Here is where Brady lied to Belichick. Like I said, something is going to break here. I wonder if there was more to Brady not attending the White House visit: On Thursday, January 22, Belichick reportedly discussed these issues for the first time with Brady, shortly before a team meeting. Belichick asked Brady directly whether he had any knowledge about any of the issues raised by the press since the AFC Championship Game. According to Belichick, Brady said “absolutely not.” Belichick stated that he then asked if Brady or anyone Brady knew had tampered with or in any way altered the footballs. Brady again denied any knowledge or involvement. Belichick recalled that Brady also explained that once he 100 inspects and approves game balls, those balls are exactly as he likes them and that he would not want anyone to do anything to them after that point. Belichick believed Brady. Belichick and Brady attended the team meeting, and Belichick told the team that there was “not one shred of truth” to the deflation allegations. When given the floor, Brady repeated what he had told Belichick about wanting game balls to be exactly as he approved them
I don't see how the Patriots as an organization, and Belichick, walk away from this w/o penalty. i know Belichick himself has been cleared. however, there is clear precedent set that wrongdoing under your watch, direct knowledge or not, does not absolve your accountability. for instance, Sean Payton had no knowledge of bounties. However, he was suspended for a year, and Saints lost a #1 draft pick. additionally this years Falcons artificial crowd noise led to a fine, draft pick forfeit, and the suspension of team president. it wasn't the team president who ordered the artificial noise. as much as i think Brady deserves a harsh penalty, the Patriots as an organization, and Belichick himself, should not be able to wash their hands of this. especially as repeat offenders. the punishment needs to hit the individual (Brady), as well as the organization, to ensure this cheating epidemic in NE finally stops.
I have a hard time believing Bellichick didn't know. Bellichick knows all that goes on in New England Patriots.
Bob Glauber @BobGlauber 8m8 minutes ago Wells rpt: "Brady's refusal to provide us with ... emails, text messages & phone records ... limited the evidence available for our review." ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk 12m12 minutes ago Ted Wells finds that the Patriots' cooperation was something less than full and transparent http://wp.me/p14QSB-9LAr
It doesn't matter, the commissioner set a precedent with the Saints that ignorance is not a valid defense and suspended their head coach for an entire season
It's called cheating in my and most NFL fans minds. Because you believe it isn't (your option) doesn't make it so.
ProFootballTalk@ProFootballTalk 7m7 minutes ago Remember the report that 10 of 12 balls were 2.0 PSI under the minimum? Yeah, that was bullcrap http://wp.me/p14QSB-9LAq
I would as well but U do realize we would be called cheaters by the very same (pat fans) guys who now say it wasn't cheating.
Ted Wells wants to say they cheated, but I bet you Roger asked if he could use some lawyer speak to leave a opening.
This is 100% speculation but, Bill belichick really likes to be in control of everything Patriots related. I wonder if the fact that Brady blatantly tried to deceive him will cause him to turn on his QB. I read that Brady even got up and gave a speech in front of the team claiming his innocence. Amazing. The locker room may even turn on him.
C'mon, Junc. It relates by the fact the NFL created precedence that a coach and organization cannot use ignorance as a defense to punishment for serious charges like bounties. The question is whether they consider cheating a comparable offense that warrants the same punishment.
I will gladly, GLADLY take the 4 Super Bowl wins + whatever anyone wants to cry about regarding cheating vs. No SBs and no claims... and so would you. Besides, every team "cheats" (quotes intended): http://yourteamcheats.com/
