Tom Brady: Innocent Bystander or Guilty Accomplice?

[rexrobinson]

Tom Brady: Innocent Bystander or Guilty Accomplice?

What do you guys think? Tom Brady had to know that his coaching staff was using information gained illegally according to NFL rules in my opinion. Tom Brady is the one who used the illegal information against the opponents. Should he be punished as well for being an accomplice in violating league rules by knowingly using illegally obtained information or is he considered a tool or implement of a grand scheme where Belicheck is solely responsible? In most cases knowingly using something illegal makes you guilty as the person who obtained it.

I am not 100% sure myself if Tom Brady should be punished. What is your opinion?

 

[rexrobinson]

Just to add, I bet that the Commish asked what players knew about this and he jumped on the grenade to prevent collateral damage.

If this is the case I suppose there wouldn't be enough evidence to do much of anything to the players.

But I still think Brady should fry! LOL

 

[theogt]

I'm sure when they radio'd into him that the opponent was running a cover 2, he ignored.

 

[rexrobinson]

I'm sure when they radio'd into him that the opponent was running a cover 2, he ignored.

LOL, I am sure it played out like this,

BB: "Tom, we decrytped the first half signals, they are in a cover 2."

TB: "COACH BELICHECK! I refuse to engage in illegal activities with your contraband"

BB: "Tom, quit being a wuss and adjust your receivers routes already"

TB: "Cheating is not my style man, just ask my girlfriends!"

 

[Da Hammer]

there is no freakin doubt he knew!!! he better not even try to say he did not!

 

[rexrobinson]

there is no freakin doubt he knew!!! he better not even try to say he did not!

Oh I am 100% sure he is knew about it and is guilty for using illegally obtained information (kind of like inside trading tips).

I just don't know if he should be punished for it. My Devil side says he needs to be fined and suspended 4 games, my angel side says Belicheck took the bullet for the team.

I dunno though, if your caught using insider information in the stock market you get in a heap of trouble and I see a parallel here.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Guilty accomplice!

 

[Cochese]

Oh I am 100% sure he is knew about it and is guilty for using illegally obtained information (kind of like inside trading tips).

I just don't know if he should be punished for it. My Devil side says he needs to be fined and suspended 4 games, my angel side says Belicheck took the bullet for the team.

If you punish Brady you have to start going down the line and punishing people like snitch Mangini who undoubtedly knew what was going on when he was on the staff and parlayed it into a head coaching job. As well as folks like Romeo Crennel and Weis. You start going after people like Brady, you have to go after them all.

 

[rexrobinson]

If you punish Brady you have to start going down the line and punishing people like snitch Mangini who undoubtedly knew what was going on when he was on the staff and parlayed it into a head coaching job. As well as folks like Romeo Crennel and Weis. You start going after people like Brady, you have to go after them all.

Take em all down!

 

[ZeroClub]

"I was just following orders."

 

[rexrobinson]

"I was just following orders."

lol I think thats the "Code Red Defense" used in "A Few Good Men"

 

[Cochese]

Its actually known as the Nuremburg defense.

 

[peplaw06]

You can't convince me that anyone in the Pats organization was completely unaware of this situation. I bet the janitors were eavesdropping in the locker rooms.

Not to mention players, coaches, Kraft, Pioli, other front office types. It was an employee of their's operating the camera!!!

 

[rexrobinson]

You can't convince me that anyone in the Pats organization was completely unaware of this situation. I bet the janitors were eavesdropping in the locker rooms.

Not to mention players, coaches, Kraft, Pioli, other front office types. It was an employee of their's operating the camera!!!

I think that is exactly why the punishment does not fit the crime. The draft pick could hurt, but they have two first round picks next year anyhow so its not like really getting killed by this as an organization.

The coach is getting a pretty harsh financial penalty but this really should of been a garrote of the organization for having such a cavalier attitude about cheating from top to bottom.

P.S. take away the janitors mops and give em toothbrushes.

 

[Rampage]

he will be simpley just a dead qb after Anthony "the hitman" Spencer gets to him

 

[dallasfan]

What was Brady supposed to do? I can fault Bellichick b/c if I were him, I wouldn't video tape hand signals. I can fault the assistant coaches because they Bellichick can't do this alone, he needs the asst. and play callers to be onboard.

I can't fault Brady though. If you O-coordinator tells you to adjust the protection cause a weak side blitz is coming, are you gonna ignore it? No cause it'll get you killed, and hurt the team.

IMO, Brady was kinda caught in a bind like Martha Stewart. If a friend tells you the stock is gonna crash tommorrow, are you leaving all your money in just to do the right thing? Ofcourse not.

 

[rexrobinson]

What was Brady supposed to do? I can fault Bellichick b/c if I were him, I wouldn't video tape hand signals. I can fault the assistant coaches because they Bellichick can't do this alone, he needs the asst. and play callers to be onboard.

I can't fault Brady though. If you O-coordinator tells you to adjust the protection cause a weak side blitz is coming, are you gonna ignore it? No cause it'll get you killed, and hurt the team.

IMO, Brady was kinda caught in a bind like Martha Stewart. If a friend tells you the stock is gonna crash tommorrow, are you leaving all your money in just to do the right thing? Ofcourse not.

Very good point and thats why I am torn on if he should be punished or not.

My problem with this is using something illegal regardless if your the one who obtained it is still illegal. I think you lose all deniability when you have known about the process for years.

 

[dooomsday]

You want the truth? You can't handle the truth. You need Tom on that wall!

Hey, I wonder who syped on the opposing cheerleaders change room! I want that job!

 

[AtlCB]

Whether Brady was involved or not, you still have to wonder how good he is now. Most quarterbacks could also play extremely well when the coaching staff calls the right play to counter the defense. Brady might still be a top 10 quarterback, but I do not consider him elite any longer. He has to prove he can do it without the coaching staff cheating.

 

[rexrobinson]

You want the truth? You can't handle the truth. You need Tom on that wall!

Hey, I wonder who syped on the opposing cheerleaders change room! I want that job!

good stuff!