Not knowing exactly what is prominently ignored or broken all the time around the league in regards to non on the field rules, I have to think if this can be verified by other former Patriots players then, maybe a suspension could come of it.
The commissioner gave Belichick a very short leash regarding further rule breaking allegations and I don't think he will take this too lightly. But again I think further player verification of the matter needs to happen first.
All that said, I really think the Pats are getting shafted here. They taped signals, which they could have taped anyway so long as it was in a league approved structure. They just didn't shoot them in a three sided, roofed box.
That warrants $750,000 worth of fines and a lost first round draft pick.
San Francisco tampers with another team's player. The league has internal 49er emails detailing the extent to which the tampering occured. It only cost them a 5th rounder and a swap of third round picks with Chicago.
Tampering with other teams players is against the rules.
So, which punishment truly fits the crime?
The Patriots because there was a memo sent out just before the Pats got caught, telling the teams not to do just what the Pats were caught doing. Or the 49ers because there was a memo sent out just before they got caught, telling the teams not to do just what the 49ers were caught doing.
So which punishment truly fits the crime?
Many coaches and others have admitted that both infractions are or were things that are or were happening all the time. How much does either really benefit the team that does it?
Well, if the Pats are or were successful in their "cheating" it might help the offense and defense some. Players still have to play and there are times when everybody in the stadium knows what the next play is going to be, but the play still needs to be executed properly to be successful.
If on the other hand the 49ers were successful, they would have gotten a 6-1 240 pound tackling machine of a linebacker that very well could have been instrumental in turning an okay Niner defense into a really good one. For quite a long time.
I truly believe that tampering is the more egregious infraction. Yet Goodell elects to give the 49ers a slap on the wrist and decides to make an example out of the best coach and franchise in the league.
If off field rules are going to be broken by front office and coaching personel, then all the crimes should be punishable by the same penalty.
But, that's just my very humble opinion.
Topic: More Patriots cheating / rule-breaking allegations (Read 9006 times)