The NFL has a lot of information to sort through. There are new allegations that Adam 'Pacman' Jones may have paid for a club to be shot up. One of their 'character players' Marvin Harrison is under investigation. Cedric Benson is possibly involved in a police brutality dispute and now there are eight tapes to watch and pass judgement on.
The NFL has confirmed to the New York Times that Matt Walsh has given Roger Goodell tapes in which offensive and defensive signals in regular season games against the Bills, Chargers, Browns and Dolphins. The tapes also include the 2002 AFC Championship game against the Steelers.
Absent from the tapes is the elusive walk-through of the Rams before their Super Bowl match up with the Pats.
There are a few things one needs to analyze in all of this.
The first question is whether or not the Patriots and Belichick came clean to Goodell about these tapes during the first investigation. If the tapes provided by Walsh are duplicates of the "destroyed evidence" than this will all be water under the bridge. If these tapes, however, turn out to be new information not disclosed by the Patriots, owner Robert Kraft or Belichick than Goodell will be steaming.
The NFL Commissioner seems to be forgiving for those who are honest and work with him. It is only after he finds out that players have not been fully honest with him does he allow the full power of the league to come down on the individuals. If these tapes are new to Goodell and the Patriots did not disclose the information to the NFL than look for more punishment.
Let's say that these tapes are new to Goodell...how do you punish a team for actions taken back in 2000 or 2002? Certainly there would be more fines and a demand for a public apology to all the fans of the NFL. I believe fines are enough and I do not believe they will be as high as the first round of fines. The major issue in the original SpyGate was the blatant disregard for a memo sent by the league reminding coaches of the rule before the start of last season.
If there is proof that the Pats taped the Rams' walk-through than there is a completely different situation. If that is the case I do not think that the league would have any other choice than to suspend Belichick for at least a year, maybe more. He would have directly compromised the league's biggest game and blatantly disregarded any integrity of the game.
While these tapes will lead to allegations and much debate over what the league knew, how much the tapes effected championships and proper punishments. The only thing the tapes will prove is that the Pats had an advantage for many games throughout the dynasty. We now know that this wasn't a new practice when the Jets game occurred last season.
It may also bring into question the resumes of Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel. They were considered the next generation of genius. Weis' offense was incredible and Crennel's defense impeccable. it must be a lot easier to run an offense and defense if you know where to position players or what play the opposing team is running. This might be a big deal in light of the struggles both have had since they left New England. Will this bring more pressure on the Weis to restore the Irish or Crennel to prove that last year was not, in fact, a fluke.
No matter what comes of thee tapes people will grow to hate the Patriots and their coach even more. The Super Bowl winning pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress will seem sweeter, stabbing the smug sweatshirt bearer in the heart. Pittsburgh fans will be in open revolt against the league and Tom Brady will be burnt if effigy. With the Yankees taking on a new moniker of rebuilding their farm system, there is no doubt that the "Evil Empire" has been relocated.
The very same city and sportswriters who painted the Yankees as a heartless corporation epitomizing the worst in sports must now face the fact that the Patriots have done more to hurt the game and in a fashion more evil that the Yankees could ever had done. Belicheck is the Emperor; spinning his web of deception and consolidating his power. His apprentice, the young Anakin Skywalker has to be played by Tom Brady. A man of incredible talent and whom everyone loved when he won his first Super Bowl has been transformed into a "win at all cost", run up the score, we're out to crush you player. Brady has even started to resemble his coach during his press conference exuding an arrogance unmatched.
It's hard to remember sometimes that Belicheck is even human. He carries himself with a machine like precision. He stands in front of the mic every week in open revolt of public opinion. Normally,a cast off of concern over public opinion would delight me, but Belichick doesn't care about public opinion because he knows better, he doesn't care because he will not let anything stand in his way. It's at times like those that I'm reminded that the coach is human because he can let greed and hubris compel him to not care what it takes or who or what he harms to be a champion.
There is no doubt that the Patriot's championships will be looked upon under suspicion and that is unfortunate for the many hard working players who won their championship playing with heart and passion.
Of course balance needs to be restored to the force. Obi-Wan and Luke need to finish the job. The wise Obi-Wan, who has a complete grasp of the force has taught his younger student the ways to take down the Evil Empire. A young, naive hero. Sounds like the Manning brothers to me.
With two straight Super Bowl MVPs and a humility rarely seen in today's NFL the Manning brothers have given fans something to cheer about (was there anyone West of New England who did not delight in the underdog Giants on February 3rd?). They can continue the Patriot's Super Bowl drought and take on Tom Brady's newly minted records. And if they need help, they can always count on the maverick Cowboy character of Hans Solo, or in this case Tony Romo and the sexy Princess Leia (in this case dyed blonde hair and curvier)
If the going gets really tough, then maybe, just maybe a Return of the Jedi would be in order and Number 4 would throw his hat into the ring.
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from 8 days ago
The tapes are not new. It has just amazed me how no matter what comes up, people don't want to let this story go. We have Goodell on record months ago saying he has known about Belichik taping signals going back to when he was with the Browns. We have quotes from Goodell that if it is just taping signals, this is nothing new, and the Patriots were already punished by that. But now everyone who hoped Walsh had the goods on new england, can't just let it go. you can't just move on. this is the end of it. Matt walsh and his lawyer led on the public for months, they allowed rumors to circulate that he had a tape of a walk through, when all he had to do back in february was issue a statement saying he didnt have it. this is a complete joke, and everyone who hoped that the liar and thief walsh had the goods on new england should feel stupid today. it is time to move on. and if you think the patriots are that evil, you need to get a life and grow up. taping signals is against the rules, but it was widespread and many teams acted in a similar fashion to the patriots. former head coach Jimmy Johnson, from an interview he did with WFAN Sept. 29, 2007 said of taping signals, "I did it with video and so did a lot of other teams in the league. Just to make sure that you could study it and take your time, because you're going to play the other team the second time around. But a lot of coaches did it, this was commonplace." are we going to investigate the Cowboy super bowl teams? and i find it funny the same guy who wrote an article about clemens getting into the hall of fame eventually, decided with the patriots and taping of defensive signals it was time to climb on top your high horse.
from 8 days ago
Stew-Fantastic points about those that have done it (taping signals) in the past and I agree whole heartedly with you on this one. I couldn't have said it better myself.
@ Shawn-Looks like you've already made up your mind in that the Pats and Bellichick are guilty. Not much more I can add to that that Stew hasn't already covered. With that said, and being honest, I did think that the Star Wars spin offs were a neat addition to the article....even if I don't agree with them ;)
from 2 days ago
com'on man, they actually had a system in place in which they had people specifically on the payroll delibrately to video & inform the players during the next game the play. (Matt Walsh & Ernie Adams for two) I use to think Coach B was the best adjustment coach I'd ever seen in any sport & I am crushed. He looked lost in the 2nd half of the superbowl. No tapes for help. He insulted your intelligence & mine by stating he misunderstood the rules...He lied & still hasn't admitted it as of yet. As Parcell stated he was a dedicated but margin coach prior to the 2000 era when he took over the Patriots. When did the taping start...2000!!! Goodell stated 2006-07 was the only year. He lied to protect the game. I would be fine if they truly apologized & the punishment fit the crime. Remember when the NBA timberwolves got court paying players under the table. No First round pick for 3 years!!! The Patriots should have atleast been forced to give up both of their 1st picks this year. But "No" they picked # 7 who cares from who they received it from & to fine a Billion $$ Franchise $750k is like fining me & you $1k so where's the punishment. I heard Kraft even gave Coach B a raise to cover the fine. If you are truly a football fan please face the facts they have tainted the game in more ways then one. Are they still a great team? Yes! Would have they won some of those close games in the superbowl or playoffs to get the 3 they won? maybe not.
from 8 days ago
The whole article is based on the whether or not it's new evidence. "Let's say that these tapes are new to Goodell..." Goodell never came out and with a definitive list of what he knew or was told. He may have known.
I am just citing that if it is new to Goodell and he believed that the Pats disclosed all info, then they would have lied to him. An action which Goodell would punish.
The second half of the article points out, I believe, one of your complaints. That even if this isn't new information people will still be upset about it and hate the Pats. The Patriots wills continue to be looked upon as arrogant. I do not think people's main hatred of them stems from the tapes, but their attitude in public and at press conferences.
Not trying to get on a high horse. Just trying to make some points. It is easier for fans to cheer for the Manning brothers, Favre and Romo. The Patriots have grown to symbolize a lot in people's minds. They are the bad guys causing fans to cross "team lines" and root for anyone against them, even a Steelers fan pulling for Peyton of a Giants fan cheering Romo.
I never said Clemens should be in the Hall of Fame...just that I thought he will eventually be forgiven. Forgiveness doesn't turn horribly wrong actions or decisions in the right ones, it just admits he's human and in his later years people will choose to look upon a changed man in a new light.
from 8 days ago
People will always hate the Pats, just like people will always hate the Cowboys, the Redskins, the 49ers, etc. etc. I just figured that you had them pinned as guilty already seeing how you classified both Brady and Belichick as "arrogant". Can you blame these guys for not like the press-the same press that digs up dirt on their teammates and colleagues and drags their name through the mud? So, becuase they don't like the press they're arrogant? Now, I'm certainly not knocking you for your opinion, I'm just saying that calling them arrogant because they don't like the press might be a bit harsh......?
from 8 days ago
Not liking the press is one thing, but it's the way they come across to the public through their press conferences, or the way Belichick refuses to shake some opponents hands or how they run up the score. Belichick is the greatest coach in the league and Brady will be ever involved in the Greatest QB of our time debate, but their arrogance isn't seen by them not liking the press, but the smug comments and actions which we've seen. Be sure to know that I respect them and rooted for them in all of their Super Bowl wins, including over the Eagles. Now me and many of my Giant's fan friends would gladly chose to root for Philadelphia, something changed in the public perception.
from 8 days ago
Shawn you say you rooted for the Pats when they were winning all their superbowls but now you and your friends who are Giants fans would root for Philly does that mean your a Giants fan now that the Giants are superbowl winners?
from 8 days ago
No,I've always been a Giants fan. I simply rooted for the Pats in the Super Bowls versus the Rams, Eagles and Panthers
from 7 days ago
It is amazing how ignorant people are to this whole spygate ordeal. Taping signals is legal from certain points in a stadium, just not on the sideline, where the Patriots did it. Mangini was bittter about the Week 1 loss, and knew he could get Belichick for his taping methods. This whole thing is ridiculous. The Patriots got a BS fine losing their first round pick, all because Goodell is friends with the Patriot's owner Robert Kraft. He had to come down heavy on Belichick and New England, or his "enforcer" reputation since he has been named commssioner would have been ruined. The Patriots couldn't have used the information they obtained until the second meeting with a team that season, and even then, signals get changed. You can't mean to tell me or any Patriot's fan that this information could benefit you in the same game, which is seemingly the perception at this point.
Let me set the record straight on two things:
1) Arlen Specter- He is a bitter Eagles fan! Yes, I use the word bitter again. That is because the Patriots beat you and your beloved team's ass. Join the gigantic group of people who hate the Pats for the most simple reason of them all... they are better than you! Not to mention Specter's Comcast affiliation.
2) Matt Walsh- Two words. Personal benefit. Name in the paper. Making people think you actually have new information.... And what better time to put up this smoke screen than Super Bowl week. Do the math, it's laying right out in front of you. He never had a walkthrough, and he had to have told Tomase he did, there would have never been the Boston Herald article if he didn't.
from 7 days ago
Two follow-up questions I have: If the Patriots thought it was "okay" to tape signals before the Superbowl, what makes it not right to tape signals for the Superbowl? And would they really stop the practice that they had done for so long?....
Shawn you are right about the Pats perception. Many neutral fans or fairweather fans now don't see the Patriots in a favorable light...It has cost the franchise lots of money and the stigma will be with them for a long time.
from 7 days ago
The Patriots played the Rams in the regular season before meeting with them again in the Superbowl. I think it is safe to say they got more from those tapes than they did if they were to tape the Superbowl itself. There are coaches with binoculars in the stands who have the job of reading packages coming into the game and things of that nature. They also help the head coach get an idea of what the other coach is going to do. Every team has a coach or coaches like this. This is part of the game. Calling this "cheating" isn't even warranted. They BROKE A RULE!!! Cheating was a word introduced by the media as repriscocity toward Belichick for giving them such great interviews and telling details for their stories and reports ( lol ) .... They filmed the sidelines from an angle they weren't supposed to. THEY BROKE A RULE!!!!! There is no way that the Patriots should have lost their first round pick and teams that have been proven tampering get a lesser penalty. It is an absolutely ludicrous concept. Videotaping a game and expecting to be able to decipher that amount of information for your benefit in the SAME game is ridiculous. There is simply too much information.
Matt Walsh did this to get his name in the paper. Arlen Specter is in Comcast's pocket and vise versa. There was a blow up between the media and the NFL over the last regular season game and the fact that NFL Network was the only channel that was broadcasting the game. Don't tell me affiliations had nothing to do with Arlen Specter's motives. Besides that, the man is an Eagles fan! The Patriots beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Specter is an absolute joke. Walsh is a headline-seeking joke who had no further evidence on Belichick. There are no more "new" tapes, and Belichick has already told the commissioner what he has and hasn't done. Wait until Tuesday, hold your breath. That way all of you who actually think there is going to be news will suffocate and we needn't hear from you anymore. This is by far the most over-blown, over-hyped, over- analyzed sports story in history. Personal distaste for a certain person, player or team has clouded the judgment of almost all NFL fans not from New England. This story and its proceeding elements have allowed all the people who had their precious teams beaten down by the football machine that is the New England Patriots a chance to vent their frustrations and give every excuse imaginable to why their teams lost. You want to know why you lost? Plain and simple, the Patriots are better than you. Now quit your drama-stirring about Matt Walsh and Arlen Specter and heed my advice rather than LT's. If you ain't bitchin', you ain't losin'.
from 7 days ago
How many fans will be brainwashed by the NFL ?
This is such a political coverup its beyond reality.
The PAtriots were penalized for the things they did in the Jet GAME..PERIOD !
That is clearly stated in the NBC interview of Goodell
on NBC.
Then LATER..... the tapes back to 2000 came out...
The NFL is trying to attach the Jet violations to the tapes back to 2000 as all under the same violation ...
Nice try NFL...were not all brainwashed idiots here.
The tapes to 2000 were seen and destroyed AFTER the penalties were enforced !
Goodell is trying to make it all go away for the sake of the almighty dollar.
This story has nothing to do with the Rams walkthru fantasy tape as the NFL is trying to put a spin on now.
But the fact that the NFL had tapes...destroyed them and NEVER even mentioned anything about them until it was leaked.
Then Goodell acted as if he knew about them.
The key is he destroyed the tapes ..WHY ?
They are blowing off the tapes from Walsh now the same way ? Get the picture ?
Its all a crock of BS and corruption by Goodell and the high powered NFL owners....!
Further violations should be enforced ...but the NFL is in bed with New England and is one big family of owners who care more about money then justice...
from 7 days ago
Every team does this type of stuff. It's just a part of the game now ( videotaping I mean). The Ram's walkthrough story came from an article written in the Boston Herald by John Tomase. He said an unnamed source told him Matt Walsh possessed a tape of the Rams walkthrough. He obviously doesn't have it, or we would have heard about it by now. That is where the Ram's walkthrough business came from. Tomase is being ripped in Boston right now for this and so is the Herald. There is no more to talk about with spygate. It really is a non-issue. Belichick told Goodell what he had and hadn't done already. Do you think he would risk anymore penaltys and not tell Goodell everything? No, and there is no more to tell. There are no new tapes, and no walkthrough.
from 4 days ago
It's possible there is a cover-up.
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