NFL Cheating - Did the Punishment Fit The Crime?

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:06 am

Now that Roger Goodell has handed down his punishment of the New England Patriots for the "You're Defensive Coordinator is on Candid Camera" incident, what would each of us have done if we were "Der Kommisar"?

Goodell Has Spoken:
$250,000 Fine to the team
$500,000 Fine to the Head Coach
Loss of 2008 1st Round Draft Pick if team reaches the post-season
Loss of 2008 2nd & 3rd Round Draft Picks if team fails to reach the post-season.

What's Your Take? You know I like all of these options because I created this poll.

(Notice There Are No "The Punishment Is Too Harsh" Options)

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:14 am

"The Punishment Is Too Harsh"

:wink:

redskindave · Post by **redskindave** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:19 am

I agree with Countertrey, I think its too Harsh

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:27 am

Countertrey was joking... he just forgot to add the smiley...

All teams do this... however, the Patriots had been caught doing exactly the same thing one year ago, and were specifically warned against doing it again...

They did;
they were busted;
oh well...

If they hadn't been specifically warned, I might feel differently. They were basically rubbing the league's warning in their faces... the league had to act forcefully... no choice...

Them's the breaks!

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:39 am

I was leaning toward the crap cheese option, myself. :-)

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:10 am

I would have liked to of seen more draft picks taken and a suspension of the head coach for 4 games (with one suspended games against the skins).

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:47 am

Bill should have been suspended. The NFL has been crying about it's "image" and how the players are tarnishing it...

Now their wonder boy has gone and pretty much put the legitimacy of the league in question and he doesn't even get suspended?

They have two 1st round picks, I don't think they'll miss that.

They fined the organization that pays $200k in toilet paper for the year, a small fine. If they really wanted to fine Bill, get up in his boss's wallet.

Am I Pacman supporter? Not at all.
Vick? He's retarded.
Tank, he kept messing up.
The Bengals, they got what was coming to them.

But we have a coach that consistently cheated and he doesn't even get a 1 game suspension. It doesn't match up.

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:01 am

I agree completely Chris... in fact, i just posted a blog saying pretty much the same thing:

http://www.the-hogs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=341663

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:05 am

Excellent Points. Another issue I have is that the punishment doesn't exactly deter other teams from cheating.

SKINS#1 · Post by **SKINS#1** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:31 am

A slap on the hand.

All teams do this... however, the Patriots had been caught doing exactly the same thing one year ago, and were specifically warned against doing it again...

. In addition to fines and a draft choice, Belichick should be banned from the NFL. The message is NO CHEATING ALLOWED.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:17 pm

The only fair punishment, IMO, is to snatch that game from them and, agreeing with BH on this one, suspend the coach for 3-6 games.

tribeofjudah · Post by **tribeofjudah** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:19 pm

I like the fine and penalty.....BUT, also add a 3 game suspension or something like that.

Message will be received Loud and Clear.

welch · Post by **welch** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:28 am

Let's get this clear:

- a head coach directed people in his organization to cheat in an elaborate way...not accidental, not low-tech, but hard-working cheating

- result of the cheating was that the Patriots OC and the QB knew what defense had been called before they called their own play

- this undermines confidence in the results of every game the Patriots have played under this coach, and every one they will play in the future: what will he try next?

- punishment was too light.

- compare Vick?

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:32 am

The comparison I would make is to Alex Karras (banned from the NFL and the Hall Of Fame) or to the Chicago BlackSox (banned from baseball and the Hall Of Fame). I would have said Pete Rose but somehow we keep seeing him even though he is supposedly banned from baseball.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:46 am

Wait. Robert Kraft is responsible for Kraft Singles? Those wonderful timesaving slices of cheese, just right for putting on a burger?

In consideration of the contribution this man has made to my life, I believe the Patriots should be allowed to alternate as Superbowl champions with the Redskins over the next 10 to 12 years.

But then, if I try being serious for a moment (sharp intake of breath), then I'd say the punishment of the coach should have been greater, and that the punishment of the team should impact their on the field success more directly than taking away draft choices does. I don't know whether their win column should be penalised, but at least ensure that they autmoatically lose out in any tiebreaker situations for playoff qualification or seeding.

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:53 am

The words "Sharp" and Kraft cheese should never be used in the same sentence. :-)

Personally, I think Belichick should be beaten with an Evil Straw. And we know just the man for the job.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:03 am

They should be required to play without a center on offense. He may be substituted by an extra wing back, who must play 20 yards off the line of scrimmage.

On defense, they must replace their nose guard with Joe Don Looney.

That should square things up.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:32 am

The penalty is not unexpected. I agree with it and it would have been fitting to suspend the coach too.

Goodell did not suspend him because he is already wearing the tag of Mr. Hard Commissioner. Not anymore.

Think about it guys: Billick has actually tarnished the image of the Patriots -forever-. Goodell simply put the nametag on them: Cheaters.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:27 pm

Think about it guys: Billick has actually tarnished the image of the Patriots -forever-.

Billick has been trying for years to tarnish the Pats... with no success. I think he had some help from Belichick with this... :wink:

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:41 am

Countertrey wrote:
Think about it guys: Billick has actually tarnished the image of the Patriots -forever-.

Billick has been trying for years to tarnish the Pats... with no success. I think he had some help from Belichick with this...

AGAIN, my mistake.

It tells you about my degree of concentration when posting on the road ... :roll:

die cowboys die · Post by **die cowboys die** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:55 am

given that the punishment was based on the evidence they had at the time (which at that point only proved cheating in that one game), i agree with all who are saying belicheat needs to be suspended for at least a few games, and also believe they should have lost at least 1 more draft pick.

however, right now the league is making an absolute mockery of itself with how it is handling the materials the pats turned over to them. it's an absolute joke, it's so utterly transparent that they're just staging a cover-up to protect the image of the league.
they "destroyed" the materials???!!!???
every other coach had a right to know what he really had!
every FAN has a right to know whether 3 recent superbowls were obtained illegitimately... to know whether we can continue watching games and feeling that we can let ourselves go into a legitimate competition or if we are allowing ourselves to be fooled by a meaningless, tainted exhibition.

the ONLY acceptable thing to do would have been to announce what kinds of information he had, on what teams, and any how far back it dates. there should be an asterisk applied in the record books to every game when they had illegal information about that team at that time (if that can be determined). if it can be determined that they had illegal information compiled for the superbowls, those games should simply be "voided"- it shouldn't be a forfeit to the other team, since the AFC opponents that lost to them in the playoffs were [presumably] also cheated against and never had a chance to get to the superbowl as they may have rightfully deserved. obviously you can't go back and play them again now with a new AFC team, so the patriots' trophies/victories should simply be revoked but not transferred to another team.

if it did show anything significant or long-standing like the above, absolutely no question, belichick MUST be banned from the NFL for life, effective immediately. they also should have all along been calling in every assistant coach who has worked with belichick for depositions, and holding THEM accountable as well.

the fact that they aren't doing ANY of these things essentially proves one of 2 options:

1: they are COMPLETE morons
2: they are aware that he's been cheating for a long time, probably cheated his way to the superbowl wins, and are aware that many of these other coaches were involved (or were possibly still doing it on their own since then). they know that if either of these facts came out, it would be cataclysmic for the public image of the NFL, perhaps doing irreparable and permanent damage. so they are covering it up.

i feel like it would be better to be honest- make the appropriate punishments and amendments to the recordbooks/etc, and be very public with how strong they are being against it and giving the public reassurance that it won't be tolerated and will NEVER be allowed to happen again, because they are constantly watching out for it.

instead, there may always be a certain level of uncertainty, an inability to feel totally confident in the integrity of the games.

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:05 am

AP excerpt

"The Patriots have fully cooperated and complied with the requirements of the commissioner's decision," the statement said. "All tapes, documents and other records relating to this matter were turned over to the league office and destroyed, and the Patriots have certified in writing that no copies or other records exist.

Yes, but were they destroyed intentionally or accidentally?

I certify, in writing, that I am a genius. Anything can be certified in writing. That still doesn't mean it's factually truthful.

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:51 pm

I would rather have had the patriots forfeit there whole 2008 draft. I would then be happy with the punishment. Or at least have them forfeit the first five games. They got off way too easy.