Spygate Options

[Hartmann]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor...&id=3386223

Belichick should be fired. If I cheated at my job I'd be let go immediately.

I don't know why Specter has to get involved though... Just let the league handle it.

[cmac]

i don't consider it cheating. far from it.
just using the available resources to succeed.
everyone likes to hate on people/teams that are successful.

[impala454]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor...&id=3386223

Belichick should be fired. If I cheated at my job I'd be let go immediately.

I dunno I don't really see how you could equate a sports team cheating to cheating at your job. What could you do at your job that'd be equivalent? Besides, say they fire him. Then what? You ban him from the NFL too? For something that probably every other team in the league has done and just not gotten caught. Honestly I think it's a stupid rule in the first place, and the new defensive captain helmet radio rule will completely remove the possibilities of it happening in the future anyways.

I don't know why Specter has to get involved though... Just let the league handle it.

Because he wants press? He's trying to turn it into his own little mitchell report. The problem/stupid thing is, videotaping a football team is not against federal law. For some reason he seems to think NFL rules are within his jurisdiction.

[Hartmann]

i don't consider it cheating. far from it.
just using the available resources to succeed.
everyone likes to hate on people/teams that are successful.

Except that in this case it is against the rules.

"There isn't a team in the league that doesn't try to steal signals [but] I haven't heard about teams recording footage like the Patriots were," said one longtime NFL assistant coach. "But you can bet everybody is trying to steal in some way. In fact, you can go to any NFL game and you'll find some coach whose sole job is to look for defensive signals."

Added one NFC personnel director: "What the Patriots did is extremely rare because it's against the rules. It's one of those things that if it's not Bill Belichick involved, you wonder if the coach survives something like that. What is more normal is something like a guy sitting in a press box trying to steal signs by looking at the coaches. That's why the home team usually has its back to the press box when they're in their own stadium."

They broke a rule that had been clearly laid out by Goodell. Breaking a rule = cheating.

[Mommy]

i have to agree with Stephan on this one.

[chook]

Do you know what rule was broken or are directors making up rules as they go?

Its a kangaroo court anyways.

[impala454]

They broke a rule that had been clearly laid out by Goodell. Breaking a rule = cheating.

I didn't say it wasn't cheating. We aren't arguing whether or not it was. We're arguing about what the punishment should be. You say he should be fired, I don't think he should. I don't see it as a big deal, and the new rule change eliminates it. I added that I think it's a stupid rule, and stupid rules tend to not be enforced as much.

[Hartmann]

I didn't say it wasn't cheating. We aren't arguing whether or not it was. We're arguing about what the punishment should be. You say he should be fired, I don't think he should. I don't see it as a big deal, and the new rule change eliminates it. I added that I think it's a stupid rule, and stupid rules tend to not be enforced as much.

I was talking more about cmac's reply, I didn't see yours when I replied.

[cmac]

yeah, i don't think it's cheating. rule or no rule.

[Hartmann]

yeah, i don't think it's cheating. rule or no rule.

So when people break any rule (marco polo, by opening their eyes) it isn't cheating? Or is it just this case?

[cmac]

i guess a foul in basketball is considered breaking a rule, but i don't consider it cheating.
offsides in football is breaking a rule, but not cheating.
it's legal to use your eyes to look at an opponents signs, just not video them? makes no sense.
sign stealing goes on in all sports and it's very common knowledge that it happens. so use it to your advantage.

[Hartmann]

i guess a foul in basketball is considered breaking a rule, but i don't consider it cheating.
offsides in football is breaking a rule, but not cheating.
it's legal to use your eyes to look at an opponents signs, just not video them? makes no sense.
sign stealing goes on in all sports and it's very common knowledge that it happens. so use it to your advantage.

It's cheating but you don't see it that way in basketball because it is dealt with accordingly. A foul is seen and possession changes or free throws are taken. If people were allowed to violate the rules it would be cheating.

[Oasis]

Except that in this case it is against the rules.
They broke a rule that had been clearly laid out by Goodell. Breaking a rule = cheating.

Not to nitpick, but the rule was instated when Tagliabue was commissioner, not Godell

[Oasis]

I see spygate in the same manner I see steroids. Something everyone did, no one talked about, and the Patriots just happened to be dumb/unlucky enough to get caught. Cheating?....yes. A clear competitive advantage?....not so much

Regardless, Arlen fucking Specter should keep his nose out of it. It's the NFL's business, not his

[impala454]

i guess a foul in basketball is considered breaking a rule, but i don't consider it cheating.
offsides in football is breaking a rule, but not cheating.

A foul in basketball isn't against the rules, it's part of the rules. Same with offsides in football.