Belichick Must Pay

Hammock Parties · 09-12-2007, 10:41 PM

http://chiefs.scout.com/2/679048.html

When I heard about the outrageous cheating committed by the Patriots this past Sunday, my initial reaction was to call for the league to hit New England where it hurts most: the NFL draft

Draft picks are the lifeblood of any successful NFL franchise. You can’t build a competitive team through free agency (as the Washington Redskins continue to prove). The Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles draft well each year and continue to win.

Robbing the Patriots of their entire allotment of picks in next April’s draft would have sent a harsh message – cheating will not be tolerated. But it’s too harsh. It hurts the entire team – the coaches, players and front office personnel – and the entire team wasn’t responsible for what happened on New York’s sideline on Sunday. One man was.

Bill Belichick.

Belichick should be the one to pay the ultimate price for this transgression. He’s clearly the ringleader. It’s absurd to speculate that any assistant coach conspired with his co-workers to pull this off. New England’s head coach obviously signed off on the deal to steal New York’s signals, and as the man in charge, he should be the one to pay.

The NFL should suspend Belichick for the remainder of the 2007 season, without pay. He should be barred from participating with the team in any football-related matter, and all communication concerning coaching matters should be cut off.

This heavily penalizes Belichick while taking an appropriate toll on his team. Who knows what advantages they gained against the Jets with Randy Moss running through New York’s pilfered coverages. Without their head coach, the Patriots will be robbed of their leader and key strategist for a suitable time.

It’s unfair to take away draft picks. It robs New England’s players of the tools to get the job done on the field next year, and in future years. You might say taking away only a couple of picks would be punishment enough, but it’s not, especially for a team that’s as well-built in the present and drafts as well as the Patriots do.

This isn’t just about the Patriots, either. There are probably similar cases of undiscovered cheating going on around the league every weekend. We’d be naive fools to think otherwise.

Cutting off New England’s head (Belichick) will make everyone stand up and take notice.

It was important for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to do the right thing with Michael Vick, regardless of his status as a big-name quarterback. He sent a clear message to every NFL player when he suspended Vick indefinitely – behavior that reflects badly on the league will not be tolerated.

If Goodell doesn’t take the same stance with Belichick, he risks alienating hundreds of players league wide. Let Belichick off scott free, and it looks like players are accountable, but coaches aren’t.

Here’s the really disgusting part of this – Belichick isn’t apologetic in the least. In an official statement released on New England’s website, he referred to the blatant stealing of New York’s defensive signals as “a videotaping procedure” and “my interpretation of the rules.” That’s like Pacman Jones describing his illicit nightclub-related activities as “relaxation procedures” and “my interpretation of what I can get away with.”

For Goodell’s sake, I hope the penalty that comes down from the league offices doesn’t scream “double standard.” It’d be a shame, especially after the league took appropriate action with former Vikings head coach Mike Tice during his ticket-scalping scandal. Just because Belichick has won a few Super Bowls is no reason to treat him differently.

In fact, Belichick’s success only gives the league more reason to step in. Patriots owner Robert Kraft isn’t going to do anything, so someone who doesn’t have an emotional and financial investment in Belichick must.

I think it’s time for a “punishment procedure.”

ferrarispider95 · 09-12-2007, 10:42 PM

Don't think that is going to happen

Direckshun · 09-12-2007, 10:44 PM

I don't either -- but it would if it were Herm. lol

Just the way the league rolls.

Deberg_1990 · 09-12-2007, 10:46 PM

Ehh...i dont think its all that big a deal. Every team in the league tries to get a competive edge. The Pats just got caught.

I seriously doubt this helped the Pats win that game.

SPchief · 09-12-2007, 10:46 PM

Decent article, but it won't happen. Goodell will punish the team and not the coach. Goodell won't be able to prove that Bellicheck was the mastermind.

**Bob Dole** · 09-12-2007, 10:48 PM

They've probably got another 20 coaches on-staff. Suspending Belichick is going to have minimal impact. And the impact it would have is only short-term.

Make the bastard wear a necktie on the sideline for the remainder of the season, and take away 2 of their 5 first day draft picks.

09-12-2007, 10:48 PM

I think you should have suggested they chop Bill's head off. I mean as long as you're making unrealistic and ridiculous suggestions.

Mile High Mania · 09-12-2007, 10:52 PM

Hmmm... were you listening to ESPN Radio this afternoon between 1 and 3pm? This reads very (and I mean very) simliar to their discussion. Your use of "cut off the head" and several other areas of the article read like a transcript from their commentary.

Hammock Parties · 09-12-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Hmmm... were you listening to ESPN Radio this afternoon between 1 and 3pm? This reads very (and I mean very) simliar to their discussion "cut off the head" and lots of the article read like a transcript from their commentary.

Of course. I rip off everything I write.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-12-2007, 11:01 PM

I'm not averse to the idea, but I still think that a package of draft pick losses, and a loss of their TV revenue would dissuade anyone from ever fucking with that shit again.

But to suggest that players weren't complicit in this act is bullshit. They knew it was going on. If they lose draft picks and it hurts their team, well then fuck 'em. They could have blown the whistle.

OctoberFart · 09-12-2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Of course. I rip off everything I write.

Quoted for the truth.

splatbass · 09-13-2007, 01:55 AM

I would rather they not suspend him before they play the Chargers on Sunday. No point helping an AFCW team out.

kcxiv · 09-13-2007, 03:02 AM

Take away a first day draft and suspend him a few games works. A whole year is just stupid. +

redsurfer11 · 09-13-2007, 04:59 AM

Remove Belichick for 6 games.
Lose picks 2 and 3
Lose 16th of their salery cap next year.
Forfeit game to Jets.
6 million $ fine.
That should be enough to keep them from doing this again.

**Skip Towne** · 09-13-2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Of course. I rip off everything I write.

Yep.

09-12-2007, 10:41 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4450478	Belichick Must Pay http://chiefs.scout.com/2/679048.html When I heard about the outrageous cheating committed by the Patriots this past Sunday, my initial reaction was to call for the league to hit New England where it hurts most: the NFL draft Draft picks are the lifeblood of any successful NFL franchise. You can’t build a competitive team through free agency (as the Washington Redskins continue to prove). The Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles draft well each year and continue to win. Robbing the Patriots of their entire allotment of picks in next April’s draft would have sent a harsh message – cheating will not be tolerated. But it’s too harsh. It hurts the entire team – the coaches, players and front office personnel – and the entire team wasn’t responsible for what happened on New York’s sideline on Sunday. One man was. Bill Belichick. Belichick should be the one to pay the ultimate price for this transgression. He’s clearly the ringleader. It’s absurd to speculate that any assistant coach conspired with his co-workers to pull this off. New England’s head coach obviously signed off on the deal to steal New York’s signals, and as the man in charge, he should be the one to pay. The NFL should suspend Belichick for the remainder of the 2007 season, without pay. He should be barred from participating with the team in any football-related matter, and all communication concerning coaching matters should be cut off. This heavily penalizes Belichick while taking an appropriate toll on his team. Who knows what advantages they gained against the Jets with Randy Moss running through New York’s pilfered coverages. Without their head coach, the Patriots will be robbed of their leader and key strategist for a suitable time. It’s unfair to take away draft picks. It robs New England’s players of the tools to get the job done on the field next year, and in future years. You might say taking away only a couple of picks would be punishment enough, but it’s not, especially for a team that’s as well-built in the present and drafts as well as the Patriots do. This isn’t just about the Patriots, either. There are probably similar cases of undiscovered cheating going on around the league every weekend. We’d be naive fools to think otherwise. Cutting off New England’s head (Belichick) will make everyone stand up and take notice. It was important for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to do the right thing with Michael Vick, regardless of his status as a big-name quarterback. He sent a clear message to every NFL player when he suspended Vick indefinitely – behavior that reflects badly on the league will not be tolerated. If Goodell doesn’t take the same stance with Belichick, he risks alienating hundreds of players league wide. Let Belichick off scott free, and it looks like players are accountable, but coaches aren’t. Here’s the really disgusting part of this – Belichick isn’t apologetic in the least. In an official statement released on New England’s website, he referred to the blatant stealing of New York’s defensive signals as “a videotaping procedure” and “my interpretation of the rules.” That’s like Pacman Jones describing his illicit nightclub-related activities as “relaxation procedures” and “my interpretation of what I can get away with.” For Goodell’s sake, I hope the penalty that comes down from the league offices doesn’t scream “double standard.” It’d be a shame, especially after the league took appropriate action with former Vikings head coach Mike Tice during his ticket-scalping scandal. Just because Belichick has won a few Super Bowls is no reason to treat him differently. In fact, Belichick’s success only gives the league more reason to step in. Patriots owner Robert Kraft isn’t going to do anything, so someone who doesn’t have an emotional and financial investment in Belichick must. I think it’s time for a “punishment procedure.”
Posts: 278,605

09-12-2007, 10:42 PM	#2
ferrarispider95 She reads at a sophomore level Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: KANSAS Casino cash: $10004945	Don't think that is going to happen __________________ www.steerplanet.com Show Steers Directory and Forum www.emporiaks.org Free Emporia, KS Apartment Rental Listings
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09-12-2007, 10:44 PM	#3
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4183447	I don't either -- but it would if it were Herm. lol Just the way the league rolls.
Posts: 59,314

09-12-2007, 10:46 PM	#4
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3754454	Ehh...i dont think its all that big a deal. Every team in the league tries to get a competive edge. The Pats just got caught. I seriously doubt this helped the Pats win that game. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

09-12-2007, 10:46 PM	#5
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $1602905	Decent article, but it won't happen. Goodell will punish the team and not the coach. Goodell won't be able to prove that Bellicheck was the mastermind. __________________ http://give.somo.org/site/TR/Plunge/...nal&fr_id=1244 ^^^^^^^^^^ Click here to help with a special cause. Please help me out
Posts: 36,007

09-12-2007, 10:48 PM	#6
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2324497	They've probably got another 20 coaches on-staff. Suspending Belichick is going to have minimal impact. And the impact it would have is only short-term. Make the bastard wear a necktie on the sideline for the remainder of the season, and take away 2 of their 5 first day draft picks.
Posts: 48,654

09-12-2007, 10:48 PM	#7
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	I think you should have suggested they chop Bill's head off. I mean as long as you're making unrealistic and ridiculous suggestions.
Posts: n/a

09-12-2007, 10:52 PM	#8
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3457229	Hmmm... were you listening to ESPN Radio this afternoon between 1 and 3pm? This reads very (and I mean very) simliar to their discussion. Your use of "cut off the head" and several other areas of the article read like a transcript from their commentary. __________________
Posts: 30,343

09-12-2007, 11:01 PM	#10
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7959572	I'm not averse to the idea, but I still think that a package of draft pick losses, and a loss of their TV revenue would dissuade anyone from ever fucking with that shit again. But to suggest that players weren't complicit in this act is bullshit. They knew it was going on. If they lose draft picks and it hurts their team, well then fuck 'em. They could have blown the whistle. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,848

09-13-2007, 01:55 AM	#12
splatbass MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Casino cash: $6630560	I would rather they not suspend him before they play the Chargers on Sunday. No point helping an AFCW team out.
Posts: 10,064

09-13-2007, 03:02 AM	#13
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8807996	Take away a first day draft and suspend him a few games works. A whole year is just stupid. +
Posts: 29,110

09-13-2007, 04:59 AM	#14
redsurfer11 Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $10004900	Remove Belichick for 6 games. Lose picks 2 and 3 Lose 16th of their salery cap next year. Forfeit game to Jets. 6 million $ fine. That should be enough to keep them from doing this again.
Posts: 2,581