Opinion: Spygate Will Explode Into A League-wide Scandal

[BigMike]

Because Krafty and BB arent going to keep ingesting this **** sandwich from Mangina-Specter. That can be the only reason why Leahy of Vermont is willing to keep this dog and pony show going. Leahy is from VERMONT - NE Patriots territory.

Enough is enough, the NFL is culpable for destoying the evidence, which contained other teams cheating. So let Walshie show his tape, this thing is going to explode into allegations of other teams cheating. Look for BB to rat out Parcells, Crennel, Jets, Colts you name it.

A pathetic chapter in league history - but we cant expect the Pats to keep taking this laying down since every team cheats. I support Kraft and BB if they start singing like songbirds about the eveidence they submitted to the NFL about other teams.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Re: Spygate Will Explode Into A League-wide Scandal

Because Krafty and BB arent going to keep ingesting this **** sandwich from Mangina-Specter. That can be the only reason why Leahy of Vermont is willing to keep thsi dog and pony show going.

Enough is enough, the NFL is culpable for destoying the evidence, which contained other teams cheating. So let Walshie show his tape, this thing is going to explode into allegations of other teams cheating. Look for BB to rat out Parcells, Crennel, Jets, Colts you name it.

A pathetic chapter in leagur history - but we cant expect the Pats to keep taking this laying down since every team cheats. I support Kraft and BB if they start singing like songbirds about the eveidence they submitted to the NFL about other teams.

it just needs to end... hopefully free agency and the draft will bring back some football

 

[DropKick Flutie]

Re: Spygate Will Explode Into A League-wide Scandal

If everyone does it, it needs to stop. If BB is forced to talk, he should bring everyone down with him. Dungy, Parcells, Gibbs, Knox, Levy, Lombardi... who cares at this point. Fans want the game to be played on the field, not by some clipboard holding fanboy with a camcorder on the sidelines.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Because Krafty and BB arent going to keep ingesting this **** sandwich from Mangina-Specter. That can be the only reason why Leahy of Vermont is willing to keep this dog and pony show going. Leahy is from VERMONT - NE Patriots territory.

Enough is enough, the NFL is culpable for destoying the evidence, which contained other teams cheating. So let Walshie show his tape, this thing is going to explode into allegations of other teams cheating. Look for BB to rat out Parcells, Crennel, Jets, Colts you name it.

A pathetic chapter in league history - but we cant expect the Pats to keep taking this laying down since every team cheats. I support Kraft and BB if they start singing like songbirds about the eveidence they submitted to the NFL about other teams.

Unfortunately, this whole thing has the potential to get out of control before it's too late. A lot of teams are going to wish they had tried to bury this from the get go.

 

[QuiGon]

Re: Spygate Will Explode Into A League-wide Scandal

If everyone does it, it needs to stop. If BB is forced to talk, he should bring everyone down with him. Dungy, Parcells, Gibbs, Knox, Levy, Lombardi... who cares at this point. Fans want the game to be played on the field, not by some clipboard holding fanboy with a camcorder on the sidelines.

I think a lot of fans enjoy the strategizing and gameplanning that goes on before and during a game... I gotta be honest that for all the bluster, I don't really understand why the rule exists in the first place...

 

[fair catch fryar]

Re: Spygate Will Explode Into A League-wide Scandal

I think a lot of fans enjoy the strategizing and gameplanning that goes on before and during a game... I gotta be honest that for all the bluster, I don't really understand why the rule exists in the first place...

Me too, It's as close to a life size game of chess that you'll find, BUT because the Patriots are the one's who got caught with their hands in the cookie jar, it's "cheating" and un-excuseable. If it had been the KC Chiefs doing it at a Houston Texans game, a mere fine and loss of a 4th round draft pick and never to be heard from again.

 

[PatsFanJess]

Because Krafty and BB arent going to keep ingesting this **** sandwich from Mangina-Specter. That can be the only reason why Leahy of Vermont is willing to keep this dog and pony show going. Leahy is from VERMONT - NE Patriots territory.

Enough is enough, the NFL is culpable for destoying the evidence, which contained other teams cheating. So let Walshie show his tape, this thing is going to explode into allegations of other teams cheating. Look for BB to rat out Parcells, Crennel, Jets, Colts you name it.

A pathetic chapter in league history - but we cant expect the Pats to keep taking this laying down since every team cheats. I support Kraft and BB if they start singing like songbirds about the eveidence they submitted to the NFL about other teams.

He'd never rat out Crennel...nor would he or any of us want him too. Hes a supporter of Bill and a good guy. He'd always have Bill's back...i agree with you though about the rest.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Im not doom and gloom about this, I just want it to end... But the last 2 weeks again have just plained sucked as a pat fan...

 

[mgteich]

I do NOT want this to end. Not this time. This time this issue needs to be a league-wide investigation. In the end, the patriots do not figure to be any worse off than we are now.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I still think Belichick should threaten he will sing or return the draft pick ... having 2 #1's would be very nice right about now.

 

[PatsFanJess]

Re: Spygate Will Explode Into A League-wide Scandal

Me too, It's as close to a life size game of chess that you'll find, BUT because the Patriots are the one's who got caught with their hands in the cookie jar, it's "cheating" and un-excuseable. If it had been the KC Chiefs doing it at a Houston Texans game, a mere fine and loss of a 4th round draft pick and never to be heard from again.

Ditto...can we now please sue Goodell for 3 billion dollars for discrimination. I mean I want to fit in too with all this cool lawsuit stuff.

 

[pheenix11]

Re: Spygate Will Explode Into A League-wide Scandal

I think a lot of fans enjoy the strategizing and gameplanning that goes on before and during a game... I gotta be honest that for all the bluster, I don't really understand why the rule exists in the first place...

It is a stupid friggin rule. Just allow everyone to do it, who gives a shyt? Its called strategy.

 

[Michael]

Re: Spygate Will Explode Into A League-wide Scandal

Why stop at just video? Doesn't the language in articles like this sound familiar?

 

[Pats726]

It is far far more than just video taping...there are cap violations that HAVE happened in teh past..but there are MANY ways to push the envelope...and there have been articles about that..of picking up players from a team to pick their brains..to stealing plans and playbooks to the piping in of fake crowd noise to the negating of the black out period of 15 seconds between QB and coach. And that was alleged in a Mike Sando article in Sept that teams were doing that..(NOT the Patriots..but others) Now, think of the implications of that?? The D could be looked at and up to the snap, be told what teh D was doing from another view..NO blackout period..I think THAT has a lot larger implication cheating wise than any video..and yet, it is going on and NOT looekd at?? And what about looking at the refs and what could be going on there??? SO let it all open...or keep it closed..THAt simple..
And they COULD have hushed it all up more or less..Goodell made a big point of it and thought it would end..instead, the haters have made it worse..Goodell has screwed it all up even more..let it get way way out of hand..and HE is more the cause of it than anyone to why. BIG mistakes.
I also think that Kraft and BB have taken one for teh NFL at first and if this gets out of hand more than it has, I really think it will explode more. I don't think that Kraft will let the team get hammered again and again and just say it's OK to do..at some point, it will expand even more..and explode..I do agree..it will end or slowly end OR expand rapidly...

 

[DarrylS]

I've contended all along that the tapes provided to the NFL showed that what the Pats did, is pretty much done by everyone else in the NFL.. if it goes to hearing this will be the result, in Goodell's rush to judgement he overreacted and now cannot go back.. that is why the tapes were destroyed, in his quest to preserve the "integrity of the game" he pretty much threw out the baby with the bathwater.

 

[PittPatriot]

I've contended all along that the tapes provided to the NFL showed that what the Pats did, is pretty much done by everyone else in the NFL.. if it goes to hearing this will be the result, in Goodell's rush to judgement he overreacted and now cannot go back.. that is why the tapes were destroyed, in his quest to preserve the "integrity of the game" he pretty much threw out the baby with the bathwater.

If this is league-wide, then I am surprised NO ONE is willing to step and say, "Hey, the 4 of us did it too." While it is hard for anyone to self-incriminate, I can't imagine an entire fraternity of coaches just turning their back on BB. Aren't Andy Reid and BB friends? I bring him up because of the Eagles/Specter relationship. Maybe Cowher can even chime in (though unlikely).

Even past coaches who are no longer in the game and candidly admit to it. Maybe Cowher can even chime in (though unlikely). If everyone does it, then it is a disadvantage NOT to do it.

 

[JoeSixPat]

They know it's leaguewide - and has been happening since the inception of the NFL. And this proves it, with a first hand account from an NFL Quarterback:

http://www.thesportgallery.com/sport-stories/1967aug-nflspy.html

As I said in another thread, The NFL institutionally allows all of it because they have no choice. And as long as its an even playing field where they are treating each team the same, the integrity of the game is sound.

The problem is, they are NOT treating the Patriots like any other team. They are singling them out and making them a scapegoat.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

MGTeich, it is incorrect to say that the Pats don't figure ever to be any worse off, but I am getting close to the same position you're taking.

That is to say: worst case scenario? They can dock us the remainder of the 08 draft. They can ban BB from the league. They can essentially "Break Up The Patriots!" for winning too much (which is really where this thing gets its legs.)

If the league says "okay, this morning, we're going to zig," and Kraft says "ya know what, Bill? Screw it. Start zagging," we might be on the way down that road. But I see the whole response as coming off as seamless and vertically integrated for quite some time. Kraft is not Al Davis.

As for Belichick, he is most comfortable taking precisely the approach the Pats have taken thus far. He doesn't look for controversy, and doesn't like settling things in the press. He doesn't like to bow and scrape, and he doesn't like media appearances to jaw and accuse. He just likes to do the job.

Now, if the strategy for the league/Pats becomes "no more Mr. Nice Guy," I don't see him as incapable of taking such actions, I just don't see him doing it as a loose cannon. Just like on the field, I think the Pats will "win as a team, or lose as a team."

At some point, the League becomes the team's enemy, if they buckle to the outside pressure. Thus far, the League (in dealings with the Senator), protect the Pats' interests by protecting the League's interests.

I.e., for the time being, the sovereignty of the League involves absolute control by the League, and not the government, over infractions/punishment. Having paid the league's price, it's in the Pats' interest to be in lockstep with the league -- unless the League starts losing the fight.

At that point, the League stops defending absolute sovereignty, and starts trying to reserve some relative sovereignty... and will sacrifice the Pats to buy that for the League.

It's a given that Sphincter wants to get the League to that point, but it's not a given that he can.

So our guys need to have a contingency plan for that eventuality, and be ever vigilant for the moment that Goodell "rolls" on us. But in terms of this Senate process, Goodell has done nothing of the sort, yet. It's also in his interests to fight the Senate against any incursion into League authority.

That's why right now we're not going down the public defensive road... that and the fact that it doesn't convince anybody but Pats fans anyway.

On the other hand, this bullcrap doesn't convince Pats fans of anything either.

Staying tuned,

PFnV

 

[chrisfx811]

I still cannot believe the Broncos won 2 Superbowls when they were guilty of salary cap violations, and it basically went by the wayside.
Where's the witch hunt?
Where's ESPN interrogating Schlereth?
WTF mate?

I truly hopes this incident does blow up. At this point, it seems everyone is either a Pats fan, or someone who labels the Pats as cheaters since 'they're the only ones who got caught.'

If all the evidence is truly gone, and all that's left is to open Matt Walsh's shoe box, then it seems as though it would come down to BB & Kraft's willingness to protect their collective image?
Would Kraft distance himself from BB if it happens in order to save the face of the league, and just have 1 sacrificial lamb?
Would Kraft back BB, and demand the whole truth come out so as not to take a hit to his team's image?
Would the big market teams that have been on Kraft's side in the past, come to his aid now, or do they circle the wagons but leave BB & Kraft on the outside with nothing but their six shooters?

 

[marcus]

Unfortunately, I do not think this is going away soon.

What few seem to realize is that if this thing is not slowed down, it will dramatically hurt EVERY team and the entire league...unnecessarily.

It has the potential to affect advertisng and TV revenues as well as merchandising.

Goodell knows this...hopefully the other 31 owners will fgure this out.

THe US government is not sniffing around to punish the Patriots, they may be threatening ant trust exemption withdrawal which would have ridiculous complications for the league.