By Scott Daniels, Esq., NFL Draft Bible
It was seen by some as the biggest controversy in history of the NFL. It consumed the media for months and sparked endless debate about one team's overwhelming success. It became a household name. And most importantly, it's name was derived from the biggest government scandal in the history of our country.
But after several months of speculation and suspense, Spygate is finally over.
Ok, it's not officially over, but it should be.
Unfortunately, Arlen Specter is still crying foul, but his motives have nothing do with fixing the integrity of the game. Spygate has provided a stage for him to advance his own political agenda. And now Specter wants a "Mitchell-like" investigation into the wrongdoings of Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
While I initially applauded Specter's actions in questioning how the NFL has handled Spygate, a lengthy governmental investigation into a controversy involving the blatant violation of NFL rules is not only pointless, but a waste of time and valuable tax dollars.
As much as I wanted to uncover unimaginable truths stemming from Spygate, the pseudo-conspiracy has simply dried up. Walsh was the last straw in a depleted investigation and he provided nothing by way of physical evidence. Spygate was reminiscent of intriguing film with a disappointing ending. It simply lacked substance.
In a court of law, Walsh's potential damaging testimony about Bill Belichick and the Patriots would be considered hearsay - and therefore, inadmissible at trial.
But Walsh's long awaited emergence into the spotlight did provide us with something.........
A means to an end.
Showing posts with label New England Patriots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New England Patriots. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
LEGAL LINE PODCAST V - What's The Holdup?
Why hasn't Matt Walsh divulged the information he allegedly has on the Patriots?
Why was the NFL's indemnification agreement not good enough?
And why does Bill Belichick still think he can fool the public?
This week's podcast is an extended one so enjoy my analysis on the continuation of Spygate and what we can expect to see in the future......Just click on the title above or cut and paste the link below to listen.
http://web.mac.com/daniels3636/iWeb/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html
Monday, February 11, 2008
LEGAL LINE PODCAST IV - Spygate is Back and Why Matt Walsh is a Key Player
Spygate has resurfaced.
Can Matt Walsh bring more evidence to the table? He's saying he has more information on the Patriot's illicit tactics, but just how important is he?
Just click on the title above to listen, or simply copy the link below and paste it into your browser.
http://web.mac.com/daniels3636/iWeb/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html
Saturday, February 2, 2008
NFL Conspiracy or a Senator's Hidden Agenda?
By Scott Daniels, Esq., NFL Draft Bible
Just when you thought "Spygate" has finally become a thing of the past, the New England Patriots and the NFL have been targeted yet again. This time, Arlen Specter, a Senator from Pennsylvania, has publicly questioned the motives of Roger Goodell and the NFL in their destruction of the videotapes they confiscated from the Patriots earlier in the year.
Conspiracy within the NFL or a cheap publicity stunt?
Senator Specter made headlines this week by questioning Goodell's intentions in handling the investigation surrounding Spygate. In fact, Specter wants to bring Goodell in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to explain why he destroyed the videotapes related to Spygate.
The notion of destroying evidence immediately translates into an inference of guilt. It leads one to believe that the NFL had something to hide in those tapes. And more importantly, it begs the question - Why did the actual videotapes from Spygate have to be destroyed?
But lets be real here people. We're talking about the NFL, not our nation's national security.
Although these tapes were effectively destroyed and the public will never know exactly what was on those tapes, I'm pretty sure the contents of those tapes would be relatively unimportant to members of the United States Senate.
So why is Senator Specter lambasting Commissioner Goodell and his decision to destroy the videotapes associated with Spygate?
Does he really care what was on those tapes? Doubtful.
Are Specter's constituents concerned about Mr. Goodell's actions? No chance.
Then why does Senator Specter care so much?
The answer is simple.
Senator Specter's number one political contributor is Comcast, a major cable company based out of Philadelphia. Comcast has been unsuccessful in persuading the NFL to allow the "Sunday Ticket" (coverage of every NFL game) and the NFL Network on Comcast's regular cable. Instead, the NFL has insisted on making their product a premium.
Specter has now threatened to strip the NFL of their "anti trust exemption," which permits the league to negotiate it's television contracts for the entire league as opposed to each team negotiating their television deals individually.
Interestingly enough, this is not the first time Specter has attacked the NFL on this issue.
In 2006, Specter publicly denounced the NFL's anti trust exemption and vowed to sponsor legislation that would effectively deprive the NFL from negotiating television contracts for every team.
Specter's public condemnation of Goodell and the NFL has nothing to do with Spygate. It has everything to do with Comcast's desires to get a piece of the billions of dollars the NFL is making off television contracts each year.
And as any shrewd politician would do, Spector chose to cry foul right before the NFL's biggest event. How convenient.
Just when you thought "Spygate" has finally become a thing of the past, the New England Patriots and the NFL have been targeted yet again. This time, Arlen Specter, a Senator from Pennsylvania, has publicly questioned the motives of Roger Goodell and the NFL in their destruction of the videotapes they confiscated from the Patriots earlier in the year.
Conspiracy within the NFL or a cheap publicity stunt?
Senator Specter made headlines this week by questioning Goodell's intentions in handling the investigation surrounding Spygate. In fact, Specter wants to bring Goodell in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to explain why he destroyed the videotapes related to Spygate.
The notion of destroying evidence immediately translates into an inference of guilt. It leads one to believe that the NFL had something to hide in those tapes. And more importantly, it begs the question - Why did the actual videotapes from Spygate have to be destroyed?
But lets be real here people. We're talking about the NFL, not our nation's national security.
Although these tapes were effectively destroyed and the public will never know exactly what was on those tapes, I'm pretty sure the contents of those tapes would be relatively unimportant to members of the United States Senate.
So why is Senator Specter lambasting Commissioner Goodell and his decision to destroy the videotapes associated with Spygate?
Does he really care what was on those tapes? Doubtful.
Are Specter's constituents concerned about Mr. Goodell's actions? No chance.
Then why does Senator Specter care so much?
The answer is simple.
Senator Specter's number one political contributor is Comcast, a major cable company based out of Philadelphia. Comcast has been unsuccessful in persuading the NFL to allow the "Sunday Ticket" (coverage of every NFL game) and the NFL Network on Comcast's regular cable. Instead, the NFL has insisted on making their product a premium.
Specter has now threatened to strip the NFL of their "anti trust exemption," which permits the league to negotiate it's television contracts for the entire league as opposed to each team negotiating their television deals individually.
Interestingly enough, this is not the first time Specter has attacked the NFL on this issue.
In 2006, Specter publicly denounced the NFL's anti trust exemption and vowed to sponsor legislation that would effectively deprive the NFL from negotiating television contracts for every team.
Specter's public condemnation of Goodell and the NFL has nothing to do with Spygate. It has everything to do with Comcast's desires to get a piece of the billions of dollars the NFL is making off television contracts each year.
And as any shrewd politician would do, Spector chose to cry foul right before the NFL's biggest event. How convenient.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
LEGAL LINE VOL. VII
FROM GENIUS TO CHEAT - DID BILL GET WHAT HE DESERVED?
By Scott Daniels, Esq., NFL Draft Bible
He was considered one of the smartest coaches in the NFL. He led the New England Patriots to Superbowl victories in 2001, 2003 and 2004. He's at the helm of one of the greatest professional sports teams in the current decade. He's also at the center of a major controversy involving his team's alleged cheating tactics. Bill Belichick, a man once regarded as a football genius, will now be remembered as a cheat.
A few weeks ago, a Patriots video assistant was caught by NFL officials taping the New York Jets' defensive signals. Following the game, the Jets made formal complaints to the league and Belichick and the Patriots were exploited by the league and the media.
While Belichick caught an incredible amount of criticism and was penalized financially by the league, Roger Goodell's decision not to suspend Belichick is under a great deal of scrutiny. For starters, Belichick was at the forefront of a major operation that gave his club an overwhelming advantage in an otherwise pure game. This is a serious scandal that may very well be running rampant in the NFL. Goodell needed to send a message to all coaches that this type of conduct will not be tolerated. His failure to punish Belichick severely could lead other coaches towards a path of deceit.
Historically, cheating has long been a problem in the sports world. Let's take a look back at some infamous cheats and compare their penalties to the likes of Bill Belichick's.
SAMMY SOSA
Steroid allegations on Sosa are endless, but mere speculation at this point. What Sosa was caught with in 2003 was a corked bat. Umpires discovered his "juiced" bat during a game and Sosa claimed he grabbed the bat "by mistake."
Sosa gained an advantage by corking his bat. Belichick gained an advantage by videotaping his opponent's defensive coaches, a move strictly prohibited by the NFL. Difference between the two? Nothing. They are both cheaters.
DAVID ROBERTSON
During a 1985 British Open qualifier, Robertson was caught moving his ball on the green to a more favorable spot closer to the hole. Players in the tournament eventually realized what was happening and quickly notified officials.
Belichick's actions weren't exactly as obvious as Robertson's, but they still tainted the game.
McLAREN RACING TEAM
In a scandal that has shocked the Formula One Racing world, the McLaren Team was found to have used leaked secret documents belonging to Ferrari. On top of a hefty fine, McLaren may face more punishment if the World Motor Sport Council finds further fraudulent conduct.
Both Belichick and McLaren Racing participated in a form of espionage. Both broke the rules of their respective sports and used their opponents' secretive information to advance their own goals.
Comparison of Punishments
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots - Belichick was personally fined $500,000. The Patriots were fined an additional $250,000. The Patriots will also lose their first round draft pick if they make the playoffs. If they do not make the playoffs, they will lose their second and third round draft picks.
Sammy Sosa - Suspended eight games (reduced to seven after appeal).
David Robertson - Fined 20,000 pounds (equivalent to around $30,000 at the time) and banned from the PGA European Tour for 20 years.
McLaren Racing Team - Fined $100 Million and stripped of it's points in the "constructors' standings." (Until this point, McLaren had the point lead).
It seems obvious that Belichick's punishment was by far the lightest. In a written statement by Belichick following his embarrassing incident, he stated: "My interpretation of a rule in the [NFL] Constitution and Bylaws was incorrect." Maybe Belichick and the Patriots didn't think they were acting outside the rules when they taped the Jets' defensive signals. In the court of law, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Luckily for Belichick, his fate did not rest in the hands of a Judge or jury. However, in the public eye, Belichick will be remembered among sports' most infamous cheats.
By Scott Daniels, Esq., NFL Draft Bible
He was considered one of the smartest coaches in the NFL. He led the New England Patriots to Superbowl victories in 2001, 2003 and 2004. He's at the helm of one of the greatest professional sports teams in the current decade. He's also at the center of a major controversy involving his team's alleged cheating tactics. Bill Belichick, a man once regarded as a football genius, will now be remembered as a cheat.
A few weeks ago, a Patriots video assistant was caught by NFL officials taping the New York Jets' defensive signals. Following the game, the Jets made formal complaints to the league and Belichick and the Patriots were exploited by the league and the media.
While Belichick caught an incredible amount of criticism and was penalized financially by the league, Roger Goodell's decision not to suspend Belichick is under a great deal of scrutiny. For starters, Belichick was at the forefront of a major operation that gave his club an overwhelming advantage in an otherwise pure game. This is a serious scandal that may very well be running rampant in the NFL. Goodell needed to send a message to all coaches that this type of conduct will not be tolerated. His failure to punish Belichick severely could lead other coaches towards a path of deceit.
Historically, cheating has long been a problem in the sports world. Let's take a look back at some infamous cheats and compare their penalties to the likes of Bill Belichick's.
SAMMY SOSA
Steroid allegations on Sosa are endless, but mere speculation at this point. What Sosa was caught with in 2003 was a corked bat. Umpires discovered his "juiced" bat during a game and Sosa claimed he grabbed the bat "by mistake."
Sosa gained an advantage by corking his bat. Belichick gained an advantage by videotaping his opponent's defensive coaches, a move strictly prohibited by the NFL. Difference between the two? Nothing. They are both cheaters.
DAVID ROBERTSON
During a 1985 British Open qualifier, Robertson was caught moving his ball on the green to a more favorable spot closer to the hole. Players in the tournament eventually realized what was happening and quickly notified officials.
Belichick's actions weren't exactly as obvious as Robertson's, but they still tainted the game.
McLAREN RACING TEAM
In a scandal that has shocked the Formula One Racing world, the McLaren Team was found to have used leaked secret documents belonging to Ferrari. On top of a hefty fine, McLaren may face more punishment if the World Motor Sport Council finds further fraudulent conduct.
Both Belichick and McLaren Racing participated in a form of espionage. Both broke the rules of their respective sports and used their opponents' secretive information to advance their own goals.
Comparison of Punishments
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots - Belichick was personally fined $500,000. The Patriots were fined an additional $250,000. The Patriots will also lose their first round draft pick if they make the playoffs. If they do not make the playoffs, they will lose their second and third round draft picks.
Sammy Sosa - Suspended eight games (reduced to seven after appeal).
David Robertson - Fined 20,000 pounds (equivalent to around $30,000 at the time) and banned from the PGA European Tour for 20 years.
McLaren Racing Team - Fined $100 Million and stripped of it's points in the "constructors' standings." (Until this point, McLaren had the point lead).
It seems obvious that Belichick's punishment was by far the lightest. In a written statement by Belichick following his embarrassing incident, he stated: "My interpretation of a rule in the [NFL] Constitution and Bylaws was incorrect." Maybe Belichick and the Patriots didn't think they were acting outside the rules when they taped the Jets' defensive signals. In the court of law, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Luckily for Belichick, his fate did not rest in the hands of a Judge or jury. However, in the public eye, Belichick will be remembered among sports' most infamous cheats.
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