PatsBlog: A Patriots Blog

All of the nonsense about the Patriots spying on the Jets has been going on for a few days now.  Every site I go to (including my own), people are shouting crazy things about what could happen to the Patriots.  So I just want to say a few words about it, and say what IS possible, and what isn’t.

First, I want to say that the Patriots really did cheat.  I don’t think there is any debate about that, the only debate is what the punishment to be.  I also want to say that I am disgusted by Belichick, if he is guilty.  Apparently having the right players just wasn’t enough, and he just had to go ahead and cheat.  But I will point out that in his favor, it is said that many NFL teams do this.  And wasn’t it just last year that the Dolphins bought a tape that had all of the Patriots’ signals on it?  Shouldn’t that be constituted as cheating as well.  Since the Dolphins weren’t punished, shouldn’t the Patriots escape punishment as well?  On the other side of the argument, cheating is cheating.  And in no way do I approve of it.  And even if the Dolphins didn’t get a punishment, shouldn’t the Patriots get one anyways.

Regardless of any counterarguments, it looks like the Patriots are going to be punished by Goodell.  There have been some reasonable ideas thrown around there, and then there have been some that are absolutely rediculous.  I’ll let you know that reading those comments have annoyed me as much as reading the countless articles and comments about how Rajon Rondo can’t shoot the ball and will pull down the Celtics (which he won’t).

#1 Most Annoying and Irrational Theory: Patriots Will Forfeit the Game Against the Jets or Future Games.  Okay, in no way, shape or form will this happen.  What’s done is done.  And what people commonly forget is that the video wasn’t to relay information in that game, it was to cheat for future games, so punishing a game that wasn’t affected by the incident is out of the question.  Think, is the MLB taking away home runs from Barry Bonds because they think he cheated?  No.  As for future games being forfeited, I’m not going to comment.  Those theories are so preposterous, that they are barely worth mentioning.

#2 Most Annoying and Irrational Theory: Patriots Have Cheated Since Belichick started.  Think about this one, just think about it.  Do you really think that is possible?  Do you really think that all of the Patriots heroics and last minute wins were caused by learning coaching signals within the blink of time?  I just don’t buy it, and I’m sick of hearing it.

#3 Most Annoying and Irrational Theory: Bill Belichick Will Be Banned from the NFL.  Come on, you’ve got to be kidding me.  I think a suspension is possible, but not a lifetime ban.  Wow, I can tell people really thought these things through.

#4 Most Annoying and Irrational Theory: The Patriots Will Lose Both of Their 1st Round Picks.  Cheaters or not, that is just to harsh of a punishment.  I’m thinking a couple of second day picks.  Mark Clayton of ESPN said the maximum punishment would be and 2nd and 5th rounder.  Don’t get me wrong, that’s horrible.

What I Think Is Possible:

Despite these whack theories, the most accepted theory seems to be that the Patriots will lose a third round pick or fourth round pick, and a second day pick.  There is also rumor that Bill Belichick may be suspension.  To me, a suspension is most logical.  If an NFL Player cheats, and uses performance enhancing drugs, he is suspended four game (for a first offense).  Bill Belichick also cheated, so wouldn’t it make sense to suspend him four games.  Also from a fan’s perspective, this will kill the team, it may be necessary to send a message (I don’t think draft picks are as affective).

In the future, I just don’t know what I’m going to think when I see Bill Belichick coaching on that sideline.  Although I appreciate all he’s done, his suspension might just work for the better good.