Belichick Issues Statement, But Refuses to Address NFL Spying Accusations

[LittleBoyBlue]

Many of their games were last second wins, and they seemed to never have a problem moving the ball with efficiency their last drives... the drives they needed most...

It's not like the Patriots crush everybody... they just seem to 'find' a way to win.. convenient way I might add...

what's strange is that it took so long for this to finally blow through... I guess the former Patriots players only reveal the truth when their at the losing end...

Same thing with Vick case... took a while to really hit the fan.... but you got dribs and drabs over the years.

 

[cleverusername]

I think it is a akin to Barry Bonds + Steroids. Lots of people probably do it, and no doubt it helped, but not enough for a lifetime ban or something like that. Just enough for everyone to loathe Belichek.

But if it was a sting, and they have some kind of video or tape evidence... this could get real big, real ugly, real fast.

 

[Matt]

Notice the "apologize to owners players etc who got effected" not just to the NYJ...

 

[Big Dakota]

If they only get a 3rd round pick taken away and a 1 game suspension for belicheat i'll be pissed.


Cheating more common than you think

John Czarnecki
FOXSports.com,

Bill Belichick isn't the only cheater out there.

But the Patriots got caught red-handed and they did because Jets coach Eric Mangini knows all of Belichick's tricks. This is why stadium security and NFL security were ready to pounce on Belichick's young camera guy last Sunday and eventually confiscate the damaging video evidence of Jets coaches signaling to their players.

Coaches, in both college and the NFL, have been cheating for decades. Anything to gain an edge come game day. The first inclination is to think that Belichick is too good of a coach to be cheating. The second thought is that he has to cheat because he knows his competition is doing it.
Believe me, I have heard the stories of pro scouts sitting in the press box and putting a video camera on opposing team coaches. Teams definitely look for any edge in order to decipher signals.

Spy games

How valuable is it? Well, how much would a quarterback pay to know if the defense is blitzing or not? Or what the secondary coverage was going to be? Many teams have color-coded their signals. Peyton Manning alters his verbal codes every week, making sure that the opposition doesn't know what he's calling.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent out a strong memo last season regarding the use of cameras. Now he must apply the punishment despite having a strong relationship with Patriots owner Bob Kraft. The Pats could lose a third-round draft choice, which is a pretty steep penalty. Others are asking for multiple picks. Also, a one-game suspension is seriously being considered for Belichick. A lot of teams are suggesting that.
There is no doubt that offensive coaches have strongly influenced the NFL's Competition Committee and that's why for the second year in a row a proposal to allow a defensive player to have a radio helmet — like the quarterback's — was defeated at the March meetings. The coach-to-defensive player radio transmitters missed by two votes, 22-10. The year before the vote was 18-14. With the Patriots getting caught, there definitely is a very good chance the defensive proposal will pass this April in Palm Beach. "I really believe if the defense had radio helmets, coaches like Bill wouldn't be using a video camera like this," said one NFL head coach.

 

[joseephuss]

They should make him wear a suit on the sidelines instead of the typical garbage outfit he wears.

 

[Crown Royal]

They should make him wear a suit on the sidelines instead of the typical garbage outfit he wears.

He'd retire.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Goodell is in a really really tough spot.

Why?

He needs to do what is right.

Wilson broke the rules.
Bill broke the rules.

Go from there.

His commissionership could come down to how he handles this. This is the equivalent to the NBA fixing games.

He needs to rule consistently with an iron fist.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Good point about Wade Wilson. That really throws a wrench in this thing for those saying it's not a big deal or Belichik won't or shouldn't get hammered.

Goodell just finished HAMMERING Wade for using banned substances in his personal life--(nothing to do with his job as an NFL coach)--to try and overcome his "personal problem" and now we have a HEAD COACH who willfuly violates an NFL rule after a warning and it's a rule that deals with giving his team an unfair competitive advantage!!

Those two incidents are light years apart, but Wade was told by Goodell that, as a coach, "he was held to a higher standard'.

Ok, Goodell, let's see how high that standard really is when the case involves the great Belichik.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Join us.

 

[cleverusername]

Join us.

Neverrrrrrrrr!

 

[khiladi]

And please spare the justifications that it's more common than we think... That's a cheap way of trying to trivilialize it.

BTW, this has more implications than the Vick scandal for football.. this act affects the very nature of the game, and is not simply the issue of character of an individual OUTSIDE of football...

 

[cleverusername]

And please spare the justifications that it's more common than we think... That's a cheap way of trying to trivilialize it.

BTW, this has more implications than the Vick scandal for football.. this act affects the very nature of the game, and is not simply the issue of character of an individual OUTSIDE of football...

 

[arglebargle]

Yeah, this will be a tough one for Goodell, marquee team, high profile coach and players, big consequences.....

Practically, I don't see a ruling before the next game. Patriots haven't had a full chance to respond yet, and the NFL has to consider carefully what they do.

You can't nail everyone involved, as that might leave the Pats with no coaching staff whatsoever. But, having laid down the 5 game suspension for Wilson, you are effectively comparing the actions of the two with your response. Goodell laid out the line that coaches were to be held to a higher standard when they popped Wilson.

I see at least a first round pick going away. Hefty team fine. Suspension without pay for Belicheck. It really should be 6-8 games, minimum. No matter what now, this will cause more NFL turmoil; they just have to decide what flavor they want.

Funny thing, that 'NFL approved cameramen must wear vests' issue now turns out to be real useful. As evidenced in that great photo of the Pats guy caught 'red handed'.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Yeah, this will be a tough one for Goodell, marquee team, high profile coach and players, big consequences.....

Practically, I don't see a ruling before the next game. Patriots haven't had a full chance to respond yet, and the NFL has to consider carefully what they do.

You can't nail everyone involved, as that might leave the Pats with no coaching staff whatsoever. But, having laid down the 5 game suspension for Wilson, you are effectively comparing the actions of the two with your response. Goodell laid out the line that coaches were to be held to a higher standard when they popped Wilson.

I see at least a first round pick going away. Hefty team fine. Suspension without pay for Belicheck. It really should be 6-8 games, minimum. No matter what now, this will cause more NFL turmoil; they just have to decide what flavor they want.

Funny thing, that 'NFL approved cameramen must wear vests' issue now turns out to be real useful. As evidenced in that great photo of the Pats guy caught 'red handed'.

Ive said this before, but Goodell has stated that the higher up in the organization you are th more accountable you are. Were talking about something that compromises the head caoch, scouting department, and on up. They bloody hired some guy whose purpose was to cheat. That shows institutional malice.

If Goodell does not bring the wrath of god down on them then I will be very pissed. Im talking lengthy suspensions and first day draft picks. I want the most severe punsihment in the history of professional sports. If Goodell doesnt then hes a liar and an inconsistent, reactionary sycophant to opinion polls.

 

[SultanOfSix]

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent out a strong memo last season regarding the use of cameras. Now he must apply the punishment despite having a strong relationship with Patriots owner Bob Kraft. The Pats could lose a third-round draft choice, which is a pretty steep penalty. Others are asking for multiple picks. Also, a one-game suspension is seriously being considered for Belichick. A lot of teams are suggesting that.

Steep penalty my ***. A 3rd round choice would be a really pathetic penalty. And only suspending him for one game would be ridiculous when another coach got five games for a much, much lesser offense. A lot of teams are suggesting only a one game suspension? Yeah right. I'm sure they're suggesting more than that.

I know Fox news is terrible in general, but the guy who wrote this article sucks too.

And what does the commissioner having a strong relationship with an owner have to do with handing out punishment for a clear violation of the rules? What is he going to do? Give him the wink and the nod and say don't do it again? That's trash.

There are 31 other teams in the league that are expecting fair competition within the rules.

 

[Big Dakota]

Steep penalty my ***. A 3rd round choice would be a really pathetic penalty. And only suspending him for one game would be ridiculous when another coach got five games for a much, much lesser offense. A lot of teams are suggesting only a one game suspension? Yeah right. I'm sure they're suggesting more than that.

I know Fox news is terrible in general, but the guy who wrote this article sucks too.

And what does the commissioner having a strong relationship with an owner have to do with handing out punishment for a clear violation of the rules? What is he going to do? Give him the wink and the nod and say don't do it again? That's trash.

There are 31 other teams in the league that are expecting fair competition within the rules.

The only thing i can think of is there are a LOT of dirty little secrets in a lot of front offices and the commish might want to give them a slap on the wrist, brush it under the rug, and hope more things don't come to light and tarnish the game and his tenure.

 

[sacase]

 

[joseephuss]

I guess Goodell and the league really were on top of this in the off season. He sent a memo and they instituted the red vest rule. Maybe that rule was to try and eliminate this kind of stuff. It seemed like a silly rule when it was first announced, but now seems useful.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90449&highlight=logo+vests

Came across this new NFL while searching KFFL for any possibly additional Cowboy signing. I've never read anything about such a rule and sure can understand why newspapers are upset. Anyway, per KFFL...

NFL | Some newspapers do not like new NFL rule
Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:57:21 -0700
Teddy Greenstein, of the Chicago Tribune, reports several newspapers may boycott NFL games this season because the NFL will require all photographers to wear a red vest with prominent product placement. The Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, the Houston Chronicle and other newspapers are concerned over the new rule. "We cannot abide by this. We don't work for the NFL. Our photographers, just like our writers, are there covering games on behalf of our readers," said the Chicago Tribune's managing editor for news George de Lama.

 

[Big Dakota]

I guess Goodell and the league really were on top of this in the off season. He sent a memo and they instituted the red vest rule. Maybe that rule was to try and eliminate this kind of stuff. It seemed like a silly rule when it was first announced, but now seems useful.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90449&highlight=logo+vests

Nice find and i knew nothing of this rule.

As far as the reporters, who cares? We need more of them about as much as we need more lawyers

 

[SultanOfSix]

"There is an investigation going on now, and perhaps an adjudication of it, and I think it would be inappropriate at this time to make any comment," Kraft told reporters at a charity appearance Tuesday. "When you're successful in anything, a lot of people like to try to take you down and do different things. We understand that.

"We worked very hard to try to put an organization together that we all could be proud of in New England, and we're very proud of the New England Patriots organization and the record that they've established over the last 13 seasons and one game."

So, people try to take you down when you're violating the rules. The horror of it all. Good one Kraft!