FootballFanetic
Banned
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 165
- Reaction score
- 0
I guess it depends on what you mean by a world of hurt. From the public perception stand point, yes I can see that they will be guilty in the eyes of most. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that I would expect the league offices to fine them. Walsh produces the tape. Belichick denies it and gives various reasons as to why it wasn't under their authorization or knowledge. Goodell would then need to make a determination based on the facts presented. Given what we have already heard from the Patriots camp, there is a lot of evidence that Walsh could have done this without their knowledge. I don't think Walsh produces tape = Belichick suspension or worse by any means.
Full disclosure here--I'm not a Pats fan, but I have to disagree with you on this. If there's a tape, no one other than NE fans will believe the Pats that they weren't involved with its production. Lots of smoke, must be fire, will be the thinking. Goodell will have no choice but to punish the team severely. I wouldn't be surprised if he himself is fired or pushed aside if it turns out that there is a tape, based on the way he handled this from the beginning--it will all look like one big coverup by Goodell and the League if Walsh turns out to have something. Notice I'm not saying what the "facts" actually are here in terms of knowledge, intent, involvement in the taping, but regardless of what they actually are (although I must admit you can count me among those who won't believe NE if a tape exists, no matter what BB and Co. say) I would expect that the punishment will be severe or the NFL risks really alienating the rest of its fanbase by appearing to show favoritism to one team. That's my prediction as to how things would play out if there's a tape--I could be right, I could be wrong, but the interesting thing to me at this stage is whether we'll ever get to test this out. Oddly quiet on the Walsh front the last two weeks.....