Why would Belichik do this???

The Patriots are the model NFL franchise period. They don't overpay. The are workmanlike. The have three SB victories in the last six years. Why would they do this??? Does anybody think that this tactic was that essential to the genius of Belichik that he just couldn't do without it?? He seems to have risked his reputation. Why??? Could this have been a bigger advantage than even the media has even realized? How long has this been going on?

it is actually a really smart thing. but i dont think this is why he is a good coach at all.

Everyone tries to bend the rules as much as possible (taking advantage of every loophole) without breaking them. Belichick took it a bit too far. I doubt he misunderstood the rules as he claims.

I think it's kind of messed up though how Mangini was allegedly part of all this while he was there, and then he just rats out BB.

All I gotta say is Gibbs three SB victories with three diff. QB's kicks the shit outtta Belichik's three SB victories with an elite QB and some cheating shennanigans tomfoolery and ballyhoo going on!!!

I have heard a lot of excuses from media types about how this is blown out of proportion because it isn't much of an advantage or that it couldn't be used much in game because of the play clock. That is BS. This is the freaking NFL. These guys live the game. They can glance at a formation and tell precisely what 3 plays the team can run out of it without even thinking. I believe strongly that they had the ability to tape and decipher in a relatively easy fashion. And to contend that it didn't give them much of an advantage is is silly. In this league the difference between 12-4 and 4-12 is probably 20 plays a year for many teams. A minute advantage takes an incomplete pass or sack and turns it into a 20 yard pass. The knowledge gained, while potentially very small in scope, has huge advantages. Tell every QB in the league exactly what play the D is running and where the pressure will be and that QB will run up 40 points on the D plain and simple. The NFL today is about play deception. The strategies are just so complex and exhaustive now that they essentially counter balance each on on D and O. The last bastion of strategic advantage is in disguise and deception. Take that away and that team is going to get beat.

I think it's kind of messed up though how Mangini was allegedly part of all this while he was there, and then he just rats out BB.

Well he is gaining an advantage by doing it. I guess he learned from the best.

The "It really didn't give them that much of an edge" defense begs the question "Then why take the chance". "After you got caught in Green Bay." "And when you're playing a guy who knows about the scam and doesn't get along very well with your Head Coach these days." "And after the league sent out a memo on this very topic which everyone knows was directed largely at you." It seems to me the Patriots viewed the information they were gleaning as absolutely essential and necessary.

The Patriots are the model NFL franchise period. They don't overpay. The are workmanlike. The have three SB victories in the last six years. Why would they do this??? Does anybody think that this tactic was that essential to the genius of Belichik that he just couldn't do without it?? He seems to have risked his reputation. Why??? Could this have been a bigger advantage than even the media has even realized? How long has this been going on?

Is it dumb that he did this because of how good the Patriots are? Or are the Patriots this good (for all the reasons you stated) because he's done stuff like this?

It's the ol' "Chicken or Egg" debate. Personally I've always sided with the chicken.

I think everyone does...some less overtly than others...I pretty much view it as paying for recruits in college...