Congress isn’t involved because the Saints haven’t been crushing other fans dreams for a decade…including Eagles fan Arlen Specter? That’s why.”

There’s no doubt in my mind that the Patriots still win all of their Super Bowls with or without Spy Gate. Let’s not forget that stealing signals is fine and that’s why teams had guys with binoculars and note pads trying to decipher them. The Pats – and others per Jimmy Johnson/other coaches – took it to another level with what they did. They got in trouble less for what they actually did and more for their arrogance – figuratively laughing in the face of the then relatively new commissioner by ignoring the warning memo the league sent to all teams a week or two prior to SG. If Tagliabue or Rozelle were the commish then, we might not have heard about Spy Gate much or at all (similar to other “scandals” like the Broncos salary cap circumvention in the late Elway era), but Goodell needed to establish that a new sheriff was in town and BB/Pats paid the price.

That all said, I think the brilliance of Bill Belichick and his sustained excellence in terms of W/L is great talent likely Tom Brady combined with a series of small edges (e.g., salary cap management, trading down one round in current year and gaining a pick a round up in the next year, focus on middle class of roster and not being too top heavy, small coaching tips gained from years of experience at a wide # of stops, and yes things like filming signals, how to catch a punt, how to study for & ID tendencies, etc.). He would not waste his time and continue something if he did not see some small incremental gain in it. But to say Spy Gate was the reason the Pats have been so successful for so long in the salary cap era is too simple and ignores all of the smart and little things they have done over the years. It also ignores that they have had the best record in football since Spy Gate and have made two Super Bowls since then, losing both in the last minute. Not to mention a 14-2 in 2010 and an 11-5 in 2008 with Matt Cassel playing 15 3/4 games for an injured Tom Brady.

Good job Goodell.

This is perilously close a far more serious offense…. It’s called assault and battery.

Congress isn’t involved because the Saints haven’t been crushing other fans dreams for a decade…including Eagles fan Arlen Specter? That’s why.

It better not exceed the spygate punishment. In my opinion spygate got a slap on the wrist.
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LOL…..seriously? You are saying that “Videotaping” an opponents hand signals …is a more serious offense than putting bounties on NFL players and encouraging your own players/teammates to try and cripple them?

That’s like saying that a purse snatcher should get a stiffer penalty than a murderer. Get a clue

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Is your real name Brett Farve?

They did it to Cowboys/Redskins. It is only fair.

“It better not exceed the spygate punishment. In my opinion spygate got a slap on the wrist.”

so you feel the nfl erred in being too lenient re: spygate and you want them to…? make the same mistake again? ohokthen

Cannot stand Goodell.