New England CHEATING.

[Clint]

They had a guy on the sideline videotaping the other team's hand signals from the defense coach to the players.

Presumably they were then using it to figure out what play would be coming next. Since that would take some time it wouldn't help them during this game but next time they played, New England would know what the defense was going to do each play.

Also who knows how long theyve been doing this

[eazye76]

I really don't think this is a very big deal. Stealing signals IS NOT against the rules. The rule they broke was using electronic equipment to steal signs. This has happened before w/ the Dodgers and Giants, and also more recently with Ozzie Guillen(White Sox) accused some other team of mounting a camera in the scoreboard to record signals.
Also I think it's important to note that ex-players in the media not only think it's no big deal, but also state that everybody does this. The only reason the Pats got caught was b/c The Jets orginization(Mangini) had inside information, and knew what to look for. This issue also surfaced in a Green Bay game last year and nobody even reported it. The reason this Pats/Jets thing is such huge news is b/c of the Pats/Jets, Belichick/Mangini, Boston/NY issues, and the fact that the NY media is involved.
Also, the outcome of the game should not be changed. The Jets got their ass kicked. The Pats wern't stealing offensive signals, and Pennington/Clemmons could do nothing. Ellis Hobbs got them 7 pts on Special Teams, and Moss simply torched the Jets secondary. The Detroit Lions have been strongly accused of doing this stuff in the past, how has it worked out for them?
The Pats are fucking loaded, and are the best team in the league - with or without video equipment.

[Metalhead]

I'd say it's rediculous that this is a big deal. Stealling signals isnt' really going to help you win games, by the time you figure out what the other coach called the play will be on.

[TravelinMonty]

1. they should definitely forfeit the game to the jets
2. they should be stripped of the Lombardis
3. Belichick should be banned from the NFL because he is a cheater and he has eaten his own children(at least according to one unverified report on wikipedia)

Either that or Belichick should have to be the Jets' waterboy.

[Dan0]

Come On. Do yall think that this hasn't gone on for a long long time. I remember George Allen sending a guy to Dallas to spy Tom Landry and the DaBoys from a hotel room across the street from the DaBoys training facility. This type of stuff is gone on for a looooooooooooong time.

(Man am I showing my age)

[TheBonger]

Originally Posted by Dan0

Come On. Do yall think that this hasn't gone on for a long long time. I remember George Allen sending a guy to Dallas to spy Tom Landry and the DaBoys from a hotel room across the street from the DaBoys training facility. This type of stuff is gone on for a looooooooooooong time.

(Man am I showing my age)

murder,rape,prostituion all have been around for a LONG LONG time, does that make them any less wrong?

[eazye76]

Originally Posted by TheBonger

murder,rape,prostituion all have been around for a LONG LONG time, does that make them any less wrong?

It doesn't make it right, but if it's been going on for a long time, it's obviously acceptable by society's standard.
Also murder and rape are light years away from "cheating" in a football game. A better analogy would be Sammy Sosa's corked bat, or George Brett's pine tar incident, both of which were punished by the league.

[TheBonger]

Originally Posted by eazye76

It doesn't make it right, but if it's been going on for a long time, it's obviously acceptable by society's standard.
Also murder and rape are light years away from "cheating" in a football game. A better analogy would be Sammy Sosa's corked bat, or George Brett's pine tar incident, both of which were punished by the league.

no they wouldnt make for a better analogy because my point has nothing to do with comparing rape and murder too cheating in a football. What it does have something to do with is the fact that just because something has been going for a long time does not mean it is not wrong or unacceptable. Murder and Rape have been happening for a long time and are definitely not acceptable. Cheating has been happening for a long time and is definitely not acceptable.


Also your first line is complete rubbish, just because something has been going on a long time does not make it acceptable by society's standard. Lets think before we type.

[Severn]

Media makes things a lot worse than what they are. I don't see fans foaming at the mouth about this. In the end you still have to play the game. This is what I call the "sports balance". Baseball steals signs like crazy and not much happens yet they are the hit hard when it comes to steroids (even tho' track and field is way dirtier).

Football goes overboard with the signal stealing yet steroids is brushed aside. Shawne Merriman gets busted and suspended for steroids in 2006 yet still plays in the 2006 playoffs and pro-bowl.

It's all bullshit.

[pa99fighter]

they should have forfeited the win b/c the only reason they won it is b/c they picked apart the jets defense and now we know why. im not sayin they cant beat the jets but they cheated