Patriots accused of taping Rams before the 2002 Super Bowl

[Tha Posse]

FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Pats deny report that worker filmed Rams before XXXVI

[SuperFan99]

I would love to see Belicheat called before congress . . . so he could perjure himself. The fact that writers gave him coach of the year makes me sick. I don't care if you've been undefeated for 10 years straight, he f(@#* cheated . . . And you really believe the Jets game was the first time he tried videotaping another team?

We're all smarter than that . . .

[Cap'nChaos47]

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??

[Rajmahal33]

I don't think its relevant what they actually videotaped, or how they used it. It's a matter of breaking a rule...one that isn't nitpicky or subjective. It's pretty freaking blatant and well-defined. Don't use any form of unsanctioned surveillance against your opponent to gain intelligence about the team's strategies or discussions. I dont think if it could be proven that the patriots did film the rams walk-through, that they could justify it as an accident or claim that it was harmless.

Therefore, it shouldn't be up for debate if what they did was actually that bad, but rather the debate should be how to substantiate the claim and if it is in fact true, what should the repercussions be. I think its pretty clear that the pats organization (with Belichick at the helm) may have been doing this quite often and they just happened to get caught earlier this year against the jets. Merryl Hodge suggested that they should be stripped of that first superbowl crown in this case and I tend to agree with this. (Mainly b/c i think they would have had an unjust competitive advantage. They were 14 point underdogs and the game was decided by a last minute FG that was allowed to happen by stopping the most potent offense in NFL history at the time).

[Defensewins]

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.

[Darrell_Green_28]

i say whether or not the cheating had anything to do with the out come of the game, its still breaking the rules and should be disciplined harshly. As I heard earlier someone on espn comparing it to, if you go to rob a bank but dont get away with it you still attempted to rob the bank. If you go to a casino and cheat and lose and get caught you still are gonna get punished, as if you would cheat and win big... ITS STILL CHEATING... no matter what the final outcome was. if they wanted to tape they should have followed the rules as to how it can be done.

[Kronz21]

Strip them of the Superbowl!! JK! Who cares, everybody scouts and videotapes their opponents in some way or another. I went to DeMatha and knew Coach Morgan Wootten very well and he used to sell his offensive play book. He said it doesn't matter if they know our plays it is how you run your plays. Be precise, efficient, and do your job. I still hate the Pats because they are so smug and run the score up on people.

[Darrell_Green_28]

Still though.... FOLLOW THE RULES ON DOING IT....

[MTK]

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.

[TheSmurfs22]

The timing is quite interesting. I doubt it will get to the Pats though.
It will be interesting to see this unfolds after tonight's game. If they did cheat then they should be punished, just as any team should.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

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.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Cap'nChaos47

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?

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

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.

[SFREDSKIN]

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

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

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.