.. as for them cheating u cant say they really cheated because 1) how were they gonna use the tapes in the futures its not like they used the video during the game and cheated. they simplyed recorded the video to get information about there oppentens. dont all nfl teams do this. if u actually know wutz going on in the locker room all teams have video of other teams playing but this is done from a far point of view where u cant cleary but still kinda able to see the coaches from the other teams. i would recommed u listen to espn radio because they alwayz bring up good points.
1). how did they use the tapes against there oppenents.
2). u call the pats a cheater when almost every team trys to find a edge against other teams via be taping, photographs, audio tampering, etc..... (so isnt a single person who cant deny that the pats are the only one who tried to get the advantage) they just happen to get caught while other teams didnt.
Fact 1: In the 2007 NFL
Game Operations Manual, it states, "No video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game...All video shooting locations must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead."
Fact 2: The New England Patriots videotaped the New York Jets' defensive coaches' signals during a September 9, 2007 game from
a sideline location, an act deemed by the NFL Commissioner to be in violation of league rules as stipulated above. We now know this to be a fact by virtue of Bill Belichick's acceptance of the $500,000 fine for his culpability in this incident, as well as the Patriots organization's acceptance of their $250,000 fine and the docking of one of their 1st round selections in the 2008 draft.
If this act was indeed ever in dispute, then certainly Belichick and the organization would have greatly contested this punishment to exonerate themselves of this accusation. But they did not.
Look, first of all - and I will re-state this again as I've done before:
Nobody disputes the facts that other teams look at tapes to study their opponents. We get that. They make tapes for study and preparation for future games against that same team.
Tell you what, I'll even
grant you the argument that
all teams cheat: In a September 2006 memorandum sent out by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson ...
all teams were told that "videotaping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches' booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game. (source:
www.boston.com).
So if this memo had to be circulated to all the teams around the league as far back as September 2006, then this kind of videotaping activity between teams must have been either rampant or at least problematic enough to merit attention.
But here's the thing: Belichick and the Patriots still saw fit to continue this practice in September 2007, a whole year
after this advisory was sent out. They disregarded the memo and they circumvented the rules by conducting videotaping practices in unauthorized areas. They did it in a manner in which the kind of information procured by filming in a closer proximity and strategic location gave the Patriots an
unfair advantage against teams that adhered to the stipulated rules of videotaping. It makes no difference whether it was or wasn't used during the game or even if it was filmed for use in future games. If signals can be changed from game to game, then why bother taping illegally close or legally from afar like they were supposed to like every other team?
The fact of the matter is that the Patriots saw fit to circumvent the rules and tape up close because of the implied belief that there is a distinct advantage to be gained by doing so. This can be the only reason. Why else would you risk penalty and punishment in covertly operating this way unless you were just stupid? If this isn't what you would call cheating, then I don't know what it is.
So sure, other teams make videotapes of their own for study. Maybe they even specifically focus their cameras to capture hand signals the best they can.
But they are doing it within the rules and guidelines set by the NFL. There is no "catching other teams also cheating" because they are videotaping within the specified rules. In this regard, there is a distinct line drawn where teams should not cross - and for the most part, the lack of other cheating allegations indicates that most teams tow this fine line. But the Patriots - well, they went ahead and crossed that line for themselves.
Are there other teams that have crossed that line like the Patriots? Sure, perhaps. Or maybe not.
But one high draft pick,$750,000, and tons of negative publicity later, you'd think New England would have a lot to gripe about for being played as the scapegoat in a supposed league of cheaters. But they haven't reversed the fire and make allegations about other teams being guilty of the same things they've perpetrated.
I wonder why that is?
Posted 16 May 2008 - 09:14 PM
