Earlier today, FanHouse's Michael David Smith mentioned that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick apologized for ... something, and the Boston Globe's Mike Reiss has the reaction from some of the New England players. Running back Kevin Faulk, one of the seven team captains, offered this:
"He apologized to the players for what happened, but at the same time he let us know right then and there that was it," Faulk said. "This is not what we're focusing on. We got a game to play against the San Diego Chargers."When Faulk was queried about studying opponents' signals, he said he didn't have "the slightest idea," and the he "didn't know anything about it ... I don't want to know anything about it."
Left tackle Matt Light was asked if "he would be bothered that people might put a mark on the Patriots' three Super Bowl championships based on the investigation." Light's answer: "People can look back and say whatever they want, I'm just lucky enough that I know the truth and I was there,"
This prompted Reiss to ask: "so, what is the truth?" Light's responds: "The truth is what I know I've done and accomplished ... I don't mix either one of those two. People can say whatever they want about anything. I stay out of all the 'what ifs?" Well, that clears that up.
I'm guessing this is going to end badly for the Pats. Maybe the players had an idea of what was going on, maybe they didn't. It doesn't really matter -- Belichick's the guy making the decisions. What the players did or didn't know doesn't change the fact that Belichick knew. I asked yesterday why this wasn't a bigger story. I think that's all about to change.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-12-2007 @ 6:15PM
twoeightnine said...
Light's responds: "The truth is what I know I've done and accomplished ... I don't mix either one of those two.
He doesn't mix what he's done and what he has accomplished? He doesn't mix the truth and what he has done and accomplished?
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9-12-2007 @ 6:21PM
John said...
When it comes down to it, this is nothing more than "stealing signs" in baseball in the digital edge. At best it would only provide a marginal advantage, if anything at all.
Truthfully, this is a minor transgression that should result in only the revocation of a pick or two, which is nearly inconsequential considering the Pats are stacked with 2 1st rounders in next years draft.
When it comes down to it, the games are won do to execution on the field. This doesn't tarnish the Patriots legacy, doesn't hamper this year's SB run, doesn't ultimately effect the team in the long run.
If anything, this simply reflects the senationalized media environment that we live in.
The sky is in no way falling. Get over this story.
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9-12-2007 @ 6:56PM
ROB BALLEW said...
CHEATING IS CHEATING, ITS PART OF ONES CHARACTER OR LACK OF CHARACTER. I HOPE THE NFL COMES DOWN ON THEM HARD AS TO MAKE A POINT. SAD VERY SAD. RB IN PALM DESERT
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9-12-2007 @ 7:07PM
jlhandgis5 said...
i would like to see the owner of the patriots come out and say that this is wrong and it will never happen again or heads will role--games are usually decided by 1to5 critical plays,knowing the other teams signals is a hugh advantage and is totally unfair. and if you are one of those excuse makers, i guess you wouldn't mind the patriots giving the teams they play their signals(just knowing if it is a pass or run, a blitz or cover 1or2 shouldn't affect the way they play).
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9-12-2007 @ 7:25PM
tina said...
I am a very very big NE fan on 9-11-01 we had an attack on our country and the towers came crashing down the worst day of so many people's live's even mine after all 9-11 is my birthday then on 9-11-07 i hear that the patriots are being accused of cheating then my heart came crashing down 2nd worst day of my life i have been very proud to say i am a new england fan, this though may all change the way i feel becuase people look @ me & call us cheats i am not happy w/ the act of bill i feel he should resine because i will never trust another game from the patriots as long as he is coach
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9-12-2007 @ 9:34PM
LB said...
Belichick should be suspended. Football is a game where one big play can change the course of a game.
So if Brady knows when the blitz is coming and what type he can pick the perfect play to beat it for a score. This is not a minor advantage. It goes against the fundamental fairness of the sport.
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