When the news broke that the Patriots were being investigated for illegally using a video camera to record their opponent's defensive signals, there didn't seem to be a whole lot of surprise around the league. In fact, several Steelers coaches told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Belichick has been doing it for years, going back to his time in Cleveland.Steelers coaches, who asked not to be identified, have suspected for a long time that the Patriots used such a device to gain an illegal advantage, although they did not file a complaint with the league.One assistant said the Steelers changed their defensive signals whenever they played against New England because of their suspicions.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was one of the few coaches to go on the record with his concerns about the Patriots, saying in his Tuesday press conference that "where there is smoke, there's fire." Apparently Belichick and his team's tweaking of the rules has been an open secret, but no one seems to have stepped forward to accuse them because it was extremely difficult to obtain hard evidence--until the Jets confiscated the Patriots camera.
"A lot has been said about the New England guys and New England family, if you will," Tomlin said. "You focus on the variables that you can control; the men that you work with, your preparation; your performance, at least I do. I don't worry about those things."Of course, if Belichick was cheating with the Browns, it shows that there are limits to how much of an advantage teams can get from stealing signals--he was 36-44 as the Browns coach before being fired.
ADVERTISEMENT
_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Get a reality check.
What happened to innocent, until proven guilty?
If this is true, this is a big disappointment for everyone.
However, deciphering signals has been common knowledge among teams in football, and baseball, for decades.
Why do you think coaches cover their faces with the clip board, when giving instructions?
On the other hand, recording them on video tape is against the NFL rules and should be penalized.
Do not equate deciphering signals and recording them with choking the life out of dogs or violent crimes.
Visit: http://www.sportsfilter.com/comments.cfm/4976
Then put crime in perspective.
Posted at 9:23AM on Sep 12th 2007 by Tommy
2. So much for the "genius" label attached to Bellichick. This may very deservedly tarnish his reputation. He took advantage of a rule that all the other NFL coaches abide by. Shame on you Bill, did you really need to do that?
Posted at 10:28AM on Sep 12th 2007 by Bobby
3. RE: the tags.
Pittsburgh is an AFC North team, not AFC South.
Posted at 11:06AM on Sep 12th 2007 by Steve S.
4. Not only does he have no personality, he's a cheater to boot!
Posted at 11:29AM on Sep 12th 2007 by Jenga
5. Cheats on the field and cheats at home. No wonder this man has no outside interests and lives in the shadow of his never happy Father. I'm so sick of him being labeled a genius when all he really is is a driven sociopath who happens to be in the football business. I bet the man has few if any close personal friends, and if out of football would be a white collar criminal. He has forever tarnished the Patriots and their Victories. He needs to step down and find that new career.
Posted at 1:44PM on Sep 12th 2007 by Billyboy
6. This also reflects sadly on the accomplishments of Brady. The value of knowing even some of the defensive calls during a game is significant. Three super bowl victories by a field goal each gives one pause re the place the team, coach and QB should occupy in the history of the game.
Posted at 2:46PM on Sep 12th 2007 by don
7. you changed your signals. you still lost.
Posted at 5:32PM on Sep 12th 2007 by bj
8. This isn't about Pittsburgh winning bj, this is about the Patriots doing something against the rules, for a long time, even after being warned and reported.
To me it is insane that they would do that when playing the Jets, with a former Patriots coach on the sidelines - this wasn't a sting operation, this was just plain stoopid.
Either this was a huge competitive advantage (and a very serious 'crime') or inconsequential (and just a stupid risk with little to gain). Either way, this really does put the Patriots - owner, staff and players - in a very bad light.
Posted at 2:37PM on Sep 13th 2007 by Spacemonkey
9. If it was not an advange they would not have done it. This is the same as a player taking drugs to be better than his competition. Both are doing something against the rules to gain an advantge. They have most likely been doing this for years. If Barry Bonds record is no good then the Patriots record is no good. Cheaters are Cheaters. How good will Brady be without knowing what defense he is facing. As far as I am concerned Brady is Milly Vanilly. I know their names are spelled wrong. I do not know how to spell milly Vanilly that is the point. Brady will be nothing now. Think I am wrong? E-mail me after the season and tell me how the team with the most talent lost in the first round.
Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 13th 2007 by atlfan42
10. During the game yesterday there was a female reporter, it was after the interview with owner Bob Kraft, she said there was allegedly another camera and this camera was taping the audio...... NOT VIDEO!!!!!!!! They are still investigating tho............ this S.O.B. needs to do some HEAVY suspension time.
Now I am a HUGE COLT fan, BUT........... what BB has done is unforgivable. BB has a great team and for him to taint them like he has done. If i was a player for him i would be so shittttttttyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!
BB needs to go after this if it is found out that they also were taping the audio as well.
Posted at 10:17AM on Sep 17th 2007 by Kristi
11. How long bill?
take your time roger and look at film of patriot games during the entire belichick era.
If he has been cheating since becoming the patriot
coach, he should be fined,lose draft picks, suspended for a year and banned from post season play, no mater what their record is. that should wipe
that smug look off his and brady's face.
Posted at 1:11PM on Sep 27th 2007 by justin wooten
12. Well, Pat's fans, you are showing the world what good Americans you are by rationalizing away Belichicks sins. When you get a call from your daughters high school, explaining that she was caught giving "favors" to the boys on the busride home, will you accept her explanation? "But dad, ALL the girls are doing it! Do you want me to lose my competitive edge with the other girls!??" How 'bout when your son gets in trouble for cheating at school "But dad, how am I ever going to climb the corporate ladder if I don't lie, cheat and steal now? All the guys are doing it! I won't be able to compete!" Or another son dies from steroid use, how will you eulogize him "He needed those steroids in order to compete, God bless him, he just went a little too far." You made your own bed Patsy fans, lie in it.
Posted at 1:54PM on Sep 27th 2007 by victor58