I think you missed the point of that line. Read the line after it.
Here's the full quote. "Are the Patriots cheaters? “Spygate” says yes. For their rivals’ sanity, perhaps it’s better to steer clear of the better explanation for the success. They really are smarter."
This writer deserves credit for stating what should be obvious to every NFL fan.
It's such a shame that Spygate was not properly explained as a minor rules violation and not cheating. Kraft tried to take the high road and move on when they really needed to defend themselves. They could have admitted fault while putting Spygate in its proper perspective. A lot of people would not have listened, but they needed to get the story out there. Most casual Pats fans, not those who read Patsfans, don't know the full story of Cameraplacementgate.
Along with "Do your job", Belichick and the team have been a little more open and talkative and have given some insight into what makes them so good. It's really very interesting. Just last week Brady was talking about how when he turns is back to the field, he knows where the defenders are going to be and is rarely surprised. He explained it's because he has studied opposing individual player's tendencies by watching many hours of game film. How many QBs in the league study film to such detail? Not many. Maybe only one.
This offseason should have been full of artlicles like this one. Unfortunately, Goodell robbed us of that with his ignorant, uneducated, fabricated, deceptive, completely stupid accusations of cheating and his illegal punishments.
The Pats are just going to have to outcoach, oustmart, outprepare, outgameplan everyone all over again and keep on winning. Some day, maybe not until Brady and Belichick are long retired, football fans will appreciate this dynasty.