Goodell's bad decision on not suspending Belicheat starting to grow legs

[Gryphon]

DMN Blog: Cowboys fans will finally agree with Peter King

I know you folks love to hate Sports Illustrated scribe Peter King, but you'll like his take on Bill Belichick's punishment for blatant cheating.

When Dallas assistant coach Wade Wilson got suspended five games and fined $100,000 this month for using the banned substance HGH to treat impotency, Goodell told him coaches have to be held to a higher standard.

Belichick was found guilty by Judge Goodell of "a calculated and deliberate attempt'' to evade the spirit and letter of the NFL rules. You tell me: Finding one of the coaching giants of the game guilty of cheating, then fining him 12.5 percent of his salary, taking away one of his five first-day draft choices next April (assuming New England makes the playoffs) and not suspending him ... is that holding this coach to a higher standard?

In related news, there was discussion in the Valley Ranch locker room this afternoon about launching a "Free Wade Wilson" campaign.

Posted by Tim MacMahon at 2:09 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (6)
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DMN Blog: Wilson responds to Belichick news

Suspended five games and fined $100,000 for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancement substances, Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson thought the league's punishment of New England coach Bill Belichick was "inconsistent," when compared to how he was treated.

"Being told coaches are held to higher authority, my intent was not to create an in-balance in competition," Wilson said, while attending his son's football practice. "Presumably what the Patriots did was try to, so I'm wondering about the consistency."

Belichick was fined $500,000 but not suspended for alllowing the illegal videotaping of the New York Jets' defensive signals in last week's season opener. The Patriots were fined an additional $250,000 and will lose a 2008 first-round draft pick if they make the playoffs this year or second- and third-round picks if they do not qualify for the post-season.

Wilson said he is considering filing an appeal, but he wants to talk with Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones first.

"I'm not trying to jump down the Commissioner's back or bring Coach Belichick down," Wilson said. "I'd just like consistency from what I was told to what the next situation was."

Posted by Todd Archer at 2:57 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

 

[Gryphon]

TAKEN FROM ANOTHER FORUM posted by lonestar22:

More evidence of BeliCheating?

This morning ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported that there are other allegations the league is looking into also. The Pats have apparently been wiring their Def linemen so they can record the snap count, audibles and adjustments/checks at the line from the opposing offense. They're doing this under the guise of "giving the fans an inside look" kind of explanation. Although the fans have never heard any of the audio.

Another allegation that is being looked at after complaints from several teams that played at Gillette stadium in the last year or so, is that the opposing teams' headsets magically stopped working during critical drives. This would prevent the coaches from calling in a play to the QB for a down or two while the radios were "down". Frequency jamming is what the other teams suspected.

I believe it all. BiliCHEAT was an average coach until he went to the Pats. Then all of the sudden he's a genius. ....Nope he's a freaking cheater!

The Pats obsession with winning has apparently made them do some very questionable things.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

... and will lose a 2008 first-round draft pick if they make the playoffs this year or second- and third-round picks if they do not qualify for the post-season.

So... if they make the playoffs they lose a low 1st round pick - Big Deal

or

2nd and 3rd picks if they dont make the post seasons - so they get their good picks back in the 1st

Brilliant!!

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

TAKEN FROM ANOTHER FORUM posted by lonestar22:

More evidence of BeliCheating?

This morning ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported that there are other allegations the league is looking into also. The Pats have apparently been wiring their Def linemen so they can record the snap count, audibles and adjustments/checks at the line from the opposing offense. They're doing this under the guise of "giving the fans an inside look" kind of explanation. Although the fans have never heard any of the audio.

Another allegation that is being looked at after complaints from several teams that played at Gillette stadium in the last year or so, is that the opposing teams' headsets magically stopped working during critical drives. This would prevent the coaches from calling in a play to the QB for a down or two while the radios were "down". Frequency jamming is what the other teams suspected.

I believe it all. BiliCHEAT was an average coach until he went to the Pats. Then all of the sudden he's a genius. ....Nope he's a freaking cheater!

The Pats obsession with winning has apparently made them do some very questionable things.

A game that was played in Foxboro... an opposing team member after the game....


I remember a few years back a player talking about a communications lapse with this puzzled look on his face.... he was more confused than he was thinking that it was done on purpose... cant remember the player

anyone remember team/player?

 

[Gryphon]

The people's push should be to get Beli-cheat suspended!

 

[Zimmy Lives]

TAKEN FROM ANOTHER FORUM posted by lonestar22:

More evidence of BeliCheating?

This morning ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported that there are other allegations the league is looking into also. The Pats have apparently been wiring their Def linemen so they can record the snap count, audibles and adjustments/checks at the line from the opposing offense. They're doing this under the guise of "giving the fans an inside look" kind of explanation. Although the fans have never heard any of the audio.

Another allegation that is being looked at after complaints from several teams that played at Gillette stadium in the last year or so, is that the opposing teams' headsets magically stopped working during critical drives. This would prevent the coaches from calling in a play to the QB for a down or two while the radios were "down". Frequency jamming is what the other teams suspected.

I believe it all. BiliCHEAT was an average coach until he went to the Pats. Then all of the sudden he's a genius. ....Nope he's a freaking cheater!

The Pats obsession with winning has apparently made them do some very questionable things.

Maybe Belicheck has nude pictures of Goodell's wife? He seems to be good cheating in every aspect of his life.

 

[TunaFan33]

TAKEN FROM ANOTHER FORUM posted by lonestar22:

More evidence of BeliCheating?

This morning ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported that there are other allegations the league is looking into also. The Pats have apparently been wiring their Def linemen so they can record the snap count, audibles and adjustments/checks at the line from the opposing offense. They're doing this under the guise of "giving the fans an inside look" kind of explanation. Although the fans have never heard any of the audio.

Another allegation that is being looked at after complaints from several teams that played at Gillette stadium in the last year or so, is that the opposing teams' headsets magically stopped working during critical drives. This would prevent the coaches from calling in a play to the QB for a down or two while the radios were "down". Frequency jamming is what the other teams suspected.

I believe it all. BiliCHEAT was an average coach until he went to the Pats. Then all of the sudden he's a genius. ....Nope he's a freaking cheater!

The Pats obsession with winning has apparently made them do some very questionable things.

As much as I've lost my respect for Belicheat, this is nothing but sensationalist journalism at his highest.

For the record, there's been lots of games where the coaching staffs lost their connections on their headsets. Happened at Washington last year, when Gibbs was relaying a play to Campbell, and the sound wires went bust and couldn't get the play in(Campbell subsequently threw the 60 yard game winner to Cooley). It's happened 20 years ago, still happens now.

 

[dogunwo]

As much as I've lost my respect for Belicheat, this is nothing but sensationalist journalism at his highest.

For the record, there's been lots of games where the coaching staffs lost their connections on their headsets. Happened at Washington last year, when Gibbs was relaying a play to Campbell, and the sound wires went bust and couldn't get the play in(Campbell subsequently threw the 60 yard game winner to Cooley). It's happened 20 years ago, still happens now.

So one likely problem at another location means exhoneration for MULTIPLE incidents at Gillette Stadium?

Not too many people are going to tell the same lie.

 

[TunaFan33]

So one likely problem at another location means exhoneration for MULTIPLE incidents at Gillette Stadium?

Not too many people are going to tell the same lie.

OK-there were THREE incidents. Every year when I watch games on tv at TX Stadium, FedEx, etc, there are at least a few incidents a year where the headsets would blow out.

 

[Gryphon]

DUNGY TAKES PATS FEUD TO NEXT LEVEL
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

Though no longer in the same division, the Colts and the Patriots have as bitter a rivalry as any two teams could have, in any sport. Until last year, the Pats owned the Colts in the postseason. But with a stirring second-half comeback (maybe they changed their defensive signals at intermission), the Colts finally broke through in the 2006 playoffs.

Now, Colts coach Tony Dungy is speaking out regarding the "Patriots Act" controversy, and he directed some significant criticism at coach Bill Belichick.

"We seem to have tarnished Barry Bonds," Dungy said on Friday, noting that Belichick's success could similarly be questioned. "We've pointed out that, even though he's a great player and he's hit a lot of home runs, because of what some people that work around him have done, it seems to have tarnished him in the court of public opinion. We'll see.

"Really, sad day for the NFL," Dungy added. "It's another case of the 99 percent good things that are happening being overshadowed by one percent bad. Again, people aren't talking about our product, they're talking about a negative incident."

Dungy also said that Patriots owner Bob Kraft will constantly face scrutiny as a result of the situation.

"He's going to have to answer questions all the time, from here on out," Dungy said. "When headsets go wrong, he's going to have to answer if it's something that just happened or is this planned. There's bad grass everywhere, but when the grass doesn't grow up there, he's going to be asked about it, and that's too bad."

There's no long grass at Gillette Stadium, but we get the point. The deeper message could be aimed at Kraft himself, and might be intended to get the owner to think that the team will be the subject of suspicion until Belichick is no longer the head coach.

Despite Dungy's mild-mannered demeanor, we think that this is a prime example of the never-ending effort to obtain an edge. If, for example, the Pats were to part ways with Belichick, it would presumably be easier for the Colts to beat them.

We know that's an extremely cynical view of Dungy. But news of secret dog-fighting compounds and not-so-secret videotaping techniques tends to make folks more inclined to look for that which does not always meet the eye.

 

[Doomsday101]

Pats are just returning to their roots, 1st it was the snow plow incident:

Shout out to the grounds crew in Foxboro, Mass. 1982: Dolphins-Pats. After a blizzard held both teams scoreless, Patriots head coach Ron Meyer ordered the area where the ball was to be spotted for a field goal attempt to be cleared by a snow plow. The successful kick was the game winner, and to this day, opposing teams at Foxboro keep one eye on the plow just to be sure it stays put. (maybe)

and now this.

 

[Gryphon]

Goodell's House of Cards...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3019472

Does anyone think that Wilson complain here is valid? I think so. I think that this complain could be beginning of the end for Goodell's iron fisted methods. He showed serious inconsistencies dealing with Belichick that are going to be brought up everytime he disciplines someone.

The perennial, "Wait... he didn't get suspended."

I tend to agree with him, the loss of draft picks deals with the Patriots organization, but Belichick should have been suspended.

All this current penalty does is dip into Belichick pocketbook and penalize (marginally) the Patriots many months down the road. There is no immediate penalty for a practice that gave the Patriots a competitive advantage.

Part of me is also just irritated as heck with the "I misinterpreted the rules..." line Belichick threw out.

Read the rule. It explicitly states, "No video recordings of signals is permitted."

What did he not understand?

Goodell blew it.

 

[Yeagermeister]

So... if they make the playoffs they lose a low 1st round pick - Big Deal

or

2nd and 3rd picks if they dont make the post seasons - so they get their good picks back in the 1st

Brilliant!!

Hopefully it means they lose the higher of their two 1st.

 

[Gryphon]

Hopefully it means they lose the higher of their two 1st.

No...they lose their 1 pick and retain SF's 1 pick.

 

[CaptainQuint]

Goodell's House of Cards...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3019472

Does anyone think that Wilson complain here is valid? I think so. I think that this complain could be beginning of the end for Goodell's iron fisted methods. He showed serious inconsistencies dealing with Belichick that are going to be brought up everytime he disciplines someone.

The perennial, "Wait... he didn't get suspended."

I tend to agree with him, the loss of draft picks deals with the Patriots organization, but Belichick should have been suspended.

All this current penalty does is dip into Belichick pocketbook and penalize (marginally) the Patriots many months down the road. There is no immediate penalty for a practice that gave the Patriots a competitive advantage.

Part of me is also just irritated as heck with the "I misinterpreted the rules..." line Belichick threw out.

Read the rule. It explicitly states, "No video recordings of signals is permitted."

What did he not understand?

Goodell blew it.

Goodell didn't blow it. He's bought and paid for, just like a Chicago judge in the Al Capone years.

 

[NMfan]

OK-there were THREE incidents. Every year when I watch games on tv at TX Stadium, FedEx, etc, there are at least a few incidents a year where the headsets would blow out.

I used to help out with UCLA’s audio crew. They hired an independent group to set up their field headphones. They did this because it was not uncommon to have their headsets go silent when UCLA’s offense was in a critical situation. This happened when they were the visiting team. This would happen to them once or twice a year.

Losing contact only happened one time in five years when the independent group ran the communications. That is because we had redundant headsets on separate wiring but we rarely had to use them. This was very expensive because UCLA had to transport, feed, and lodge this group for all away games. They also had to secure the large trunks of equipment.

However it sometimes meant the difference between a win and a loss so the college thought it was well worth the cost. You just don’t lose communication with the quarterback you lose the communication with the coaches in the press boxes. You lose your bird’s eye view of the game. You lose the ability to talk to your coach who oversees challenges.

 

[Doomsday101]

I used to help out with UCLA’s audio crew. They hired an independent group to set up their field headphones. They did this because it was not uncommon to have their headsets go silent when UCLA’s offense was in a critical situation. This happened when they were the visiting team. This would happen to them once or twice a year.

Losing contact only happened one time in five years when the independent group ran the communications. That is because we had redundant headsets on separate wiring but we rarely had to use them. This was very expensive because UCLA had to transport, feed, and lodge this group for all away games. They also had to secure the large trunks of equipment.

However it sometimes meant the difference between a win and a loss so the college thought it was well worth the cost. You just don’t lose communication with the quarterback you lose the communication with the coaches in the press boxes. You lose your bird’s eye view of the game. You lose the ability to talk to your coach who oversees challenges.

Very interesting. I know at one time that if one teams communications failed the refs would go to the bench and have the other side shut off their as well until the problem was resolved I would guess that still takes place?