Who else thinks the NE Patriots Cheated?

NFL fines Belichick; Patriots lose pick

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070914/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_nfl_spying

This cheating story just isn't going to end here. Take a look at what Patriots coach Belichick said again: We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress. Had he left off the 'while the game was in progress,' I would take him at his word.

But as it stands, the next question is 'Have you used a sideline video at any time to gain a competitive advantage?' Based on Belichick's clever parsing of words, my guess is they have done this more than once. The guy doing the filming isn't an intern or some kid they have in training. This is their operation. They have done this before.

Just my opinion.

but, I find it hard to believe most teams don't do similar.

Probably a lot of teams try to get a leg up on their opponent's play calls and audiblees. The difference here is that they had a paid guy on staff illegally taping the other team's coach. That is NOT normal. Not at all. And they have been reported over this (by Green Bay) previously.

they probably just are more subtle than the Patriots. I've heard a few interviews with college coaches that used to be assistants in the NFL and they all said it was common practice...

If so, then someone needs to come down hard and clean that stuff up. Its cheating and there's no place in football (or any sport) for that kind of stuff.

For videotaping on the sidelines during the same game? Interesting that the media ignores this 'Inconvenient Truth' along with everyone else with an anti-Patriots agenda:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=60970

Photographic proof that the Jets 'cheated' the same way the Patriots did, in the very same game. All teams do this, the Pats were simply singled out because they are the fashionable whipping boys of the NFL and the fans of other teams.

bookmarked fo sho!

It happens in Chicago all the time. For example the local ABC affiliate will have a local crew on the sidelines during the game for standups for the game recap show. Even if a Fox, CBS or NBC game.

All is fair in war. We won, that's the important thing. Freedom requires bending a few rules.

and it ain't even 7am yet. Cheers

It is entirely possible for someone to sit there and take notes and get all the signs. It is the videotaping of it that is against the rules. Which makes me wonder why they bothered videotaping it.
He also said he wouldn't be at all surprised if it was discovered every team is doing it. I have to admit. I have a hard time believing that only one team in the NFL is breaking the rules. Not that the Patriots shouldn't be punished mind you. Just that I think assuming everyone else is pure is probably a tad naive.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6927466&mesg_id=6927794

This thread features screen shots from the same game, establishing the presence of a Jets employee filming the NE Patriots defensive line when they are out on the field. Interestingly, it's OK for the Jets to do it, but not the Patriots.

Football is more complex than baseball. And for baseball, its possible to change the signals before every game if you wanted to. For football, once you know a team's key signals, you have a huge advantage against that team until they find out.

Dateline: Phila.
The Eagles have now discovered that there was taping of their regular season games against the Patriots for the past SIX seasons!

Apparently the Pats cheated their way to 3 Super Bowls because Jet's Coach Mangini, stated "we did it all the time in my 6 years there". WEll...THAT 6 years covers the Super Bowl Dynasty era. HMMMmmmmmmm?

This one's for YOU, Will Pitt:


Mother FECKIN' C*ck Suckin' CHEAT-UHS !!!!!!!!!!!!

:puke: :puke: :puke:

When you can't beat the team on the field, simply tear them down for something that most if not all teams have done.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6927466&mesg_id=6927794

I can understand other teams' fans frustration. It must suck to lose to the Patriots constantly. Anything that helps them justify their losses...

that every team "spies" (or should that be "spys"? anyway...) in one way or another. There was another article that someone posted, I think it was from espn (not sure) about how in the past teams would take some rather defensive measures in case there were spies out there...like covering their mouth while yelling in case the other team had lip readers, and on another team one coach used to send people out to the woods to scout the area for spies while the team was practicing. Either way, I don't understand why learning the other teams signals is such a bad thing. And I'm not a football fan....that's the hubbie.

just like when somebody tests positive for steroids and the coach and the owner profess their shock.

The reason teams try to steal signals is because it makes a huge difference in the game.

Against the Colts, for example, its common sense to try to listen to what Peyton Manning is yelling and make a mental note of it for the next time you hear it. Everyone does that.

Videotaping is different. That's isn't aggressive effort, that's cheating.

It's one thing to visually swipe a signal and maybe get a general outline for a defensive play or two of the opposition, but when you take the trouble to videotape these signals, where replays and closeups go well beyond the naked eye in deciphering the strategy, you have achieved a new low in tactics.

The NFL fined that overrated hack (genius my ass) Belichick, and the organization for a very valid reason. LaDainian Tomlinson was correct when he stated that the Patriots had no class. Of course, he apologized for that remark, which proves he has all the class New England lacks.

Hmmmm?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6927466&mesg_id=6927794

Please comment, thanks ;-)

hrumph!

The Pats just got caught.

Check out this subthread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6927466&mesg_id=6927794

What did they know and when did they know it? This is a real can of worms, pal.

Inquiring minds want to know. Did Belichick plan to meet with his coaches and watch the Jets' signals for future reference? What were they going to do with the video?

The funny part is the outrage, or lack thereof from the various sides.

That's why it matters. If he were the coach of the Houston Texans, we would not be having this discussion.

punishment.

On the one hand, you gotta impose a penalty. On the other hand, it makes the entire league look bad if you make a big deal of it.

We'll see where it goes as far as backlash and legacy.

?t=1189729796





Careful what you wish for, expect fans to find more examples over the next few weeks of teams 'cheating' the same way the Patriots did. I'm sure they will all be fined and lose draft picks, too. Yeah, right.

that the reason the other team knocks the snot out of my beloved packers is because the other team cheated.
It is never because the other team has a better offense (or maybe even a running back?????)
or because our defense did not cover shit...
Its because the other team cheated....
My Packers should win every game every year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The big can of worms is-now that the question of cheating has come up----can those folks who bet larger sums om money than they should have, be able to get their money back from the sports books?

I think what they did was stupid. But, i honestly don't believe that one can steal a signal, decode it, decide what play to run with that defense in place, communicate to the QB, get the team out of the huddle, to the line and snap the ball in 30 seconds.

So, i think this was a rule violation, but i don't think it's cheating because i doubt it would actually have any practical value. Sort of stealing signs to make oneself feel good, but i think it would be AWFULLY hard to actually use the information.
The Professor

If you know the other team is blitzing on a play, it would be pretty simple to let your QB know to run a screen.

I agree with you that its more of a blunt object. You aren't going to base your whole offense around waiting to get the other guy's signal on every play. That just isn't practical.

But just the info about the blitzing can change a game instantly.

I'd just like to see every other team doing it be fined as well. It doesn't take anything away from their skill as players and coaches in my opinion.

he hoped they would make them replay all those games the Steelers lost to em. :rofl: