Harsh enough or not????

[bigboar]

what do you all think????

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-nflspying&prov=ap&type=lgns

[SouthernStripes]

This punishment is very light in the least. :rolleyes:

The Patriots had 2 1st Rd picks and an extra 3 Rd.


I am cool with the amount of money fined , even though its nothing to either party, it IS the Maximum amount they could fine BB.
BUT , they should have taken BOTH thier 1st RDs and IF they make the playoffs , take an additional 2 or 3 Rd .
Also , Belichek SHOULD be suspended for atleast 2-4 games.
Harsh yes , but do you think Teams would risk doing this again ?

What does this say to kids ?
Its ok to cheat in sports , we will just slap you on the wrist.

CHEATING the game is much worse than breaking a law as far as being punished by your league. Yeah its in your contract , but shouldnt game integrity be in there somewhere too ? I dont know how he smiles knowing thats how he goes about ' getting the advantage ' on another team.
Your telling me that what Henry , Thurman , etc did OFF the field deserves a more severe punishment than what Belichek & Co are doing ON THE FIELD ? ? ?:wacko:

This story about stealing and scrambling RADIO frequencies is what gets me , the hand signals doesnt surprise me.
Now Lions coaches are talking about losing radio , in and out on Offense when they played.
And Marvin Lewis even recalls this happening when we played them too.
I mean who knows how long this has been going on.

I am Really disappointed in Mr Goodell with this ruling .
Coaches and staff should be held accountable for thier actions too , Especially ON the field.
I almost feel cheated as a NFL fan since thier 2002 run . All the Patriot talk , Brady is this and Belichek is that. They are soo smart , they are always in the right place , Brady just wins games , Belichek is a genious . Greatest coach EVER my ***.
WHAT a waste of my time.
:angry:

[bigboar]

I dont think it was harsh enough either, at least not compared to what Odell got for something I dont think was as bad as this....

[BengalsOwnU]

The Patriots are more then likely goin to get to the playoffs.. which will be one of there 1st round picks.. I mean they have 2 picks.. which taking away one isn't really hurting them any..

[3rdand15]

Should have been forfeit 4 games. Oh but wait, that would cost the NFL money, think about it.

[BengalUSCfan]

I don't think any coach in his right mind would try that stunt again this year. I think the punishment was right on. The only question would be whether a suspension would have been worse or better from the Patriot perspective (as opposed to losing a draft pick).

As a practical matter, I suppose the suspension would have had a more immediate competitive impact, but I'm pumped that Goodell nailed them for a first round pick (assuming they make the playoffs this year).

A first round pick was even worse punishment than I expected.

[spinksjinx]

I liked Rod Woodsons approach that he laid out.

Obviously post season banning wasnt going to happen but he said dont take a draft pick next year but the year after next when they actually need the talent.

Hurt them much worst IMO.

[TheDon]

Let em keep their cash. Forfeiture should have been imposed to make it harder for them to make it to the playoffs.Like say 8 games. But with a baboon like Roger Goodell, well that would dig too deep into his pockets now wouldn't it?

Cheating = BANISHMENT a.k.a. Pete!

[DooDooMagoo]

the commish isnt done just yet, he rules tomorrow on suspension of bellichick and who knows what he will come down with

[BengalsFanFromBirth]

This punishment is a joke....


WHODEY!

[spinksjinx]

How in the **** are they going to have secure and solid evidence of them cheating and then turn around and give them a slap on the wrist with no punishment in terms of that particular game...How is that exactly fair to the Jets or the other teams they have done it on?

"Look we cheated, got fined, but we still get to keep winning games"...Yeah Goodell way to go their buddy, so much for your iron fist you ruled out on the other less deserving players.

Go F yourself.

[scottws]

The punishment wasn't a crushing blow to the organization (especially the meager $250,000 fine), but it wasn't a slap on the wrist either. $500,000 is a lot of money for someone to lose. Don't kid yourself. And a first round pick is a pretty big deal, even if they do happen to have two.

[BenRoethlisdilfer]

It was either Faulk or Woodson that had this line of thinking, and I follow it...

How can you suspend the Cowboys QB coach for 5 games for using HGH, which has no direct effect on the team or his ability to coach, but you hand down a drop in the hat fine to Bellichek and only take one pick for something that DOES effect the outcome of games?

This is a deterant to other teams, but won't effect the Pats, it amounts to a slap on the wrist.

[34inXXIII]

How is that exactly fair to the Jets or the other teams they have done it on?
They were only punished for the videotaping in the Jets game, not "the other teams", because there's only evidence of the one game (so far). Some people want punishments based upon the assumption that they have been pulling this off since at least their first Super Bowl victory and that's just irrational.

[BenRoethlisdilfer]

They were only punished for the videotaping in the Jets game, not "the other teams", because there's only evidence of the one game (so far). Some people want punishments based upon the assumption that they have been pulling this off since at least their first Super Bowl victory and that's just irrational.

I disagree. It's been reported that the reason there was an emphasis on this coming into '07 is because so many teams complained about the Pats DOING IT. The mere fact that it only took a quarter for this to actually happen is a complete slap in the face of Goodell. I would have suspended Bellichek for at the very least 1 game, in addition to the fines and loss of picks. I also think 1 pick isn't severe enough. Sure other teams will stop, but what about the team that made it such an issue? I know a 1st round pick is alot, but it's not going to hurt them. Now if you took a 1st round pick from the Browns on the other hand, the franchise might fold...

[DooDooMagoo]

he hasnt even ruled on the suspension yet. He rules on the suspension tomorrow. lets not get carried away with anything until tomorrow afternoon. You will see him suspended a few games at least.

"League sources told SI.com that Commissioner Roger Goodell has not yet decided on a punishment. The determination will be announced on Friday.

One option that has been ruled out is forfeiture of Sunday's 38-14 win over the Jets.

Goodell is attempting to balance the punishment between the organization and Belichick. The draft pick that is taken from the team could be a first-rounder selection, and a multi-game suspension could be imposed on Belichick.

"

[spinksjinx]

I disagree. It's been reported that the reason there was an emphasis on this coming into '07 is because so many teams complained about the Pats DOING IT. The mere fact that it only took a quarter for this to actually happen is a complete slap in the face of Goodell. I would have suspended Bellichek for at the very least 1 game, in addition to the fines and loss of picks. I also think 1 pick isn't severe enough. Sure other teams will stop, but what about the team that made it such an issue? I know a 1st round pick is alot, but it's not going to hurt them. Now if you took a 1st round pick from the Browns on the other hand, the franchise might fold...

The Browns have no first round pick. :)

We know the Pats will go to the playoffs I dont really see how docking them 1 draft pick out of 2 is really hurting a team full of talent that could carry them another year until they can pick first round again.

[stinger223]

No! Maybe if the Pats only had 1 first round pick it would be enough. Goodell knew they had 2 first round picks so yanking 1 of them won't do much damage. Bellicheck should be suspended for 4 games. Especially since this is his 3rd offense.

[Odell's frog]

They were only punished for the videotaping in the Jets game, not "the other teams", because there's only evidence of the one game (so far). Some people want punishments based upon the assumption that they have been pulling this off since at least their first Super Bowl victory and that's just irrational.

Man you always want to argue and are always so negative. I have never seen somebody take for everyone except the Bengals and their players. You never take up for Bengals players and now you take up for the stinking Patriots. Get a new team or get a life.

[Dricis]

i dont think it is harsh enough, according to espn, there will be no suspensions.

"Goodell said he had considered suspending Belichick but didn't "largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."

wish he'd have felt that using fines on thurman would have been more significant, long lasting and more effective. Dont get me wrong, thurman deserved to be punished, and was legally punished for what he did off the field, and thats just it, he did it off the field.

What the pats did was actually on the field and as people have mentioned its a slap on the wrist for them. I just dont understand how as someone pointed out, that this issue that directly effects games gets a slap on the wrist, while issues that have no bearing on games such as that coaches HGH use or thurmans alcohol abuse are subject to suspensions. Seems backwards to me.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3018338 the link to espn saying no suspensions.

[bigboar]

that is what i saw also! No supension.... I really dont get it

i dont think it is harsh enough, according to espn, there will be no suspensions.

"Goodell said he had considered suspending Belichick but didn't "largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."

wish he'd have felt that using fines on thurman would have been more significant, long lasting and more effective. Dont get me wrong, thurman deserved to be punished, and was legally punished for what he did off the field, and thats just it, he did it off the field.

What the pats did was actually on the field and as people have mentioned its a slap on the wrist for them. I just dont understand how as someone pointed out, that this issue that directly effects games gets a slap on the wrist, while issues that have no bearing on games such as that coaches HGH use or thurmans alcohol abuse are subject to suspensions. Seems backwards to me.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3018338 the link to espn saying no suspensions.

[bensonmum]

It was either Faulk or Woodson that had this line of thinking, and I follow it...

How can you suspend the Cowboys QB coach for 5 games for using HGH, which has no direct effect on the team or his ability to coach, but you hand down a drop in the hat fine to Bellichek and only take one pick for something that DOES effect the outcome of games?

This is a deterant to other teams, but won't effect the Pats, it amounts to a slap on the wrist.

Cowboys assistant coach Wade Wilson admitted receiving HGH and anabolic steroids while a coach with the Bears. Any time a coach is purchasing these drugs, i think you have to suspect he is giving them to his players, and punish him based on that possibility.

[Bengals Fan From Northern Ohio]

Not harsh enough

[djam]

I don't think it is a harsh enough penalty. Slap on the wrist.

[David From Cincy]

The Patriots are more then likely goin to get to the playoffs.. which will be one of there 1st round picks.. I mean they have 2 picks.. which taking away one isn't really hurting them any..

:huh:


:what:


If we had 2 first round picks and one was taken away.... are you really saying that wouldn't hurt us? Having 2 first round picks is HUGE... I can't stress enough how great 2 first round picks in one year can be...

[Joe from Florence]

Belichick also needs at least a 4 game suspsension, just like the commish would do to a player for cheating (Merriman)

[Joe from Florence]

Not nearly harsh enough......the pats have 2 1st round picks in the 2008 draft. It's as if the Pats are just laughing in the face of the NFL.

Belichick neededto be suspsended, they needed to have their post season play taken away from them for 2 years and they needed to lose their first 2 draft picks period.

[BFan71]

If you want to talk harsh, look at what F1 did to their cheaters - $100 million fine!!! That's insane!

[bengaldefense]

First off Billichick's fine will be paid by the team no doubt. The teams fine and loss of draft picks is a joke. It is very sad when a player and his conduct off the field are held to a higher standard than a owner and or coaches conduct on the field that diectly effects the game and the integrity of the game. The NFLPA ought to file a grievence on behalf of the suspended players because what they did in comparison did not effect the integrity of the game. I am not sure what the players make but monetarily henry is losing in the neighborhood of 275,000 thurman maybe a million plus pacman probably 500,000 how can the Vince Mcmahon of football justify this. Someone ought to start a online petition to push the NFLPA to file a grievience to set aside the remainder of the players suspensions.

[34inXXIII]

Man you always want to argue and are always so negative. I have never seen somebody take for everyone except the Bengals and their players. You never take up for Bengals players and now you take up for the stinking Patriots. Get a new team or get a life.
There a little something called "objectivity" that you might want to look in to. If anything, I'm defending the commissioner - yes, again - not the Patriots. I would love for there to be evidence of this kind of activity from other games, but the fact remains that the league can only act on facts, not allegations and heresay.

Besides, how can you expect anyone to take you seriously on this subject when you have openly stated that you hate the Patriots and Tom Brady?

[bengaldefense]

There a little something called "objectivity" that you might want to look in to. If anything, I'm defending the commissioner - yes, again - not the Patriots. I would love for there to be evidence of this kind of activity from other games, but the fact remains that the league can only act on facts, not allegations and heresay.

Besides, how can you expect anyone to take you seriously on this subject when you have openly stated that you hate the Patriots and Tom Brady?

How can you say they can not act on allegations I am not defending pacman Jones but he was suspended based on allegations and they are allegations until he is convicted.

[MRMEYERS]

DID the commish not effectively take away a 2nd round pick from the bengals organization for player conduct off the field?

[Jumbro]

:huh:


:what:


If we had 2 first round picks and one was taken away.... are you really saying that wouldn't hurt us? Having 2 first round picks is HUGE... I can't stress enough how great 2 first round picks in one year can be...

Slight difference...we take first round picks praying like crazy that we can use them in their rookie year as a big time player....the pats will bring people in from outside the organization if needed.....they let their picks mature and then decide if it is worth it. I can't even remember who the Pats took with their first pick this past draft (partially because I don't care about hte Pats)....now, i guess it could hurt them down the road a couple years as many have said...but really, if they dont' have that draft pick they are just going to go out and pick up someone off the market instead---no big deal to them.

From their standpoint, I don't think they give a rat's ***** about that loss of draft pick

[Jumbro]

DID the commish not effectively take away a 2nd round pick from the bengals organization for player conduct off the field?

I didn't think so...i know we didn't have a 2nd round pick this past year, but that was because we took Brooks (i think) in the supplemental last year....not because of conduct.

I could be wrong, but don't think so

[o&b]

Bill needs to get suspended at least 4 games. and he shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the Pats facility during the week.

I'll be content with that!

[34inXXIII]

OK, let's see if I can get this in the right thread this time.... :wacko:

I think the idea of banning them from the playoffs is incredibly extreme. If you take away any possibility of making the playoffs, then the players lose a huge incentive to win games. In fact, you're practically giving the team a reason to throw games to earn a higher draft pick. Of course, if you compound this by also taking away the draft picks, then there's even less incentive to win.

Now you're providing an unfair advantage to the Patriots opponents. Let's say the AFC East, as a result, earns the last wild card berth - if not both wild cards - on tiebreakers, particularly over a team (or teams) that only played the penalized Patriots once (the Bengals, for example) or not at all (i.e. the Steelers). How fair would those in this forum believe that punishment to be then?

I'm sorry, but you don't solve this by encouraging the players on the field to roll over for their opponents.