So this is the first I've heard of this theory

[PatsWickedPissah]

Why let facts get in the way of a beloved wacko theory? First, Goodell is not and was not Kraft's guy. Kraft's guy was somebody from Concord MA near where I lived. The rest of the owners did NOT want a Kraft guy as commish.

BB is a football historian. In no way would he risk his reputation or his SB legacy were he to be prescient and realize the ****storm that hit as a result of cameragate. Read Halberstram's book for further insight here.

BB got punished severely because he incorrectly misjudged how a rookie commish in love with his emergent 'tough guy' image would over react. Goodell panicked and let the NY focused media push him to over react.

BB's hubris also hurt him. He was not worried about geting caught; he figured he had his own explanation of why he wasn't violating the rule. But Goodell would have none of it and over reacted. See previous paragraph.

In no way would the Pats blow away a #1 pick for some nebulous reform of video or other signal snarfing rules. Or to get back at the inconsequential, soon to be irrelevant Mangini. Way too high a price. Top draft picks are gold. They come at a much smaller cap hit and breath new blood into a Dynasty and a Dynasty is what Kraft wants.

 

[wizwor]

Idiocy...nonsense...Idiots...Brilliant...
Damn you people are stupid...What do you do for your day jobs?

Good stuff. Assumption is that the taping was interns with cameras filming coaches sending in plays. The rule applies to all taping. One of the things I have done as part of my day job is provide 'real time' video to attorneys during a strike. The attorneys used this information to anticipate and preempt undesired behavior.

Now, we had 'interns' running around with cameras, but we also had cameras integrated into the infrastructure. We weren't looking for coaches sending in signals, we were watching the action.

If you can believe that Miami used audio tapes to anticipate Pat's plays and went on to shut out a better team, why can't you believe the Colts could capture and use first half data -- collected in a manner ambiguously prohibited by the league -- to improve second half performance?

You don't have to agree with the theory, but you don't need to threadcrap either. When I stumble across a thread that I'm not interested in, I simply move on to the next.

 

[mcbee]

Good stuff. Assumption is that the taping was interns with cameras filming coaches sending in plays. The rule applies to all taping. One of the things I have done as part of my day job is provide 'real time' video to attorneys during a strike. The attorneys used this information to anticipate and preempt undesired behavior.

Now, we had 'interns' running around with cameras, but we also had cameras integrated into the infrastructure. We weren't looking for coaches sending in signals, we were watching the action.

If you can believe that Miami used audio tapes to anticipate Pat's plays and went on to shut out a better team, why can't you believe the Colts could capture and use first half data -- collected in a manner ambiguously prohibited by the league -- to improve second half performance?

You don't have to agree with the theory, but you don't need to threadcrap either. When I stumble across a thread that I'm not interested in, I simply move on to the next.

I just don't think it's makes sense. He wants Indy to stop so he does it to get caught and so everyone will be told to stop. But supposedly he's done this for a long time. And now he looks like the bad guy.

I don't think it's that easy to decode signals. THey are changed constantly. sometimes they have more than one coach putting them in, a dummy and a real one.

If he really wanted to get them, he'd keep the status quo and then invent a really complicated signal system that couldn't easily be deciphered, especially in a quarter or two. And then change it the next quarter and so on. Then Indy would have a false sense of confidence.

 

[wizwor]

I just don't think it's makes sense. He wants Indy to stop so he does it to get caught and so everyone will be told to stop. But supposedly he's done this for a long time. And now he looks like the bad guy.

I don't think it's that easy to decode signals. THey are changed constantly. sometimes they have more than one coach putting them in, a dummy and a real one.

If he really wanted to get them, he'd keep the status quo and then invent a really complicated signal system that couldn't easily be deciphered, especially in a quarter or two. And then change it the next quarter and so on. Then Indy would have a false sense of confidence.

That's fine. This is a conspiracy theory. Like I said, I don't think the Colts were capturing signals. I think they were recording the game and preparing adjustments for halftime -- a better version of the pictures they send to the sidelines during the game. If you have a lot of cameras and a lot of *good* analysts, you can pull out the significant few weaknesses to exploit. That's what I think happened. I think BB wanted to make sure that does not happen Sunday.

If the Colts romp all over the Pats Sunday, maybe this theory is just a little mental masturbation. If the Colts do not make amazing halftime adjustments, then maybe...

 

[bclaff]

Some people around here just need to get laid, seriously.

That used to be a lot easier. Are you married with two young kids?

 

[PatsFan-NH]

When I read the first post my thoughts were..... sheeeeeeesh moron (or something like that). But then I remembered the one thing that I could never quite understand, the camera right behind the Patriots bench. For all of BB's brilliance, he got caught with something so out in the open, such disregard for secrecy. Unless someone has a logical explanation for an obvious infraction of the rules, I'm withholding judgement. Maybe things didn't go as planned (#1 pick and $$), but maybe there was more to the story.

But that was part of BBs defense that he was not doing anything nefarious. Everyone just jumps at the obvious: stupidity, or blind arrogance. But it wasn't stupidity, or blind arrogance, it was planned. If they got caught BB could say, see it is a legitimate rule interpretation, because we weren't sneaking around, or trying to hide anything. We thought it was legal, and to prove that, we did it out in the open.

While I think the manner was planned, no way does he tarnish his reputation, the NE Pat's, Bob Kraft's and lose all that money, the draft pick, and possibly risk being suspended, banned, or fired. BB has to know the knives are out for him and the Pats, there is no way for him to predict what the punishment would be. Doing it and keeping quiet seemed to him to be an acceptable risk, getting himself nailed does not.

 

[Lansdowne]

Too far-fetched, IMO. I just think the Patriots made it a point to make the most out of a bad situation: in this case, motivation with a backs-against-the-wall approach.

 

[emoney_33]

Enough with the craziness. It's quite simple, as all answers usually are.


BB thought the rule applied only if you were using the tape during games. BB never used tapes of defensive coaches during game, it's not feasible and he knows everyone in the game knows that. He used it to compile a database of coaches' mannerisms and tendencies. Blah blah blah, it's over.


It's either that or he was upset over the miami fiasco last year and decided he wanted to "stick it to the league", with the rule misinterpretation as his backup.


Nothing more nothing less.

 

[RayClay]

I'd just like to further point out that everyone on this thread who even sorta-kinda agrees with this prepoterously asinine theory is a newbie.

STOP WRECKING OUR BOARD WITH YOUR BULLSH!T.

Patsox23, I know you are a veteran poster, but every time you use that word I

picture you with a band-aid holding your glasses together, a pocket

protector and some high tide Walmart polyester pants.

Just thought you should know.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

Well, whatever the merits of the original poster's conspiracy theory, I do agree that Belichick was closer to getting canned than any of us know or imagine. He was so close that Kraft signed him to a 5-year extension 2 days later, undoubtedly along with more than enough money to make up for the $500K that Highwayman Goodell took from him.

 

[PatriotsReign]

If there is ANY truth to this one, BB is pure genius/mad:

This is coming from someone who worked Gillette stadium security and has ties:

Some are throwing out the possibility that the whole spygate thing was actually intentionally done by BB. Reason being is that BB was aware that there were a number of teams doing it and that by getting caught and exposing this trick of the trade, he knew it would affect other teams much more than it would him - he felt it's a much bigger advantage to more poorly coached teams. Hence, some of the reason that you are seeing a lot of teams play really ugly football/suck this year is a product of the exposure this has gotten and the elimination of filming of this stuff. He said that the Pats have such elevated technology at Gillette, that they can still go ahead and do this at home without anyone ever finding out.

Was also told that he was much closer to losing his job because of the fiasco that you would be lead to believe. Apparently Kraft was completely blindsided by it, embarassed and didn't see it coming at all.

Take it as a grain of salt. Probably all gossip, but mildly interesting.

Whenever we see someone post such nonsense and has a history of "2" whole posts, we know you're a troll trying to stir things up. Nice try and I hope you get banned soon.

What I can't believe is that my fellow Patsfans actually fell for this and have 7 pages of posts on something that never happened which was posted by a Colts troll who's sitting there laughing his butt off. Shame on us!

Believe it or not, we actually have witnessed some cowards who join our site disguised with Patriot screen names. But strangely, these feeble minded fools actually think they won't stand out...I know, can you believe it?

We'll be watching you.

 

[DarrylS]

I also heard a rumor that the video that was sent to the NFL was of other teams doing the same thing.

I have believed this from the onset, the whole thing went away too quickly, and betcha a few have been chastised behind closed doors.. Goodell rushed to judgement and should have waited a while until all the evidence was in... he painted himself into an idiotic corner and there was no need to have done what he did so quickly.

 

[nowayback]

i agree with the theory..i have written it a few times on this forum. he knows he is the best...and if they play on an even playing field, BB has more of an advantage.

 

[shmessy]

I think Shiva is right.

I wrote several posts that first week saying BB MUST have done this on purpose.

He puts Estrella on the sidelines? In full view of Mangini? 8 miles away from the NFL Headquarters which issued the memo days earlier? Estrella in full Patriots staff clothing? In this day and age, he's carrying one of those bulky video cameras - -where is the spy camera technology in 2007?

BB did this on purpose.

 

[scout]

Patsox23, I know you are a veteran poster, but every time you use that word I

picture you with a band-aid holding your glasses together, a pocket

protector and some high tide Walmart polyester pants.

Just thought you should know.

Thanks, I really didn't get the reference (to my defense I'm on my first cup of coffee). Because, I ponder whether there is more to the story I am a newbie after 3000+ posts per Wizor, he of 56 posts. Wiz, let me give you a sign, its my protruding middle finger.

 

[shmessy]

When I read the first post my thoughts were..... sheeeeeeesh moron (or something like that). But then I remembered the one thing that I could never quite understand, the camera right behind the Patriots bench. For all of BB's brilliance, he got caught with something so out in the open, such disregard for secrecy. Unless someone has a logical explanation for an obvious infraction of the rules, I'm withholding judgement. Maybe things didn't go as planned (#1 pick and $$), but maybe there was more to the story.

......and Estrella with a bulky video camera (not the spy stuff you and I can get mail order anytime)

......and Estrella wearing Patriots staff clothing.

.....and doing it against Mangini who would know every BB trick there is.

.....and doing it 8 miles from the NFL HQ which issued the memo days earlier.

BB (football-wise) isn't as stupid as some of the posters here would imagine.

 

[shmessy]

Patsox23, I know you are a veteran poster, but every time you use that word I

picture you with a band-aid holding your glasses together, a pocket

protector and some high tide Walmart polyester pants.

Just thought you should know.

He's received an infraction and was notified of it.

I agree, there's no room for that on this board.

 

[shmessy]

Whenever we see someone post such nonsense and has a history of "2" whole posts, we know you're a troll trying to stir things up. Nice try and I hope you get banned soon.

What I can't believe is that my fellow Patsfans actually fell for this and have 7 pages of posts on something that never happened which was posted by a Colts troll who's sitting there laughing his butt off. Shame on us!

Believe it or not, we actually have witnessed some cowards who join our site disguised with Patriot screen names. But strangely, these feeble minded fools actually think they won't stand out...I know, can you believe it?

We'll be watching you.

Actually, many of us came up with the same theory early on. It has nothing to do with how many posts, or when he joined. Posting numbers or join date are irrelevant (after all, Patriotsreign, you deserve just as much respect as I do, right?).

Instead of attacking the poster, how about offering some SUBSTANTIVE points to refute him? That would help the conversation.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

I have a real hard time buying this.

Arguments for BB doing it on purpose:

1. BB is too d.mn smart IMO to get hoodwinked like he apparently did.
2. There do seem to be a lot of really crappy teams this year (although that could just be coincidence).
3. BB seems to be the type to throw sh.t in the league's face to try to force them to change stupid rules (see his abuse of the injury report for example).
4. Stealing defensive signals and other such activity would seem to help the sh.ttier teams more IMO.
5. I can see BB having footage of other teams doing it and then presenting that to the league as his defense. The press reports of his meeting with Goodall and how he tried to convince him of the "rules misinterpretation" leads me to believe that he tried to do just that, but the Goodall wasn't going allong with it. There was too much blood in the water and the sharks (media) needed some red meat to feed on. An example HAD to be made!

Arguments for this conspiracy theory being totally bat sh.t crazy:

1. No team in their right mind would risk truck loads of cash and high draft picks just to make a point.
2. The Patriots understand that their team's image is their brand and that their brand is what makes Kraft money. I just can't believe BB would risk damaging the brand just to take the perverbial crap on the NFL comissioner's desk.
3. Why risk your championships being called tainted. All that hard work to win those and you risk throwing away the legacy to prove a point. Same goes for possible hall of fame consideration for BB and any deserving players.
4. BB knew everyone was doing it and figured that if he did get caught, it would be handled the same way it was in the past.... and even if it didn't, that the league would sweep it all under the rug to avoid publicity and possible damage to the NFL credentials.
5. BB could not have guessed how the media would go into a frenzy over it and how all the other teams would shove a dagger in his back while pretending they NEVER do this sort of thing. That led to the massive fine that he probably didn't figure one, should he get caught. That leads me to believe that he was willing to take the gamble since he didn't expect this kind of fallout should he get caught doing it.

***

I think BB tried to get away with it because it was just one of MANY ways that we could get a tiny edge and play to our potential.

He didn't see the massive backlash coming should he get caught and probably didn't figure any coach with rat him out... not even Manjudas.

He probably tried unsucessfully to argue/prove that everyone was doing it in order to stem the bleeding, but Sheriff Goodall needed someone to swing from the gallows to prove he was the badd.ss lawman that going to restore order to the NFL.

The cards were stacked against us so we took our beating and humiliation.

Now for the payback....

 

[JR4]

Another friend of a friend inside source Conspiracy theory.
There are many problems with this Conspiracy theory.

1. BB has been taping on the sidelines for awhile. It wasn't something NEW.
Just last year JETs escorted a cameraman off premises.

2. As someone pointed out, he could have simply called Goodell or made the info available to him if he wanted to stop other teams from doing it. He
could have grabed a tape and sent to Goodell like JETs did to him.

3. If BB was worried about people stealing his signals he could have taken
game time precautions to prevent it.

4. To say the reason PATs offense is so good is because others don't
have the signals ... is ABSURD! PATs Offense is very good because they
have TALENT not because others don't have signals.

5. Then there is the problem of KNOWING that Mangini would send the tape
to Goodell. Is BB now a mind reader????? Last year JETS simply escorted
PATs cameraman off the sideline. WHY OR HOW would BB known Mangini would be different this year??

HOLES HOLES HOLES ..... a mile big in this Conspiracy Theory. :rocker: