Are the Patriots Cheaters?

Question

Spotted an article today that the Patriots are suspected of using high-tech video equipment to steal signals from opposing teams. Apparently it happened this past Sunday against the Jets and the Packers escorted the same camerman from the sidelines in a game in Green Bay in 2006.

Is Billicheck really a mastermind coach, or merely a guy who figured out how to cheat so well that no one has ever caught him?

I know what I think, but what say you?

Now that there are a few answers I will submit that I think they have one of the 2 or 3 best teams in the AFC (SD, Indy) and they probably don't need to do this to win. I should also submit that I don't believe them to be the only ones that do this - they're just the only ones to have gotten caught.

Here's a link for those interested:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3014677&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
Apparently there was indeed tape of the NYJ defensive plays being called in.

The next question becomes, what is suitable punishment for this crime?

And by the way, to the person who liked my name, flattery will get you everywhere. You're my leading candidate for Best Answer!

Answer 1

I don't think they cheat necessarily, and I don't think their coach is a mastermind by any means. They have been the little darlings of espn and the NFL for a while though, that's for sure. I for one and SICK of it.
They are so over rated. Yes, they are good, but does espn need to talk about Tom Brady like he's god all the time?? NO! Last time I checked there were 31 other teams in the NFL, they should talk about someone else for a change. P.S. I like your name.

Answer 2

Cheaters? Let's think about this.

First off, they have only been accused, so we don't even know if these allocations are true. We should get the facts first before we make judgment. If they are found guilty I still wouldn't go as far as to call them flat-out cheaters.

Whether you like them or not, the Patriots are a solid, all around good team. For you to say they only win because someone videotapes the defensive signs is a pretty weak claim. If you actually sit down and think about the situation you should come to the realization that it's highly improbable.

For this to actually work, the guy video taping the signals would have to be able to signal the coaches almost immediately so that the coaches can then inform the offense before the ball is snapped. The guy would also have to know what each signal means so that he is able to read them.

If a team was going to do this it would make much more sense for one of the coordinators up in the box to do it, instead of the guy with the camera. They could easily use their binoculars, read the hand signal, and then relay the info to the coaches on field.

I'm really not sure why the Pats would want to tape the hand signals anyway. I guess they could review them after the game, but a good team changes their signals weekly anyway.

Like I said before the Pats are a good team. You can't deny that. Whether this guy was filming hand signals or not , tell me this:

How did the signals help Randy Moss catch a 51 yard touchdown pass while being under triple coverage?

How did the signals help Ellis Hobbs run back a 108 yard kick off return?

How did the signals help the Patriots O-line make the Jets defense look like a bunch of sally's?

How did the signals help the Patriots defense destroy Chad Pennington and his whole front line?

In my opinion they didn't; or could not have.

The Patriots ran all over the Jets who pitifully seemed unprepared to even play a ball game.

It's sad to see everyone call shenanigans so quickly only because they are jealous of the Patriots success. I'm not a Pats fan but you shouldn't talk so negatively about them when in reality your team is probably doing something along the same lines as this. Every team wants to win. It's obvious.

...You know how the Pats did cheat though.....they got Randy Moss practically for free!!! They gave up their second 1st round pick to the 49ers in exchange for the 49ers 1st round pick next year and their 4th round pick this year.....which they used to get Moss!!!

WTF??? That should be illegal!

Answer 3

First of all, lets get the facts before we make judgments. This is likely not isolated to the Patriots. They just happened to be the ones who got caught, if it's true. If so, then shame on them. But all this does is gives Patriot haters and fans of other teams an excuse now when in reality the Pats don't even need to cheat because their already a great team. Look at the roster. All those great players they have tells you they can beat anybody and win the Super Bowl on their own. I'm a Pats fan and no, I'm not just defending them because of that. I'm saying they are a great team who doesn't need to do anything stupid to win, because they have what it takes already. If this was any other team, I would be saying the same thing. But we love to judge without facts. The league could find nothing on that tape to prove anything. If they do, then as a Pats fan, I will be ashamed of them for that. But, I'm going to remain a fan forever and just let the jealous fans of other teams say what they will and let them use this as an excuse when they know the Pats are a great team anyway and a Super Bowl contender without needing to cheat.

Answer 4

Of course they cheated. Self-proclaimed genius, Bill Belichick had to keep the advantage somehow. How many games did the Patriots suddenly begin dominating after halftime? There is no way you can guess right every time. I can't wait for Sunday to see what San Diego will do on an even playing field to a team with inferior talent. Hey Bill, you dress like a homeless person. And Boston, if your city is so great, why are so many of your obnoxious people moving to my state?

Answer 5

No....you are probably thinking about the girls on the Disney Channel.

One unknown little tidbit is that although Raisin Simone from the hit Disney Show "That's So Raisin" sings with the Cheater Girls and has been in two Cheater Girls movies, she is not officially a Cheater Girl.

Raisin Simone does harken back to the Huxtable Family of Bill "Bing" Cosby...who did the voice for the "Fat Alice" saturday morning cartoon from the 70's.

Answer 6

This is for Rob. It has already been documented that they were stealing signals for future games -- somewhat of a common practice in the NFL in today's era, usually between division rivals (and the Jets and Pats play in the same division); the Pats just happened to get caught because Mangini, who used to be an assistant for New England, saw someone he recognized holding a video camera. What you likely will see to cure this problem is coaches speaking to defensive players (ie defensive captains) who have microphones built into their helmets, kinda like some teams are doing now with their offensive coordinators and quarterbacks.

Answer 7

Just because they got caught this one time doesnt mean that they are cheaters. They still won those superbowls and I think except for Indy they are the best in the AFC. I like the Raiders in the AFC so my team is 0-2. I think Peyton is better than Brady and I think the Colts will win the AFC this year.

Answer 8

OF COURSE the Patriots are cheaters ... they broke a rule ... that's cheating.
I believe the punishment should be severe, too. Make them forfeit the game AND give up a draft pick. Send a message to other teams that doing this will have SERIOUS repercussions, and not just a slap on the wrist.

Answer 9

The Patriots are cheaters:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3014677&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Answer 10

If the allegations are true, then - yes, they're low-down dirty cheaters. I for one, (if again the allegations are true) believe if Bonds gets an asterisk without ever actually being caught - the Pats Super Bowl wins should also get an asterisks!!! How much easier would your play-calling & especially audible calling be if you new what package the defense is in? I really don't see much of a difference - cheating is cheating & the Pats are too good to lower themselves to that level, but if they did - that's dispicable! SAD 'n' SHADY - SAD 'n' SHADY...