[Bette]

The New England Patriots were caught videotaping the New York Jets' sideline – a violation of NFL rules – in the first half of the first quarter of the first game in this perfect season. NFL security immediately confiscated the tape of the Jets' defensive signals. The Patriots never viewed, never studied and never benefited from it.

"We all know it had no impact on any game this season," Kraft said Tuesday.
It might be a stroke of good luck to their legacy that they were caught early in the season (if it was in October, it would be different), but it's a fact. Logic dictates that all 18 victories this season are clean.
Unless you're naïve enough to believe the first time Belichick tried this stunt was the one he got caught (not to mention ignore multiple specific charges), the sanctity of past glory has to come into doubt.
Four previous incidents of spying were reported from last season. Included was a reported charge that the Patriots filmed the sideline of the Detroit Lions during a regular-season game in 2006. That begs the common sense question: If Belichick would employ such tactics to beat a pathetic Lions team that finished the season 3-13, then why wouldn't he use it in a Super Bowl?
One man that would know, Belichick, has said little to nothing about previous seasons.
"That's all been discussed," he said this week, even if it hasn't.
are people really to believe New England was willing to accept such a harsh penalty from the league – not to mention the shot at its legacy – if there are facts that somehow support its innocence?



Has Spygate tainted previous Patriots titles? - NFL - Yahoo! Sports




I can wait to hear our forum Pats fans discuss this.

[Phils20]

No, not for me. Although not a Pats fan, I think the whole thing is blown out of proportion!

Now talk of running up the score, however...

Or the no personaltiy coach,

Or Harrisons cheap shots,

Or the general arrogance,

But I should stop there!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Phils20

No, not for me. Although not a Pats fan, I think the whole thing is blown out of proportion!

Now talk of running up the score, however...

Or the no personaltiy coach,

Or Harrisons cheap shots,

Or the general arrogance,

But I should stop there!

Why stop, you are on a roll. I agree it does not taint it...the total lack of personality on this team though will go a long ways to it getting lost in the history of the sport for years to come.

[Quality88]

It doesn't taint the past..... just this year.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Quality88

It doesn't taint the past..... just this year.

It does when you consider they are undefeated....it taks a bit of luster from that doesn't it?

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

It does when you consider they are undefeated....it taks a bit of luster from that doesn't it?

Yeah it does

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Bette

I can wait to hear our forum Pats fans discuss this.

Originally Posted by Phils20

No, not for me. Although not a Pats fan, I think the whole thing is blown out of proportion!

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

I agree it does not taint it...

Originally Posted by Quality88

It doesn't taint the past.....

apparently the Pats fans dont have to defend the team when others will

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by simple simon

apparently the Pats fans dont have to defend the team when others will

That's past years.... not this year

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

It does when you consider they are undefeated....it takes a bit of luster from that doesn't it?

OH MY .... maybe we should review all the asterisks. I think "Sports", in general, will lose a bit of luster. I guess that's why pitchers make $135.5 Million for 6 years. No luster there !!!

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Bette

The New England Patriots were caught videotaping the New York Jets' sideline – a violation of NFL rules – in the first half of the first quarter of the first game in this perfect season. NFL security immediately confiscated the tape of the Jets' defensive signals. The Patriots never viewed, never studied and never benefited from it.

"We all know it had no impact on any game this season," Kraft said Tuesday.
It might be a stroke of good luck to their legacy that they were caught early in the season (if it was in October, it would be different), but it's a fact. Logic dictates that all 18 victories this season are clean.
Unless you're naïve enough to believe the first time Belichick tried this stunt was the one he got caught (not to mention ignore multiple specific charges), the sanctity of past glory has to come into doubt.
Four previous incidents of spying were reported from last season. Included was a reported charge that the Patriots filmed the sideline of the Detroit Lions during a regular-season game in 2006. That begs the common sense question: If Belichick would employ such tactics to beat a pathetic Lions team that finished the season 3-13, then why wouldn't he use it in a Super Bowl?
One man that would know, Belichick, has said little to nothing about previous seasons.
"That's all been discussed," he said this week, even if it hasn't.
are people really to believe New England was willing to accept such a harsh penalty from the league – not to mention the shot at its legacy – if there are facts that somehow support its innocence?



Has Spygate tainted previous Patriots titles? - NFL - Yahoo! Sports




I can wait to hear our forum Pats fans discuss this.

Originally Posted by simple simon

apparently the Pats fans dont have to defend the team when others will

So the parts in red above dont ring any bells, light any bulbs, stir up any emotions????????

[LSC9901]

OK .... now if you're going to talk sanctity of the past then you better be ready to admit that most everyone is walking around with blinders on. If I as a defensive player pick up on a movement of some type that the WR makes every time before he receives a pass am I cheating ??? You have to agree that it is the same as taping signals. If all the coaches are as pure as the driven snow then why do they cover their mouths with the play sheet ?? Could it be because they know the opposition reads lips ???

Was what the Patriots did wrong ?? No question, but it was of no benefit since they never even saw the tape plus they paid several fines that the guy who reads lips is never penalized for. If you want them forever tainted then lets be fair and just put an asterisk next to "NFL*"

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by Quality88

It doesn't taint the past..... just this year.

Please....somebody explain to me how this year is tainted. They got caught doing what some refer to as cheating, but didn't benefit from it...In the first game of the season. They have had big brother and the media licking their lips waiting for them to do it again. They did nothing, but beat every team that was put in front of them. If they did something that created a scandal again, maybe you could claim it was tainted, but as it stands they had a clean year.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by azrael492

Please....somebody explain to me how this year is tainted. They got caught doing what some refer to as cheating, but didn't benefit from it...In the first game of the season. They have had big brother and the media licking their lips waiting for them to do it again. They did nothing, but beat every team that was put in front of them. If they did something that created a scandal again, maybe you could claim it was tainted, but as it stands they had a clean year.

My Man !

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by azrael492

Please....somebody explain to me how this year is tainted. They got caught doing what some refer to as cheating, but didn't benefit from it...In the first game of the season. They have had big brother and the media licking their lips waiting for them to do it again. They did nothing, but beat every team that was put in front of them. If they did something that created a scandal again, maybe you could claim it was tainted, but as it stands they had a clean year.

Here's my thing... Why did they cheat against a team they should have blown out of the water. I could understand a team like Dallas was at the time(still makes it wrong)... but they cheated(which is wrong) and cheated against a team they should have spanked. That's why it taints this year for me. Yes teams have cheated and will cheat, but when an organization such as the esteemed Patriots who are suppost to be so great and shouldn't need to do such things... it makes me want to puke. Especially when they just get slapped on the hand.

[EmpireWF]

Taint may be too strong a word. BUT, it does open up a vault of unanswered questions.