Patriots are big fat cheater heads. Supposedly.

[Socnorb11]

It's funny that the Patriots got reprimanded for this previously, and they STILL got busted. Either they're the only ones doing it, or they're the very worst at it.

Thanks for the link, thrill.

[clevername]

I really don't get all the hub bub.

So, because they videotape it we're supposed to believe the Pats are the only team in the league that tries to steal signs from the other team?

Hard to say. It's like steroids. I'm sure there are many folks doing it, but you're going to take some heat if you get caught, and rightfully so. When you catch a team cheating, turning a blind eye to it wouldn't seem right, would it?

no, they should be punished and all that (though, I don't agree with the severity of what's being discussed), but acting like it's this big story/travesty (as you would expect ESPN to do) is silly.

[thrill]

It's funny that the Patriots got reprimanded for this previously, and they STILL got busted. Either they're the only ones doing it, or they're the very worst at it.

Thanks for the link, thrill.

I think it's funny that they were apparently on double-secret probation because Belichek's history with this stuff goes back to Cleveland.

[AJ]

Can't you stop this by letting one person on the defensive side of the ball have a helmet headset like the QB does?

Isn't the purpose of not letting a defensive player have one to give the offense an advantage?

If thats true, doesn't the NFL actualy invite this to happen? I mean if everyone is doing it, noone is turning anyone else in, I just think Mangini had a score to settle with BB.

[GatewaySnayke]

I wish I could say I'm surprised by St. Belichick's error. Hopefully they lose their first round draft pick, but it'll probably be the 32nd pick, so big deal.

I'm just glad that it's Goodell making this call and not Tagliabue. Tagliabue would probably let the Patriots do this as much as possible then change the rules next season.

[vinsanity]

Everyone does this. They hire lip readers with binoculars for heaven's sake.
This isn't an issue.

I disagree...

Though no disciplinary action by the league ever resulted, the Patriots last year were reportedly the impetus of a sternly written letter from the league office to all teams, reminding them that it was illegal for an advance scout or personnel official to bring a video recording device of any kind into the press box for the purposes of taping a potential opponent's signals or play-calling gestures from the sideline.

[Swatcat27]

Mangini probably knew how much the Pats did this 'scouting' from his days in NE. Just wanted to send a message or maybe level the playing field, I guess...I'm sure every team pushes the envelope.

[GatewaySnayke]

Mangini probably knew how much the Pats did this 'scouting' from his days in NE. Just wanted to send a message or maybe level the playing field, I guess...I'm sure every team pushes the envelope.

Sure, but the Patriots are already the proud owners of an illegitimate Super Bowl victory and others have come out and said that they think something has been up with them.

[TabascoElvis]

Can't you stop this by letting one person on the defensive side of the ball have a helmet headset like the QB does?

Isn't the purpose of not letting a defensive player have one to give the offense an advantage?

If thats true, doesn't the NFL actualy invite this to happen? I mean if everyone is doing it, noone is turning anyone else in, I just think Mangini had a score to settle with BB.

That's a really good point, AJ, you'd think that would be an easy solution.

I remember back in the days before the helmet sets that there'd be at least 2 sometimes 3 players on the sidelines all signaling in plays, 2 dummies and the legitimate to avoid the defense being able to "steal signs", at least easily.

[vinsanity]

Mangini probably knew how much the Pats did this 'scouting' from his days in NE. Just wanted to send a message or maybe level the playing field, I guess...I'm sure every team pushes the envelope.

Sure, but the Patriots are already the proud owners of an illegitimate Super Bowl victory and others have come out and said that they think something has been up with them.

Which one was illegitimate?