Shula: Give Pats asterisk if they go 16-0

[ConcordCowboy]

Don Shula: Spygate would mar Pats' undefeated season

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/2007/11/06/2007-11-06_don_shula_spygate_would_mar_pats_undefea.html


Don Shula, the coach of the only perfect season in NFL history, believes the Patriots have a legitimate shot at running the table and joining his '72 Dolphins in going undefeated in the regular season and playoffs. But if they can pull it off, Shula insists the NFL needs to place an asterisk next to the Patriots in the record books because Bill Belichick got caught cheating in the Spygate scandal.

Shula is naturally protective of the Dolphins' accomplishment and certainly wants that '72 team to stand alone. Long ago, he said, he learned that "rooting doesn't make anything happen. The Patriots look so good. I think they got a real shot at doing it."

The Dolphins were 14-0 in the regular season and 3-0 in the playoffs, including the Super Bowl. If the Patriots don't lose, they will finish 19-0. Shula admires the Patriots' team, but then, without being asked, he said Spygate negatively impacts the way they should be perceived this season.

"The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished. You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it," Shula told the Daily News yesterday. "Belichick was fined $500,000, the team was fined $250,00 and they lost a first-round draft choice. That tells you the seriousness or significance of what they found.

"I guess you got the same thing as putting an asterisk by Barry Bonds' home run record. I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No.1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment. The sad thing is Tom Brady looks so good, it doesn't look like he needs any help."

Told that he might get support in his desire to have an asterisk placed next to New England's potential perfect season, Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history, said, "I don't know how people can't agree with that."

The Patriots were caught on the sidelines videotaping the Jets' defensive signals in the first half of the opening game of this season. They were forced to turn over tapes of all their previous spying to two league senior vice presidents in Foxborough in September. After they were viewed, commissioner Roger Goodell surprisingly ordered the tapes destroyed.

"You have to acknowledge what they accomplished, but I don't know how you disregard Spygate," Shula said. "It's there. It happened. You don't know what was on those tapes and how much it helped. I think the commissioner just wanted it to go away."

The Patriots are 9-0 after their 24-20 victory over the previously undefeated Colts in Indianapolis on Sunday. They overcame a 10-point deficit with less than 10 minutes remaining, which may have been their biggest challenge to making it through the regular season undefeated. If they didn't lose Sunday in a hostile environment against the defending Super Bowl champions after not playing well until the fourth quarter, then just who is going to beat them?

There have been serious runs made at a perfect regular season in the 35 years since the Dolphins did it. The '85 Bears started 12-0, then lost on a Monday night to Shula and the Dolphins. Shula invited many of the players from the '72 team to stand on the sidelines for that game. The '91 Redskins were 11-0, the '98 Broncos and '05 Colts started 13-0 and the '06 Colts opened 9-0.

When the Chargers beat the Colts two years ago, Dick Anderson, a safety on the '72 Dolphins, paid for a case of Dom Perignon champagne to be delivered to the Chargers.

Anderson and Nick Buoniconti, the former Dolphins linebacker, live on the same street in the Miami area and share a tradition of meeting in one of their driveways to pop the cork on a bottle of champagne when the last undefeated team goes down.

"They are too cheap to invite the rest of us to the party," Shula said.

The perception has been that the '72 Dolphins are sitting around ready to drink up if the Patriots lose. "I think the champagne celebrations have been blown out of proportion," Shula said.

In fact, Jim Mandich, a tight end on that Dolphins team and now an analyst on their radio broadcasts, resents how that team has been portrayed.

"You guys put forth the myth that we are pathetic losers down here clicking champagne glasses and clinging desperately to a record set 35 years ago," Mandich said yesterday. "Somehow we've been portrayed as being evil. We don't ever blow our own horn. It's a great record, but the record doesn't get beaten. The Patriots have assembled a powerhouse of a team. They are a classy bunch of guys and play ball the right way. If they want to join the unbeaten club, come on aboard."

Anderson admits that if the record stands, "We would not be unhappy. We're not trying to be obnoxious about it, but we're proud we have a record nobody else does. If New England does it this year, we will sit and raise a glass of champagne to them."

Shula might not take a sip, unless the glass has an asterisk imprinted on it.

[Sam I Am]

Of course he would...

[Hostile]

LOL

Bitter?

[morasp]

Don't worry they won't do it.

[CrazyCowboy]

LOL

Bitter?

Seems that way huh? :laugh2: GO COWBOYS!

[royhitshard]

Sounds like Shula is getting a little nervous.

[Zman5]

Don't worry coach. They won't go undefeated. They will lose one game. The Cowboys will get their 6th without cheating. :)

[GimmeTheBall!]

Bitter old man.

I would never have thunk he'd be this . . . again, bitter.

Wow.

He could have just shut the duck up but nooooo.

[Rampage]

LOL

Bitter?
he's right though

[vta]

Lame prequalifier Coach. I'm getting sick of their little champagne parties every year.

[dooomsday]

Not surprised. The whole lot of them live in the past. The celebrate their achievement annually. They used to toast to pints of Guinness. Now, its spoon fulls of stool softener.

[GimmeTheBall!]

One of you geniuses please tell me, cause I don't know:

Did old man Shula's legendary team play in the 16-game regular-season era? Guess I will have to re-read the story if it does mention it.

[GimmeTheBall!]

OK, found it. 14-game regular season.

[Idgit]

I think the Pats could very well do it. I also thing Shula's right that they get an asterisk, for cheating.

[REDVOLUTION]

I think the Pats could very well do it. I also thing Shula's right that they get an asterisk, for cheating.


Absolutely.

Just like every fan on this board would want the * if it was the Cowboys undefeated season record....

They are many here calling for the * for the 3 SB's in 4 years - A previous feat only Cowboys accomplished.


They cheated. They got caught. Period.

[dooomsday]

Absolutely.

Just like every fan on this board would want the * if it was the Cowboys undefeated season record....

They are many here calling for the * for the 3 SB's in 4 years - A previous feat only Cowboys accomplished.


They cheated. They got caught. Period.

They got caught cheating vs. the Jets, not in their SBs. Its quite a stretch to play judge and jury on that level without proof. Alrthough we are all sure it happened.

[vta]

Not surprised. The whole lot of them live in the past. The celebrate their achievement annually. They used to toast to pints of Guinness. Now, its spoon fulls of stool softener.


:lmao: :lmao:
I'm going to have to wipe my screen after today.

[ConcordCowboy]

Anderson and Nick Buoniconti, the former Dolphins linebacker, live on the same street in the Miami area and share a tradition of meeting in one of their driveways to pop the cork on a bottle of champagne when the last undefeated team goes down.

"They are too cheap to invite the rest of us to the party," Shula said.



Lame prequalifier Coach. I'm getting sick of their little champagne parties every year.

That part surprised me. I had always heard it was a considerable amount of guys that got together and had their champagne toasts...not just Anderson and Buoniconti.

Hell they don't even get together with Shula.

[Maikeru-sama]

They got caught cheating vs. the Jets, not in their SBs. Its quite a stretch to play judge and jury on that level without proof. Alrthough we are all sure it happened.

Goodell ordered the evidence destroyed, ergo we really don't know to what extent the Patriots cheated.

This really sounds like sour grapes on the part of Don Shula and personally, I think his reasoning is extremely flawed.

- Mike G.

[Pokes28]

The rest of the story is that '72 Dolphins club played the weakest schedule in NFL history. They didn't play a single team that made the playoffs during the regular season that year. Sure they had to play 3 of them in the playoffs, but they had an absolute cake walk. They deserve an asterisk explaining that it really isn't as big as deal as the record indicates.

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh

[superpunk]

It's easy to dismiss this as simply sour grapes.

But, the Pats were CAUGHT cheating this year. Whether that contributed to their record cannot be determined. But, no matter how you slice it, their record this season is marred by the fact that they cheated in (at least) their first game. If you put yourself in Shula's shoes, as a guy who spent his life working toward his achievements, I'm sure you can see where he'd be slightly upset that his record was broken by a team that cheated - and I'm sure you can see why he would want that fact memorialized.

[Doomsday]

LOL

Bitter?

and worried. The writing is on the wall and he knows it.

Spygate has more to do with previous teams then this year's team in my opinion.

[Doomsday101]

It's easy to dismiss this as simply sour grapes.

But, the Pats were CAUGHT cheating this year. Whether that contributed to their record cannot be determined. But, no matter how you slice it, their record this season is marred by the fact that they cheated in (at least) their first game. If you put yourself in Shula's shoes, as a guy who spent his life working toward his achievements, I'm sure you can see where he'd be slightly upset that his record was broken by a team that cheated - and I'm sure you can see why he would want that fact memorialized.

I could understand past season being looked but this season? The story broke after week 1 and since then the Pats have continued to win and big most of the time while under the eye of the NFL. Dolphins get like this every year a team challenges their perfect mark.

[tunahelper]

I doubt the 72 dolphins would even score against this Patriots team?

What a joke!

[superpunk]

I could understand past season being looked but this season? The story broke after week 1 and since then the Pats have continued to win and big most of the time while under the eye of the NFL. Dolphins get like this every year a team challenges their perfect mark.

They were caught cheating in a game this year.

They were forced to turn over all their cheating materials this year.

Their head coach and franchise was fined, and stripped of a first round draft pick this year.

So yeah - I can see why Don Shula would want it noted for posterity that the Patriots were caught, fined, and punished for cheating in the same year that they went undefeated. (if they do) The issue is not whether cheating helped them at all. The issue is that it happened in a game THIS YEAR, and that shouldn't be forgotten

[Mavs Man]

I'll be very surprised if they go 16-0. It is just too hard to do. Every team they play from here on out will play them as if it's the Super Bowl. They want to be the team that gives the Pats their first loss.

[Doomsday101]

They were caught cheating in a game this year.

They were forced to turn over all their cheating materials this year.

Their head coach and franchise was fined, and stripped of a first round draft pick this year.

So yeah - I can see why Don Shula would want it noted for posterity that the Patriots were caught, fined, and punished for cheating in the same year that they went undefeated. (if they do) The issue is not whether cheating helped them at all. The issue is that it happened in a game THIS YEAR, and that shouldn't be forgotten

You are right in week 1 against the Jets so are you telling me that from week 2 to now they have continued? I think if someone wants to question past games then I can see their point if we are talking this season sorry no I don't see it.

[superpunk]

You are right in week 1 against the Jets so are you telling me that from week 2 to now they have continued? I think if someone wants to question past games then I can see their point if we are talking this season sorry no I don't see it.
Is this the part of the conversation where you stop reading what I write, read just the first sentence, and then harp on some nonsensical red herring over and over again?

If so, count me out. I've been through that many times before.

If not - they cheated this year. All Shula is saying is that it should be noted that they cheated, and were caught cheating, in the year that they (maybe) went 16-0. He is not saying that they are still cheating, or that the cheating even affected anything. He even said it's a shame they got caught, because Brady is playing at a level where that sort of conduct is completely unnecessary.

What he is saying is, if they go undefeated, it should be noted that they were caught cheating, fined, and stripped of draft picks in the same year that they went undefeated.

Then, let the people do with that information what they will.

[Chuck 54]

I think it's likely they go 16-0, but that really means nothing in today's game and won't match Miami. They have to also sweep through the playoffs and the SB....if they do that, which would actually make them 19-0, screw the asterisk...they deserve the record.

Coaches have always cheated a little here and there with spies and scouts and in the old days getting guys off other rosters. The players who play the game will have spilt their own blood and endured injuries and played at an unbelievably high level if they actually win the SB and go 19-0.

You can hate Bellicheat all you want, but the players will not deserve to have an asterisk by their 19-0 record, especially since this is being watched so closely throughout the final 2/3rds of the season. Right now I'm sure NE probably can get away with less than any other team in the league.

I don't think they'll go 19-0, but if they do, I'm not going to discredit the players by calling for an asterisk.

[Doomsday101]

Is this the part of the conversation where you stop reading what I write and just harp on some nonsensical red herring over and over again?

If so, count me out.

If not - they cheated this year. All Shula is saying is that it should be noted that they cheated, and were caught cheating, in the year that they (maybe) went 16-0. He is not saying that they are still cheating, or that the cheating even affected anything. He even said it's a shame they got caught, because Brady is playing at a level where that sort of conduct is completely unnecessary. What he is saying is, if they go undefeated, it should be noted that they were caught cheating, fined, and stripped of draft picks in the same year that they went undefeated.

Then, let the people do with that information what they will.

I read it the entire thing I get what he is saying. Pats taped signals to use in future games by all accounts. So the info they used in the Jets game was meaningless but yes they did wrong and was fined for it.

Will any of this take away from the Pats should they pull of the perfect season? in my opinion no it would have been a great feat so Shula and anyone else can put what ever they want next to the mark but to go 16 weeks (not 14) and win it all in my view is a bigger accomplishment.

Having said that I hope the Pats don't get it, because I would love to see the Cowboys prevent them from getting it with a re-match in the SB but that is another story. :)

[CowboyChris]

what gets me the most, is why would they have to cheat against the Jets of all teams. thats really dumb on their part. and i agree with Shula.

[percyhoward]

Shula's just telling it like it is.

[Doomsday101]

and Jerry Jones take on it?

Jerry was kind enough to chat with reporters for about 40 minutes today. He spent a decent amount of that time answering questions about the Spygate, an issue that a brave dude from the NFL Network kept hammering.

Understand that Jerry and New England owner Robert Kraft are tight. They've banded together as big-money, business-savvy owners on a lot of issues over the years. Kraft and his wife will join the Joneses at dinner tomorrow night to celebrate Jerry's birthday.
Jerry is about to replace Kraft as chairman of the NFL Network Committee, which is why I called the reporter brave. He's basically grilling his bosses on a controversial issue for the world to see.

Jerry interrupted the reporter's first Spygate question to say that the issue doesn't pop up in his mind when he thinks about the Patriots. OK, but how much of a competitive edge did those hidden cameras give the Pats as they built a dynasty?
"I don't think it impacted their success or caused them to have more success because of the things that were alleged," Jerry said. "I don't think it impacted that at all."
Wait a second. Alleged? They were caught cheating.

"But I'm just saying that we don't know then," Jerry said. "That would have to be alleged as far as those years. Would you agree with that? Having said that, I don’t think it would have impacted those teams.

"The first year I was on the competition committee, Don Shula, [Marty] Schottenheimer, [Tom] Flores, those were the guys that were on the competition committee. When I met with them in the spring, they said, 'Jerry, did you know that everybody in the league knew where y'all were going to run and whether you were going to pass or run.' We won the Super Bowl. And they said, 'Nobody could stop you, knowing where you were going and when you were going there. We had your signals from Day 1 going from the sidelines.'

"My point is I do not think that that impacted them winning over an opponent if that were the case, which it may have been advanced, but I don’t know that to be the case at all.

"The facts are I know how much the integrity is of Bob and his family. I know firsthand what it is. I've seen it operate. I've seen what character and integrity is. I think it does impact throughout the organization there."

[joseephuss]

You are right in week 1 against the Jets so are you telling me that from week 2 to now they have continued? I think if someone wants to question past games then I can see their point if we are talking this season sorry no I don't see it.

I doubt they have continued cheating, but the type of cheating they have done could help them for a long time. They stock piled defensive calls for years from different teams and coaches. That is information they can still put to good use. I bet every coach that has faced the Pats this year tries to change up their defensive signals, but sometimes you can't change every single call or signal that you installed during training camp.

[Doomsday101]

I doubt they have continued cheating, but the type of cheating they have done could help them for a long time. They stock piled defensive calls for years from different teams and coaches. That is information they can still put to good use. I bet every coach that has faced the Pats this year tries to change up their defensive signals, but sometimes you can't change every single call or signal that you installed during training camp.

I have heard some coaches say that they did not feel it gave them much of an edge at all. Jimmy Johnson being one of them. I'm not saying what they did was right and I agree the punishment should have been stronger just based on the principals but do I think any great edge was attained? NO. I have seen teams do worse like the skins sending an assistant to spy on Dallas during practice during George Allen’s time in Washington. I think the Pats are a good team and that is why they have won games

[joseephuss]

I have heard some coaches say that they did not feel it gave them much of an edge at all. Jimmy Johnson being one of them. I'm not saying what they did was right and I agree the punishment should have been stronger just based on the principals but do I think any great edge was attained? NO. I have seen teams do worse like the skins sending an assistant to spy on Dallas during practice during George Allen’s time in Washington. I think the Pats are a good team and that is why they have won games

I think the Pats are a good team and well run organization. That above all else is what has made them successful.

I too believe that the type of cheating they did can give them an advantage. If it didn't, then why do it in the past? If it didn't, then why did they make a rule to forbid it? If it didn't, then why did Belichek blatantly ignore said rule and continue to do it this season?

I have heard other coaches and players say yes it can be advantageous to have that kind of information. It still takes good players to put that type of inside information to good use. If you told Marcellus Wiley that if the QB yells Blue Beetle that it means the QB will take a 7 step drop and the tackle is going to block him one on one, I bet Wiley still doesn't get the sack. The Pats have better and smarter players than Wiley and could use that type of info to their advantage from time to time. Not every single play or every single game, but sometimes it only takes one or two plays a game to make a difference.

Nothing is definitive as to how much their spying has helped them, but they definitly placed a cloud over themselves with their actions.

[khiladi]

They got caught cheating vs. the Jets, not in their SBs. Its quite a stretch to play judge and jury on that level without proof. Alrthough we are all sure it happened.

Not really, because tapes were burned, meaning that the suspicions and the stretch are quite justified...

[Royal Laegotti]

Give it up Shula, it ain't gonna happen. If Barry Bonds and Mark Mcguire ain't gettin' a asterisk then the Pats ain't.

[khiladi]

It still takes good players to put that type of inside information to good use. If you told Marcellus Wiley that if the QB yells Blue Beetle that it means the QB will take a 7 step drop and the tackle is going to block him one on one, I bet Wiley still doesn't get the sack.

Uhh.. Marcellus Wiley was a pro-bowl player when he played for Wade Phillips in Buffalo, meaning the SCHEME, i.e. the PLAY-CALLING can make a huge difference in the game, as well as 'execution'... when he came here with Mike Zimmer, he sucked rotten eggs...

Look at the San Diego defense this year as opposed to last year...

[khiladi]

Give it up Shula, it ain't gonna happen. If Barry Bonds and Mark Mcguire ain't gettin' a asterisk then the Pats ain't.

What are you talking about? Barry Bonds has been getting an asterisk ever since the scandal He is boo'ed every time he goes up to bat, and his home-run record is criticized by every single person in the media. All the media does about the Patriots is defend them, and give them the benefit of the doubt...

[percyhoward]

The issue isn't whether or not NE is a great team. The Patriots have been the best team in the league over a 6-year period, but that doesn't necessarily mean they would have been good enought to win 3 rings without cheating. The Cowboys were the best team in the NFL over a 6-year period from 1977-82 and won only one championship. If Landry had been cheating over that time period, it's hard to imagine that it wouldn't have made a difference.

Stating that they're a great team isn't the same as saying they didn't benefit from what their coach was doing. You can be the best, cheat, and still gain an unfair advantage. Those were some narrow margins of victory in those Super Bowls.

[khiladi]

what gets me the most, is why would they have to cheat against the Jets of all teams. thats really dumb on their part. and i agree with Shula.

Because they have been cheating and it is part of their game-time 'preparation'... You don't cheat against sucky teams unless you have a habit of doing it..

[joseephuss]

Uhh.. Marcellus Wiley was a pro-bowl player when he played for Wade Phillips in Buffalo, meaning the SCHEME, i.e. the PLAY-CALLING can make a huge difference in the game, as well as 'execution'... when he came here, with Mike Zimmer, he sucked rotten eggs...

Wiley was done by the time he got to Dallas. He was good in San Diego without Wade as his DC in 2001. He went downhill fast after that with only 6 sacks in 2002, 3 in 2003 and 3 with Dallas in 2004 and 0 in 2005 and 2006. It wasn't scheme, he just lost it.

[Royal Laegotti]

What are you talking about? Barry Bonds has been getting an asterisk ever since the scandal He is boo'ed every time he goes up to bat, and his home-run record is criticized by every single person in the media. All the media does about the Patriots is defend them, and give them the benefit of the doubt...


Do you really believe that when his career is over, MLB and whoever oversees the record books is going to put asterisk by his numbers? I'll just say I don't. Besides there is some media who defend Barry Bonds.

[khiladi]

Do you really believe that when his career is over, MLB and whoever oversees the record books is going to put asterisk by his numbers? I'll just say I don't. Besides there is some media who defend Barry Bonds.

They can't do that because the scandal has so permeated the league that it wreaks of hypocrisy. The fact is the media has lambasted and criticized and played judge and jury for Barry Bonds, and he is already known as guilty. He is the prime suspect, though everybody in baseball has their hands tied to it. There is evidence for all these other players, yet Bonds is known as Arch Enemy Number 1, though he was a HOF before the incident even took shape, unlike the majority of players involved.

To even liken this to the Patriots appreciation they receive in the media is absurd, it isn't even worth defending....In fact, the media says things like, everybody else does it to defend the Patriots, and that it doesn't really effect the game, even if they did..

Another example of the hypocrisy is saying that this Patriots team justifies their previous Super Bowl victories, when it has absolutely nothing to do with them. The Patriots are a different team this year, even though I still think they cheat. They have Moss, Stallworth, and Wes walker, coupled with the best defensive player in free-agency last year, Adalius Thomas. It is a whole different level of talent than their previous teams.

They are on two opposite ends of the spectrum...

[khiladi]

Wiley was done by the time he got to Dallas. He was good in San Diego without Wade as his DC in 2001. He went downhill fast after that with only 6 sacks in 2002, 3 in 2003 and 3 with Dallas in 2004 and 0 in 2005 and 2006. It wasn't scheme, he just lost it.

Actually, that proves just the opposite. The majority of his career, he sucked rotten eggs, not just 'lost it'. It was only a BRIEF PERIOD of his career, he played decent, becuase he was in a good scheme. Even in 2001, the San Diego defense was strong, i.e. Wiley only performed well because of the scheme.

He was a beneficiary of his teams, not because he suddenly lost it for 4 years.

[Royal Laegotti]

They can't do that because the scandal has so permeated the league that it wreaks of hypocrisy. The fact is the media has lambasted and criticized and played judge and jury for Barry Bonds, and he is already known as guilty. He is the prime suspect, though everybody in baseball has their hands tied to it. Their is evidence for all these other players.

To even liken this to the Patriots appreciation they receive in the media is absurd, it isn't even worth defending....In fact, the media says things like, everybody else does it to defend the Patriots, and that it doesn't really effect the game, even if they did..

They are on two opposite ends of the spectrum...

How is it absurd??? I was simply taking a extreme situation about Bonds AND Mcguire and you can throw in Canseco, Palmeiro and whoever else. And comparing it to a situation that is not perceived as, as serious in the general media's eyes (Pats cheating) as the steroid scandal and saying that if the steroid using players aren't going to receive an asterisk for their cheating then the Pats aren't because of that perception.

Now I agree the Pats deserve to marked that way, as the baseball players who use and used steroids do, but IMO Shula's argument is futile because it won't happen and his argument will be seen as serving his own self interest and it is IMO.

[LeonDixson]

Stating that they're a great team isn't the same as saying they didn't benefit from what their coach was doing. You can be the best, cheat, and still gain an unfair advantage. Those were some narrow margins of victory in those Super Bowls.
I agree. This is why I definitely think their 3 SBs in 4 years deserve asterisks too. Each one of those victories was by a single FG. Three lousy points. They only needed to have their spying information pay off for them on one, ONE, of their drives to win each SB.

It's not hard at all to imagine that if they knew what the opposing team's defense was going to do on just one play, blitz and go man to man coverage for instance, that that would allow them to complete a long pass to get in FG range.

Teams have also complained that when playing in Foxboro they would be in the middle of a drive where they were moving the ball well and all of a sudden their head sets would malfunction.

It's just my opinion but I put asterisks by all their Super Bowl victories. Just as I do San Francisco's 1994 SB victory when they cheated on the salary cap by playing some key players under the table so they wouldn't have to lose them to FA.

The thing that really stinks to high heaven about the investigation is the league destroying all the evidence. It makes me believe that the depth of their cheating was so great that if it had got out, the league would have taken a really serious hit to it's credibility.

[Sarge]

Don't worry they won't do it.

Oh yes they will.

[Pats Fan]

Shula's comments would have more credence if they were said in week 1, not week 9.

Sour grapes. This year is this year Shula.

[Q_the_man]

One of you geniuses please tell me, cause I don't know:

Did old man Shula's legendary team play in the 16-game regular-season era? Guess I will have to re-read the story if it does mention it.

It doesn't matter they did it, they beat Cleveland, Pitt and Wash in the playoff who had a combined 9 losses.

I don't think NE will go undefeated but they might. They can very well go undefeated in the regular season then lose in the playoffs which would be more embarassing then anything they can possibly fathom.

[Rack Bauer]

LOL

Bitter?

He sure is. But I just happen to agree with him.

[REDVOLUTION]

Shula's comments would have more credence if they were said in week 1, not week 9.

Sour grapes. This year is this year Shula.


The best thing for the Pats is to not win the SB THIS year.

If they win: This story will rise from the dead(where Goodell buried it)

The media will be on them like flies to a steamy lump of horse manure.



Just be sure to come around when we whip thats patty arse in Feb... for your ONLY loss.

[Royal Laegotti]

The best thing for the Pats is to not win the SB THIS year.

If they win: This story will rise from the dead(where Goodell buried it)

The media will be on them like flies to a steamy lump of horse manure.



Just be sure to come around when we whip thats patty arse in Feb... for your ONLY loss.


I'm not sure why they cheated in the first place, it's obvious it hurt them in years past with barely winning the superbowls and all. Now that they're not cheating that way anymore they're kickin' everyone's hiney!:D

[Pats Fan]

The best thing for the Pats is to not win the SB THIS year.

If they win: This story will rise from the dead(where Goodell buried it)

The media will be on them like flies to a steamy lump of horse manure.



Just be sure to come around when we whip thats patty arse in Feb... for your ONLY loss.

Well, at least you have a sense of humor.

Me, I went from feeling bad about it to really getting this big huge chip on my shoulder. I now want our team to kick every butt in sight. I hope our team feels the same way. You are right the media is looking for anything, anything to say.

But you know what, I think our team, coach and fans are OK with it at this point. After a while it just falls on deaf ears.

[VietCowboy]

at this point, i think the pats have an 30% chance of going 19-0, about 90% of going 16-0. They will have to play the Colts and Dallas again, and the chances of them beating both teams AGAIN is doubtful. Dallas will be a lot stronger, and the Colts will have their starters and key back ups back.

[superpunk]

Well, at least you have a sense of humor.

Me, I went from feeling bad about it to really getting this big huge chip on my shoulder. I now want our team to kick every butt in sight. I hope our team feels the same way. You are right the media is looking for anything, anything to say.

But you know what, I think our team, coach and fans are OK with it at this point. After a while it just falls on deaf ears.

You also went from being sure that there was no way Bellichick cheated, and lecturing us on the morality of our coach to fully endorsing a team coached by cheats. Now, you want the team full of cheats to beat everyone up to cover the stench of the cheating, because you can't believe that anyone would have the audacity to question the Pats and their cheating ways.

You've come a long way, baby.

[SultanOfSix]

The rationalization that the Pats use is really bizarre, and is seemingly never questioned, but blessed by a media enigma that is apparently geared towards its propagandization.

The Pats: "OMG. The world is saying we cheated. We'll show them."
The Media: "They are playing with a chip on their shoulder."

WTH?

Well, you did cheat, so expect to be called cheaters. Expect everything you've done up until now, and in the present to be questioned.

I wouldn't be surprised if they're probably still cheating. Once a cheater, always one.

[Bleu Star]

LOL

Bitter?

:lmao: yup. They won't do it though.

[Bob Sacamano]

It's easy to dismiss this as simply sour grapes.

But, the Pats were CAUGHT cheating this year. Whether that contributed to their record cannot be determined. But, no matter how you slice it, their record this season is marred by the fact that they cheated in (at least) their first game. If you put yourself in Shula's shoes, as a guy who spent his life working toward his achievements, I'm sure you can see where he'd be slightly upset that his record was broken by a team that cheated - and I'm sure you can see why he would want that fact memorialized.

which makes this whole situation comical, it was the Jets, of course they made the playoffs last year and this could be just hindsight, but still, thinking on it now makes me laugh all the more

it's like our industrial leaders spying on Tazmania's

[REDVOLUTION]

Well, at least you have a sense of humor.



It wont be so funny if I turn out to be right come February.

[percyhoward]

It wont be so funny if I turn out to be right come February.
I agree. It's not funny to the Rams, Panthers, Eagles, and their fans. Not at all.

[ConcordCowboy]

Good lord make up your mind.

Goodell probably got to him.:D

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21655235/

Shula backs off comments about Patriots


'If they run the table . . . there shouldn't be any asterisk to it,' legend says


Coaching legend Don Shula has reversed his field about his comments that the New England Patriots would deserve an asterisk if they were to go undefeated and win the Super Bowl this season, ESPN reported Thursday.

"If they run the table, and they win all the games, then they are doing it within the rules of the National Football League," Shula said on ESPN's Mike and Mike In the Morning. "And there shouldn't be any asterisk to it. That would be the accomplishment that they made. It would be the best in all of sports."

Shula also said on the show that the Patriots would "deserve to be called the best team" of all-time if they finish the season 19-0.


Shula, who guided the 1972-'73 Miami Dolphins to the only unbeaten record in NFL history, told the New York Daily News earlier this week that an asterisk would have to accompany the Patriots if they went 19-0 this season because of the Bill Belichick spying scandal.

"The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished. You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it," Shula told the Daily News. "Belichick was fined $500,000, the team was fined $250,00 and they lost a first-round draft choice. That tells you the seriousness or significance of what they found.

"I guess you got the same thing as putting an asterisk by Barry Bonds' home run record. I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No. 1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment. The sad thing is Tom Brady looks so good, it doesn't look like he needs any help."

In the season opener, the New York Jets caught the Patriots videotaping their defensive signals. The NFL then ordered the Patriots to turn over tapes of all their previous spying in September. Commissioner Roger Goodell had the tapes destroyed after viewing them.

"You have to acknowledge what they accomplished, but I don't know how you disregard Spygate," Shula said. "It's there. It happened. You don't know what was on those tapes and how much it helped. I think the commissioner just wanted it to go away."

Shula does acknowledge that the Patriots, who are now 9-0 after rallying to win at Indianapolis on Sunday, " look so good. I think they got a real shot at doing it."

[REDVOLUTION]

I agree. It's not funny to the Rams, Panthers, Eagles, and their fans. Not at all.



Indeed.

Thats good... never thought about it like that.


I could just see the headlines after we win....

Pats Fall to Cowboys in SBXLII
- Spyless Pats Cant Find Answers -


The Dallas Cowboys accomplished what no other team in this decade has in this century. That is they beat the Patriots in the SB. Was is the lack of........... on the Patriots part?