ESPNews: Goodell issues statement: "Pats violated league policy"

[tombonneau]

I love the over reaction to this incident among fans and the media. Believe me, the NFL and Goodell are more upset with the Jets for bringing this to the national media's attention than they are at the Pats for taping some dopey signals.

It is in the best interest of the league to end this quickly & as quietly as possible. So don't expect any big headline generating BB suspended for 5 games!!! Pats forfeit game!!! Patriots penalized Round 1 and 2 picks!!!!

It's the start of the season -- the last thing the NFL wants is a negative story that in any way compares them to the NBA ruining the sheen of the NFL.

They will penalize the Pats a 4th or 5th, maybe issue a fine, that's it.

Story over.

Back to talking about the actual games. Again, it makes ZERO sense for the NFL to ruin the reputation of one of its biggest money making franchise.

Let's put it another way: Who do you think the NFL wants to put on display for a game in China: New England or Chicago?

 

[shatch62]

I love the over reaction to this incident among fans and the media. Believe me, the NFL and Goodell are more upset with the Jets for bringing this to the national media's attention than they are at the Pats for taping some dopey signals.

The Pats clearly disregarded a league rule and cheated and as such they need to be penalized harshly. I am a big Pats fans and I think they lose their #1 draft pick next year.

This is the 4th time in one year they have been accused of this. It’s crap. If BB is the genius we all think he is then he should be able to win on the up and up.

 

[tombonneau]

The Pats clearly disregarded a league rule and cheated and as such they need to be penalized harshly. I am a big Pats fans and I think they lose their #1 draft pick next year.

This is the 4th time in one year they have been accused of this. It’s crap. If BB is the genius we all think he is then he should be able to win on the up and up.

Sorry, no offense, but anyone who thinks NE will lose a 1st for violating a rule in Week 1 of the NFL season the first season that it became illegal is overreacting.

 

[AtivanPatsFan]

A first round draft pick? Are you people out of your fu**ing mind? The Dolphins *admitted* to stealing our audibles last season and what came of it? This is ridiculous on the border of insanity.

Yes, what we did was against the rules and we should be punished accordingly. A 3rd, or a 4th round pick taken plus a hefty fine would be ample punishment that fits the crime.

I'm rather certain that BB wasn't bringing weapons to clubs, fighting dogs, taking steroids, or any other negligent act that RG has acted upon.

When teams in the past butchered the salary cap, they lost a 3rd or a 4th ( I don't remember). Let's keep this in perspective for the love of all creation.

 

[naclone]

If it didn't help, then why the hell would they do it?

fail.

it's not up to us to explain why we did it. it's up to you to explain why it's cheating.

right now it's a violation of policy. so is wearing your socks too high.

 

[mangenious]

The Jets didnt go to the NFL there men at the meadowlands confiscated the camera and Mort said the jets were not involved

 

[QuiGon]

Re: ESPN NEWS just said Goodell...

I think almost certainly it's used to prepare for future games, and compile information on a team's tendencies.

That was my reaction too, but that doesn't explain why it was done against the Packers and Lions, teams we won't play again until 2010. Could the camera possibly have also sent a live feed elsewhere..?

 

[MiChargers]

fail.

it's not up to us to explain why we did it. it's up to you to explain why it's cheating.

right now it's a violation of policy. so is wearing your socks too high.

That's a ridiculous comparison. Comparing a uniform violation to stealing signals? Get real. It's cheating because it gives an unfair advantage that could potentially change the outcome of the game. That's what cheating is.

 

[Richter]

Re: ESPN NEWS just said Goodell...

That was my reaction too, but that doesn't explain why it was done against the Packers and Lions, teams we won't play again until 2010. Could the camera possibly have also sent a live feed elsewhere..?

The Superbowl. Unlikely, I know, but the Pats getting to the 2002 Superbowl was considered unlikely too.

 

[naclone]

That's a ridiculous comparison. Comparing a uniform violation to stealing signals? Get real. It's cheating because it gives an unfair advantage that could potentially change the outcome of the game. That's what cheating is.

ok, how?

as has been written everywhere, it is NOT illegal to steal signals. it's illegal to VIDEOTAPE signals. how does that present a competitive imbalance.

answer the question.

 

[NEPat]

That's a ridiculous comparison. Comparing a uniform violation to stealing signals? Get real. It's cheating because it gives an unfair advantage that could potentially change the outcome of the game. That's what cheating is.

I am sure this has been repeated ad nauseum, but they are not being punished for stealing signs. They are being punished for videotaping the signs. That's what the rule says, you can't videotape.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

That's a ridiculous comparison. Comparing a uniform violation to stealing signals? Get real. It's cheating because it gives an unfair advantage that could potentially change the outcome of the game. That's what cheating is.

Ummm . . . the violation is NOT for stealing signals. If that's the case, then Miami should also have been punished for admitting they did it last year. The violation is/would be for illegal use of a camera.

Edit: Wow. Three beatdowns in five minutes.

 

[QuiGon]

Back to talking about the actual games. Again, it makes ZERO sense for the NFL to ruin the reputation of one of its biggest money making franchise.

Um, it makes plenty of sense to punish a team that repeatedly violated a rule. They got their slap-on-the-wrist warning last year. If I was Cmsr. Goodell, I'd be pretty pissed off right now.

Let's put it another way: Who do you think the NFL wants to put on display for a game in China: New England or Chicago?

That's got nothing to do with all the tea in... well, you know...

The penalty will be harsher than you anticipate, and is certain to include a day-1 pick. The NFL isn't ruining anyone's reputation, the Patriots have done that themselves. The NFL's responsibility is to maintain the integrity of the league, and that is why a strict punishmen should and will be delivered.

 

[hodgey]

Per the article with Steelers coach Tomlin teams are often suspected of trying to steal signals. He goes on to say that it basically is not a major concern for him as he takes proper measures to counter such actions. So are the jets so stupid the took no reasonable steps to cover their mouths or so other means to disrupt our efforts. Based on that article it brings into question whether or not we could have gained a competitive edge.

 

[naclone]

Re: ESPN NEWS just said Goodell...

That was my reaction too, but that doesn't explain why it was done against the Packers and Lions, teams we won't play again until 2010. Could the camera possibly have also sent a live feed elsewhere..?

from what i understand, teams regularly switch the signals from week to week. the jets wont use the same ones this weekend, never mind in the second match up.

and you can establish tendencies through any of the legal channels.

i know everybody thinks this is a big deal. yet nobody can explain why.

 

[MiChargers]

ok, how?

as has been written everywhere, it is NOT illegal to steal signals. it's illegal to VIDEOTAPE signals. how does that present a competitive imbalance.

answer the question.

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.

 

[PatsWSB47]

The Jets didnt go to the NFL there men at the meadowlands confiscated the camera and Mort said the jets were not involved

Hey Mangneious, Mangini is up to his neck in this. You don't think he was invloved as a Patriot coach? He's probably the one that told his security to get the guy, who he probably knew from his Patriot days.

 

[MiChargers]

Re: ESPN NEWS just said Goodell...

from what i understand, teams regularly switch the signals from week to week. the jets wont use the same ones this weekend, never mind in the second match up.

and you can establish tendencies through any of the legal channels.

i know everybody thinks this is a big deal. yet nobody can explain why.

Can someone explain why nobody has considered the possibility that there was a live feed? I can tell you that if there was an antenae on that camera (the little rubber ones), there was a live feed going somewhere.

 

[Richter]

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.

So it's a competitive imbalance to do that, but not to have a guy sitting right there charting the plays and signals and using them later. See, that's where the logic breaks down. You just want to smear the Patriots because they beat your team in the playoffs last year.

 

[QuiGon]

Re: ESPN NEWS just said Goodell...

The Superbowl. Unlikely, I know, but the Pats getting to the 2002 Superbowl was considered unlikely too.

That's ridiculous... when we played those teams, they were virtually already eliminated (especially the Lions)... you cannot possibly be suggesting that the Patriots cheated in those games because they thought they might face GB or Det in the Super Bowl.... I mean, puh-leeze...