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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.My feeling as a Jets fans is that without some sort of "advantage" the pats would still have won the game easily. With that being said why would the Pats even put themselves in a situation where they could get in trouble for this? Between this and Harrison the Pats reputation as the model franchise is in the toilet. I think everyone respects their ability to build a team, to draft players, to sign the right free agents. I can't say enough good things about them when it comes to Wilfork, Mankins, Brady, Warren Etc.
But it's just ridicilous that they do things like this. If you've been warned before why put yourself at risk?
I am intrigued by the possibility that Bill is making a point. If its true that everyone steals signals and teams employ multiple people to give signals and confuse the other team, then this could be to make a point.
Actually the thread starter said Goodell issued a statment. Mortensen said that his sources reported Goodell found the Pats guilty.
EPSN News had "Goodell finds Patriots broke league rule" in their bottom right headline box prior to the Everett health update. If it's true that no judgment had been made tonight than I think I'm gonna have to stop watching everything other than actual game broadcasts. I find it unlikely they could botch a story that bad, even by ESPN standards. I have to believe at this point a rule was broken, it's the exact nature of what occurred that needs to be revealed.
Amen. Plus the whole angle of "Well, they were scouting the Packers and Lions for a possible SB matchup."Much as we would all love the "making a point" angle, I find it really unlikely they would risk so much to make a point. That truly makes no sense to me.
I think if both Mortensen and Schefter are saying it, it's true. The thread title is a little misleading, only because there is no statement.
I don't know if the league wanted the news out today. My guess is they wanted to deal with any appeals, etc, privately, and then in a few days announce the decision and the punishment.
The thing that makes no sense is, THIS ISN'T ILLEGAL! It is in no way against the rules to have a guy stand on the sidelines, chart the plays and match them up to the signals, and figure out what they mean and then adjust off of them. It's not even against the rules to get game tape, network TV tape or archival footage and do the same thing. The only part of this that is against the rules is the use of a camera on the sidelines. Which is why it makes no sense - why does bringing a camera on the sidelines into the equation suddenly make it so abhorrent? All it does is allow you to archive the information more readily - it can't be used to make adjustments in real time any more than a guy standing there doing the same thing with a clipboard.
WHAT NEXT FOR BELICHICK?
With the NFL reportedly concluding that the New England Patriots used video cameras in an effort to discern the defensive signals of opponents, an obvious questions arises.
What does any of this mean to coach Bill Belichick?
For starters, we believe that he should be suspended. If punter Todd Sauerbrun gets tossed for four games for using ephedra, the head coach of a team that is committing a blatant violation of the rules for competitive advantage should be suspended much longer than that.
If Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson gets parked for five games because he purchased HGH for his own personal use, the head coach of a team that is committing a blatant violation of the rules for competitive advantage should be suspended much longer than that.
Though it's unknown whether a suspension is even on the table, it should be. And if it's anything less than four games, the NFLPA should be raising holy hell with the league, as the NFLPA usually . . . um . . . often . . . um . . . occasionally . . . um, okay, rarely does.
Meanwhile, questions automatically will be raised regarding Belichick's future with the Patriots. If owner Bob Kraft didn't know about the "Patriot Act" project, owner Bob Kraft is going to blow a gasket. If owner Bob Kraft knew about the "Patriot Act" project, he needs to act like he didn't know, and thus owner Bob Kraft is going to blow a gasket.
If the NFL wanted to be consistent, it would have to ban all cameras in the entire stadium besides the telecast team. Otherwise, there is too much ambiguity.
curiously, the NFL is being looked at for its iron clad policies on copyrighted material--specifically the reproduction or replaying of NFL telecasts
interesting angle could be more relative to the unauthorized reproduction of NFL live action
and oh yeah
good night san diego
go f yourself
Isnt that exactly what happened?? They videotaped signals, correct? So, that creates a competitive imbalance. They werent doing it for ****s and giggles. Whether it was an advantage for the game at hand, the next time they meet, or whenever......it doesnt matter. Still cheating.
Is that the best you can do?
Pretty tired refrain. Players in the NFL use banned substances. Ask Rodney Harrison.
But this is from your leader of your organization, this is really a disgrace.
Let's be honest....several players and coaches if they are HONEST will tell you that they see it happening all the time....doesn't make it right...but you can't punish ONE without punishing everyone........I think a stern warning would be the correct call by Goodell......anything else would be unfair and slanted to try to weaken the pats system.......
The Belichick Pats have always been about gaining a competitive advantage as are all teams. A comp. ad. is hiring Moss for a ridiculous pay cut...hiring Thomas for less than he was offered elsewhere...being a franchise that drafts well...leaving snow on a field...etc. In this case Belichick did the same thing that other teams do, stole signals. In this case they did it in a way that violated league policy. Belichick is a big boy. He'll take his licks. This will not have any effect on the team's past accomplishments though as no evidence can be produced that proves an outcome of a game was effected. Can you prove it? You might suspect it and as a fan of a rival team, I'm sure you will, but you can't prove it. Just relax a bit, put the animosity on the back shelf and enjoy the next game. It'll be a good one.
Maybe they did . . . their coach last year was doing it 20 years ago :Yeah if it was the Chargers coaches who stole the signals you would think a punishment is deserved