Patriots punished

by JasonB on Sep 14, 2007 12:20 AM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

Today commissioner Goodell handed down the Patriots' punishment for cheating. Needless to say, the punishment was heavy.

New England coach Bill Belichick was fined the NFL maximum of $500,000 Thursday and the Patriots were ordered to pay $250,000 for spying on an opponent's defensive signals.

The commissioner also ordered the team to give up next year's first-round draft choice if it reaches the playoffs and second- and third-round picks if it doesn't.

A first round pick! I have a feeling that's the last time any team skirts the rules and films an opponents' signals... However, I did have to scratch my head in a bit in reading the article on Yahoo! Sports about the punishment. Tell me if you can spot what's wrong here.

Yeah that's a picture of McNabb next to the story. Let's look further down the story...

Another McNabb pic! I would have thought that maybe a picture of Belichick or Brady or you know... any Patriot might have made more sense? LOL! Who knows? I just thought it was kinda funny.

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Need more info

I hope the stat guys at footballoutsiders and elsewhere keep on this story. If the evidence suggests that the Patriots of the Belichick era have been significantly more productive on offense after the half or in the second meeting against a division rival or, as Sheldon Brown has suggested, more apt to throw the short pass against the blitz, it would have a huge impact on my opinion of the team's accomplishments. At this point, I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I am also willing to follow where the evidence leads. The question of whether Tom Brady is among the top clutch quarterbacks of all time or a sixth round pick who cheated his way to the top hangs in the balance.

by dave in san mateo on Sep 14, 2007 1:05 AM EDT reply actions

2nd half

The score was tied 7-7 at halftime, but I remember feeling that the Eagles looked very overmatched in the 2nd half. While no one but the Cheatriots or Belicheat can say if they were cheating in that game, nothing from the game itself would make think it was impossible. Either way, I lost respect for the Patriots that day. For a team that's supposed to be so classy, I thought they acted like a bunch of assholes, although I guess that's partly Motormouth Freddie Mitchell's fault.

But what about Superbowl 38? They coughed 19 4th quarter points to a Panthers team that I thought the Pats were clearly better than.

It's time now to seal the deal. -- Donnie Mac

by BrianS on Sep 14, 2007 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions

A good start

Given that the Pats only got caught the one time... pending further investigation... the punishment does not seem excessive. IMHO Goodell did enough to show he takes it dead serious and put an asterisk on Belichick's career.

Bleeding Green Nation

by Dire Radiant on Sep 14, 2007 6:47 AM EDT reply actions

One time

I certainly imagine that this was standard operating procedure for the Patriots (and perhaps a few other teams in the league). That's why the league instituted a new rule against it, why the league specifically emphasized compliance with this rule at the beginning of the season, why Mangini knew to look for it, and why Belichick seemed to think it was not that big of a deal (saying that it has to do with the interpretation of the rule).

I think those who ask why the Pats did this against the Jets at this time (early in the season against a team that they (the Pats) seem far superior to) don't get this part of the story. What there is of evidence seems to suggest that this is how the Pats were doing business for forever. The reason the Pats got caught this Sunday is that Mangini, knowing for sure for the first time (based on the new rule) that the league was going to care, had the guts to turn them in.

The real question is how effective the practice is. Given that it's such an inexact science (given that the signal givers know they are being at least watched and potentially taped I bet the signals are extremely well disguised), I bet the main reason why most teams didn't do this in the past is because it wasn't worth their time or effort. Belichick seems to have had a different opinion.

by dave in san mateo on Sep 14, 2007 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

not strong enough

the punishment was fairly strict but does not do any justice, specifically this year because the Pats have TWO 1st rd picks, they own San Fran's as well. I think the money was right but they should have lost the 1st and 2nd if they make the playoffs and the 2nd and 3rd. THAT would keep anyone from attempting to do something like that again.

by PhisheadPSU on Sep 14, 2007 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Forfeit

How can they not have to forfeit the "win" against the Jets? They were caught red-handed cheating during the game!

This isn't over...if the Jets miss the playoffs by 1 win, this argument is going to come right back to the surface.

It's time now to seal the deal. -- Donnie Mac

by BrianS on Sep 14, 2007 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

Not Harsh Enough

Does this really hurt the Cheats I mean Pats.
I wanted a forfeit and much more. Honestly I think its a joke.
Wade Wilson got a five game suspension for something that effected his team in no way.

The bigger issue to me is investigating whether this was the only way this team cheated. There are lots of rumors out there and this gives plenty of reason to believe this was the tip of the iceberg.

Its pretty disgusting to think that they may have cheated us out of even one play in 3 point loss in the Bowl.

Attach the Asterisk

The road to victory

by jaybird13 on Sep 14, 2007 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

Agree/disagree

While I also think they should have forfeited that first game, I do admit that the loss of a first round pick is no small punishment.

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by JasonB on Sep 14, 2007 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

How does this really affect them?

They already had two first round picks anyway so losing a first rounder puts them in the same situation that most teams are in anyway at the end of the year.
Also, I really think handing down these little fines is virtually useless. Bill Belicheat can handle a $500,000 fine. Did fines deter Chad Johnson from his TD celebrations? They were like chump change to him. That's why handing down a penalty in-game therefore hurting the team makes more sense because nobody wants to self-destruct their own team (T.O. i know).
All in all, I don't think this affects the Pats enough. Who knows, the punishment might be so light that they could end up winning more superbowls, given they use their remaining first rounder properly.
By the way, those pictures make no sense. The only time they mention the Eagles is when Reno Mahe says he wants to exchange the ring... Reno Mahe!! The man who was unemployed until a few days ago.

by dawkfan20 on Sep 14, 2007 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

Well, I hope the Patriots are actually hurt

the most by the fact that NO ONE except their blind fans will ever think of them again in the same revered manner. It's now easy to think of them as a team who don't deserve anything they ever got. And why hasn't there been any attention on Tom Brady who must have known what was going on? I never like Belichick AT ALL but actually thought Brady was on the up and up. No more.

by lbg on Sep 14, 2007 1:53 PM EDT reply actions