So Bill Belichick and the Patriots were stealing signals from the Jets.
Big. Flippin'. Deal.
As I have said before, people on this site are far too high strung these days. Who the hell cares that the Patriots were stealing signals? It's against the rules, they got caught, now they are going to pay the price. So enough already.
Stealing signals has been a part of American sports since the days of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Quite frankly, I think people these days always need something to be outraged about.
This ain't it, people.
Do you guys really think that this is the reason that the Patriots won three Super Bowls? I know all you idiot Panthers, Eagles, and Rams fans are vigorously nodding your heads yes right now, but the truth is, it was a rhetorical question. The answer is no, signal stealing is not what made the Pats the best team of the first half of the first decade of the new millenium. Great play is what made them the powerhouse they were and are.
When I played football in high school, my coach asked me to watch the other team from the sidelines and try to figure out their signals, and their plays. You know what? I figured some of them out, all right. I even correctly told my coach exactly when the other team was going to run a 922 down. Yay for me.
We lost that game, despite our "cheating." Which brings me to the point of this post: THIS AIN'T CHEATING. Kudos to the Pats for thinking of such a way to get a leg up on their opponents. Signal stealing is part of the game, plain and simple. I don't care if Richard Seymour has the hubble telescope parked on the bench next to him, if you're the Jets, you do a better job of protecting your calls. If your signals are being "stolen" well, brother, you ain't protecting them right.
Why do you think coaches cover their mouths when they call plays? It's because they know they're being watched. This does not demean the game in any way, it is the game. The game is beat or be beaten. As long as you aren't injecting shark hormone into your anus, hey, play ball, I say. People forget that part of the "cerebral" aspect of football is to outsmart your opponent. Taking their signals falls under the category of outsmarting your opponent.
For all those morons who claim that football is "war" and the players are "in the trenches," don't you think those "soldiers" would like a little extra intel once in a while?
Stealing signals, bite my as$. I laughed hysterically while reading all the indignant posts on this site about this so-called "situation." Stop whining about this, people. Worry more about Brady and Moss passing for 200 yards on your defense before you worry about some kid with a camera videotaping Brian Billick while he caresses his chin. Instead of crying out against them, why not step back and take a look at what they did: they outcoached us all. Again. What better move than to know what your opponent is going to do before they do it.
Now, as I said before, this is against the rules, and they are going to be punished for it. But, in my opinion, this is just about the most minor of misdemeanors we have seen in an off-season loaded with scandals and felonies. I never thought I'd say this, but:
Bill Belichick? You go, girl.
Brooklyn Decker
Jessica Gomes
Did You See That?
College Football Top 25 Review
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You should cancel your profile right now. You're much too reasonable for the mob here.
Urnze
Total Comments (4803)
"As long as you aren't injecting shark hormone into your anus,"
That is a hilarious line! Thanks for chiming in with some perspective mixed with a sense of humor!
BTW, stealing signals is not, in and of itsef illegal, just using a video camera to do so. So basically Belichick is guilty of being a voyeur. hmmmm, maybe I don't want to go there?!?! The mental pictures could prove to be too disturbing!
Personally I have had enough of the negative crap in sports from Bonds, Vick, Pacman, etc. It reminds me of when we were all kids playing at the local park. Some stupid arguement would break out, stopping the game until some sensible kid would say, "let's just play ball!"
[The] Coach
Wilmington, NC
Total Comments (4034)
Stealing the signs isnt the point. Its the videotaping which is against the rules and sets a horrible precedent for unsportmanlike conduct. Thanks Belicheat.
Every thing the Pats have ever accomplished has nothing to do w/sign stealing, however.
Stealing signs visually, w/o the aid of video is not against the rules. C'mon Belicheap, hire some guys who know American Sign Language to steal your signs for ya.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
Every team does what Belichick was caught for. You can do it if you have a polaroid camera, I don't understand why you can't do it with a video camera. Like Cassidy said, even if the Patriots used a polaroid camera and followed league rules, they still would've won all those games. The Patriots still have the best coach in the NFL and they also have the best coaching staff in the NFL.
Bah Humbug
Raleigh , NC
Total Comments (833)
Every team may try to steal signs, but not everyone tapes them. That's the difference. I'm just worried about the integrity of all the important games they played in. I'm not saying they wouldn't have won them, but it may have helped them. The story about the Eagles defensive players is very interesting to read. They said the Pats ran a ton of screens after half time and said it seemed like everytime they blitzed, the Pats ran another one.
waituntilnextyearfan
The Mile High City, CO
Total Comments (1263)
I agree with this... "It's against the rules, they got caught, now they are going to pay the price."
The thing I don't agree with is that I think they should have suspended Belichick. The reasons are, the fines won't do anything and they are only gonna lose a draft pick.
PackersLP21
Titletown, WI
Total Comments (14517)
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