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Pats Accused of Cheating, Jets Accused of Whining

16
Vote

by Rawbeezeitz

This originally appeared at http://bloodsox.blogspot.com

In 2001, it was the Raiders who bitched about the tuck rule. Then their fans, and overnight radio loser JT the Brick concocted a conspiracy theory involving the NFL, Homeland Security, and the Kennedy assassins. They ignored the fact that their team still allowed two field goal scoring drives after the tuck rule play, and since that year, their team has been a joke that gets funnier and funnier.

Also in 2001, the Steelers complained that the "best team" didn't win the game between them and the Patriots. Because Bill Cowher was focused too much on his hard pounding run game, and impenetrable defense to give any attention to his special teams play, he proceeded to whine like a baby.

Then there the Colts in 2003 and 2004. This bunch of sissies whined that Patriots players hit them during plays. Eventually, the Colts whined so much that an entirely new set of rules for pass coverage were written by the NFL. Now the Colts could get 5 yard penalties and automatic first downs if anyone even looked at Marvin Harrison in a mean way.

Then last year the Chargers joined the whining. Tomlinson threw a tantrum when the Patriots mimicked Merrimen's Lights Out dance on the Chargers logo. Ladanian even went so far as to accuse Coach Belichick of being classless. Meanwhile, LT ignored the steroid use of his teammate who was mocked, as well as the DUI his other teammate picked up in the off-season.

And now it's time for the Jets to join the circus of bad losers.

Eric Mangini, who has connived, plotted, and schemed in a vein effort to surpass the Patriots in the AFC East, now has a new ploy. He has accused the Patriots of stealing signs. He's borrowed a page from baseball and applied it to football.

Before every defensive play, the defense on the field receives the play call from the sideline. But they get their play in the form of hand signals from the sidelines. In an effort to prevent these signals from being decoded, teams often employ three or more signalers, with only one man giving the true signs.

In this weekend's 38-14 demolition of the Jets, a Patriot employee was noticed on the sidelines with a video camera. The Jets have alleged that this man was taping the Jets signalers in an effort to figure out which plays the Jets would be running on defense. The NFL has since confiscated the tape and the camera, and will be investigating the matter.

First of all, in order to decipher the Jets signals, the Patriots would have to find all of the signalers, record every play, compare it to the signals, and hope to find a pattern with one of the signalers. Then they could apply it to gameplay, and maybe be able to tell when the Jets were blitzing, when they weren't, and things like that.

If this happened, then it's a form of cheating, and the Patriots should be punished. But I have my doubts. It seems like it would be too difficult to do this within a game. But I haven't seen any of the tapes or anything, so who knows?

This whole thing stinks like dirty diapers. Mangina and the Jets are crying because they got spanked. And they try to pull this mind game crap all the time. This and the whole business with Reche Caldwell after he got released is just another vein attempt by Mangina to overcome the fact that the Patriots are much superior to the Jets. It isn't the first time another team has acted like children after we beat them. And it won't be the last.

The Jets can join the Raiders, Steelers, Colts, and Chargers in the ever growing list of teams that need to grow up.


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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Well, it's nice to see the lack of class has spread from the coach, to the organization and now to the fans. The Raiders bitched because there was no tuck rule so it became a judgement call that day. The Colts were pissed because the Patriots were using Pass interference as a defensive scheme, the league agreed. The Steelers simply felt they were the better team, no acusations of cheating, just felt like the better team lost. That's not really whining thats just their opinion. But go ahead and pretend it's a conspiracy (and Vick was set up too) if it makes you feel better as a fan, but really that's what stinks. I guess the Patriots can now join the extremely short list of teams that need to learn to follow the rules and keep their camramen off the opponents side of the field (I do believe they aren't even allowed on the field at all). Let's be real here. The outcome of the game has no bearing on whether or not they were cheating. I bet the Jets had something to say before the game even started.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 2+-
Oh yeah, LT, he was whining like a little girl after he lost. I can agree with you there.
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 2+-
OK, there was and still is a tuck rule, it was not a judgment call in any way, it was the rule, and my point was that play continued after the call and the Raiders still lost.

The Colts rules were ridiculously ambiguous and made even the slightest contact warrant a 5 yard penalty and a 1st down.

And after you lose, if you say crap like "the best team lost" then you're whining.

I don't think there's any conspiracy, I just think there are some cry-baby teams out there that can't handle losing in a mature way. That's all.
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 2+-
And where is this "lack of class" accusation coming from? When have the Patriots ever done anything but show respect for their opponents?
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Cowher's statements where more an indictment of the lack of special teams play on the Steelers part than an attemt to insult the Pats. He followed those statements up by firing the special teams coach two days later. He simply felt they where the better team and they lost due to special teams. It's not whining because he didn't make excuses for the outcome. He clearly stated that the problem was with his own team not with the rules, refs or any other third party problem. There is a clear difference between the other incidents you mention and the Steelers incident. Also, losing one game does not make you feel the other team was better. If football wasn't so violent they would have a best of seven series to. That is why they have "best of" series in most sports because in a one game playoff the better team sometimes looses. Furthermore, if you don't feel that you are the best team on the field you don't belong in the pros.

The tuck rule was redefined in the offseason following the Raiders Pats game.

I'll say it again, the league agreed with the Colts and changed the rules.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
My lack of class comment comes from a few things. First I started disliking Belichick because during a game against the Steelers an Patriot went down right next to the Steelers sideline and he was writhing in pain. The Steelers doctors, being doctors and all, went to try to help. Belichick proceeded to berate cowher and the medical staff for doing so. Though I can mildly sympithise with him on this the fact is what the Steelers' medical staff was doing was on a human level and all Belichick had to do was ask them to leave not scream at them. Injuries trump the game at hand that's why we all have the same avatar today, isn't it? This illegal use of a camera is why I say the organization doesn't have class and the blind defense of it is why I am saying the fans don't have class.
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Well the tuck rule wasn't changed, and you're already assuming guilt in this instance.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
I'm not assuming guilt here. A Patriots employee was caught on the other teams sidline with a camera. What is there to assume. I agree that Mangini's GUESS at what was going on is a little rediculous. However it upsets me that this is not just a mistake this is now the second time this guy has been removed from the other teams sideline. That doesn't just violate the rules it violates the unwritten rules of sportsmanship. It's downright dirty pool no matter how you look at it.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
What was Mangini's guess? Mangini has not said a single thing about the incident. In fact, the Jets have not a single comment about it aside from referring people to the NFL.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 2+-
Then, The media's guess at what is going on.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 5+-
And I repeat, a bad case of rationalization has affected the New England area. People are being advised to stay away because it is very infectious. Symptoms include defensiveness, illogical statements, and an overwhelming need to avoid the fact that this marks at leat the second time a Patriots employee was caught with a video camera on the opposing teams sideline.

Although doctors have not yet found a cure. They said a cold dose of reality may be effective in stemming the spread of the disease. Dr. Mort Shelickman said he has had succes in treating the disease by pointing out the following:

"The rule is that no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game," the league said in a statement from spokesman Greg Aiello. "Clubs have specifically been reminded in the past that the videotaping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals on the sidelines is prohibited.


"We are looking into whether the Patriots violated this rule."


The Patriots' cameraman was suspected of aiming his camera at the Jets' defensive coaches who were sending signals to their unit on the field, the sources said. The league also is investigating some radio frequency issues that occurred during the game.

Dr. Shelikman issued the following statement. "While it is true that facts hurt, in this instance it is essential that anyone suspected of this disease be confronted with facts. While they will still try to rationalize, the more facts they are confronted with, the less likely the disease is to spread. If I can save a single person from this dreaded disease, I will feel like I have made a difference."
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
This defense that it is too hard and irrational to try to figure out the other teams coaches holds no water. Let's assume you are right. Can you in any way justify the Pats filming the defensive coaches of another team during a game for any reason?
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 2+-
I'm not trying to. I'm not defending any illegal actions the Patriots or their employee committed. I simply think the allegations of sign stealing are ridiculous, and seem to be based on Mangini's immature nature more than anything else. I repeat: I AM NOT DEFENDING THE PATRIOTS, I AM ATTACKING THE JETS AND THEIR COACH
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 3+-
You are just babbling with nothing behind it. NFL security caught a Patriots employee with a camera on the Jets sideline and somehow this is because of Mangini's immature nature? What pray tell did Mangini have to do with the NFl catching, again, a Patriots employee on the Jets sideline?
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
The accusations of what he was doing on the sidelines are the ridiculous concotion of Mangini. I'm not denying or defending that the guy was on the sidelines. But the Jets are acting silly, making a big deal out of this, turning it into a league inquiry.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 2+-
This is one of the other side effects. Simply making things up. The Jets nor Mangini have made a single statement about the incident. If you don't believe the Patriots had a cameraman on the Jets sideline that is fine, but your beef is with the media, not the Jets. I challenge you to give one cite where any member of the Jets talks about the Patriots sideline cameraman? You can't, because it doesn't exist and you are just making shit up.
Permalink
RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score -3+-
If you don't think this shit all started with the Jets bitching, then you're simply being naive.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 5+-
I find it laughable that you are mocking "theories" that are based completely on the facts while at the same time espousing your "theory" of events that have no basis in reality.

Here is Mangini's quote:

"With anything along those lines, those are all league-related matters, and anything that deals with an issue like this or anything on a team-by-team basis, those all go to the league," Mangini said.
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Wait, what are your theories "based on facts" again? That the Patriots stole signals based on the fact that there was a lone cameraman on the sidelines? I'll admit, I have no solid evidence to back up my theory. It just seems to fit Mangini's penchant for silly and inane bullshit.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 2+-
So finally you admit it. You have no facts. On the other hand, all I have is the fact that a Patriots employee was caught with a camera on the Jets sidelines in contracention to NFL rules and about a dozen media reports, none of which are NY based, saying that the cameraman was focused on filming the Jets defensive signals. What else, that the NFL is investigated the incident, may hold a conference call about the incident and that other teams have reported similar problems in the past.
Permalink
RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Woah, wait a minute, shoiw me these reports that STATE that the camera was focused on the Jets sidelines and their signalers? Now you're making shit up.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Nice try.

Here's 1 http://sport...y?id=3012989 Here's 2 http://sport...p/index.html

Here's 3 http://sport...mp;type=lgns
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
"The Patriots' cameraman was suspected of aiming his camera at the Jets' defensive coaches who were sending signals to their unit on the field, the sources said."

Key word: suspected

"The employee was accused of aiming his camera at the Jets' defensive coaches, who were sending signals out to the players, sources told the Web site."

Key word: accused

"The report said that the Patriots were thought to be video-taping the Jets' defensive coaches, who were giving signals to players on the field. "

Key word: thought

In all three of these articles, none of them definitively state that the cameraman was filming the Jets signalers. All of them state that the cameraman was ACCUSED of filming the signalers. There's a difference. A big difference.
Permalink
ChristofMVP
810 days ago
Score 4+-
According to profootballtalk, the JEts have been joined by several other teams in regards to accusing the Pats of cheating....
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
If it's such a big deal, why did these other teams wait so long to come forward with these accusations?
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Hey, nice, you came up with yet another excuse.
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
It's not an excuse, it's an observation. People like you are blowing this stuff out of proportion, claiming that the Patriots have a long history of stealing signs and cheating. My observation is that these other teams must not have felt it was a big deal if they didn't come forward until now.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
The Packers did come forward. They removed they guy from the sidelines. They don't have to make a news report about it to address it. I would assume the Jets do indeed get a little more satisfaction in outing the Pats as cheaters. I wonder if the Packers considered letting him stay on the sidlines. You know, since they didn't think it was a big deal.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
How do you know that teams didn't come forward? because it wasn't reported by the media? And give me a break it is not an excuse. You have been the lone voice for two days now trying to rationalize away the Patriots behavior.
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
I really don't see how me being "the lone voice" on AGM today means anything. And if you can show me where I've rationalized the Patriots breaking the rule, I'd love to see it. All I've done is support the team against overblown and (in my opinion) silly accusations.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
I don't really think this is being blown out of proportion. These are very serious allegations. This, much like steroids in baseball did to Bonds, could potentially taint Bellichick. The difference is that this has the potential to taint a dynasty.
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Very serious allegations? Steroids? Do you honestly think the reason the Patriots have won is because they had some cameraman on the sidelines? See, this is what is irritating me, the notion that this is serious. Again, I think it's obvious the Patriots violated a rule, and if they were trying to steal signs with a camera, they should lose some draft picks. But this is being blown out of proportion by people who dislike the Patriots. They're using this as an opportunity to taint the success of the Patriots. And I don't think this is a coordinated conspiracy or anything, I just think there are a lot of biased people out there.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
I said potentially for a reason. If it ends up only being these two times then, no, it doesn't taint anyones career, But if we find that this was an ongoing activity by the Pats then, yes, it will taint their legacy. And yes these are serious allegations. If you don't think that knowing the defenses signals or spying on the opposing team is serious then you are once again blindly defending the patriots from this so-called conspiracy against them by the "haters".
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Everybody spies on the opposing teams to try to pick up signals. The Patriots are accused of using an amoral mean to do it, and should be punished if we did. But all 32 teams try to do it.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Like you said in the other thread, there is not a valid comparison between doing it with your own eyes and doing with a camera. You can say what you want if it helps you sleep tonight but like I said if this was an ongoing practice it will taint everything they have accomplished thus far. For football's sake I hope that is not the case.
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
I don't see how them stealing signs taints anything. Maybe I'm blinded, but I don't think it's that big of a deal. I didn't think it was a big deal when the Dolphins got a hold of audio tapes of the Patriot audibles and we lost to them.
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Oh No RomoDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 2+-
Cheater....Cheater....Pumpkin Eater
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
This is from SI.com's article on the story: (whole story can be seen here: (http://sport...p/index.html)

"The story was first reported on the Web site of Jets Confidential, which said the Jets chief of security alerted NFL security about the issue during the game."

Now why would the Jets head of security notify NFL security? I work at Gillette Stadium, and let me just go over the procedures of what would happen if another team's employee was violating rules on the field:

1. The man/woman on the field for security would inform their supervisor of the problem

2. If the violator was continuing to be a nuisance, or had broken some rule, the supervisor would contact the command center, and the head of security.

3. The person would be made to leave the field, possibly ejected from the Stadium, and possibly arrested (in an extreme case)

But for some reason, the Jets had NFL security deal with it. So it wasn't as if NFL security noticed this guy, the Jets told NFL Security about it. Now I wonder who was behind this decision? I wonder who would want the NFL to investigate this. It certainly couldn't be the head of Jets security. It would have to be someone within the Jets football operations. My guess would be Mangini, but that entire organization has a grudge against Belichick and the Patriots, so it could have been anyone.

And who leaked the story to Jets Confidential. There weren't any NFL press releases regarding the story until the blog published it. Interesting, really interesting. But I'm sure the Jets had nothing to do with all of this.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
will you just give it up already? I am so tired of you. Your team got caught cheating. The NHF will ivestigate and it will be done with. live with it.
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Your team got caught sucking, and now it's been caught whining. I like how you've simply given up on addressing my points about security, or about how some blog got a hold of this story.
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Anonymous Fanatic #1
810 days ago
Score 1+-
I would accuse the Pats of being utterly lame...

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

Go Mets, we're gonna win the super bowl!!!
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Smmonroe2Varsity Captain
810 days ago
Score 0+-
I agree with the article. Mangini has no reason to talk. As I am sure that half of the plays that come out of his mouth are from Bellichecks playbook. Remeber Mangini worked under Bellicheck for a long time. How simmilar do some of the Jets defensive schemes seem. I understand that most teams use a copycat aproach, but dont bitch if your gonna talk something from somebody else. And if the Patriots were cheating, which they have no reason to do because they are one of the best teams in the league, they will be punished properly, no need to complain about it, let the league office do its job.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Huh? You are comparing someone taking knowledge from one job to another with the illegal use of a video recording device?
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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
810 days ago
Score 1+-
He makes one good point: let the league office do its job.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
810 days ago
Score 1+-
Willyou stop with your excuses and rationalizations now? The league has confirmed that the Patriots were indeed cheating. http://www.a...iots_Cheated
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Yakob878MVP
810 days ago
Score 1+-
mjd the jets had no chance the patswr's lit them up cheating to get signs is one thing you still have to excute in all other aspects of the game were we did or did not cheat and we did the jets did not and thats why we won not just because of cheting and if manggini was really bothered he should have stoped the game and get the problem taken care of so no more signs could be taken.
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Anonymous Fanatic #2
809 days ago
Score 0+-
Patriots - did cheat but that 108 yard run-back by the Patriots was priceless... Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Go Giants... I think the Dallas Cowboys were cheating too then how did they possibly score 45 points ?
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