And that is the issue, it's not the first time that they have been observed do this. It's just that they were moronic enough to ignore the warning this time.

 

We seem to be devolving into a society that thinks it's ok to break the rules or cheat as long as you don't get caught. And if you get caught, you use the excuse that "everyone does it". Whether everyone does it or not, it's still cheating whether it's videotaping signals, juicing up, gambling or something even more flagrant. What happened to living with the rules or going through the proper procedures to try to change them if you feel they are incorrect or unjust? If you can't live with them, then get out of the game. No one deserves a free pass because of who they are or which particular rule they broke. Unless punishments become more substantial (and I don't think 500K will affect Belichick's retirement nor 250K the team's profit in the least). Forfeited games or more substantial monetary penalties might work where social conscience doesn't seem to.

 

This was a stupid violation that drew a huge penalty. The impact on the game was nil. The general practice of reading signals is universal. You would have to be an idiot to not watch what signals the other side's coach gives and then watch what the players do. Ask anyone who ever played this game. Every offensive player watches the sideline after they line up to see what the signal is to try to figure out what the defense will be doing.

The rule doesn't even prohibit all videotaping of signals. As I read it, it limits the taping to certain areas. The rule that was violated says nothing about using binoculors or a telescope to watch what they are doing across the field.

So, in my opinion, Belechik's violation was all the more stupid. However, the idea that stealing signals is itself wrong is not correct.

 

Stealing is stealing no matter how you look at it. This cannot be good for the NFL. It seems, basic sportsmanship is no longer required. Please check your sportsmanship at the door. It is all about winning apparently. How sad.

 

Except that the issue is NOT STEALING. Some of you guys seem to think Bellichek's STRATEGY was wrong. It wasn't. It was some of his TACTICS that were illegal, and no one here has attempted to give him a pass on this. But I still get the feeling that a bunch of you think it was his "spying" or reading signs that was wrong, and that just isn't so.

 

[QUOTE=Chris Stack,Sep 14 2007, 01:36 PM] Except that the issue is NOT STEALING.

 

This is not restricted to sports figures.

And I figure a $500K fine for him is approx the same as a $15K fine for me. Don't know about you, but that would certainly get my attention even though it wouldn't have me in bankruptcy court.

 

No it's not, as I said in my comment about society devolving. But this particular thread was about a sports figure so I used that description in the following comment. You're right -- it's rampant in all areas of society from "ordinary citizens" to captains of industry, politicians and religious "leaders". I can't think of one area of society that is untarnished in this regard. And that is indeed sad.

Belichick's salary is not public, but it is well in excess of the $3 million / yr that he signed for in 2000. As that has piled up over the years, I doubt seriously if the $500K fine (the NFL maximum) is much more than a minor annoyance. Yes, $15k would get my attention, but I don't think the comparison has as much impact after you reach the lofty levels of salaries in the millions of dollars.

 

Wrong is wrong and I can't disagree with that, but the 500k fine is, to me, like a $5,000 ticket for driving 65 in a 55. It would certainly get your attention. I'm guessing the public wouldn't put up with it, but it would get your attention.

 

"Cheaters never prosper," but they do all the time.