[chiefs70]

Since my ID is football driven I have to have a comment, right? Firstly, go 'Bolts! I am an AFC fan through and through and my forum buddy LzyBns is a HUGE Bolts fan so I fly the flag for him and myself- even if they were fools for dumping Marty.

Secondly, Peyton Manning is the best QB in the NFL. Period. Tom Brady is a great talent but if you think he would make the Chiefs better than Manning would you are smoking something is ain't close to legal in these parts. I can't stand Belichick's arrogance but I can't deny his talent, drive or intelligence either. The "cheating" scandal doesn't explain all of the victories and rings hollow to me considering his old buddy (Mangini) ratted him out and the kept winning. I am not chearing for the Pats - Bolts, Jags or Colts for me - but the cheating comments come off a bit sanctimonious considering they were busted week 1.

With all of that being said, I met Bret Favre when he was in Topeka, KS rehabbing his Vicodin addiction (at a driving range no less) and he was the nicest damn guy you could ever meet. I realize times change and he may not be so nice anymore but I've always respected the Packers so if ANY NFC wins I am with the Pack. A pox on Jerry Jones and the Plowboys.

[mustangdriver]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Whatever... they didn't get "caught" at least.

(This is my last time bothering to point out this FACT: The Pats "cheated" for one game, what they were doing was LEGAL prior to the start of this season. The league changed the rules prior to this year largely because of the Pats, the Pats ignored it, got "caught" -- tough to say 'caught" as they weren't exactly hiding it -- and got soundly beat on the knuckles. But the facts don't seem to matter to the haters, and keep on hatin' as it's only feeding the teams' drive right now.)

Enjoy your shirt, Steelers fans need something to do right now anyways...

Cheating is the right word for it and so is Caught. pappy you might not like it, but the truth is that if it is was any other team, the NFL would have gone nuts with making an example out of them. But since it was one of their showcase teams, it was just slaps on the knuckles for everyone. Charging a millionaire a few thousand dollars is not a big deal. Cheating is cheating so let's call it what it is. You said it yourself the rules changed and they chose not to follow it. That is cheating. I am not saying that they are not good, but how can someone that got fined from the NFL get coach of the year. It is not right. So the Pats may go on and win another Superbowl, but they will never have something that the Steelers have. That is class.

[mustangdriver]

And for the record, it was not LEGAL last year either.


The New England Patriots have been caught using electronic means to steal signals and otherwise violate league rules, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has determined that the New England Patriots violated league rules Sunday when they videotaped defensive signals by the New York Jets’ coaches, according to league sources. NFL security officials confiscated a camera and videotape from Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella on the New England sidelines when it was suspected he was recording the Jets’ defensive signals. Sources say the visual evidence confirmed the suspicion.

Goodell is considering severe sanctions, including the possibility of docking the Patriots “multiple draft picks” because it is the competitive violation in the wake of a stern warning to all teams since he became commissioner, the sources said. The Patriots have been suspected in previous incidents.

The Patriots will be allowed an opportunity to present their case by Friday, sources said, most likely via the telephone. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said on Tuesday that no official decision has been made and that the club has not been notified.

The league also was reviewing a possible violation into the number of radio frequencies the Patriots were using during Sunday’s game, sources said. The team did not have a satisfactory explanation when asked about possible irregularities in its communication setup during the game.

Stunning news. The Pats have managed to put together a modern dynasty in a league that rigs the system to make that virtually impossible. I’m inclined to agree with Sean Hackbarth that great coaching, scouting, and players are the main explanation.

Still, as Travis G. notes, these accusations have been floating around for a while and the fact the got caught red handed “makes you wonder how long they’ve been doing this.” It would be sad, indeed, if it turned out that they’ve been doing this sort of thing all along.

[mustangdriver]

Last season, the Green Bay Packers had an issue with a man wearing a Patriots staff credential who was carrying a video camera on their sideline. The Patriots won that game 35-0 and seemed to know exactly what plays the Packers were running thoughout the game. (I wonder why?)

[STARMAN 352ND]

ohhhh........... Now i see how they are 16-0 this year.....
JP

[mikeb1958]

Guess a camera is still better than steriods.....

[chiefs70]

Originally Posted by mikeb1958

Guess a camara is still better than steriods.....

Well, I certainly prefer your avatar on camera to steroids.

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by chiefs70

Well, I certainly prefer your avatar on camera to steroids.

For sure Eric! Guess she has to take a few months off soon until the 2008 pre-season starts again in August. Plus she's booked I think for other photo shoots.

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by chiefs70

Since my ID is football driven I have to have a comment, right? Firstly, go 'Bolts! I am an AFC fan through and through and my forum buddy LzyBns is a HUGE Bolts fan so I fly the flag for him and myself- even if they were fools for dumping Marty.

Secondly, Peyton Manning is the best QB in the NFL. Period. Tom Brady is a great talent but if you think he would make the Chiefs better than Manning would you are smoking something is ain't close to legal in these parts. I can't stand Belichick's arrogance but I can't deny his talent, drive or intelligence either. The "cheating" scandal doesn't explain all of the victories and rings hollow to me considering his old buddy (Mangini) ratted him out and the kept winning. I am not chearing for the Pats - Bolts, Jags or Colts for me - but the cheating comments come off a bit sanctimonious considering they were busted week 1.

With all of that being said, I met Bret Favre when he was in Topeka, KS rehabbing his Vicodin addiction (at a driving range no less) and he was the nicest damn guy you could ever meet. I realize times change and he may not be so nice anymore but I've always respected the Packers so if ANY NFC wins I am with the Pack. A pox on Jerry Jones and the Plowboys.

Hi chiefs70,

I have to respectfully disagree with ya about Tom Brady- he is currently the best QB in the NFL. Here's why:

Peyton was selected #1 in the '98 draft. Brady was selected #199 in the 2000 draft. Conventional wisdom says that a QB drafted as low as Brady was should be, at best, a career backup. Indy knew Peyton would be their starter someday, while it took an injury to Drew Bledsoe for Brady to get his chance. And, he made the most of it!
During their careers, Peyton has won one Super Bowl; Brady three. The first two Brady had absolutely no superstar level talent with him on offense, while Peyton has always had Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James or Joseph Addai (after James left). It wasn't until the season of their third SB that Brady had Corey Dillon with him on offense, who was considered a star running back in his day.
I'll grant Peyton has a better arm, but Brady is the better decision maker. Leaving defense completely out of the argument for winning championships, Brady's decision making ability explains why he has 3 rings, while Peyton only has one.

Now, as far as the cheating goes-
Here's a link concerning the Jets being caught filming at Foxboro during 2006 (Mangini's first year).
ESPN - Jets videotaped Patriots last season in Foxborough - NFL

Apparently, filming was legal prior to this season, as long as permission was sought from the home team first. I get the impression from this article that filming was pretty widespread around the NFL during and prior to 2006.
I would give credence to the Pats cheating allegation if it occured much later in the 2007 season (say game 5 or beyond). That would create a lot of doubt about the Pats in my mind. But, since the Pats were ratted out in the first game, were investigated, got punished (heavily, in my mind), and still went on to win the remaining 15 games, it is not an issue with me. The Pats have convinced me that they've won due to talent and good decision making, not cheating.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by chiefs70

Since my ID is football driven I have to have a comment, right? Firstly, go 'Bolts! I am an AFC fan through and through and my forum buddy LzyBns is a HUGE Bolts fan so I fly the flag for him and myself- even if they were fools for dumping Marty.

Secondly, Peyton Manning is the best QB in the NFL. Period. Tom Brady is a great talent but if you think he would make the Chiefs better than Manning would you are smoking something is ain't close to legal in these parts. I can't stand Belichick's arrogance but I can't deny his talent, drive or intelligence either. The "cheating" scandal doesn't explain all of the victories and rings hollow to me considering his old buddy (Mangini) ratted him out and the kept winning. I am not chearing for the Pats - Bolts, Jags or Colts for me - but the cheating comments come off a bit sanctimonious considering they were busted week 1.

With all of that being said, I met Bret Favre when he was in Topeka, KS rehabbing his Vicodin addiction (at a driving range no less) and he was the nicest damn guy you could ever meet. I realize times change and he may not be so nice anymore but I've always respected the Packers so if ANY NFC wins I am with the Pack. A pox on Jerry Jones and the Plowboys.

Well, naturally I disagree with your Brady Manning assessment but what did you expect? Brady's done more with less than Manning ever has IMHO... but they are clearly the 1-2 QBs in the league and are great fun to watch. (Though clearly Brady's stats have been padded by the infamous and allmight videotape... )

Be interesting if we got to see a Pats-Bolts rematch but I doubt that will happen... still, it could... I like the Bolts. (And Bret does seem like a genuine guy, and I agree with ya there.)