Patriots accused of taping Rams before the 2002 Super Bowl

This thing is getting silly. So they taped them running a slant. Then a stop and go. Then a running play. You do not think they already have all the game film of them running these exact plays but in game conditions. NFL teams do not reinvent the wheel each time they take the field. Before a game you know every play each team runs and you even prepare for the plays they do not run.
The Woodward and Bernstein's need to take a deep breath. This does not raise to the level of taking away a SB crown away. I think this has more to do with the hate for the Patriots by certain fans and press. They can not stand seeing another team do well.

I think your wrong. If the tape was of no value, then why bother to go the trouble of acquiring it. It's like someone breaks into a house, steals a load of stuff and then says, "But this stuff isn't even worth that much!" Knowing what plays a team runs in a walkthrough and the order they run them in would be a huge advantage for someone calling a defense.

I've watched my opponents game film since I was 10 years old.... I'm having a hard time understanding what type of filming is not allowed and if that's the case - why is other filming permitted??


You don't see the difference between filming a game where there are 75,000 people in attendance and another 15 million watching on TV on the one hand and filming a closed practice on the other?

You really have to wonder about the timing of this latest accusation. I don't doubt that it possibly happened, Mort was on the radio this morning saying that he already knew about it but he didn't have any concrete leads and that's why the story didn't break earlier in the year.

I love what Greg Aiello had to say. He basically said, "Well, this tape wasn't in the batch we confiscated and the Patriots say they didn't do it, so case closed." This cheating culture that was (is?) rampant in Boston is inconveniencing everyone's cash grab, so they all look the other way. Just like the baseball owners and the media pretended they had never heard of steroids during Sosa and McGuire's HR shootout.

If someone ever filmed George Allen's teams (being how paranoid he was) especially the Cowboys. He would of personally kicked Bellichick's ass.

This thing is getting silly. So they taped them running a slant. Then a stop and go. Then a running play. You do not think they already have all the game film of them running these exact plays but in game conditions. NFL teams do not reinvent the wheel each time they take the field. Before a game you know every play each team runs and you even prepare for the plays they do not run.
The Woodward and Bernstein's need to take a deep breath. This does not raise to the level of taking away a SB crown away. I think this has more to do with the hate for the Patriots by certain fans and press. They can not stand seeing another team do well.

I know you're schtick is to defend Belichick and the Pats, but this kind of espionage (if it took place) definitely deserves condemnation and harsh sanctions. Filming a team's walkthroughs (i.e., the plays they will run the next day) gives a great competitive advantage. As someone else noted, why in the hell would Belichick risk getting hit with severe sanctions if it gave him no advantage? Either you think Belichick is a dumbass and risked a great deal for nothing, or you're not being totally honest with yourself.

Also, the notion that fans can't stand seeing another team doing well is unfounded. I had no problem with the Colts marching towards a perfect season and I wanted them to do it. Why? I have respect for Manning and Dungy. I and so many others have a serious problem with the Pats winning. Why? Maybe that's something you need to think about.

The following is an excerpt from PFT.com:

IF WALSH HAS VIDEO, BELICHICK DONE FOR A YEAR

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that, if it turns out that former Patriots employee Matt Walsh has in possession video of the Rams' final walk-through practice from Super Bowl XXXVI, New England head coach Bill Belichick will be suspended.

For a year.

The following is an excerpt from PFT.com:

IF WALSH HAS VIDEO, BELICHICK DONE FOR A YEAR

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that, if it turns out that former Patriots employee Matt Walsh has in possession video of the Rams' final walk-through practice from Super Bowl XXXVI, New England head coach Bill Belichick will be suspended.

For a year.

I was just over there checking their coverage as well. God I hope this guy has the tape. I hope he kept it and mailed it to himself registered mail. Please God!

Of course the Patsys have issued an unequivocal denial, so if the tape exists, doesn't Kraft have to send Belichik down the road?

The following is an excerpt from PFT.com:

IF WALSH HAS VIDEO, BELICHICK DONE FOR A YEAR

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that, if it turns out that former Patriots employee Matt Walsh has in possession video of the Rams' final walk-through practice from Super Bowl XXXVI, New England head coach Bill Belichick will be suspended.

For a year.Merrill Hoge was even stronger last night on ESPN. He said that if the evidence turns up, The Pats should be stripped of their first Super Bowl. At minimum, it would always carry an asterisk.

I personally think that Belichick should be banned for life if these recent allegations are true. Admittedly, I hate Belichick, so I am a little biased but hear me out.

Belichick already used videotapes to gain an unfair competitive advantage, despite being repeatedly forewarned that using videotapes to steal opponents' signals was against league rules. Belichick was sanctioned only with regard to the 2007 "spygate" incident (e.g., videotaping the Jets signals). Belichick was NOT sanctioned for all espionage activities involving "illegal" us of videotapes. Moreover, Goodell warned Belichick that he would face additional, draconian sanctions if Belichick did not disclose all incidents/evidence relating to the "illegal" use of videotapes.

If these recent allegations are true, Belichick defied the Commissioner. Moreover, Belichick will have used videotaping to gain a competitive advantage in the most important game in the league. In short, the guy cheated and gave a big middle finger to Goodell. If Pete Rose gets a life ban for gambling on games because such gambling MIGHT lead to cheating, why shouldn't Belichick get banned for life for actually cheating and defying the Commissioner's orders?

Merrill Hoge was even stronger last night on ESPN. He said that if the evidence turns up, The Pats should be stripped of their first Super Bowl. At minimum, it would always carry an asterisk.

Sal was reporting what will happen to the Pats, not what he'd like to see happen to the Pats.