Sorry, buddy, but believe it or not I have a life--sorry I didn't answer you in under an hour. No need to PM me or write multiple posts asking me to answer your question. Stalker anyone?
What do I hope will happen? Personally, as someone who really doesn't care for your team much, and who suspects that your coach and organization are capable of a lot worse than what they've been charged with so far, I'd like to see Walsh have some of what I suspect has really been going on at Gillette and I'd like to see that made public and, if that happens, your team and coached punished appropriately for that and, if there is a lot there, I'd like to see Kraft's and the other big market owner's lapdog Goodell go as well. Will that happen? We'll now see--something that many of you said would never happen just a couple short weeks ago.....
PS In terms of choosing to call a place "Godforsaken", just remember that I've lived in both Western NY and Boston and would take Western NY as a place to raise my family hands down. Today I actually live near a little place called New York City--maybe you've heard of it? Seems to have everything good old Beantown does, plus a lot more (including the current Super Bowl champs).
PSS I apologize to anyone other than PatriotsReign that I've offended--he's being a real homer jerk on this, including the private message he sent me on it this afternoon. Keep it civil and I'll do the same.
I believe this all boils down to a few facts.
Fact#1
It is perfectly legal and acceptable for teams to tape each others defensive signals, offensive signals, cheerleading routines and players picking their noses on the bench,
per NFL rules, as long as it is done with a roof over your head and walls on either side of you, ie. from the press box, coaches box, luxury boxes, covered seating etc.. I also think it is considered acceptable from anywhere but the sidelines. Basically with todays camera technology you can tape it from anywhere including space and get a crystal clear view. Hell, it's even shown on national t.v. frequently during the game. You and I could see the signals from home or our seats in the stadium. Hell, Bellichick would have to cover his eyes to avoid seeing them. Stealing signs is not against the rules and taping them is not against the rules.... Taping them from the sidelines is.
Take as an example the story of how the Jets would tape the teams defensive/offensive etc. alignments at Gillette (and everywhere else they went). They did always ask permission and
the pats always gave it to them. The only thing they asked them not to do was take it from the endzones (on field or behind the seating section) where the view would be best for them, and give them a better view of our alignments. Sound kind of familiar to the guidelines imposed on taping? The fact that taping from the NFL's restricted areas is o.k. UNLESS permission is given from the home team, suggests that this is not a serious rule, but more of a guideline. The Patriots always allowed it (within reason) and probably expected the same courtesy from other teams.
Of course the Jets were found taping in the endzones
so the pats asked them to leave. They did. Later the pats personel went back to the endzone area that the Jets were taping in and guess what they found?! Yup, thats right, the Jets were back in the same place that they were asked politely to leave....and once again, were asked politely to leave. Did the pats grab the guys cameras and turn them over to the league? No. They accepted that this is just what is done, and that it is in their own best interest to keep on their toes about it. The fact that it is at the home teams discretion to allow this leads me to realize that the pats game we were accused of taping "illegally" were all away games. Does this mean that when the Pats did it at home, it was not "cheating" but on the road it was? Which leads me to......
Fact #2
Every team employs similar or more extreme tactics to gather information
It is widely known (unless you are feeble minded and stick your fingers in your ears and hum everytime it is mentioned) that ALL teams use this method or similar methods to gain an advantage. From sneaking into teams hotel rooms to steal playbooks, or rent top floor rooms out in buildings surrounding teams practice fields, so they can spy. Several hall of fame coaches have joked and admitted to these things, including John Madden. Should they start stripping them of titles, fire them from their gigs on national t.v. or even change the name of the worlds biggest sports video game? Hell, even Lombardi....... the coach that the superbowl trophy is named after, is believed to be one of the best at gamesmanship tactics. Why do you think teams use multiple "dummy" signal callers or even have signals to begin with? Because they know people are watching and trying to figure out what they are going to do next. If this were the kind of sport or world people like you think it is, the coaches would just be yelling out the play or holding up signs with the play written on it in plain sight..... unfortunately it's not. Most teams (including the Pats) keep lip readers, people with photographic memories, professional code breakers and other people with similar abilities on their payroll, and in the stands with binoculars on game day. What is worse than taping hand signals you ask? KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT THE OTHER TEAM IS SAYING TO EACH OTHER!!!!!!!! You had to realize that thats why coaches cover their mouths when they talk to players or call in plays. Obviously this is done in ALL games, not just ones against the Patriots!!!!! Even in baseball, pitchers and catchers cover their mouths when they meet at the mound. The last time I checked the Patriots don't play baseball, so that must mean that this is a pretty widespread practice.
Let me ask you this..... Have you ever watched the game and seen the coaches going over pictures of the teams previous plays with his players? Where do you think those came from? They were taken during THAT GAME by their personel. They were analyzed, printed, hole punched, stuck in a binder and rushed down to the coach (usually during halftime... if not sooner) so they can decipher the other teams plays. That is allowed and is on display for the whole world to see. Whats the difference between that and taping signals?!?!?
Fact #3
Bill Belichick broke the rules
This is different from the team breaking the rules, although the team and its fans were punished as well.
Whether he taped them from the sidelines because of a misinterpretation of the rule, because he knew the rule but knew they didn't enforce it from his years of experience, because he knew everybody else did and that he is dumb not to, because he is really stupid, because he is really smart, or if he just honestly wanted a better view and didn't think he would get caught.... he did do it in a manner which warrants some kind of penalty
against him.
The penalty that was handed down however, was overly harsh and caused more problems than it solved.
I am sure you do not think so... as well as most fans of other teams. But that is just the kind of hate that is levied against teams that are on top, by teams and fans who are on the bottom or are not on top because we crushed them on our way up. Honestly, I have this kind of hate for the Yankees, so I understand it
Fact #4
The Pats will continue to be attacked in one way or another, until we are replaced at the top by the next dominating team
Once that happens, fans (including Pats fans) will forget all about the Pats past deeds, and focus our attention and ire on this new team. Who knows, one day it could be the Bills, so be careful what you wish for and say about other people.
And the most important fact of all in this debate......
Fact #5
You, my good man, are a D!psh!t
You are obviously a naive, foolish little man, who from your previous statements make me suspect that you still believe in the Easter Bunny, that mutant turtles with martial arts ability live in New Yorks sewers, that your dad is the strongest man in the world, that your mother has no idea what fellatio is nonetheless ever performed it, and that both Darrens on Bewitched were the same guy.
You obviously suffer from the bitterness and inferiority complex that only
4 consecutive SuperBowl losses can induce in a fan.
I honestly feel bad for you. The fact that you have to troll a Patriots fan forum and rag on us clearly indicates that you think there is nothing of value going on with your team, and that you Mr. Golam, feel your energy is best spent obsessing over our team. You will never catch me setting up an account on another teams message boards and trying to get a rise out of their fans. I have better things to do with my home leisure time, like have constructive conversations and arguments with fans of my own team. Please follow suit and enjoy your team. They have been improving and I am impressed with how they endured last season. I will always route against them if they are opposing the Pats, but I feel no need to follow them home and taunt them (a metaphor for what you feel the need to do to us).
So, please go away and don't come back unless the Patriots appear in and lose the next 3 SuperBowls....... Which is not bloody likely :cool3:
