The Man Wants Answers

[ragnorok99]

Senator Arlen Specter is pushing Goodell for answers on Spygate, particularly, why the "evidence" was destroyed:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3225539

[Sub-Zero]

"The NFL has a very preferred status in our country with their antitrust exemption. The American people are entitled to be sure about the integrity of the game. It's analogous to the CIA destruction of tapes, or any time you have records destroyed."

is this guy serious?!?!

[LilyRaven]

Arlen Spector (R-PA) is starting to realize his career is coming to an end. He threatened the NFL over the cable stand-off and now this. If I were one of his constituents I would want an explanation why he isn't taking care of more serious matters.

It's time for the man to retire.

[neepo13]

Senator Arlen Specter is pushing Goodell for answers on Spygate, particularly, why the "evidence" was destroyed:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3225539

I was about to make a thread about this same topic. I think Congress is on a witch hunt to draw attention away from the war in Iraq and all the problems that our country faces today. I think thats why they are having the "steriods scare" trails of baseball. Anyways, I was wondering this myself. I think Godell destroyed evidence that the Pats cheated in playoff games or Superbowls.

[bmorefan80]

I was listening to Goodell's press conference on Sirius radio today. Someone asked him about the tapes being destroyed. His comments were that everything on the tapes was exactly what the Patriots said. All it was, is 6 videos of hand signals from other teams. He also said that one of the coaches actually waved to the camera man knowing he was being taped. I think alot of it he said was total BS. Just imagine if the tapes had them cheating in the Super Bowls, it would cause alot of drama in the NFL. I just think Goodell didn't want it to go that far.

I wish they would of lost all there 1st round picks though...instead of one.

[neepo13]

I was listening to Goodell's press conference on Sirius radio today. Someone asked him about the tapes being destroyed. His comments were that everything on the tapes was exactly what the Patriots said. All it was, is 6 videos of hand signals from other teams. He also said that one of the coaches actually waved to the camera man knowing he was being taped. I think alot of it he said was total BS. Just imagine if the tapes had them cheating in the Super Bowls, it would cause alot of drama in the NFL. I just think Goodell didn't want it to go that far.

I wish they would of lost all there 1st round picks though...instead of one.

I thought Belchick should have been suspended. The NFL suspended a Cowboys assistant for using steriods, when that didnt even affect the game at all. But you dont suspend a cheater sounds a bit suspect to me. My boyfriend said he thinks it was Robert Kraft, the Pats owner, that pushed really hard for Goddell to get that job and thats why Goddell swept it under the rug.

[Drkraven]

I think Belichek should be suspended for at least 2 years and the Pats forfeit this season and the draft. Cheaters should not prosper.

[BAL_Hawk]

I know that this isn't exactly a Raven related topic, but give the way that we lost to the Patriots this season, I though that it would be a hot topic among Raven's fans. The following article was very enlightening:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/sports/f...amp;oref=slogin

This isn't sour grapes, jealousy or bitterness. I know that's what Pat's fans will want to call it, but I am honestly concerned about the integrity of the NFL. I never really understood the antitrust exemption that the NFL has. It puts ALOT of power into the hands of the NFL. Read the article; it's mind blowing.

I wonder why the commissioner destroyed the tapes? I mean, the cheating was bad but they paid for it. Covering it up seems so stupid. Either there is more to this story than meets the eye, or the commissioner is an idiot. Not only that, but the Patriot employee who was ordered to do the filming is afraid to talk and stated, "If I ever got brought in for a deposition or something, then I would just face the whole gauntlet of questions. There would be things I

[Sub-Zero]

http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/index.php?showtopic=2371

[MKRavens20]

There must be more to it because the league is being very shady about the situation. If they don't have anything to hide why dont they give all of the details to the situation.

[LilyRaven]

Regardless of what the NFL did or did not do and why, Congress has a million better things to do with their time. Were I a PA resident, I'd be screaming for Specter's resignation. This isn't the first time he's threatened the NFL for personal reasons.

To the best of my understanding without the anti-trust exemption, the NFL could be split up similiar to what was done to Ma Bell. I believe the NBA and MBL also have such exemptions. Perhaps someone else has a better explanation.

edit - this really chaps my hide. We have soliders dying in Iraq, an economy on the brink of collapse, a steady decline in the quality of our education, a failing health care system, people sleeping on the street, elderly going neglected, countries all over the world distancing themselves from us, and a government that spends more time contradicting themselves than anything else and THIS is what this yahoo is worried about?

[ragnorok99]

Playing devil's advocate, partly because I'm not sure how I feel about this yet:

The NFL is a HUGE business now. Anything with that much impact on the economy needs to have integrity. If the NFL misled its consumers in any way, it's a pretty big deal. I hated the way the NFL handled Spygate, and the destruction of the tapes along with the league's silence (until prodded) was very odd.

(Devil's Advocate mode off).

The CIA comparison is absolutely ridiculous. It's football. And yeah, we're in a war.

I'm still forming my opinion on this.

[bmorefan80]

Its all starting to come out of Pats employees now!

Pats cheat Super Bowls

I hope more people will start coming out of the closet!

[Sub-Zero]

Its all starting to come out of Pats employees now!

Pats cheat Super Bowls

I hope more people will start coming out of the closet!

all I can say at this point is, GO GIANTS!

[LilyRaven]

Let's me play devil's advocate as well - this is old news. Spygate and the subsequent destruction of the tapes happened months ago. Why bring it up now? If it is truly on par with the CIA destroying tapes why not address it with the urgency such matters warrant? Why wait until a few days before the Pats play in the Super Bowl? And if it wasn't so urgent why not wait until AFTER the Super Bowl?

Seems to me the Pats aren't the only ones playing dirty pool.

I used to hold Arlen Specter in high regard. I don't anymore.

[ragnorok99]

The plot thickens:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3226465

[Devastat1on]

My viewpoint on this is that the tapes commissioner Goodell destroyed, were of the teams that the Patriots faced in the Super Bowls aswell as regular season games. Goodell doesnt want anything to do with all the drama and controversy of people wanting to asterisk the Super Bowls, or question the NFL for that matter. The Super Bowl against the Rams was definitely not the only time they've cheated during the playoffs, which i think was shown on the tapes which is why Goodell had them destroyed. Goodell didnt want the drama and baggage, so he destroyed the tapes.

[lasher52]

I don't know how ESPN can say if New Cheatin Patriots win...they are the best team ever in the NFL.

Once again they are being investigated for Cheating.

Go New York Gaints!!!!!

[Mazda]

ya, no kidding

[DRayRaven]

Best team ever?

Put today's Patriots up against the Cowboys from the 90s, the 49ers of the 80s, or the Steelers of the 70s.

They'd get stomped.

[1975Colts]

all nfl teams do exactly what the Pats do.

[lasher52]

all nfl teams do exactly what the Pats do.

I guess thats why all the other teams have been caught. Sorry 1975 Colt I don't think so!!!!

[neepo13]

I guess thats why all the other teams have been caught. Sorry 1975 Colt I don't think so!!!!

3 TIMES!!!!!!!

[neepo13]

Best team ever?

Put today's Patriots up against the Cowboys from the 90s, the 49ers of the 80s, or the Steelers of the 70s.

They'd get stomped.

Only if we use the rules of those era's.

[smashmouth82]

ya know, i really did want to see history after the pats beat my team! but if the stuff about the pats recording the rams walk-through before their first super bowl win turns out to be true then that means they've been cheating for awhile! then you'd seriously have to start talking about all of those super bowls being tainted! it's a sticky situation once again (though it never really stopped!) a lot of things could be wasted if the outcome gets worse!

[bmorefan80]

Some more news to sum up about Mr. Belichick.

Suspension 1year?

Too bad this wasn't brought up in the begining of the season. Or furthermore after the Super Bowl games they won.

I say strip the trophies if all is true!!

[neepo13]

Some more news to sum up about Mr. Belichick.

Suspension 1year?

Too bad this wasn't brought up in the begining of the season. Or furthermore after the Super Bowl games they won.

I say strip the trophies if all is true!!

There's nothing we can do. Goddell destroying the tapes has made sure that we will never know the extent of the Patriots cheating.

[Drkraven]

Just wow, i know someone who is a Rams fans and has been saying this for years and we laughed at him--looks like he may be vindicated.

[smashmouth82]

as an eagles fan, it would be nice to know the truth, but it would be a horrible way for philly to be awarded its 1st supe!