Newsday: Did the Jets spy on the Patriots, too? [merged]

[Patriotic Fervor]

Re: Newsday: Did the Jets spy on the Patriots, too?

Actually, the "permission card" may be of overwhelming relevance. It is what the media will latch onto to spin the story into another example of Patriot disregard for the rules.

They will say that the Patriots gave the Jets permission to illegally tape because they see themselves as above the law. They'll go on to state that evicting the poor cameraman is just further proof of Patriot hypocrisy.

Don't laugh. These agenda-driven ink monkeys can twist a story faster than Peyton can turn on a team mate.

I yield to you! I didn't think anyone could turn a phrase quite like that!

 

[Grinch80]

Re: Newsday: Did the Jets spy on the Patriots, too?(Merged)

We'll know at 4pm today during NFL Live if this becomes a story. My guess is that if it gets mentioned, they'll be more press on it to come because it just adds to the drama of the Sunday game.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

Re: Newsday: Did the Jets spy on the Patriots, too?(Merged)

You sort of have to appreciate the way Mangini is handling it, though.

Part of the problem for the Patriots was that Belichick didn't say anything about it. If he'd just come out and given his "interpretation" rather -- no matter how laughable -- he probably still would have been hammered, but not nearly as hard.

Look at what Mangini is doing -- in one brief interview, he managed to make all of his points. He suggests with a straight face he believes the rule distinguishes between the sideline and the end zone, he says he had "permission," and he claims it's a common practice. Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, he is perfectly set up, if this goes sideways, to say, "oh really? Why I had no idea. Thanks for bringing that to my attention."

If Belichick had just come out when the story broke and said, "oh no, we didn't violate any rule -- were weren't using the tape during the games, just for research after, and that's a common league practice," it probably wouldn't have been half the sh*tstorm it turned into. He could have then said, "oh really? I didn't know that. Ok, we won't do it again." He still would have been punished, but the court of public opinion would have been far different.

Mangini is working this thing exactly right.