BPF
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- May 13, 2006
- Messages
- 2,469
- Reaction score
- 0
From Tomase's blog (please, no rocks or rotten tomatos!):
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/patriots/
That takes the cake. As far as I'm concerned this quote backs Belichick's story 100%. The violation of the rule was the use of a camera versus the use of a pen and pencil. Another NFL team could have reams and reams of other teams defensive calls written down, and they are no less "cheaters" than the Patriots.
I think the point he is trying to make by saying end of the "cheating" debate is that stealing defensive signals shouldn't be considered "cheating," as Fisher says "There’s not a bylaw against sitting up in a press box and taking notes with a binoculars as fast as you can."
As we all know the Patriots have been criticized in the mainstream media and labeled as "cheaters" because they stole defensive signals not because of the manner in which they did it. When Marcellus Wiley, Mark Schreleth, John Clayton, Steve Young, Sen Specter, etc get on TV and say it's a big advantage to know your opponenets defensive signals and how this is shocking and something they never heard of they are flat out lying. As Fisher mentioned above, it's ok to steal your opponenets defensive signals in any manner other than videotaping, "....there is a bylaw as far as videotaping signals and that is the issue." So the Patriots violated a competitive rule and were punished for it. This is closer to a holding penalty then it is an issue that should be investigated by senators. Just like offensive linemen are allowed to use their hands as long as they keep them to the inside of a defenders body, the Patriots are allowed to "steal" defensive signals. But when the OL's hands get to the outside of the defender's body, it's a no-no, just like it is for the Pats to have used the videotape. What he is trying to say is that this story should be over and done with, yet it's become a national issue and debate.