Okay so it just recently broke out after the New England Patriots and the New York Jets game, that the New England Patriots have been cheating by having someone going onto the opposing teams sideline and recording the opposing teams strategy. He would then signal to the other side what the play would be. Supposedly they have been doing this for some time. As of the moment the coach has been fined $500,000 and the team gets docked $250,000. They will also lose a first day choice in the NFL draft next season. If they make the playoffs it will be a first round pick they lose. If they don't get to playoffs, they lose there second and third round picks.

It's no secret that each side constantly tries to read the other teams play calling. By hand signals and by looking at the sidelines and by codes yelled out on the field, etc. But to have someone secretly go on the other teams sideline and record there strategy it's a shame. The NFL commisioner recently sent a statement to the New England Patriots thats says the following. "This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field."-Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner).

What if the New England Patriots never had this going on? Would they have won the 2001,2003,and 2004 Super Bowls? They definately had the edge since they new what the other team was planning.

What is your take on this fiasco?

As my favourite team, I'm ashamed. But they're still my favourite. I don't think they cheated their way through every superbowl, though. If I'm not mistaken wasn't belichick in trouble before because the patriots supposedly traded off a player to another team, and that player was giving all the secrets back to the patriots. It's been a while, I forget exactly.

Anyway, it is shaming. There is no honour in cheating to win, but a heck of a lot of money.

Well one way to describe the pats is they were not the most talented football team they were not the fastest or the strongest but they are smartest football team. I always agreed with that, the only player i see that have talent on the Pats roster is Brady and moss everybody else is average to good at best.

Who knows besides Belichick and whoever was involved if they been doing this for years or recently after their superbowl wins. There is also people saying the Pats go beyond that they steal playbooks, and jam opposing teams offensive signals from coach to QB in Foxboro (now thats clever). I have to say that it puts Belichick credibility in a vulnerable position as a head coach but we all know we would want Belichick too coach our favorite teams in a heart beat.

I also think he was not punished enough taking picks is more punishing the organization then Belichick. We know Belichick can get any guy with decent skills out of nowhere to play good, he can easily get a free agent or an undrafted guy too do what he wants. He should of got fined more and suspended.

I have to wonder how long this has been going on why in the hell they would use rule-breaking spy tactics against the Jets for God's sake. Lets face it, now is not the time to be screwing around in the NFL. Fans were rocked when the Micheal Vick dog fighting scandal hit the press and crushed when Bills tight end Kevin Everett suffered a life-threatening spinal chord injury.

I also think that since the league has now clearly defined the rules regarding use of video for spying purposes we won't be seeing this type of behavior out of Bill Belichick anytime soon. With $500,000 and $250,000 fines for coach and team and the draft pick penalties NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear that it will not be tolerated.

Coach Dungy speaks out........

Dungy Calls Patriots Spying Scandal "Sad Day for the NFL"

Sep 14, 2007 02:21 PM
More on WISHTV.com
NFL Fines Belichick; Patriots Lose Pick

INDIANAPOLIS - Colts coach Tony Dungy calls the New England Patriots spying scandal a "sad day for the NFL."

Dungy says the Patriots' use of a video camera to spy on opposing coaches overshadows the 99% good things coming out of the league.

But he wouldn't say whether he thought the spying tarnished the Patriots' reputation or whether it affected his opinion of New England coach Bill Belichick.

The Colts and Patriots have had one of the NFL's most intense rivalries in recent years. The Colts have won the last three games, including the AFC championship game last season.

clicky

It happens more than we realize guys. They just got caught that's all. Think about it.

You're absolutely right. Who really knows how long it's been going on and what teams have been cheating, as well as to what degree. It's a known fact that every team is constnatly looking at the opposing teams sideline for a gesture, yell or hand call. And there are other minor ways to cheat that are deemed suitable in the NFL. But to go to the other teams sideline and to steal play books is a disgrace. I think the Patriots are a good team. But when you know every play the other team will make, how can you not be good? Bilicheck is a great coach. I think it was just terrible judgement on his part. There have been leeks that other teams thought that the Patriots were doing this since 2001. But again, who knows? This is the first known case of a team being penalized for spying on the other teams plays.

I am glad that Roger Goodell has imposed the punishment he has. I think he has been fair and just. So far even though his methods were questioned at first, he has done well as commissioner.

Ah every sport cheats, that's what people look for when they watch because to them it's fun.

sports are boring, if they don't cheat, you'll fall asleep hahahaha

They all do it, even the people that are suppose to stop them from it. hahahaha

Since Roger Goodell has stepped in as commissioner, he has enforced the rules very well and has tried his best to keep an equal playing advantage. As for everyone knowing about the cheating. The line stopped at Billicheck. The owners of the Patriots did not know this kind of cheating was going on. Thats why The coach was fined and not the owners.

Exactly. I'm glad you thought about my post and seem to understand what I was saying.

{Shantiel - nice, informative posts }

Patriot's owner Kraft extends coach Billicheks contract 'til 2013 after he was caught cheating. not known how much but if you compare it to Ravens coach Brian Billick that signed an extension this year for $28.5 million over five years; Bears coach Lovie Smith received nearly $23.5 million for his extension!?

NBC's sports commentater/announcer Colins says "Its not enough of a punishment for Billichek"

Do you think this will really prevent cheating in the NFL? A 1st round pick and $750,000 will not deter the millions made after thier football careers are over not including the fame that comes with it. It seems the New England Fans don't mind it either, go figure.

You are 100% right. I doubt cheating will ever stop. And losing a 1st roung pick and being fined $750,000 is not a huge loss to a franchise as big as the Patriots. But keep in mind this is the first time such a way of cheating has been found. And I believe that the next team caught will have a more severe penalty imposed.

There are ways of cheating that are allowed. This one went too far, and personally I think Billicheck should be fired without a pension or whatever coaches get when they retire. He should keep his Super Bowl rings only on the basis that it could not be proven that he was "taping" other teams in 2001,03 and 04.

Lol. The New England fans I've met are in denial. Saying they want proof when the proof was found when they played the Jets. Rather than wanting honesty and fareness in the league, the New England fans (I've met) want Billicheck to stay.

Well, I think that is just blind loyalty lol. I'm a huge patriots fan. I've loved them since I was 12 years old. And I'd be lying if I said I wanted Bilichick out of there. I think he is a great coach, but boooo to cheating.

I was more surprised that the coaches felt the "need" to cheat. The fine doesn't reflect on the players at all; but Bilichick alone. It's a big fine, but not when you make over 2 million dollars in salary each year.

No, they can't go back in time and prove or disprove any of those Superbowls.

It's not about the money; it's about the WIN. Things get out of hand and lines HAVE to be MADE. I don't think this is the last we'll hear about something like this. Teams will cheat, and as they do, they too will get caught...

Hopefully it will clean some stuff up in the NFL. Personally, I root for anyone in the NFL to win EXCEPT DALLAS. LMAO!!

and HOUSTON <---- had to add that one too

So is this the NFL's new motto "If you're not cheating, you're not doing your job!"

Are the owners to blame? Awarding cheating with a new contract extension for millions.

Is the NFL Commissioner a puppet to the owners? Taking a 1st round draft pick when you know they had (2), one 1st round pick from a deal with another team. Just waving your index finger left to right, "bad! very very wery bad!"

Brian Billick accused Mangini of cheating (using illegal tactics) to draw the Ravens offside on Sunday.

I think this cheating accusations may take off in the league, maybe every week we might get a coach accusing one another of cheating.

What this whole thing is gonna come down to is this: It's only considered cheating if you get caught, Belichick got caught, he's a cheater, just like everyone whose gotten caught, from(Rodney) Harrison to Merriman to all the players shown to have purchased steriods on The Carolina Panthers..the difference is, the penalty for being caught, IMO.

The 'punishment' fits the crime I say with Merriman and Harrison, four game suspension each.

Some say Billichek should of gotten the same. The fine he got of $750,000 was easily replaced in a bonus extension from the owner Kraft.

Exactly my point, there's no question as to "what" they are, now it's the degree in which they're punished that sperates them in degree. In that respect, Belichick got-off easy, and while it was a deterrent, the comish is basically saying that what Belichick did isn't as bad as taking steriods or any other performence enhancing drug with the punishment he handed down, which I disagree with.

OMG this just struck a chord with me. I've been in a similar yet not professional situation like this and OMG I guess it was cheating.

I'm not sure if any of you know of AAU Baskteball but I coached a team for years (like 4 - I stopped when my child made the National team). Anyway, it's based on age groups and there were many teams per age group; we had National, Regional and then a couple locals - I coached the Regional team (sort of like D1, D2 and D3's). Well, we, the coaches, would have our drafts but it was more of a negotiation....like you give me so-and-so and I'll give you my second pic and so forth. Damn were we cheating?? don't let the AAU know I said this

I think he is saying taking a first round pick from NE as punishment was nothing because they already had two cause we all know first round picks never did anything foe NE anyway. Its perfectly legal in the NFL to trade picks for whatever. Funny fact NE traded a first round pick for Billichek.

Oh no! Not at all She-ra,

Super Pancake is correct, the commissioner's punishment to billichek is not equivalent to Merriman or Harrison's four game suspensions.

Taking a 1st pick away is not a punishment.