I knew the Pats were cheaters...

[70Chip]

This to me is the part that is the most potentially explosive:

"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."

If they are/were listening in on the other teams communications, then Belichek should receive a suspension. This is far worse than stealing hand signals. Hand signals by their very nature are in the public domain if you will. Teams understand that there is a risk inherent in using them because they cannot be concealed. Listening to wireless radio communication is more akin to bugging the visiting locker room.

Update: PFT says that the accusation is that the Patriots were miking their own defensive players to record the other team's audibles at the line of scrimmage and then matching that audio with overhead game video so that they could give the players a kind of translation of the audibles at half time. This would explain why the extra radio channels would potentially be necessary. This cheating would be in addition to taping the defensive signals which is apparently unrelated. "Entreprenurial" would be the word to define this approach to poor sportsmanship.

Update 2: PFT is now calling for Belichek to be suspended or even fired. They like so many others before them have obviously discovered the cure for what ails them - reading my posts.

ProFootballTalk.com -- The Best Pro Football Scoop on the Internet

[724Skinsfan]

What's the realistic chance that Goodell will come down hard on these guys? I think very slim. Maybe a couple of midrounders in the 2008 draft. I think the commish will be considering backing off the heavy-handed penalties in order to show that he's not a tyrant. Kind of sucks for the individual players that have been punished thus far, though.

On the other hand, he may come down extremely hard like forfeiture of the game and several draft picks in order say "I really AM cleaning this shit up!"

Thid will be one of the most intriguing decisions that he makes. When he goes, I think the fans will thank him but the personnel in the NFL may hate everything about him.

[djnemo65]

I can't remember a time in my lifetime when a professional team has been forced to forfeit a game ex post facto. Can anyone else?

[70Chip]

There was a period in the late eighties when the Giants won like six straight games against Gibbs and the Redskins. In those pre-radio days the Redskins used hand signals for all their offensive plays. It seems obvious now that the Giants and their defensive coordinator were probably, most likely stealing all those signals. I think there should be a full investigation.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

There was a period in the late eighties when the Giants won like six straight games against Gibbs and the Redskins. In those pre-radio days the Redskins used hand signals for all their offensive plays. It seems obvious now that the Giants and their defensive coordinator were probably, most likely stealing all those signals. I think there should be a full investigation.

Hmmm...and Belichick was defensive coordinator on that team, which I'm sure you were inferring. Why didn't he cheat when he coached he Browns? Actually, maybe he did since they did get a little better.

[skinsguy]

Wow, I remember the days when the Patriots were the team to make fun of. Then, suddenly, they're the best team in the league this decade. And...it could all be because they cheat to win.

[Emmanuel]

Suddenly, Bill Belicheck's "defensive genius" seems so obvious...

(Wild Speculation: Bill Parcells could only win a Superbowl when Belicheck was his Defensive Coordinator. Hmm.......)

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Check out the bottom of this article, which, like PFT, is reporting that the Pats may have stolen radio signals. If true, Belichick should be suspended for 8 games and the Pats should lose their first day picks.

http://news.com.com/8300-10784_3-7-0...adio+frequency

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by htownskinfan

it def taints their wins,I hope they can find out how far back this goes,if they were doing it the players would have to be in on it,wouldnt they?Or at least the player on the field who calls the signals for the defense,should they be punished too?
I've been nuetral on Belichek,I've always liked Brady,till he dumped Bridget after knocking her up and having nothing to do with her during her pregnancy,meanwhile hes out with some other hottie,Ijust cant respect a man who knocks somebody up then leaves them for another woman while their pregnant

I don't like Brady...but from what I understand, she tricked him into unprotected sex, likely for purpose of having his child. Hard to say no to a hottie at any time...it was their "goodbye sex".

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I don't like Brady...but from what I understand, she tricked him into unprotected sex, likely for purpose of having his child. Hard to say no to a hottie at any time...it was their "goodbye sex".

He fell inside her

But seriously, the shameful reality is that he's not the first guy to leave a pregnant girlfriend.

As to the Patriots' issues, the NFL should enact NHL rules and have the Pats play a man down all season long

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

He fell inside her

But seriously, the shameful reality is that he's not the first guy to leave a pregnant girlfriend.

As to the Patriots' issues, the NFL should enact NHL rules and have the Pats play a man down all season long

Well, I think he already left before they knew she was pregnant. Anywho, it was likely a sperm donor cause like I said, Brady is a fudgepacker.

I REALLY like the idea of taking the win away and losing the 1st round pick...that sends a clear and stern message to the NFL. Not just a meezly slap on the wrist with a 3rd and 5th rounder. I'd take a punishment of those 2 draft picks for 3 super bowl wins.

[dgack]

Wait, wasn't Eric Mangini a former member of Belichick's coaching staff? So the guy who probably used to willingly participate in this kind of underhanded crap is now complaining about it because it's being used against his new team?

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by dgack

Wait, wasn't Eric Mangini a former member of Belichick's coaching staff? So the guy who probably used to willingly participate in this kind of underhanded crap is now complaining about it because it's being used against his new team?

That's probably how he knew.

[dgack]

Originally Posted by jsarno

That's probably how he knew.

Exactly, which makes him a guilty accomplice for God knows how many years the Pats have been doing this.

All that moral high ground crap Mangini is trying to stand on is total baloney, it's just him trying to one-up his old boss and it's pathetic. Both of them are classless in my book if this turns out to be true.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by dgack

Exactly, which makes him a guilty accomplice for God knows how many years the Pats have been doing this.

All that moral high ground crap Mangini is trying to stand on is total baloney, it's just him trying to one-up his old boss and it's pathetic. Both of them are classless in my book if this turns out to be true.

Can't really argue with that.