Belichick is Coach of the Year

[irish]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Did Shawne Merriman make the Pro Bowl last season? I forget, honestly.

As for Belichick, I think in his defense these spying issues were at the beginning of the year and really did not affect this year, which is what he's being honored for.

On the flip side, how much of their success can really be attributed to Belichick? Hard to say I guess. In the end though, you can't beat 16-0 and I have no problem with him being recognized for it.

I think this spying stuff is blown way out of proportion. As was stated over and over in print & on tv what BB was doing was being done by many teams but the unwritten code of the NFL was dont ask, dont tell. The Jets coach broke that code and the media latched onto a story.

Did BB cheat? Sure, but so were most other teams. Its much to-do over nothing.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by irish

I think this spying stuff is blown way out of proportion. As was stated over and over in print & on tv what BB was doing was being done by many teams but the unwritten code of the NFL was dont ask, dont tell. The Jets coach broke that code and the media latched onto a story.

Did BB cheat? Sure, but so were most other teams. Its much to-do over nothing.

BB and the Pats knew it was wrong, had been advised (like all other teams) that it was illegal, and yet he did it? Why would a "genius" like BB risk severe sanctions, the tarnishment of his reputation, etc. unless there was some competitive advantage to be gained? And most former QBs on TV (e.g., Steve Young, Cris Collinsworth, Boomer Esiason, etc.) said that knowing the defensive signals would be HUGE. If you were a QB and you knew when and how a disguised blitz is coming, wouldn't you be at an advantage. If you knew whether a RB needed to stay in to block or go run a route, wouldn't that be an advantage? If you could adjust your wideouts routes at the LOS based on knowing the coverage, would that not give you an advantage?

Also, I have yet to hear anything about other teams videotaping the signals. If you have inside info that other teams are doing as much, please share.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

BB and the Pats knew it was wrong, had been advised (like all other teams) that it was illegal, and yet he did it? Why would a "genius" like BB risk severe sanctions, the tarnishment of his reputation, etc. unless there was some competitive advantage to be gained? And most former QBs on TV (e.g., Steve Young, Cris Collinsworth, Boomer Esiason, etc.) said that knowing the defensive signals would be HUGE. If you were a QB and you knew when and how a disguised blitz is coming, wouldn't you be at an advantage. If you knew whether a RB needed to stay in to block or go run a route, wouldn't that be an advantage? If you could adjust your wideouts routes at the LOS based on knowing the coverage, would that not give you an advantage?

Also, I have yet to hear anything about other teams videotaping the signals. If you have inside info that other teams are doing as much, please share.

What severe sanctions? They lost a first round draft pick and BB had to pay a fine. Big deal. I really dont think BB's rep is tarnished at all. If he had little to no success this scandal would be all he's known for but his huge success will in the end make this taping scandal a mere footnote.

I guess knowing the signals would be huge if you assume those signals never change. I suspect they change quite often.

I heard the discussions about about other teams taping on various sports shows (mostly ESPN) and in some papers. I dont have any inside info.

[firstdown]

I think BB tries not to be liked and tries not to become friends with other teams and coaches. Its much easier to beat up on a team that you don't like rather than a friend across the field from you. Back in the days players hated other team players and you can see that when they enterview these old timers on TV. They talk about wanting to knock the guys head off and thing like that. Today the players and coaches all come out and hugh and stuff before the game. Its hard to want and knock some ones head off after just being buddy buddy with them.

[MTK]

Just because other teams might do it doesn't make what the Patriots did any more right or acceptable.

I think what really irks people is the way Belichick dealt with the aftermath of the situation. He wasn't apologetic and was his usual standoff-ish self.

[SmootSmack]

How is sacrificing a first round pick not severe? It should have been more severe, but it's still severe.

As for other teams doing it, the common sentiment is that many teams have done it. When an opposing coach gets wind of it they tell the offending coach to stop...and he does. No league officials get involved. The difference in this case is that BB supposedly been told on more than one occassion to stop, but didn't. And that Mangini broke an unwritten rule by going to the league with it.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

As for other teams doing it, the common sentiment is that many teams have done it. When an opposing coach gets wind of it they tell the offending coach to stop...and he does. No league officials get involved. The difference in this case is that BB supposedly been told on more than one occassion to stop, but didn't. And that Mangini broke an unwritten rule by going to the league with it.

Thanks for the explanation. I wasn't aware of those unwritten rules. I don't understand why Mangini is getting pissed on violating an unwritten rule by going to the league when BB was violating an unwritten rule by continuing to tape after being told not to.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

Thanks for the explanation. I wasn't aware of those unwritten rules. I don't understand why Mangini is getting pissed on violating an unwritten rule by going to the league when BB was violating an unwritten rule by continuing to tape after being told not to.

Mangini is mainly getting pissed on because he was a big accomplice to the whole mess whilst he was with the Patriots. So it's kind of ironic (I probably kill that definition there, didn't I?)

[NinjaLink]

Gibbs shouldve gotten a vote because there is not one leader that would've lifted up the Redskins and bring them into the Post season. He is really good. I wouldn't say that he should've won coach of the year, but I think with everything that has happened, I think he should've been darn close!

[Defensewins]

Gibbs I think is getting remembered for Timeout Gate which cost them a game.
Plus there were several other situations earlier in the year like clock management and play calling that were magnified by the anti- Gibbs press earlier this years that probably removed him from consideration.
There is no denying the great December Gibbs had. Unfortunately the season is more than one month long.


The whole Patriots Cheating scandal is all about nothing.
All teams at all levels have tried to gain an advantage by cheating whether it is the coaches teaching their players techniques to get away with holding, pass interference, receivers setting picks, Wr's pushing off.
When I played we learned the other teams audibles and would watch the coach send signals in to try and learn a pattern.
I think the only type of cheating that can be seen as major and could change the outcome of a game is if a home team tapped into the coaches communications/head sets or if a ref was paid off.
Other than that it is just boys being boys. To single out the Pats is hypocritical.

[MTK]

I still don't understand the rationale of everyone is doing it so it's ok.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I still don't understand the rationale of everyone is doing it so it's ok.

No kidding. I really hope the guys who believe this aren't nor ever will be parents.

"It's okay to cheat as long as everybody else is, son." What a great role model.

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

No kidding. I really hope the guys who believe this aren't nor ever will be parents.

"It's okay to cheat as long as everybody else is, son." What a great role model.

I suppose you never told a lie or cheated at anything?
Wow you are a better person then me.

[Monksdown]

I remember the one big time i cheated. I was young. I got caught recycling a report from another kid from another year. That year, i ran for student president. I won the election, but they stripped me of it before they announced the winner because i was caught cheating.

And i think the school administration was correct in stripping me of my title. So i think that Bill hasnt earned it. It's just how i really feel about it.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Just as Barry Bonds deserves to have an asterisk beside his record, so too does the other BB. I think that's the case, regardless of whether the cheating affected the on-field performance. It sends an awful message to say that we, as a society, reward those who try to win by any means necessary.