NFL fines Belichick, punishes Pats for spying New England coach hit with $500,000 fine, team to lose draft picks
NEW YORK - 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.
Commissioner Roger Goodell 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.
I've been a Patriots fan ever since I was a kid and they were the Boston Patriots. When Robert Kraft (who went to my high school a few years before I did) reneged on his promise to bring the team here to Connecticut, I had some doubts about whether they still deserved my support. Then, when our corrupt Governor John Rowland (who's in the wrestling hall of fame - but that's another disgusting story) went to prison, I came to believe that Rowland was the reason the deal fell through and not Kraft. Subsequently, I read David Halberstam's biography of Belichick and had a new respect for his coaching talent. Well now my loyalty has been severely challenged. I don't care if this type of behavior is rampant in the league - that's no excuse. It's the same as in amateur sports - if you win by skirting the rules, then you haven't really won. I realize that in professional sports the end is more likely to justify the means than in the supposedly more pure realm of amateur competition, but sport is sport. It's not war. It's not life and death. It's a friggin' game. The fact that it's also big business doesn't change a thing. If anything, that makes the offense even more despicable. By cheating, you're not just stealing glory, you're stealing money by gaining an unfair advantage. It's absolutely no different than insider trading.
My idealistic view of sport has suffered yet another blow. I'm ashamed of the team I stood by, even when they went 2-14.
I've been a Patriots fan ever since I was a kid and they were the Boston Patriots.
Crap, I remember that. My first exposure (right around the time you hit 40) was 1968. I listened a lot to the radio, and read the sports page everyday (I was eight and a bit of a strange child), and heard nothing but positive things. They would do well during the exhibition season too. Then the season would start and they would get crushed. Nonetheless, I have always had a soft spot for the Patriots.
I don't think this is that bad. I mean....its against the rules I know. I just wonder how much they really benefit from this. If they benefited optimally (they have the other team's plays down pat and can counter), its a lot worse than what I think they are really capable to use it for.
I could be completely wrong, and I am very disappointed. I just don't hate them that much for this.
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"Ok Class. Today we will learn 'downward dog' to 'full bring'
I don't think this is that bad. I mean....its against the rules I know. I just wonder how much they really benefit from this. If they benefited optimally (they have the other team's plays down pat and can counter), its a lot worse than what I think they are really capable to use it for.
I could be completely wrong, and I am very disappointed. I just don't hate them that much for this.
I don't hate them (or you, Grips ). As I said, it's only a game. The only people they really hurt were the Jets, who were robbed of a fairly played game that they probably would have lost anyway, and the fans, who saw some excellent football which maybe wasn't quite as excellent as it appeared. Like you, I'm very disappointed.
Dan Marino on INSIDE THE NFL basically said it would be a huge advantage for the quarterback to know things like what coverage the defense was in or if a blitz was coming or not.
I believe this could definitely impact the outcome of the game.
I also read that the league sent out a special reminder to all teams and coaches reminding and warning them about breaking rules such as these.
I'm eager to see if Belichik accepts responsibilty or if he claims he didn't know it is going on of that it wasn't against the rules.
Pats Get Whacked 
). As I said, it's only a game. The only people they really hurt were the Jets, who were robbed of a fairly played game that they probably would have lost anyway, and the fans, who saw some excellent football which maybe wasn't quite as excellent as it appeared. Like you, I'm very disappointed.
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