Re: BB interview - 15 min version
i've heard it all now
The likely reality here isn't that hard to understand:
1) Belichick taped the sidelines within the framework of the letter of the constitution/bylaws. He understood the intent of the rule was to prevent using technology (audio or video) to invade the opposing sideline. By using standard video equipment and not using the information in the same game, he was on the right side of the line the league didn't want anyone to cross.
2) Belichick knew that the taping could be frowned upon by the league and opposing teams. When his video guys were told to leave, they left. Belichick didn't challenge the opposing teams to keep his guys taping. There was no directive to hide the taping, but I'm sure the video guys are told not to make their activities obvious given that opposing teams may raise a stink about it.
3) Belichick knows about opposing teams activities that are significantly worse than sideline video. He has even filed complaints about some of them. The league consistently had no appetite to even investigate these activities...much less discourage or punish them. This is the seed planted in Belichick's mind that would become important later.
4) After the GB and Detroit incidents and subsequent memo, Belichick is now seeing the injustice toward his team. Other teams and their shady operations are tolerated but his filming activities (operating within the letter and intent of the rules) are open to public scorn. Now he is ready to pick a fight and emotions start to override his judgement.
Side note - At this point, Belichick escalates his personal battle with the league and forgets that he represents the Kraft family, the coaches, players and NE fanbase. I believe he was willing to put his reputation and money on the line...but I also believe he truly regrets the collateral damage.
5) After getting bounced out of the playoffs by Indy in the super-warm, super-loud dome, Belichick is pushed over the edge. It doesn't matter if you or I think Indy did anything wrong...I'm sure Belichick can't believe his team, many of them sick, had to play in 80 degree temperatures in January. His guys cramping up all over the field, obviously not hydrated enough. The Colts amazingly well hydrated and able to run all over the field in the 2nd half. At this point Belichick couldn't care less about what the league thinks about his video operations. In his mind, "gamesmanship" had just cost his team a shot at history.
6) Belichick knows the Jets are well aware of the Pats taping and it would be very easy to just avoid taping the Jets in NY. However, Belichick has just had the prize taken out of his cracker jacks and isn't going to back down to anyone now...particularly Mangini. If the Jets raise an issue with the league, the NFL will have to explain why its rules only seem to apply to the Pats and nobody else. Belichick welcomes that fight.
This is where the situation falls apart. The tape is confiscated, the media grabs onto the story as a cheating scandal and Goodell (still finding his way in his job) feels obligated to give the media its pound of flesh to preserve league integrity. A perfect storm that Belichick didn't anticipate. Belichick didn't get the personal battle he was prepared to fight. He brought Kraft's pride and joy into a situation that was both unexpected and unacceptable from a business and personal perspective.
Looking at the situation in this context, Belichick's statements are both accurate and very close to complete. The only part missing is that he really did understand that the league wouldn't openly approve of the taping. He believed he had the letter and intent of the rule on his side and past league inaction on such issues make the activity implicitly accepted.
Belichick is guilty of being human and letting emotion drive him to the point where his actions hurt people he really cared about. The league office drove him to that point. That doesn't necessarily get him forgiveness for his actions, but it should be enough for some understanding.
i've heard it all now