Belichick is Coach of the Year

Where is the integrity in the NFL? 16-0 is hands down the best coach-of-the-year bullet on a resume and I understand it would be difficult to discount that fact in the voting.

Yes, without a doubt, Gibbs should have been considered. With all the adversity the Skins faced this season, more than any other team they needed leadership and Gibbs provided it more than admirably. And to land a playoff spot when most pre-season predictions said the Skins would finish sub .500 only leads to that credence. That is the only reason McCarthy was second in the voting. Sports writers simply projected an 8-8 season for Green Bay and they exceeded expectations. Well so did the Redskins under MUCH more adverse conditions than that of Green Bay. No disrespect to Mike McCarthy intended.

But I asked where is the integrity? When a player breaks the rules in the regular season, he is NOT allowed to attend the Pro Bowl no matter what his accomplishments. Then WHY oh WHY is a coach, who is CAUGHT cheating even considered for this honor.

Another indication of exactly WHO Roger Goodell really works for...the owners. Not for the players.

Where is the integrity in the NFL? 16-0 is hands down the best coach-of-the-year bullet on a resume and I understand it would be difficult to discount that fact in the voting.

Yes, without a doubt, Gibbs should have been considered. With all the adversity the Skins faced this season, more than any other team they needed leadership and Gibbs provided it more than admirably. And to land a playoff spot when most pre-season predictions said the Skins would finish sub .500 only leads to that credence. That is the only reason McCarthy was second in the voting. Sports writers simply projected an 8-8 season for Green Bay and they exceeded expectations. Well so did the Redskins under MUCH more adverse conditions than that of Green Bay. No disrespect to Mike McCarthy intended.

But I asked where is the integrity? When a player breaks the rules in the regular season, he is NOT allowed to attend the Pro Bowl no matter what his accomplishments. Then WHY oh WHY is a coach, who is CAUGHT cheating even considered for this honor.

Another indication of exactly WHO Roger Goodell really works for...the owners. Not for the players.

Did Shawne Merriman make the Pro Bowl last season? I forget, honestly.

As for Belichick, I think in his defense these spying issues were at the beginning of the year and really did not affect this year, which is what he's being honored for.

On the flip side, how much of their success can really be attributed to Belichick? Hard to say I guess. In the end though, you can't beat 16-0 and I have no problem with him being recognized for it.

Did Shawne Merriman make the Pro Bowl last season? I forget, honestly.I'm pretty sure Merriman made the Pro Bowl and was either 2nd or 3rd in voting for Defensive player of the year, but that was before the rule was in place.

I'd love to know what Bill Simmons thinks of this because he was so against Merriman making the Pro Bowl or being considered for the D.P.O.Y. award last year. I imagine that he'll try to spin it by saying something like either knowingly breaking the rules by video taping the other team isn't on par with using performance enhancers or that coaches shouldn't be held to the same standards that players are.

Did Shawne Merriman make the Pro Bowl last season? I forget, honestly.

As for Belichick, I think in his defense these spying issues were at the beginning of the year and really did not affect this year, which is what he's being honored for.

On the flip side, how much of their success can really be attributed to Belichick? Hard to say I guess. In the end though, you can't beat 16-0 and I have no problem with him being recognized for it.

I think this spying stuff is blown way out of proportion. As was stated over and over in print & on tv what BB was doing was being done by many teams but the unwritten code of the NFL was dont ask, dont tell. The Jets coach broke that code and the media latched onto a story.

Did BB cheat? Sure, but so were most other teams. Its much to-do over nothing.

I think BB tries not to be liked and tries not to become friends with other teams and coaches. Its much easier to beat up on a team that you don't like rather than a friend across the field from you. Back in the days players hated other team players and you can see that when they enterview these old timers on TV. They talk about wanting to knock the guys head off and thing like that. Today the players and coaches all come out and hugh and stuff before the game. Its hard to want and knock some ones head off after just being buddy buddy with them.

Just because other teams might do it doesn't make what the Patriots did any more right or acceptable.

I think what really irks people is the way Belichick dealt with the aftermath of the situation. He wasn't apologetic and was his usual standoff-ish self.

I think this spying stuff is blown way out of proportion. As was stated over and over in print & on tv what BB was doing was being done by many teams but the unwritten code of the NFL was dont ask, dont tell. The Jets coach broke that code and the media latched onto a story.

Did BB cheat? Sure, but so were most other teams. Its much to-do over nothing.

BB and the Pats knew it was wrong, had been advised (like all other teams) that it was illegal, and yet he did it? Why would a "genius" like BB risk severe sanctions, the tarnishment of his reputation, etc. unless there was some competitive advantage to be gained? And most former QBs on TV (e.g., Steve Young, Cris Collinsworth, Boomer Esiason, etc.) said that knowing the defensive signals would be HUGE. If you were a QB and you knew when and how a disguised blitz is coming, wouldn't you be at an advantage. If you knew whether a RB needed to stay in to block or go run a route, wouldn't that be an advantage? If you could adjust your wideouts routes at the LOS based on knowing the coverage, would that not give you an advantage?

Also, I have yet to hear anything about other teams videotaping the signals. If you have inside info that other teams are doing as much, please share.

BB and the Pats knew it was wrong, had been advised (like all other teams) that it was illegal, and yet he did it? Why would a "genius" like BB risk severe sanctions, the tarnishment of his reputation, etc. unless there was some competitive advantage to be gained? And most former QBs on TV (e.g., Steve Young, Cris Collinsworth, Boomer Esiason, etc.) said that knowing the defensive signals would be HUGE. If you were a QB and you knew when and how a disguised blitz is coming, wouldn't you be at an advantage. If you knew whether a RB needed to stay in to block or go run a route, wouldn't that be an advantage? If you could adjust your wideouts routes at the LOS based on knowing the coverage, would that not give you an advantage?

Also, I have yet to hear anything about other teams videotaping the signals. If you have inside info that other teams are doing as much, please share.

What severe sanctions? They lost a first round draft pick and BB had to pay a fine. Big deal. I really dont think BB's rep is tarnished at all. If he had little to no success this scandal would be all he's known for but his huge success will in the end make this taping scandal a mere footnote.

I guess knowing the signals would be huge if you assume those signals never change. I suspect they change quite often.

I heard the discussions about about other teams taping on various sports shows (mostly ESPN) and in some papers. I dont have any inside info.

How is sacrificing a first round pick not severe? It should have been more severe, but it's still severe.

As for other teams doing it, the common sentiment is that many teams have done it. When an opposing coach gets wind of it they tell the offending coach to stop...and he does. No league officials get involved. The difference in this case is that BB supposedly been told on more than one occassion to stop, but didn't. And that Mangini broke an unwritten rule by going to the league with it.

As for other teams doing it, the common sentiment is that many teams have done it. When an opposing coach gets wind of it they tell the offending coach to stop...and he does. No league officials get involved. The difference in this case is that BB supposedly been told on more than one occassion to stop, but didn't. And that Mangini broke an unwritten rule by going to the league with it.

Thanks for the explanation. I wasn't aware of those unwritten rules. I don't understand why Mangini is getting pissed on violating an unwritten rule by going to the league when BB was violating an unwritten rule by continuing to tape after being told not to.