_2.gif "Time.com 50 Best Websites 2008")
Arlen Specter was very upfront about part of his motivation for calling for an independent investigation into Spygate. He’s a Senator from Pennsylvania and he’s concerned that tapes made of the Steelers in 2004 may have contributed to their loss in the AFC Championship game.
He was less forthcoming about another potential reason for his anger at the NFL. Specter has very close ties with Comcast, based in his state, and they’ve been fighting with the league about the placement of the NFL Network on their cable networks.
On ESPN’s NFL Live, Sal Paolantonio said “the NFL Network, just last Tuesday, filed a complaint with the FCC against the Comcast Corporation for discrimination. They want those NFL Network games to go on the regular tier.” Because they’re dealing with the federal government and because Specter is so close to Comcast, they need to tread lightly lest the league make more of a mess for itself in Washington.
Paolantonio also said that part of the reason Specter made a public plea for the outside investigation is that Senator Patrick Leahy, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, balked at holding Senate hearings on Spygate. That leaves a Mitchell Report-type investigation as the likely outlet for Specter’s concerns.
That raises another question. The Mitchell Report investigated all of baseball for steroid use, shouldn’t a similar investigation into cheating in the NFL go beyond the Patriots to find out how many teams are guilty?
May 14th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Josh Alper for President.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
There’s a big difference… steroid use is a health risk and is not limited simply to professional baseball, it impacts athletes at every age and level in every sport. If anyone can explain how these NFL rules violations are somehow a threat to our health or the integrity of the country, then by all means launch a serious investigation. Otherwise, it is the league’s job to police the sport, not Congress with my tax dollars.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
very good point , every patriot hater out there should be careful what they wish for . a complete investigation of cheating in pro football will inevitably show cheating to some degree on every team in the league , damaging the game we all love .
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 3.75 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Yes, such an investigation would certainly have to include all teams. Specter’s ties to Comcast are relevant, certainly. I’m still curious about one thing I first saw mentioned here, though - how did Walsh afford that lawyer?
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Steriods are illegal!!!! cheating isn’t against the law
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
And that’s the real problem here, it impacts cheating at all levels, including steroids as well as tampering, etc.
This is something the NFL does not want.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
May 14th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
It’s great to see Senator Specter has his priorities in order when it comes to this Spygate crap.
Nevermind that the economy is in disarray and we’re fighting a war that 70% of the population doesn’t want any part of. Specter clearly knows what he’s doing.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Didn’t the Mitchell report cost a ton of money? We already know why Specter is adamant about exposing New England. To press the issue only shows that he doesn’t “get it” that there are more important issues than spending thousands to find out what the NFL and every team already know - that gaining a competetive edge is commonplace not only in football, but in every sport (the difference between what’s true and what should be true).
I agree that if there must be a Mitchell-type report then it should include all 32 teams. Maybe there’s a reason the Bengals can’t beat the Steelers….
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 1.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
no cause no one cares if the lions et al cheated. cause it never worked…
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
May 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
The Mitchell Report investigated something that was ILLEGAL. The Patriots have not committed a crime. If this were ever to go to the Senate floor, I have a feeling a few more incumbants might be tossed.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
This may be the first time I’ve sided with Leahy over Specter.
Good point on the “all teams angle,” Newguy Josh.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
“That raises another question. The Mitchell Report investigated all of baseball for steroid use, shouldn’t a similar investigation into cheating in the NFL go beyond the Patriots to find out how many teams are guilty?”
Since Specter says his motivation is to keep football on the up-and-up then certainly it should ALL be investigated. That includes tampering and all other violations that seem to have become commonplace with all teams. As a taxpayer I’d be outraged if any kind of investigation failed to look at all aspects of a perceived problem.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
May 14th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Maybe the NFL will cry uncle in the cable war in exchange for certain discretions from Specter.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
May 14th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I dispise Comcast in Philadelphia. As a DirecTV subscriber I’m not allowed access to Comcast SportNet (Philadelphia). Thus I don’t have access to ALL Philadelphia Phillies, Flyers, or 76ers games because Comcast blocks DirecTV customers from that “one” channel. There isn’t even a pay option.
My question is: When will Sen. Arlene Spector speak up for the number of fans who can’t watch three of their hometown teams games? He seems to only fight for those that will continue to make his pockets fat.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
A Mitchell report investigation has to be a leaguewide investigation. There are too many allegations of other teams cheating that don’t get followed up on to make an independent investigation a witch hunt vs. the Pats. Even today, Specter raised allegations by Walsh that the Jets videotaped the Patriots’ sidelines.
I am totally against a Mitchell type of investigation no matter the scope. The Mitchell Report investigated illegal (in the criminal way) activities by players. MLB seemed to be unable or unwilling to police a problem that was rampant and obvious throughout the league.
From a Pats’ fan perspective, I should welcome a league-wide investigation because I am sure that other teams will be exposed committing at questionable practices. I am sure a lot of fans and pundants on their high horses might be in for a shock. But I don’t think it is good for the game, nor do I think it is neccessary.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 4 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
The Mitchell report required the agreement of the MLB owners. The Mitchell report was focused upon players. It’s investigation was stymied by the MLBPA, who recommended that it’s members not speak to Mitchell. If they didn’t have the IRS and FBI assisting them, they would have found no evidence. Where will a NFL independent investigation find evidence of other teams cheating? The problem is that cheating eventually leads to possible gambling implications
(inside information), so what NFL owners would agree with such a probe? It stands no chance.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
The answer to that final question is yes. But honestly, I read Specter’s comments as not only asking for an investigation into the Patriots, but sort of an investigation into the “state of cheating in the NFL”.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 1.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Also, it was just brought up here in Boston. If Specter is calling for investigations for the integrity of the game of a national sport, where was he in the Refgate controversy in the NBA? We have proof of a ref fixing playoff games in the NBA, but Specter has yet to say a peep about that.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
form a commitee to find out what happened to tony and jessica…please
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 3.75 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
When will this be a dead issue? Whats he going to investigate next missed holding penalties? This is the worst abuse of power, because his beloved Eagles lost to the Patriots in the superbowl. Nothing but a joke. Besides the Eagles will never win a super bowl, or a Stanley Cup, Or the World Series, or the NBA Championship, or the well you get the point
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Funny, did not Spector acuse Goodell of being caught in a conflict of interest? Seems the good Senator should take a look in the mirror.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
in all the coverage of specter today, and the gospel according to saint matt,why no mention of the bombshell of the day? wash said he was standing next to a jet video guy doing the same thing filming coaches signals!
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
“he’s concerned that tapes made of the Steelers in 2004 may have contributed to their loss in the AFC Championship game”
Oh, puh-lease. I’m a Steelers fan, and even I know that Cowher was just flat outcoached in that game. He showed all his tricks in the games up to that point and just came in flat with no real game plan. It didn’t help that the team wasn’t exactly executing either.
Specter needs to let this one go.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Yeah right! Can’t fight the truth so attack the messenger! Like Specter speaking up about how these moves by Goodell(who has a serious more serious conflict of interest) are insulting the intelligence of people who follow football. That Specter is doing this for Comcast? Givemeabreak! What proof does Palantonio have? He himself works for Comcast. Maybe Specter is telling Palantonio to report it this way? Wow whatta conspiracy!
BTW - How would asking for an independent investigation aid Comcast?
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 1 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 14th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Let me begin by saying that I HATE the Patriots. I HATE Bill Belicheck, and I hope for them to lose….always. Having said that, however, I am pretty tired of this whole sypgate deal. Specter is an idiot. As someone who lives in Pennsylvania, I’m embarrassed to say that he comes from my state. I get pretty sick and tired of these politicians looking to keep their name in the news by dragging out these issues that really don’t need to be talked about any longer.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 4 rating(s)