Patriots punishment

[JJP]

Why should we be surprised? Steroids in baseball and other sports, rampant drug use in thoroughbred racing.....not surprised somebody got caught.

The penalty? Make NE forfeit the game to the Jets. IMO, forfeiting games is the ONLY deterrant here. Giving up draft picks isn't enough.

Even with cheating, I don't know if NE is better than either Indy or San Diego.

[packerbacker7964]

To me if they can go back to the when the Packers caught this dude doing it and ask some questions. If they can prove it was the same guy then take the win vs the Jets.

[viscount26]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I'm obviously biased because I am a Jets fan, but I agree. Belicheck is a scumbag, bottomline. He thinks he is untouchable and this isn't an isolated incident with them.

Obviously as a Jets fan your'e biased. You still can't get over the fact that he didn't want to Coach you. Also, what is your take on the Jets bringing Caldwell to Camp, knowing full well you wern't going to sign him, when you had 6 wr's on the roster. Did you just want to say hi, or was Mangini checking all the Offensive plays. Sounds like that was cheating too, no.
Yes I'm Patriots fan, and until we hear from the other side, I'll respond then

[MaTH716]

I do think a forfeit is too much of a penalty. But the reason I like it is that the NFL would be sending a strong strong message that it will not tolerate cheating. It seems clear that the Pats had an unfair advantage. But I will wait to hear from the commish before I pass final judgement. I personally do not think that they needed it against the Jets but that doesn't matter. The other point is that even if they take the win away from the Pats it shouldn't affect their season much. It might hurt them as far as home field goes, but it shouldn't affect thier chances of making the playoffs. So the NFL will be setting a big precedent, saying they have a zero tolerance policy as far as cheating. I know this is a first offense, but the only thing that matters in this leauge is wins. In this case they will be putting everyone on notice and probably not ruin the Pats season. Then coaches will think twice about trying to get an unfair advantage like this.

Goodell loses all credibility if he slaps them on the wrist. It just screams of hypocrisy and possibly racism.

[horseofcourse]

I say take away ALL draft picks in 2008. Every single one, that should be a detterrent for other teams. Goodell needs to be very harsh.

[viscount26]

Hoss,
Point taken. It doesn't surprise me though, that it happened between our teams. The Deion Branch accusations come to mind here. We still only have one side here though. Makes me wonder if Mangini's first job with the Patriots was with a video camera

[SniperSB23]

I'd love to see them have to forfeit the game to send a message but that isn't going to happen. More likely it will be a 2nd and 5th round pick or something lame like that. I'd like to see them lose a 2nd, 4th, and 6th rounder and be told that if it happens again they will forfeit the game. If they get away with less than a 2nd rounder then I will be pretty pissed.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I'd love to see them have to forfeit the game to send a message but that isn't going to happen. More likely it will be a 2nd and 5th round pick or something lame like that. I'd like to see them lose a 2nd, 4th, and 6th rounder and be told that if it happens again they will forfeit the game. If they get away with less than a 2nd rounder then I will be pretty pissed.

As much as I'd like to see the Pats have that game taken from them ( what the hell would Vegas do?), I think that is a little extreme. I think a draft pick is the max that will be taken, if that. It's a badge of honor in baseball when you are known as a "sign stealer", although training a camera on the coaches is a little ridiculous. Do I think Belichick knew? Hell yes...

[pointman]

I am not a Jet fan in any way, but a forfeit really is the only proper penalty. Maybe Belichek is not the genius everyone thinks he is, maybe he is just a great cheater.

[ddthetide]

forfeit and belichek suspended 3 games