You know what? You pats fans are in denial. Let me to help you understand why.
First off I want to clearly state that I have relatively few issues with the cheating thing. Wait, allow me to put it another way. I have no problems with the pats skirting the rules.
I have no problem with it primarily because the game is about execution. There are many times on D for example whereby you pretty much know what play is coming. Not because you're cheating or anything of the sort. Players just know. It's about instinct and understanding tendencies.
Knowing what play is coming doesn't matter nearly as much as stopping it from working. Put another way? A truly dominant offense can and almost does literally clue the opposing D on what's coming given down, distance, and time. The Q is always about can you stop it? Because of that absolute fact, on offense and defense it's always about dictating. The only way you get to dictate as a team is by executing. From the players perspective, generally speaking, it sincerely does not matter if the opposing team knows what's coming.
The above said, here's my take on the scandal. BB knowingly violated the rules. A cameraman on the sidelines does cross the line. Do not think for a second that he was unaware or somehow misinterpreted things. He didn't.
Any Pats fans trying to look at it and think, "oh well, the tape was confiscated what advantage can you gain anyway?" You're in denial. It as simple as this. If there was no advantage he wouldn't have been doing it.
Here's the biggest reason why pats fans are definitely in denial. Most pats fans are trying to convince themselves that "everyone" does it. That's BS. I'll say right here right now that I'm 99% sure neither the Chargers or the Colts do it. If anyone else in the NFL is doing it? Well? I think it's safe to say it's not that effective which almost certainly serves my initial point. Doesn't matter if you know whats coming.
Pats fans need to stop pointing fingers. It's unbecoming. Suck it up and deal.
I'll go on record and say this. No other team in the NFL is gonna go down for this. Even if BB has the goods on another team, I know him well enough to know that nothing will come of that.
The idea of legerdemain is all fine and well and I understand pats fans thinking that every team does whatever it can to gain a competitive advantage. But there is a line and ONLY the pats crossed it.
It is what it is?