MVN - Most Valuable Network

Tapes Turned Over To NFL Include Bolts

Former New England Patriot video assistant Matt Walsh has turned over eight new tapes to the National football league, and according to The New York Times, video of the San Diego Chargers is among them.

The tapes were allegedly made between 2000 and 2003 and show offensive and defensive coaches signals in regular season games. According to the New York Times, the teams include the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers (including the 2002 AFC Championship game) and the Cleveland Browns.

Contrary to some published reports, tape of the St. Louis Rams pre-Super Bowl walk-through is apparently not included.

Sources indicate that Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office is eager, if not desperate, to move past the Spygate matter and that they believe Goodell will claim that this new evidence only confirms already existing knowledge. No teams or media were notified of whom the evidence previously destroyed by the NFL showed being taped.

I say that the existence and proof that the New England Patriots were breaking these rules as far back as 2000 and continued the practice for at least seven years indicates that the previous punishment was still not enough. Especially because of the proof that the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick were taping not only future playoff opponents, but actual playoff games.

Obviously, I am someone who considers this far worse because of his loyalty to a team greatly affected. It is absolutely true that I am heavily biased due to the fact that the Patriots have now eliminated my beloved Bolts from the dance two years running. This truth does not invalidate the fact that the cheating occurred or that the punishment previously handed out has proven to be far too lenient.

When I consider the great possibility that these dishonorable and illegal actions may have and probably did contribute to the upset of the number one seeded Chargers in January 2007, I am greatly saddened that the league may consider this matter to have already been concluded. I am confident that Pittsburgh Steeler fans will feel the same, especially in light of the taping of the AFC Championship game. Indeed, although the other teams involved have not been as recently active in the post-season, it has to be considered that those teams, especially the division rival Dolphins, Bills and Jets, have been as badly damaged by this since their twice-yearly contests with New England have obvious playoff implications.

I call upon the league to send a far stronger statement. Suspend Bill Belichick for a minimum of one year. A player caught abusing the legal substance alcohol can be subject to such a ban. A player caught cheating pharmaceutically can be suspended for a full year. A coach, whose behavior will permeate his entire organization, certainly should face no less of a consequence.

Leadership starts at the top and the culture established by a leader thrives. Bill Belichick is a cheater. He should face consequences similar to those the players employed under his supervision would if they were caught cheating.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 10:27 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.