As if the Patriots needed more help.
After a hugely active offseason that included New England's acquisition of former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas and former Oakland Raiders wideout Randy Moss, arguably the most respected franchise of the last decade has been accused of stealing defensive signals.
How unbelievably stupid.
There is only one incident that rivals this one in its utter idiocy. After a decent season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, GM extraordinaire Kevin McHale tried to secretly and illegally sign power forward Joe Smith to a reported seven-year, $86-million contract on a napkin. After learning of this, Commissioner David Stern fined the team $3.5 million and took away its first-round draft picks for five years.
As illegal as that was, the Patriots' behavior is much worse, and the punishment should fit the crime. The penalty handed down from Commissioner Goodell is, as of now, far too lenient.
Fines are worthless punishments, and they do not affect the team at all. Fining the Patriots $250,000 is about as powerful as sending Lindsay Lohan to rehab. The Patriots will still be an outstanding team, and Lohan will continue to stumble around Hollywood like the spoiled druggie she is.
Belichick's behavior in this case is as despicable as any similar case in modern sports. His actions compromise the integrity of the game, and there is no greater crime in the world of sports. Fining Belichick $500,000 is a nice touch, and he deserves to pay every penny of it. If the Patriots make the playoffs - and they will - they are set to lose one first round draft pick, which is likely to be in the late 20s at the earliest.
Did Goodell forget that the Patriots own the rights to the San Francisco 49ers' first round pick in 2008, a pick likely to be in the top 10? At the very least, the Patriots should be fined an amount that would substantially damage their ability to sign free agents in the foreseeable future, as well as forfeit multiple first round picks. This would damage the team in the short and long run, and it would be absolutely justified in its severity.
The actions Belichick seemingly instituted and supported are completely
unacceptable, and he has the audacity to claim that his actions had and have no effect on the outcome of games.
Are you kidding me? Is he that stupid? How can he possibly say that stealing signals doesn't affect the outcome of games?
Some members of the 2005 NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles are justifiably asking questions about how the Patriots seemed to always know when defensive coordinator Jim Johnson was calling for a blitz. And how, when that blitz was called, Tom Brady magically knew to throw a screen pass. Maybe after the Patriots gained 45 yards in the first quarter, Belichick went to his friend on the sideline and asked for a little inside information. Maybe it's a coincidence, but the Patriots gained 286 yards over the next three quarters to win Super Bowl XXXIX.
Bill Belichick is widely regarded as a coaching genius, the football equivalent to Phil Jackson or Tony La Russa. If he had the help of an extra cameraman - and it looks like he did - he shouldn't be held in any higher regard than Mike Tice. The New England Patriots have won three out of the last six Super Bowls. Do their titles now need the proverbial cheater's asterisk?
Unfortunately, yes.
What a complete waste. His team had, has and will continue to have, the talent to be among the great dynasties in NFL history. It's a damn shame Belichick ruined it.
