So Matty Walsh has his big sit-down with the Grand Poobah tomorrow, where the Spygate case will go in one of two directions: it either ends or goes onward, assuming what Roger Goodell thinks about these offensive tapes that were turned in. And though there are reasons to think that more needs to be gleaned from this case, such as how much did Bill Belichick try to hide the fact he was hiding, and what did he tell Walsh (directly or indirectly) what he wanted to get on film, there also is a prevailing thought that not much else will come from this case.
I guess what I wonder is if Goodell knew the taping was happening going back to 2000, when Belichick was first head coach there, would he have upped the penalty? Makes you wonder if the Patriots would have Jerod Mayo, you know?
But right now, it's all speculation. Maybe more answers will come out of tomorrow's sessin. But I suspect after those answers come out, when we refer to Spygate it will be in the past tense from now on. If we can't call the case closed, its final chapter might be very close.
Comments (5)
Eric:
It seems to me that, as often occurs with these scandals, the cover-up (by the Commissioner) is worse than the crime. When the integrity of the game is at stake, a thorough investigation MUST be undertaken and the results of that inquiry MUST be communicated to the public. Just a few little tidbits would be nice, such as:
1.) Who in the Patriots organization knew about the taping?
2.) How many games were taped? How were the tapes processed? Who reviewed them and passed information to which, if any, players?
3.) Did anyone in the organization object to the cheating? Were they silenced, either with threats or rewards?
4. Were any records (tapes, notes, e-mails, film, etc,) saved, or destroyed, as a result of Spygate being made public?
5.) Particularly with respect to the Pittsburgh playoff game, why tape it at all? A year is long time in the NFL. Pittsburgh might have a new coach or offensive playbook. Was there a competitive advantage realized by the Patriots as a result of taping this playoff game?
I have few hundred other questions about this scandal but the NFL should be asking the questions? Just recall the disaster that befell Major League Baseball when it tried to cover-up the steroid scandal. The Truth Shall Set You Free!
Posted by Rob from Baltimore | May 12, 2008 5:49 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 17:49
Rob from Baltimore--
I suggest that you google "Patriots video" and read the results. You will then have answers to all of your questions. EVERY question that you asked has been answered. Don't get caught up in the media spin propogated by an agenda-driven senator **cough** Comcast **cough** and the legion of Patriots haters who don't like it that the Patriots have been so good for so long.
Your answers--
1.) Who in the Patriots organization knew about the taping?
Bill Belichick, his coaches and the video department. This has been reported.
2.) How many games were taped? How were the tapes processed? Who reviewed them and passed information to which, if any, players?
All of the games were taped from 2000 until the first game of the 2007 season. An employee would tape the opposing signals and then would review them and make notes that were put into a database.
3.) Did anyone in the organization object to the cheating? Were they silenced, either with threats or rewards?
Bill Belichick has said publicly on many occasions that he believed the practice was within the rules. Nobody "objected" because nobody in the organization believed that it was "cheating".
4. Were any records (tapes, notes, e-mails, film, etc,) saved, or destroyed, as a result of Spygate being made public?
It has been reported that the Patriots turned over all materials related to sideline videotaping and certified in writing that they had turned over everything. The league then destroyed those tapes and notes to ensure that nobody would use them again.
5.) Particularly with respect to the Pittsburgh playoff game, why tape it at all? A year is long time in the NFL. Pittsburgh might have a new coach or offensive playbook. Was there a competitive advantage realized by the Patriots as a result of taping this playoff game?
Bill Belichick has addressed this. He said that on a scale of 1 to 100, that the advantage gained registered a 1. The Steelers have issued a statement saying that they believe the outcomes of the games to be legitimate and consider the taping to be a "non-factor".
Posted by Jom Jomson | May 12, 2008 7:51 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 19:51
Hi Rob from Baltimore, I'm Dave from Brooklyn. If you really believe those answers, then I own a bridge that you might like to buy.
Posted by PatsFan33 | May 13, 2008 7:20 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 07:20
bill belicheater should be fired and banned from the nfl asap. his cheating could possibly have changed the outcome of some games.(remember pete rose) i understand that some other nfl teams do the same, but he got caught. the nfl needs to finally step up and do the right thing and make an example of him and show other coaches that cheating(bottom line that is what it is) will not be tolerated. for the nfl to say they have found nothing new in the recent release of tapes is a joke. the patriots should be solely responsible for paying for this investigation, instead of us taxpayers. BBB = ban bill belicheater
Posted by Thomas W. Hollefreund | May 13, 2008 12:12 PM
Posted on May 13, 2008 12:12
Thomas W. HolleFRAUD,
Your a moron.
Posted by kazman | May 14, 2008 1:07 PM
Posted on May 14, 2008 13:07