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When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell handed down his Spygate punishment during the 2007 season, the specific violation the Patriots had committed was taping opponents’ defensive signals.
So when we learned yesterday that Matt Walsh’s videos revealed nothing more than the Patriots’ practice of taping opponents’ signals, it sounded like good news for the Patriots. Walsh’s lawyer says he has no evidence of the much more significant accusation that the Patriots taped the Rams’ walk-through practice before the 2002 Super Bowl, and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Walsh’s evidence was consistent with what the league already knew.
But Larry Weisman of USA Today suggests that because Walsh had a tape showing the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coaches — not the defensive coaches — signaling in plays, that could constitute a separate infraction that would lead to more league sanctions.
Based on what we know now, however, it sounds like a stretch to think that the league would view taping offensive signals as a separate violation from taping defensive signals. Does Goodell really want to change the headlines from “Patriots Cleared of Filming Rams’ Walk-Through” to “Patriots Fined for Taping Offensive Signals”?
Also, how much could a team really benefit from taping its opponents’ offensive signals? After all, offensive plays are generally sent in through the coach-to-quarterback communications device, which is why quarterbacks wear helmets with speakers on the inside and green dots on the outside. And preventing future Spygates was supposed to be the reason the NFL finally approved helmets with radios for defensive players as well.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
The Pats were caught stealing signals. That much we know, but there hasnt been enough details released on specifics of that. What should be made public is whether or not any playoff games were among the Walsh tapes or among those tapes that were burned by Goodell. Was a Super Bowl taped for defensive signals? There is a reason Goodell burned those tapes, folks.
Also worth investigating is if electronic communcation devices “coincedentally” died in those games where the Pats were stealing offensive signals.
I think it’s a big deal if the Pats were signal stealing in the AFC Championship game or in the Raider Snow Job Game, as opposed to signal stealing in a Week 3 matchup against Miami. There is a difference and the public has a right to know all of the details since we are the ones wo shell out our hard earned money to the league.
The Pats are a joke and a complete fraud.
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Rating: 3.7 / 5 with 7 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
geee… Is that maybe why the coach to quarterback radios seem to misteriously malfuction more in Gillette than any other stadium??
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Rating: 3.85 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Why do we think that the helmet radios are the cure to defensive or offensive signal stealing? In fact, radio signals are not all that difficult to decipher with the appropriate equipment. I find it hard to believe that Bill Belichek would eschew radio deciphering equipment if it would help him. It would be next to impossible to catch the illegal eavesdropping, unless you’ve, unfortunately, hired another Matt Walsh. Monitoring for the stealing of hand signals from the sidelines would be much easier.
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Rating: 3.4 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
This just in…Arlen Specter has now accused the Patriots of being involved in the Kennedy assasination, the sinking of the Titanic, the Chicago fire and assorted Tornados and Hurricanes. Damn….Foober…..you are the biggest MORON I have come across on here yet!
You are a Pats hater……no matter how much the TRUTH shows that Walsh lied…you will always think of something new to whine about. Boo hoo…boo hoo….wussbag
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Surely when the NFL called for them to turn over “all” tapes the first time, it would have shown they were filming the offense too. Unless of course, they didn’t turn over all the tapes. They better get rid of them before the commish finds them, or this hand slap will be worse.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
The pats and their fans should hold their heads in shame for cheating big time to try and get some glory out of the nfl game. Very sad that pats fans come up with every excuse to try and vindicate their big time cheating to win games. Very sad.
Now its up to the nfl to rectify the situation or try as best they can to hide this huge blemish on the league.
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Rating: 3.4 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
The October 7, 2001 game was in Miami. The whole jamming signals thing would hold some weight, but in the opposing team’s facility? Also, just because they taped offensive signals doesn’t mean radio communications were down. Also, what is defined as ooffensive signals? Is a QB audible or two minute offense the offensive signal that is referenced? If so, you can get that from the network telecast.
It is grasping at straws to think the league is going to split hairs between videotaping offensive and defensive signals. The Patriots were punished for illegally taping the opposing team’s sidelines. That is the rule the Patriots violated, not specifically defensive signals.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Cheatriot fans are right, all we have now is exactly what was already known- their dynasty stinks like feces. Face it Cheats, you are confirmed to have cheated your way to the top. It’s as simple as this- no cheating no Super Bowls. C’mon your qb is a 6th round wash out, it’s probably more like no cheating no 9 win seasons!
The only reason you would be taping those offensive signals is due to headsets failing which some other scumbag on the Belicheats staff made happen.
There’s smoke here you creatins and this is not going to die now that this disclosure has surfaced.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
As much as I will always view the 2000-2006 Patriots as cheaters, i consider the offensive signal thing a non-issue. Plays are relayed to the Qb either through the headset or through subbing players coming into the huddle. It shouldn’t bring extra sanctions.
2000-2006 New England Patriots***
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Rating: 2 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
The biggest revelation is the Miami Dolphins have set plays
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
To all the Pats haters out there: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA… How does it feel knowing that your team has no realistic shot of winning the Superbowl next year? No wonder you’re all so angry. Don’t worry there is a chance you’re team could get lucky and catch the Pats on a bad day like the Giants did. You could also stop following football until Brady retires. You have your options. I’ve never been happier to be born and raised in Massachusetts. Keep on hating suckers your tears give us strength. One thing to watch out for; if the NFL loses the salary cap just imagine the team Belichick and Kraft will be able to create. My body tingles just thinking about it.
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Rating: 2.6 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
its people like you jared2181 that give the pats fans a bad name. get a life man and find a new team.
p.s. as to my recollection the signals have gone down twice maybe 3 times in the last 8 years here at foxboro but it has happened to us at different places at least twice as well. Its a know thing that happens everywhere.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Nonstory: Patriots already admitted to recording defensive and offensive signals. Check the admission by Belichick to Goodell.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Hey foober. not sure what team you root for but Rober Kraft isone of the best owener is all of professional sports so watch the low life talk when you dont know what your talking about. Are u serious kicked out of the league! get a life dude its apart of the game they just taped the signals instead of watching them with the naked eye. Clayton even cam out and said its a part of the game. Get your facts straight before you post you tool.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Actually BeelllBeelichick your inability to spell makes Patriot fans look retarded. I assumed your name was taken from the South Park episode but after reading your pathetic attempt to spell or make any sense at all I’m guessing you’re just to stupid to get the coach’s name right.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
The communications went out when the offense was on the field at least twice when the Jaguars were on offense in the playoff game where Willie McGinest had 4.5 sacks. The game was 7-3 at the half. Just sayin’..
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Doesn’t everyone remember, the fine was for taping on the sideline, not what they were taping. The rule they broke stated taping needed to be done in an enclosed “bunker”. They were taping from the sidelines.
It doesn’t matter what they were taping, offense, defense, it mattered where they were taping.
It is not a new violation, or anything near it.
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May 8th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
It comes down to this why would they tape the offensive signals if it wouldn’t help them. There is obviously some advantage to be gained if they in fact did tape them.
I still say that the punishment dealt out was weak. They cheated for what 6-7 years gaining an unfair advantage over just about every team they played winning 3 Superbowls along the way and all they got was a couple slap on the wrist fines and the loss of 1 draft pick when they still got to pick in the top 10 anyway. Total BS. That just reeks of a cover up. The NFL won’t admit to the effect this had league wide for the better part of a decade.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 8th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
jared2181,
the fact that its 2008 and your still using the word retarded , makes others poster think you might be mentally challenged
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 9th, 2008 at 1:42 am
“After all, offensive plays are generally sent in through the coach-to-quarterback communications device, which is why quarterbacks wear helmets with speakers on the inside and green dots on the outside.”
didn’t the green dots just happen recently? i.e. AFTER this alleged taping was taking place? research your assertions. i’m not saying the pats should be charged more penalties, because a 1st rounder is a lot to pay and I don’t think these specific tapes should cost them more, but please don’t make assertions that aren’t true
besides i’m content knowing that 90% of the country doesn’t respect the pats, and 9/10 people of the 10% that do are just bandwagon fans anyway… they are and were a good team- no tapes can refute that. but their time on top is coming to an end, and i’m happy about that
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 9th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Florio your site is littered with casual-football-fan morons.
People too stupid to understand that every team does this… and that signals are something that everyone at the game can see.
when are you going to do a story about the Jets doing this and LYING about having permission to do so?
What about the Dolphins stealing Pats audio with microphones on their D-Linemen?
What about the pumped in noise that countless witnesses have admitted to?
It’s a witchhunt and a joke.
that’s how things work when you are a Dynasty and you’re led by the best Quarterback of All Time.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
May 9th, 2008 at 8:57 am
@penphinfan: please take your own advice and “research your assertions.” The dots on the helmets began at the start of the season. Cameragate occured half way through game 1 as I recall.
People conveniently forget that the Pats were victims of the helmet system failures during the season, I believe it was against Baltimore when the system conveniently went awry and the Pats managed to call in signals from the sidelines the old fashioned way. Was Baltimore cheating?
Give it a break people. There is no conspiracy. The Pats are just better, they truely are the real thing.
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May 9th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Okay - I’ve pretty much heard as much BS as I could listen to.
A.) If the Patriots purposely took down the radio frequency in Gillette, just to tape opposing teams hands signals… WHY WOULDN’T THEY JUST INTERCEPT THE SIGNALS… It’s NOT that hard.
B.) Why wasn’t there this kind of uprising when Miami STOLE the Pats playbooks 3 years ago. I believe that loss kept the Pats out of the first round bye.
C.) How come there wasn’t any serious retribution when the Jets tampered with our coach, Parcells, a week before the super bowl!
D.) How come nobody gave a shit when the 49ers broke salary cap rules.
Oh I’m sorry… logical arguments don’t work for you morons, you’d rather just sulk over your teams ineptitude and blame that all on the Patriots. They won 18 games despite the cheating allegations. Perhaps, they should have discontinued bending the rules a long time ago and just shoved it in all of your faces a long time ago.
P.S.: As much as you hate Bilichick, if he was available to coach your team right now - you’d jump at the opportunity… hypocrits.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 9th, 2008 at 10:26 am
pennphinfan,
coming to an end? Are you naive? They became the first team in contemporary NFL history to win every regular season game. They lost the Super Bowl. The Giants didn’t WIN the super bowl. the Patriots lost it. Eli Manning tried to give that game away on several occasions. Even ardent Giants fans would have to admit this. I mean, come on, he threw a pass DIRECTLY to Asante Samuel. And then that ridiculously lucky catch on a terrible throw with Rodney Harrison draped over his shoulder, 99/100 that would’ve been dropped. Hell, Brandon Meriwether almost had a pick. Am I saying anything that isn’t true? If so, please stop me.
Sir, even the worst Patriot haters on here, are only here because the Patriots are relevent, as in still a contender every year. Hell, thats probably the reason they hate the Patriots
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 9th, 2008 at 10:36 am
“One thing to watch out for; if the NFL loses the salary cap just imagine the team Belichick and Kraft will be able to create. My body tingles just thinking about it.”
Why? It’s not like Kraft is the richest guy in the NFL and almost all of his $1.5 billion net worth is already tied up in the Pats. Paul Allen (Seahawks), Wayne Huizenga (Dolphins), Jerry Jones (Cowboys), Malcolm Glazer (Bucs) all have more fluid scratch than Kraft has and there are likely many more. Paul Allen is mega-rich, he’s worth like 17 billion bucks.
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