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New England's Super Cheaters

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 18, 2007

The New England Patriots' violation of National Football League videotaping rules makes the three-time Super Bowl champions and their coach, Bill Belichick, cheaters, plain and simple.

Instead of letting their talent on the field decide the outcome in their season-opening game against the New York Jets, the Patriots videotaped their opponents' defensive signals - a flagrant violation of NFL rules. So much for sportsmanship.
Commissioner Roger Goodell imposed a stiff punishment - $750,000 in fines against Belichick and the organization and a loss of at least one draft pick, possibly a No. 1 should the team make the playoffs. But Goodell should have made an even stronger statement by handing Belichick the same fate that awaits players who use performance-enhancing drugs - suspension for a few games. Belichick was less than apologetic and has always made clear he'll take any advantage possible to win. His team is 2-0 and is considered a favorite to make it to another Super Bowl.

The obvious question now is how long have the Patriots been spying on teams. The commissioner is correct to want to know. It's unlikely the Jets were the first victims.

If this has been a staple in the Patriots' playbook, and if the same underhanded tactics were used in their Super Bowl victories in 2002, 2004 and 2005, the league should consider forcing them to forfeit the championships. The integrity of the league is at stake.

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