose a first round draft choice and 2.) content to let people call the Patriots' SuperBowl victories "tainted" because they might have "cheated."

The league office bungled the whole incident.

They rushed to judgment in penalizing the Patriots' in the first place. What was the hurry? It's actually hard to believe that they acted as quickly as they did. Why not let the controversy die down a little and then, if it's really that big a deal, impose the fines they imposed?

Then they rushed to destroy the "evidence" - whatever it was. No word on what was destroyed. I've said this before: was it 3 pages of notes and 15 minutes of video or 1,000 pages of notes and 1,000 hours of video? Why destroy it?

I also do not understand why Patriots fans are content to let Belichick refuse to comment on the whole incident. How about he just said, "yeah, I knew it was against the rules but I didn't think the penalty would be so severe, if we got caught." I would be fine with that, or any number of other "explanations."

I'm sorry, but that's not an explanation, that's a soundbite. I agree with you in that I would like for the NFL to clarify just what it was that was on those tapes, but mostly because I'm sick of people implying that there was "cheating" in the Super Bowls and that those wins are tainted. Belichick doesn't have to say any more than what he said unless there is something different that comes out.

But this is the way I reason why the Commish's office has nothing more to say about the matter than that everything was destroyed. The league offices ruled that the film of the Jets on 9/9 was not used to gain an advantage during the game. The punishment they issued was for violating the rule about filming on the sidelines, to dissuade others from using the cameras on the sideline as well (and even actually using those tapes in game). They punished the Pats for that offense and collected all the tapes Belichick had from the beginning of his coaching career here. If those tapes had nothing other than more filming of the same things, no explanation is needed; no further punishment is necessary. Thus, the lack of an explanation.

 

[Rob0729]

Everybody does what exactly? Everybody has some kid videotape the defensive coaches on the opposite bench?

I don't understand this "everybody does it" angle anyway. It seems to me to be completely beside the point, and I can't even figure out what the "IT" refers to.

I think Belichick could elaborate on whatever he did. Why he did it. He apologized for something, but I don't know what.

Why is it besides the point? So it is fair to continue to persecute the Patriots because they were the only one caught doing something that is done frequently and is known to be done, but weren't exposed because they didn't get caught by their hated rivals.

Why should what the Pats did in other games that what they got caught doing have any relevance to anything? The Pats were only caught for the Jets game and anything else turned over to the league is not relevant and exposing it without doing the same thing to the 31 other teams is just a witch hunt.

The Pats voluntarily turned over this information to the league and could have easily fought this in court if they wished and won pretty easily. They agreed to turn it over to put this to bed and under the condition the evidence would be destroyed so it wouldn't be leaked. It is over now. Move on.

 

[Rob0729]

yes, everybody "steals signals" - that's part of the game - something you are supposed to do. it's why they have signals in the first place, and don't just announce on the public address system "the defense will be executing a safety blitz on this play."

I am very disappointed that the Patriots didn't protest this more.

The Pats agreed that it was best for the game not to start to point fingers everywhere. Kraft knows that it doesn't do the league any good by exposing other teams for doing the same or similiar things as the Patriots. He agreed to cooperate to put the whole issue to bed and do what is best for the team.

If Kraft was interested in trying to fight this, he would have gone to court to prevent them from getting any evidence from them including the tape confiscated from Matt Estrella. He took one for the league.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

All this snipet proves is it's a waste of time to talk to Peter because his own opinion renders his ability to grasp to what you are saying moot.

Hey, for all we know Bill had the video department consolidate the tapes so they included evidence Bill also compiled of opponents doing the same damn thing or snipets of interviews with players we have in confirming that they had benefitted from audio and video shenanigans when they played against us.

Collinsworth may be right that half the league is aghast at what we were doing, but the other half is likely scared ****less that a wider investigation could wipe out half of the first round of the 2008 draft. Goodell isn't interested in cleaning out the house, he just intended for us to serve as a cease and desist order for all 32 teams going forward. Those who want more care less about the league than they do about settling longstanding vendettas or uncovering a ratings bonanza that makes their jobs easier.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

BTW, I think it's great that BB has yet to offer them (reporters) any sound bites that can be used against him. That MUST burn them to no end. It makes me respect BB all the more.

The media have no clue that the fans hate them!

 

[patpatriot]

All this snipet proves is it's a waste of time to talk to Peter because his own opinion renders his ability to grasp to what you are saying moot.

Hey, for all we know Bill had the video department consolidate the tapes so they included evidence Bill also compiled of opponents doing the same damn thing or snipets of interviews with players we have in confirming that they had benefitted from audio and video shenanigans when they played against us.

Collinsworth may be right that half the league is aghast at what we were doing, but the other half is likely scared ****less that a wider investigation could wipe out half of the first round of the 2008 draft. Goodell isn't interested in cleaning out the house, he just intended for us to serve as a cease and desist order for all 32 teams going forward. Those who want more care less about the league than they do about settling longstanding vendettas or uncovering a ratings bonanza that makes their jobs easier.

You are *really* rocking today MO. Could you forward this post to Dale and Holly so that when they have Peter King on they can call him out on this?

 

[DW Toys]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/10/07/mmqb.week5/4.html

Cousins (and to you Mr. King of the inquiring mind!),
What the naive Mr. King may not realize is that perhaps the league DID find out something in those tapes, which curiously seemed like BB was more than happy to cooperate with. Why did BB even keep those old tapes if it is the opinion of the league coaches that the signals are changed on a weekly basis anyway. What good are they? Maybe the tapes were destroyed because the Pats had some disturbing items on the tapes that would have led to more of a scandal about other teams and their practices than what Goodell even dreamed about.

I still believe that BB had something figured out and had an "insurance policy". That "insurance policy" was destroyed by Goodell.
Why would BB "blatantly" not conform to a league "memo" that was distributed in such a short order to the "crime". Why indeed to all you "cheater" accusers? Is BB stupid? Is he not one to attend to the smallest detail?

BB said he interpreted the rules a different way. We'll never know what he saw in the rules but I will guarantee there was a logical explanation for someone as intelligent as Mr. BB. You know he will not elaborate. His desire is just to go on. He did not drag other people down with him and we know he could have. Was this simply the theory of "It is easier to ask forgiveness than permission"?

Goodell came out along with the NFL and declared that there was nothing on those tapes to implicate the Pats in any other wrong doing, but nothing was said about the other 31 teams and the tapes were destroyed at "warp speed". Perhaps I am looking at this cynically, but if "no harm, no foul" was the case it arched my eyebrows. This was made out to be a bigger case than the Lindberg kidnapping and yet not one snippet was commented on about the details of these NFL "porn" movies? Hell, Goodells' wifes couldn't even get it out of him this time. Something big was up Mr. King and you are barking up the wrong tree. I say Goodell cut a deal with Kraft when the tapes were presented and viewed. Kraft first said he was furious then he backed off and accepted the penalty for the good of the league. I say BB had the goods on someone or many, and there was a tussle with Kraft interceding and telling BB to back off.

How many of the cousins out there believe that BB would not do this without reason or recourse? Mr King you should be the first yea voter! There is a much bigger cover up that was swept under the carpet and the BB made the perfect sacrifice being he is hated for his cold and no nonsense success by every non-Pats fan in the world, but every owner in the league (all 31) including the owners that employee Mr. Dungy would swap for BB right now. Goodells' thoughts were perhaps who else could have this roll off his back and who cares less about his own ego as any coach in the NFL? All he wants is to coach the perfect game.

Oh Yeh, Mr. Colinsworth, you as an attorney should do more due-diligence about how and why BB did this, what was on the tapes (supena Goodell for cryin out loud) and then judge if this was "Worse than Vick or Pacman". As far as I know, no living beings have ceased to exist with this over publicized common place (emphasize this) rules infraction.

As the Good Reverend Mr. Dungy stated about how this Pats thing really hurt the integrity of the game and yet his GM advocated persons on the Pats have their legs broken by some of the 53 Colts Apostles, and "Oh, by the way Tony I changed the game so we can win it this time" through my position on the NFL rules committee. Tony has to remove the "log" from his eye.

DW Toys

 

[tuckeverlasting]

Hmmnn... why do I care? well let's see, I care because I am fan of the New England Patriots and they lost a first-round draft pick over absolutely nothing?

Am I supposed to explain why I care about the Patriots? Yes, okay, I admit, it's all a ridiculous waste of time, following football. Why are you on this message board?

i'm guessing this is a rhetorical question. as far as the pats getting fined for nothing, i don't get your confusion. they were fined for having a camera on the sideline instead of in the designated area. it's that simple. they were taping where they shouldn't have been taping. the pats were used as an example to teams that are doing the same thing. now everybody knows the cost.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I'm a little perplexed about why Peter King (and many others) have such difficulty grasping that the advantage gained by the Patriots by the taping was minimal (i.e. over other, legal ways, of stealing signs).

But, I guess he can continue to be dense about this if he wants. Perhaps after all this time he still hasn't really thought it all through?

 

[BrianPat]

Here's what I look forward too. King trying to interview any Patriots personnal this year. It'll be interesting, especially if it's caught on tape !!

 

[Spiral]

The thing that separates Peter King from most everyone else in the media is access. His columns and reports on CNNSI, NBC and HBO almost always include statements like "I talked to <<insert player or coach here>> after the game, and...." He probably has better access to NFL officials, team officials and players than any other media member. However, his access to the Patriots is down to about zero. He used to get stuff from Brady once in a while, but even that seems like it went away. King's apparent strategy is to keeping slamming the Patriots until they get torqued enough to talk to him. Don't hold your breath, Peter, I say.

 

[BradyManny]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/10/07/mmqb.week5/4.html

Peter King is truly pathetic. That's the only word to describe what he has become. Well, either that and "bloated" or "fat".

 

[RayClay]

I never thought that much of King in the first place. Sure, he has sources, but he's always been a prostitute for whoever was providing the access.

He's a feature/gossip writer and if you forget that, remember half his column has always been about corn syrup and lard laden coffees and his daughters softball team.

 

[patpatriot]

What bothers me about what King wrote is I can't decide whether he is being intellectually dishonest. Was his snippet quote meant to imply that it would be better for the league if the issue was dropped because it might ultimatley reveal that the Pats had an illegal advantage in their SBs that allowed them to prevail in 3 close contests? Or, was it meant to imply that further disclosure might reveal embarrassing info on *other* teams?

His second part that focuses on the Pats SBs makes me think the former. If so, why doesn't *he* go back and look at the games to see if *he* can spot anything that might support that quote? Instead he just hangs this ominous anonymous quote out there to give the witch hunters more fuel. That's not right if you (like King) are claiming the moral high ground.

 

[patpatriot]

Does anyone have any objection to me using your comments in this string in an email to Mr. King? If not, be aware that it is possible (thou very unlikely) that your words may appear in his column without attribution.

 

[njpatsfan]

Fellers,

I'd say it's even worse in King's case. His actions in keeping this non-story alive speak volumes towards is petulance and inflated ego.

King's stature as a sports writer has given him an inflated sense of his self-worth and his place in the sports world. I honestly believe that HE believes that it is HIS RIGHT to know every detail about what happened so that he may pontificate to the masses about the whole situation.

The man is simply p!ssed off that no one will give him the details. He feels insulted by the league's actions, and he's hoping that his constant picking at that scab will eventually force someone in the front office to 'come clean" about it.

What a maroon. Between his pontificating on coffee, travel delays, his daughter, local resturaunts, trains to NYC, baseball and veiled political swipes, it's a wonder he has any time left for sports writing. Oh wait... he doesn't.

respects,

You all don't understand. The camera incident is to sports journalists what the 2000 election was to the mainstream media. It's something that they can trot out periodically to impugn our past triumphs, and therefore undermine our future successes.

It's how biased media works. We are going to hear about this until BB leaves or we are 5-11 (or both).

R

 

[Captain Cliche]

I interpet the quote to mean...if they looked at every team, there wouldn't be a first round draft.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I interpet the quote to mean...if they looked at every team, there wouldn't be a first round draft.

That's how anyone would interpret it... Peter King's the only one too obtuse to understand that's what the "club official" was saying

Most sportsfans aren't smart enough to realize that the NFL condones cheating in the first place - at least in terms of stealing signals, because that's what most people think the "crime" was here

That's another reason why the more this is talked about the worse it is for the NFL - that once people realize that Goodell himself condones signal stealing they'll fully lose respect for the NFL.

That's why, in addition to the fact that it spurs on the Pats to want to rub every team's nose in a decisive victory, I'm all for talking about Spygate.