Patriots: Belichick frustrated by Spygate? The News Bill Belichick emphatically swears there are no new revelations to come regarding Spygate, according to ESPN. "I think they've addressed everything they possibly can address," the New England Patriots coach said Tuesday morning, disclosing he had been re-interviewed after the Super Bowl about allegations that former team employee Matt Walsh had illegal tapes. "I've addressed so many questions so many times from so many people I don't know what else the league could ask." Our View Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that the NFL had spoken again with Belichick and other Patriots employees after last January's Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants. The league continues to negotiate an agreement with Walsh, who claims to have evidence that would further implicate the New England organization. http://www.fanballnews.com/nfl/
Goodell closer to talking with Walsh The News Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is 'making progress' in arranging a conversation with former New England Patriots' employee Matt Walsh, who reportedly might have information on allegations that New England taped St. Louis' walk-through before a Super Bowl game, according to the Miami Herald. 'I'm a little frustrated by it,' Goodell said. ``Matt Walsh is free to speak with anybody. We've met with over 50 people. He's the only one who has conditions.' Our View New England owner Robert Kraft has said the allegations are unfounded, and that his organization would be exonerated in the end. http://www.fanballnews.com/nfl/
I am frustrated that the Commish did not give Belichick a one year suspension plus take away a few more picks for their cheating. Hopefully Walsh will have a lot more videotapes to show Specter, and make extra copies before giving it to the Commish who is covering up for Mr. Kraft.
I'm still dissapointed in the punishment the Patriots and Bill Belicheck received. I know this is football but I am going to compare this punishment to one that the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA received. I think this punishment shows how head and shoulders above David Stern is to all other major sports commisioners. The Timberwolves a while ago negotiated a secret contract with Joe Smith.. The Timberwolves got punished like every other team does but at a more extreme level. They originally lost FIVE, yes FIVE, first rounders but later regained two of them. Also to go along with those losses, they were fined 3.5 million. All this because of a secret contract that was against the collective bargaining deal. They paid Smith a lucrative contract but filed it as a minimum rookie deal to the NBA. To go along with those losses and fines, they considered suspending team management and staff but I am not sure if they did as I dont recall. If the NBA was to witness a cheating scandal like this one here, the NBA would have EXTREME punishemnts against a team. I think that this punishment that was given to Patriots was basically a fluke. They lose a late first rounder and got fined by the league... that did no damage to them what so ever. The team went on to have one of the greatest if not the greatest seasons ever put together. Roger Goodell could have given them a punishment of a three years worth of losing first rounders and more fines. He could have also suspended Belicheck. What I am trying to say is that Goodell did not go to the extreme with a scandal that has an effect on outcomes of games. It was reported that the Patriots have been spying since 01 I believe when they first started taping Buccaneers practices. Since then they have won multiple Superbowls and have achieved many things which leaves us wondering if they really deserve that. Just my take on this scandal and punishments.
And everybody else that isn't connected to the Patsies or just a fan has to be frustrated that Belichick and company seemed to have some sort of teflon coating on themselves until the jets turned them in... I agree that the pats got off rather lightly with their punishment.. A slap across the wrist's when it should have been an 8 game suspension for billy and a 3 or 4 million dollar fine for the patsie organization! Marino1983
Whether or not the penalties were too severe, too easy, or appropriate is going to be debated forever. One thing that shouldn't be ignored is that when compared to penalties other teams have received for cheating it was pretty harsh (ie: San Fran & Denver). Those teams were penalized for cheating during years when they won SBs as well. Denver lost a 3rd, and SF lost a 3rd for one year and a 5th for the next year. As to whether or not forfeiting that late 1st rd pick does them any damage....I think it does. This time last year they knew they would need to address their defense due to FA DBs and aged LBs. This draft was the perfect draft for a team holding 2 1st rd picks needing to replace some DBs. Add to the fact that quite a few LBs seem to grade out at late 2nd (where they will be picking in the 2nd) - 3rd rd. They had set themselves up to be able to draft having the best of both worlds - BPA and need. Taking even that one late 1st round pick hurts them. I'm sure they'll still draft well. But they don't get 2 of those top rated CBs.
