By apparently cheating against a clearly inferior opponent the coach with more offensive weapons than the Pentagon joined a notorious list of famous head-scratchers. Belichick's actions now echo those of Winona Ryder, the fabulously rich shoplifter; Barry Bonds, better than anybody walking the earth, but who reportedly took steroids, though unknowingly, anyway; and Kobe Bryant, sex symbol to a million women yet who was accused of rape -- a case later dismissed.
On the other hand ... the negative reaction to this is just completely overblown. The Patriots were breaking rules because they are obsessed with getting every minor strategic advantage, but that doesn't change the fact the strategic advantage is minor. The idea that suddenly all three Super Bowl championships are tainted is ridiculous.
Via ESPN.com
My take? As a huge Patriot's hater, this is almost the Holy Grail. But will anything come of it? Probably not much, Commissioner Roger Goodell will probably take away some lower (3rd-5th) draft picks and the Pats will continue on their merry way. What should really happen is that Bill Belichek gets suspended for four games and fined for cheating the game just like a player who takes performance enhancing drugs would, he can ask one of his own players about that. In addition, a first round draft pick for 08, and a third round pick in 09 should be penalized on the team. However, suspending and fining Belicheck ensures that he suffers some sort of punishment from the situation, because if he should leave the Patriots after this year, then only the team would suffer.
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