Brady to Ravens: 'Study the rule book and figure it out'

[Static]

Patriots are all an act. Everyone pretends its class and all this but its really a big house of hi-jinx and tomfoolery. Whatever it takes to win

[redrum52]

The team is required to report to the refs whether a player is eligible or ineligible.....this was clearly done. Yes, the formation was a bit odd, but protocol was followed. Im sure if the Ravens tried this, none of you would be complaining.

Yup. Some here are just salty about the loss. Good game. Came down to the wire and they didn't execute when needed, whike you all did.

[Edgar]

And it further says this:

"

An offensive player wearing the number of an ineligibl

e pass receiver (50-79 and 90-99) is permitted

to line up in the position of an eligible pass recei

ver (1-49 and 80-89), and an offensive player wearing

the

number of an eligible pass receiver is permitted to lin

e up in the position of an ineligible pass receiver,

provided that he immediately reports the change in his

eligibility status to the Referee, who will inform thedefensive team.

He must participate in such eligible or ineligible position as long as he is continuously in the game, but prior to

each play he must again report his status to the Referee, who will inform the defensive team. The game  clock shall not be stopped, and the ball shall not be put in play until the Referee takes his normal position.

 

I don't know, looking pretty illegal so far to me.

Thanks for posting this. One of the operative words clearly is, " immediately". It seems there was a deliberate attempt to delay said reporting.also; any insight as to what transpired on the play(s) following the initial report? In other words, did Vereen stay on the field? Report as elligable or inelligable?

[Static]

What the Patriots did was legal but so is diving Helmet first into the opponents knees instead of trying to tackle.

 

 

But thank god some teams respect the game of football. 

[hawkz85]

Agreed. Take it to the league in private but whining about it seems bitter.

when you say league do you mean goodell and company. thats probably not going to work. doesnt goodell hate the ravens becuase of all the bad media he got because of the ray rice thing.

[D_UP]

Trick plays and deception. Is what they needed to beat the Ravens. I hate the steelers but respect them. I hate the patriots and have zero respect for those snakes.

[DMH_in_WA]

It's what Belichick does.  It's not illegal and it will go away next year.  He found a loophole in the rulebook and exploited it.  He already knows that it violates the spirit of the rules and he doesn't care.  As long as he could use it to gain an advantage.  The fact that they didn't do it again after Harbaugh lost his mind on the officials tells you they knew it was shady and borderline, but it got them a TD.

 

I'd bet money if they did it again from here on out, the refs would clearly call out the ineligible player and allow proper time for defenses to adjust.   They wouldn't let the player report himself ineligible as he walked to his position and then allow the ball to be snapped a couple seconds later before the defense had a chance to ID and move players.

 

Does this surprise anyone really?  Sportsmanship is just a word to him .. he has proved that time and again.  I just don't understand why the refs are so slow to pick up on things like that.  How are you supposed to assign or re-assign coverage in 2 seconds?

[allblackraven]

Agreed. Take it to the league in private but whining about it seems bitter.

Please, just stop. Harbs wasn't whining about it and nobody is using this as an excuse for the loss. He answered the question @ press conference and explained what the sideline flag was for.

[ravefan52]

Typical Belichick and Brady. God I hate them

[Hardbaugh]

I'm real happy with how the Ravens went about their business yesterday. I'm not happy with the result but win or lose we have a class organization and we can thank Steve Biscotti for that.

 

If you read Spygate: the untold story  you'd understand they may not be taping but they're still doing something up there skirting the rules, to put it mildly.  If Ernie Adams is still employed bet they are still cheating, bugging locker rooms as Peyton Manning felt (in the book) audio recording quarterback audibles and others and yes the NFL was complicit in the cover up..  

 

 The tackle eligible scam yesterday only solidified the notion that that organization deserves zero credit for anything they've ever accomplished.  They have no scruples when it comes to sportsmanship and fair play.  It's a shame that our coach had to get an unsportsmanlike to get his point across. 

 

Win with class and lose with the same.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Cocky and an ego-maniac"

That whiner was making fits to the refs all game. There is always an exception to the rule. Him cussing the hell out of the refs and not getting a single nod of penalty was a joke.

[Hardbaugh]

Cocky and an ego-maniac"

That whiner was making fits to the refs all game. There is always an exception to the rule. Him cussing the hell out of the refs and not getting a single nod of penalty was a joke.

I'm not certain but on the one hissy fit it looked like he bumped the ref with his facemask. Wish I would have DVR'd it to find out.

[52520Andrew]

From what I have heard it was done within the rules, they apparently announced the receiver was ineligible. They did snap it quick but I thought it was a good call. Gimmicky? Probably, legal? Yup

[DMH_in_WA]

From what I have heard it was done within the rules, they apparently announced the receiver was ineligible. They did snap it quick but I thought it was a good call. Gimmicky? Probably, legal? Yup

 

Yup ... he found a loophole and exploited it.  Not how the rules were meant to be used, but not outside of them.  I'd bet a paycheck that the competition committee will close the loophole for next season and Belichick will comb through the rulebook looking for something else he can pull in the gray areas.  We still had this game and let it get away regardless of their gimmicks.  The loss is on the Ravens ... the win was there for the taking.

 

 

I just always love how the "greatest QB who ever lived" has to resort to this kind of stuff time and time again.  I still wish the conference they were in actually provided some competition.  Tired of them skating to their division championship every year.  I've had a dream for years that the NFL would seek some parity in that division.  Move the Cleveland Browns to the AFC East with NY, Buffalo and Miami.  Then move NE to the AFC North.  Let him deal with AFC North defenses 6 times a year and show me he's Tom Terrific. 

[52520Andrew]

Yup ... he found a loophole and exploited it. Not how the rules were meant to be used, but not outside of them. I'd bet a paycheck that the competition committee will close the loophole for next season and Belichick will comb through the rulebook looking for something else he can pull in the gray areas. We still had this game and let it get away regardless of their gimmicks. The loss is on the Ravens ... the win was there for the taking.

I just always love how the "greatest QB who ever lived" has to resort to this kind of stuff time and time again. I still wish the conference they were in actually provided some competition. Tired of them skating to their division championship every year. I've had a dream for years that the NFL would seek some parity in that division. Move the Cleveland Browns to the AFC East with NY, Buffalo and Miami. Then move NE to the AFC North. Let him deal with AFC North defenses 6 times a year and show me he's Tom Terrific.

In terms of defense that division isn't bad. They aren't great but they are pretty good. Buffalo has a really good defense, the Jets have a good D-line(yeah their secondary had some problems), and Miami has a pretty solid defense. Granted the Jets are a mess, the Bills are a question mark, and the Dolphins are good but never seem to be good enough. It could get better if Buffalo gets a good coach and Tannehill keeps developing for Miami but still not as good as the AFC North.

[DMH_in_WA]

In terms of defense that division isn't bad. They aren't great but they are pretty good. Buffalo has a really good defense, the Jets have a good D-line(yeah their secondary had some problems), and Miami has a pretty solid defense. Granted the Jets are a mess, the Bills are a question mark, and the Dolphins are good but never seem to be good enough. It could get better if Buffalo gets a good coach and Tannehill keeps developing for Miami but still not as good as the AFC North.

 

Agreed .. the teams have gotten better the last couple of years, but  they're still so shaky.  Until the last couple years, they looked like what the NFC South looks like now and NE pretty much had 0 competition in that division.  I know the re-shuffling of the divisions won't happen so my hopes are pinned on Miami putting it fully together and giving them a run.

[Bryden88]

I hate the Patriots more than I hate the Steelers. At least in the Steelers we effectively just have to look in the mirror to see our rivals. The Patriots are just... covered in slime.

[Grapple Raven]

Please read this article!  It explains it well.

 

Sorry for the long post, but I just have to get this off my chest, because it is eating at me. I hope I am not the only one that feels this way.

 

http://espn.go.com/n...early-deception

 

More than anything that happened in this game, this is what bothers me the most:

 

This isn't the first time the Patriots have used these kind of trick deceptive plays, this duplicity, this type of chicanery to give them the edge to win a game.  If they thought their team was so skilled and talented, why the need to scour the rule book to look for ways to turn rules into plays through deceptive tactics???   Just play ball.  Just play the game!  

 

Let the better team win, no matter which team it is, with their play on the field, rather than having to look for ways to get competitive advantage through deceitful double dealing moves.  It screams desperation.  Are the Patriots that desperate to win?  Obviously, and have been for quite a long time.

 

It takes the phrases "win at all costs" and "win by any means necessary" to another level.  Is it illegal, no, but it definitely is underhanded and deceptive.  Deception at its minimum is a willingness to give a false impression. Imho, the bottom line is it doesn't speak to fair play and that is the problem I have with the Patriots.  Brady confirmed it in his responding comment to Harbaugh....

 

"Maybe those guys gotta study the rulebook and figure it out. We obviously knew what we were doing and we made some pretty important plays. It was a real good weapon for us."  

 

Yes, YOU obviously knew what you were doing, but the referees didn't and nor did we the first couple of times it was used in this game...hence the deception.  And you have the nerve to call that type of duplicity a weapon? Really???  To refer to that type of a move as an important play is deplorable. It was more like by slight of hand.  I am sure your fans are so proud.  And to think anyone would accuse you of being arrogant, Tom. Oh the humanity, lol.    Right guard Wendell even said as much: "I think it just says that it's the playoffs and we are willing to do whatever it takes to win," Wendell said. "There's no good in holding anything back right now." Well there ya go!

Belicheck even described it as a "strategy" that was no different than on a punt team or a situation like that. Nice justification, Bill.  I don't think that is what most people think of when they hear the word "strategy" in relation to game planning, Bill.  Clever, perhaps, but definitely it was meant to lead astray via underhandedness so therefore it was deceptive.

 

This isn't the first time we have seen these type of moves from the Patriots.  But you tend to see it more in playoff games, and more often than not, it does make a difference in these games as their deceptive moves end in scoring plays.   I for one could see that same trick play used in our last playoff game with them coming this time, and it did.  That "sideline fighting" move was also seen again in this game, along with Brady's demonstrative whining for a penalty...all designed moves to change momentum in the game, to throw the opposition off kilter to gain an advantage. 

I just find all this classless and damaging to the spirit of the game and the concept of sportsmanship.  Patriots need to be reminded as the old adage goes "Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat".  I don't see anything humble in their post victory commentary.  I could be gracious if this was a one time event but it is not and don't see it changing anytime in the future.  Personally, I think the Patriots are disgustingly classless as a franchise! And yeah, I said it!

[Grapple Raven]

I'm real happy with how the Ravens went about their business yesterday. I'm not happy with the result but win or lose we have a class organization and we can thank Steve Biscotti for that.

 

If you read Spygate: the untold story  you'd understand they may not be taping but they're still doing something up there skirting the rules, to put it mildly.  If Ernie Adams is still employed bet they are still cheating, bugging locker rooms as Peyton Manning felt (in the book) audio recording quarterback audibles and others and yes the NFL was complicit in the cover up..  

 

 The tackle eligible scam yesterday only solidified the notion that that organization deserves zero credit for anything they've ever accomplished.  They have no scruples when it comes to sportsmanship and fair play.  It's a shame that our coach had to get an unsportsmanlike to get his point across. 

 

Win with class and lose with the same.

Amen, excellent post!!!

[TheRavenouseD2008]

Please read this article!  It explains it well.

 

Sorry for the long post, but I just have to get this off my chest, because it is eating at me. I hope I am not the only one that feels this way.

 

http://espn.go.com/n...early-deception

 

More than anything that happened in this game, this is what bothers me the most:

 

This isn't the first time the Patriots have used these kind of trick deceptive plays, this duplicity, this type of chicanery to give them the edge to win a game.  If they thought their team was so skilled and talented, why the need to scour the rule book to look for ways to turn rules into plays through deceptive tactics???   Just play ball.  Just play the game!  

 

Let the better team win, no matter which team it is, with their play on the field, rather than having to look for ways to get competitive advantage through deceitful double dealing moves.  It screams desperation.  Are the Patriots that desperate to win?  Obviously, and have been for quite a long time.

 

It takes the phrases "win at all costs" and "win by any means necessary" to another level.  Is it illegal, no, but it definitely is underhanded and deceptive.  Deception at its minimum is a willingness to give a false impression. Imho, the bottom line is it doesn't speak to fair play and that is the problem I have with the Patriots.  Brady confirmed it in his responding comment to Harbaugh....

 

"Maybe those guys gotta study the rulebook and figure it out. We obviously knew what we were doing and we made some pretty important plays. It was a real good weapon for us."  

 

Yes, YOU obviously knew what you were doing, but the referees didn't and nor did we the first couple of times it was used in this game...hence the deception.  And you have the nerve to call that type of duplicity a weapon? Really???  To refer to that type of a move as an important play is deplorable. It was more like by slight of hand.  I am sure your fans are so proud.  And to think anyone would accuse you of being arrogant, Tom. Oh the humanity, lol.    Right guard Wendell even said as much: "I think it just says that it's the playoffs and we are willing to do whatever it takes to win," Wendell said. "There's no good in holding anything back right now." Well there ya go!

Belicheck even described it as a "strategy" that was no different than on a punt team or a situation like that. Nice justification, Bill.  I don't think that is what most people think of when they hear the word "strategy" in relation to game planning, Bill.  Clever, perhaps, but definitely it was meant to lead astray via underhandedness so therefore it was deceptive.

 

This isn't the first time we have seen these type of moves from the Patriots.  But you tend to see it more in playoff games, and more often than not, it does make a difference in these games as their deceptive moves end in scoring plays.   I for one could see that same trick play used in our last playoff game with them coming this time, and it did.  That "sideline fighting" move was also seen again in this game, along with Brady's demonstrative whining for a penalty...all designed moves to change momentum in the game, to throw the opposition off kilter to gain an advantage. 

I just find all this classless and damaging to the spirit of the game and the concept of sportsmanship.  Patriots need to be reminded as the old adage goes "Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat".  I don't see anything humble in their post victory commentary.  I could be gracious if this was a one time event but it is not and don't see it changing anytime in the future.  Personally, I think the Patriots are disgustingly classless as a franchise! And yeah, I said it!

Pride cometh before the Fall ,    Something tells me Brady might run smack into Richard Sherman , For now that D is the only hope of wrecking bradys joy ...... Let us all Join Seahawks Fans  Ravens Lets bandwagon the 12th man show our support No more Rings for Brady or Billicheat!

[Tiz]

Thanks for posting this. One of the operative words clearly is, " immediately". It seems there was a deliberate attempt to delay said reporting.also; any insight as to what transpired on the play(s) following the initial report? In other words, did Vereen stay on the field? Report as elligable or inelligable?

Your logic is flawed. If required to report immediately then there is no issue as he talked to the official immediately after breaking the huddle. That would suggest that the league is all for reporting it secretly so defenses don't know its happened.

On tackle eligible plays they clearly say number "xx" has reported eligible. The concern with what the pats did isn't about legality but about how the refs are supposed to handle it.

[Tiz]

Pride cometh before the Fall , Something tells me Brady might run smack into Richard Sherman , For now that D is the only hope of wrecking bradys joy ...... Let us all Join Seahawks Fans Ravens Lets bandwagon the 12th man show our support No more Rings for Brady or Billicheat![/quote

Sherman can be as loud and obnoxious as anyone on the field. There's no difference in demeanor between the two on the field. And to use the pride statement sherman has refered to himself and the LOB as being the best. Everything you applied to brady goes for sherman and just about any player in the league.

[ravensdfan]

Your logic is flawed. If required to report immediately then there is no issue as he talked to the official immediately after breaking the huddle. That would suggest that the league is all for reporting it secretly so defenses don't know its happened.

On tackle eligible plays they clearly say number "xx" has reported eligible. The concern with what the pats did isn't about legality but about how the refs are supposed to handle it.

No they were lining up and then lifting his hand and claiming ineligible - then the ball was snapped. They were not reporting immediately.. It is partly the refs fault because the rules state he has to let the defensive team know so play should have stopped until he did that.

[K-Dog]

Not to add fuel to the fire ( but I kinda am ) but everyone saw when Tom used the referee as a blocker?

Tom getting in the face of an official and not getting a fifteen out of it. If just about any other player did that to an official ....

[Tiz]

No they were lining up and then lifting his hand and claiming ineligible - then the ball was snapped. They were not reporting immediately.. It is partly the refs fault because the rules state he has to let the defensive team know so play should have stopped until he did that.

The one play before harbs got upset they did not do it the way you said. He did it upon coming out the huddle. But nevertheless even if done as you say it still is on the refs to prevent the quick snap not the team.

[K-Dog]

No they were lining up and then lifting his hand and claiming ineligible - then the ball was snapped. They were not reporting immediately.. It is partly the refs fault because the rules state he has to let the defensive team know so play should have stopped until he did that.

Exactly.

Like the reffs stopped our offense at least once against the Titans.

[H8R]

Lol at the clowns that fall right into BB's web of deceit and black magic. He knew it would take awhile for the inept refs to act on it, and it did. I applaud Harbs for saying the truth.

[PoeDinkum]

What this whole mess of shenanigans tells me is that the CHEATRIOTS devoted considerable thought to these plays and were motivated by fear to implement them AFTER they crapped themselves when they drew us in the divisional round of the playoffs.

 

Even with us having19 men on IR they KNEW that they had their hands full and would likely lose this game without resorting to trickery.

 

Just sickens me that we will have to read and listen to the pablum of how briliant and dominant Lady Brady and Bellychump are and that we may appear as sore losers as a result of this.

 

More proud of our team this morning than I was last night.

[ravensdfan]

Exactly.

Like the reffs stopped our offense at least once against the Titans.

Legal or not, the rules clearly state that the spirit of the rules is to prevent a team from using substitutions to confuse the opponent. That is clearly stated. So even if somewhat legal, it is clearly in violation of the stated spirit of the game. Cheats.

[balfan23]

We can't have a simple great game, hard fought, etc .. with this team without having some sort of controversy. Brady is the drama queen of the NFL and Belichick is the NFL's Emperor Palpatine.