SI: Peter King - NFL's Mob Mentality

[Bull Frog]

I thought this was an interesting article. There is a reference to Bill Parcells and it reminded me of how many ex-Cowboys are on the Saints. I know BP said something to Payton, but after reading this it looks like Payton really violated the code. We didn't want all of the guys Payton took, but he nabbed several. I remember he made a play for Romo and Barber if I'm not mistaken. He has Shanle, Fujita, Copper and had Petitti. Any others?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/09/19/mob.mentality0924/index.html

Bill Belichick broke a rule; the snitch broke the coaches' code
Posted: Wednesday September 19, 2007 12:26PM; Updated: Wednesday September 19, 2007 12:26PM

When the Jets spotted a Patriots on-field video assistant filming their coaching signals during a Sept. 9 game at the Meadowlands, it set into motion a passion play that could have starred another North Jersey operator, Tony Soprano. By exposing the dirty secret of his former boss, Pats coach Bill Belichick, Jets coach Eric Mangini broke a long-held code that NFL coaches live by: Don't go against the family. "If he wasn't before, Mangini's dead to Belichick now," says one head coach. "What Mangini did is a disgrace. He wouldn't be a coach in this league without Bill, and this is how he repays him."

Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled swiftly when he found out that New England had taped defensive hand signals. He fined Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000 and stripped the club of a high-round 2008 draft pick. It's widely believed that New England has stolen signals in this manner for years, but officials from various clubs acknowledge that the Pats are not the only team that does it. Last week's revelation doesn't mean the New England dynasty is a fraud, but it does take some shine off those three Super Bowl wins.

It may seem absurd to think that if Belichick was blatantly violating an NFL rule -- one reenforced by two NFL memos in the last year -- the Jets should have ignored it. But last year the Lions and the Packers caught the Patriots taping and simply told them to stop without informing the league. Unlike New York, they followed the coaching fraternity's antisnitching code.

Just what is this code? First, don't mess with a former colleague's players, a tenet Mangini -- who was hired by Belichick in 1995 and rose from coaching-staff gofer to defensive coordinator -- violated in March 2006, just after he left New England for New York. Mangini signed free-agent linebacker Matt Chatham, whom the Patriots were trying to keep. By contrast, here's what then Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, who needed a kicker, did that same off-season. Though the Pats' Adam Vinatieri, one of the best of all time, was a free agent, Parcells let it be known that he wouldn't touch the kicker. Why? Vinatieri was Belichick's player, and Belichick had been a defensive assistant and coordinator under Parcells. In another example, one coach told SI last week about allowing an assistant to leave with a year remaining on his contract to join another team. There was one proviso: The team hiring the assistant couldn't sign the free agents of the team he left. On the third day of the next free-agency period, a prime free agent from the assistant's old team was signed by his new team. The assistant's former boss confronted him and said, "I'm going to tell everyone in the league I know what a no-good son of a ***** you are."

Second, don't mess with a former colleague's coaches. When onetime Parcells assistant Chris Palmer got the Browns' head job in 1999, he knew that a recommendation from Parcells, then the Jets' coach, had helped. Though Palmer wanted to hire Jets line coach Romeo Crennel to be his defensive coordinator, Palmer didn't try to get him.
Third, don't snitch. The most violated rule in the NFL is the antitampering rule: Before free agency begins in March, contact between teams and potential free agents is prohibited. Yet several G.M.'s routinely ignore the directive, and just as many decry the advantage they take -- though not loudly enough to get the offenders in trouble.

It's doubtful that teams' attempts to get an edge by covert methods will end with the Patriots' embarrassment. (As one coach says, the two cameras the NFL allows teams to use for game tape could be pointed to capture coaching signals between plays.) But there was hope around the league that the penalties Goodell levied against New England would halt the illegal use of technology. "I'm not sure sports are supposed to be about who can cheat the best," Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan says. "I should be worrying about how to beat a team, not spending hours figuring out how to disguise what I'm doing. I hope this gets us back to football the way it should be."

 

[CATCH17]

Bill Parcells is like the Godfather of coaching.

 

[munkee]

I've lost a lot of respect for Peter King on this one. This is a pure PR smear job of Bellichick's accuser to take the heat off of Bellichick. A very common technique in politics. It is surprising to see it in football on this level. Makes me wonder if Peter King is getting a kickback from the Patriots. If not, then at minimum he comes off as a biased fan.

It is interesting that he goes after Mangini, terming him a "snitch" for violating some "code", but doesn't talk of Bellichick's transgressions. Did he forget that Bellichick spurned his mentor Bill Parcells and the Jets organization after being hand pick by Parcells to be the Jets coach and publicly accepting the position. Only to quit and take the head coaching position with the division rival Patriots? Could this not be viewed as a public humiliation of his mentor and biggest supporter in Parcells? Could this not be viewed as violation of the "code" as well?

I bring up this example from Bellichick past not as a judgement on his morality for his "code" violation, but to show the hypocrisy in King's argument. To me the out right cheating that was displayed by Bellichick is by far a worse transgression than any violation of an unspoken "code" of coaching. Moreover, this "code" violation should not be used to divert attention from the real issue.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

This is the biggest load of **** I've ever heard.

King says it may sound absurd that Mangini should just watch passively while Belichick goes outside the rules to beat his team. Well, Peter, it IS absurd. What's he supposed to do to offset the disadvantage his team is at while Belichick blatently CHEATS? Cheat back? That's his only option if you accept this ridiculous "family" idea that you don't "snitch".

This is NOT the mob. This isn't some cartel like OPEC. This is a competitive professional sport that is played by rules designed to ensure a level playing field. What about Mangini's obligation to his boss, his fellow coaches, his players, and his fans? That's all supposed to take a back seat to this stupid mob code idea that he's beholden to Belichick for life?

Screw that. So Mangini is "dead" to Belichick now... So what. To hell with Belichick.

And Parcells isn't much better. Thanks for not going after what you knew was a FAR superior kicker than what we ended up with in that waste Vanderslice just because of this ridiculous code. Vinitieri didn't even end up with the Pats anyway!

It reminds me of when Parcells publicly scolded Sean Payton for going after Keith Davis. Parcells came out and said in a press conference that he had to tell Sean that you don't do that kind of thing. I always thought that was part of why Payton didn't just beat us, he humiliated us last December. Who is Parcells to tell Payton how to do his business? I'd have felt the same way if I were Payton.

But back to Belichick... Can you believe he had the nerve to warn Brad Childress not to claim that TE he'd waived? Let's see, the Pats are probably the best team in the league, while the Vikes are one of the worst teams in the league. It's only sensible that a player who isn't good enough to make the Pats could help a team like the Vikes. But Belichick thinks he should be able to bully Childress into not improving his team? Ridiculous. If Belichick had called me with that kind of horse****, he'd have gotten it with both barrels.

I'll tell you one thing, this whole episode has made me really desprise Belichick. I used to respect what a great coach he was, but now I can't stand the guy.

 

[speedkilz88]

Payton inquired about a trade for Romo, nothing else. I don't what your talking about with Barber unless he inquired about a trade for him too. He traded for Shanle and picked Copper and Petitti off waivers. Fujita is the one(the only one/forgot about Keith Davis) that he violated the Parcells rule by signing a player from his former team that they planned on keeping. Trying to get Keith Davis through restricted free agency was another.

 

[theebs]

It reminds me of when Parcells publicly scolded Sean Payton for going after Keith Davis. Parcells came out and said in a press conference that he had to tell Sean that you don't do that kind of thing. I always thought that was part of why Payton didn't just beat us, he humiliated us last December. Who is Parcells to tell Payton how to do his business? I'd have felt the same way if I were Payton.


the keith davis thing parcells wasnt happy about because they forced our hand to pay more money.

Parcells wasnt happy either because payton was trying to raid the coaching staff. He was trying to take everyone he could. Trying to get sparano I think is what made him the most upset.

I dont have a problem with doing buisness this way at all. I think when you get your own opportunity you should go do your own thing and raiding the team you came from especially in the coaching staff seems tacky to me.

This didnt just start, this has been talked about with the parcells coaching tree for a long time. When belichick went to cleveland He put his own staff together and then signed a bunch of ex giants like joe morris and carl banks.....but parcells was gone so it was no big deal.


belichick and mangini is a different story, because of what belichick has done...he should be crucified. If he is throwing it in mangini's face that he is stealing signals he deserves everything he gets.

I think the two are seperate issues.

 

[Bull Frog]

Payton inquired about a trade for Romo, nothing else. I don't what your talking about with Barber unless he inquired about a trade for him too. He traded for Shanle and picked Copper and Petitti off waivers. Fujita is the one(the only one/forgot about Keith Davis) that he violated the Parcells rule by signing a player from his former team that they planned on keeping. Trying to get Keith Davis through restricted free agency was another.

Thanks for reminding me, it was Davis I was thinking of. I personally think you sign guys that make your team better and if you are familiar with them then so be it, but if there is some unwritten code then Payton violated it. I didnt' think twice about it until Parcell's said something. I thought the Saints were our JV team until they kicked our butts.

Also, BP not getting Vinateri ended up being a stupid move because we ended up with Vanderdoink. Hopefully Nick Folk will make us soon forget.

 

[theogt]

This is the biggest load of **** I've ever heard.

King says it may sound absurd that Mangini should just watch passively while Belichick goes outside the rules to beat his team. Well, Peter, it IS absurd. What's he supposed to do to offset the disadvantage his team is at while Belichick blatently CHEATS? Cheat back? That's his only option if you accept this ridiculous "family" idea that you don't "snitch".

This is NOT the mob. This isn't some cartel like OPEC. This is a competitive professional sport that is played by rules designed to ensure a level playing field. What about Mangini's obligation to his boss, his fellow coaches, his players, and his fans? That's all supposed to take a back seat to this stupid mob code idea that he's beholden to Belichick for life?

Screw that. So Mangini is "dead" to Belichick now... So what. To hell with Belichick.

And Parcells isn't much better. Thanks for not going after what you knew was a FAR superior kicker than what we ended up with in that waste Vanderslice just because of this ridiculous code. Vinitieri didn't even end up with the Pats anyway!

It reminds me of when Parcells publicly scolded Sean Payton for going after Keith Davis. Parcells came out and said in a press conference that he had to tell Sean that you don't do that kind of thing. I always thought that was part of why Payton didn't just beat us, he humiliated us last December. Who is Parcells to tell Payton how to do his business? I'd have felt the same way if I were Payton.

But back to Belichick... Can you believe he had the nerve to warn Brad Childress not to claim that TE he'd waived? Let's see, the Pats are probably the best team in the league, while the Vikes are one of the worst teams in the league. It's only sensible that a player who isn't good enough to make the Pats could help a team like the Vikes. But Belichick thinks he should be able to bully Childress into not improving his team? Ridiculous. If Belichick had called me with that kind of horse****, he'd have gotten it with both barrels.

I'll tell you one thing, this whole episode has made me really desprise Belichick. I used to respect what a great coach he was, but now I can't stand the guy.

What he said.

 

[Hostile]

So, when Norv Turner took the Skins job he was stabbing Jimmy in the back?

When Gene Stallings took the Cardinals job he stabbed Tom?

There was animosity and anger?


Sorry, I don't buy this code crap at all.

 

[Bull Frog]

So, when Norv Turner took the Skins job he was stabbing Jimmy in the back?

That was more of a favor.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

forget Bill Parcells...Payton humiliated the Dallas Cowboys...who existed before Parcells and continues to exist now that he is gone...we will see the Saints again..and they will know they ****ed with the wrong organization...just like the Texans found out last year

 

[Hostile]

That was more of a favor.

Not for Jimmy's staff.

 

[WoodysGirl]

per PFT

TANNENBAUM THE TRUE SPY SCANDAL INSTIGATOR?

At a time when Jets coach Eric Mangini is getting plenty of criticism in league circles for blowing the whistle on the Patriots' use of video cameras to capture signals from opponents' defensive coaches, some league insiders are talking about the role of Jets G.M. Mike Tannenbaum in the Bill Belichick brouhaha.

As one well-connected league source told us, the thinking is that Jets video director Steve Scarnecchia alerted Tannenbaum to the fact that Pats employee Matt Estrella was videotaping defensive signals. Tannenbaum, as the theory goes, then called NFL Security.

The source also told us Tannenbaum was later seen chewing out Estrella in one of the tunnels beneath the stadium, in the presence of NFL Security.

We don't know whether any of this is accurate, but if it is it makes sense. Scarnecchia is a former employee of the Patriots' video department (his dad, by the way, is the Pats' offensive line coach and assistant head coach). Steve Scarnecchia, like Mangini, likely had prior knowledge of the practices. So maybe, just maybe, Mangini isn't guilty of squealing -- and maybe he's being unfairly painted in league and media circles as a rat.

Of course, this doesn't explain why the initial reports of the Pats' video practices didn't surface until the season after Mangini left the team. But it potentially fits with the notion that Mangini didn't intend for the Patriots to get caught.

But what of the fact that Mangini allowed multiple coaches to communicate defensive signals in plain view of the Pats' sideline, almost creating the impression that the Jets were inviting the Pats to ? It could be Mangini realizes that videotaping defensive signals for use in future games is virtually useless.

It also could be that Mangini is smart enough to change the defensive signals before every game against the Patriots.

 

[joseephuss]

I don't like any of this stuff. The league is already too competitive to be limiting your team by living up to some code that restricts what you can do. These coaches knows what it takes to build a winner. They should expect their proteges to do what they can to build a winner. Sometimes that means a bidding war on a player or coach both teams want. That is part of the business. I don't see the difference between Mangini and Belichek going after the same player or Joe Gibbs and Belichek going after the same player.

 

[dogberry]

Eric shouldah sent a coupla the boys over ta the camera guy. Break his legs, send his reproductive organs to Bill in Panera bread bowl. Inside the family, honor served, no problems.

 

[CATCH17]

This is the biggest load of **** I've ever heard.

King says it may sound absurd that Mangini should just watch passively while Belichick goes outside the rules to beat his team. Well, Peter, it IS absurd. What's he supposed to do to offset the disadvantage his team is at while Belichick blatently CHEATS? Cheat back? That's his only option if you accept this ridiculous "family" idea that you don't "snitch".

This is NOT the mob. This isn't some cartel like OPEC. This is a competitive professional sport that is played by rules designed to ensure a level playing field. What about Mangini's obligation to his boss, his fellow coaches, his players, and his fans? That's all supposed to take a back seat to this stupid mob code idea that he's beholden to Belichick for life?

Screw that. So Mangini is "dead" to Belichick now... So what. To hell with Belichick.

And Parcells isn't much better. Thanks for not going after what you knew was a FAR superior kicker than what we ended up with in that waste Vanderslice just because of this ridiculous code. Vinitieri didn't even end up with the Pats anyway!

It reminds me of when Parcells publicly scolded Sean Payton for going after Keith Davis. Parcells came out and said in a press conference that he had to tell Sean that you don't do that kind of thing. I always thought that was part of why Payton didn't just beat us, he humiliated us last December. Who is Parcells to tell Payton how to do his business? I'd have felt the same way if I were Payton.

But back to Belichick... Can you believe he had the nerve to warn Brad Childress not to claim that TE he'd waived? Let's see, the Pats are probably the best team in the league, while the Vikes are one of the worst teams in the league. It's only sensible that a player who isn't good enough to make the Pats could help a team like the Vikes. But Belichick thinks he should be able to bully Childress into not improving his team? Ridiculous. If Belichick had called me with that kind of horse****, he'd have gotten it with both barrels.

I'll tell you one thing, this whole episode has made me really desprise Belichick. I used to respect what a great coach he was, but now I can't stand the guy.

Great post dude.. That got me pumped lol

 

[Oh_Canada]

Eric shouldah sent a coupla the boys over ta the camera guy. Break his legs, send his reproductive organs to Bill in Panera bread bowl. Inside the family, honor served, no problems.

Sounds good to me!!
Seriously this whole "code" thing is sooo ridiculous it hurts. As a fan of the Dallas Cowboys I embarrased that our former coach decided to risk his team's success in order not to break the "code" and sign one of his protege's players. Signing Vinateri might have been the difference between a home date in January rather than on the road against the Seahawks.

 

[ayjackson]

I think King has overblown this "code" thing in order to make a story. He's been getting a lot of flack for his harsh stance on the Patriots and tried to show another side to the story. He missed the point though.

It isn't a code, so much as common courtesy. Mangini was a college bum a dozen or so years ago when Belichick decided to hire him on as a ball boy with the Cleveland Browns. He went everywhere Belichick went and learnt everything Belichick could teach him. He'd be nowhere today without Belichick.

This fued started when Belichick wouldn't let him interview for head coaching jobs before the end of the season (similar to Crennel and Weis, before). So when he could, he decided to pursue the Jets job. He got it and immediately started tapping up players (like Branch). Branch almost resigned with the Patriots before being tapped up by the Jets. The "code" thing applies here, and in situations where you're trying to get a cut to the Practice Squad (eg Hank Poteat) and your prodigee signs them.

These games have continued. I've heard that both the Jets and Pats had cameras removed from games between the two last year (no NFL Security involved though). Tit for Tat continued when the Jets alerted the NFL in week one. I'm sure it won't end here, either.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

This is the biggest load of **** I've ever heard.

King says it may sound absurd that Mangini should just watch passively while Belichick goes outside the rules to beat his team. Well, Peter, it IS absurd. What's he supposed to do to offset the disadvantage his team is at while Belichick blatently CHEATS? Cheat back? That's his only option if you accept this ridiculous "family" idea that you don't "snitch".

This is NOT the mob. This isn't some cartel like OPEC. This is a competitive professional sport that is played by rules designed to ensure a level playing field. What about Mangini's obligation to his boss, his fellow coaches, his players, and his fans? That's all supposed to take a back seat to this stupid mob code idea that he's beholden to Belichick for life?

Screw that. So Mangini is "dead" to Belichick now... So what. To hell with Belichick.

And Parcells isn't much better. Thanks for not going after what you knew was a FAR superior kicker than what we ended up with in that waste Vanderslice just because of this ridiculous code. Vinitieri didn't even end up with the Pats anyway!

It reminds me of when Parcells publicly scolded Sean Payton for going after Keith Davis. Parcells came out and said in a press conference that he had to tell Sean that you don't do that kind of thing. I always thought that was part of why Payton didn't just beat us, he humiliated us last December. Who is Parcells to tell Payton how to do his business? I'd have felt the same way if I were Payton.

But back to Belichick... Can you believe he had the nerve to warn Brad Childress not to claim that TE he'd waived? Let's see, the Pats are probably the best team in the league, while the Vikes are one of the worst teams in the league. It's only sensible that a player who isn't good enough to make the Pats could help a team like the Vikes. But Belichick thinks he should be able to bully Childress into not improving his team? Ridiculous. If Belichick had called me with that kind of horse****, he'd have gotten it with both barrels.

I'll tell you one thing, this whole episode has made me really desprise Belichick. I used to respect what a great coach he was, but now I can't stand the guy.

Good post CL!!

It is BLATENTLY obvious that entire article was "ghost written" by PARCELLS! I'm so glad that carpetbagger jerk is gone from the Cowboy organization!

As CL said, this isn't organized crime! It's the NFL! Parcells always fancied himself as a "wise guy". Well I'll tell you what, he can take his ridiculous "family" mentality and stick it! We see where it got us after 4 years. In retrospect, I'm happy Payton completely undressed Parcells last year on national TV for the coaching fraud he was. Parcells deserved it!

As for the code, you see what good it did for the Lions and the Packers to tell the Pats to stop cheating and not report it to the league. Belichik just blatently kept doing it even though the league warned everyone to stop!

Mangini may owe Belichik something for assisting his career, but how about a simple "thank you" and some mutual respect for each other. It doesn't mean Mangini sells his soul to him and has to accept every low down, despicable thing Belichik does and have to take it because of "the code". That's nothing but a criminal mentality.

 

[Concord]

Good post CL!!

It is BLATENTLY obvious that entire article was "ghost written" by PARCELLS! I'm so glad that carpetbagger jerk is gone from the Cowboy organization!

That's what I've been saying.

I don't miss him one bit.

Don't go after Vinatieri when you know he's the best...instead go after Vanderjerk and you know the rest.

What a load of BS.

Take that Code and shove it!