Belichick fined $500K by NFL for taping Jets' signals

[hagan714]

Originally Posted by Tobias-Reiper

..as it was the case with Vick (i.e., everyone saying "he's going to jail because of dog fighting", which really isn't why he's going to jail) people are just holding onto a sound bite, as in "they were videotaping" and don't see the scope of the implications here...

.. at the beginning, I couldn't see what the big deal was, since everyone has videotape of everyone. It wasn't until I saw a clip of the Jets game, where the Pats cameraman was highlighted in the background, that I figured - or at least I think I figured - why they were doing ti.

The camera in use was a bona fide TV camera, which has a powerful zoom, a boom mic, and seemed to be connected to something (a cable running off the back of the camera)
The cameraman could've easily zoom in and pick up the defensive call, and transmit it to the Pats' booth, knowing which play was going to be called. I would think that it would have taken the Pats 1-2 quarters to figure out what call meant what. Once they figured out the calls, cameraman picks up defensive/offensive call (possibly both video and audio), the Pats' booth sees it as it happens, Pats' booth relays call to def. coor. or Brady. Ex; the cameraman points camera to get the defensive call, transmits to the booth, booth determines that play call is a safety blitz coming from the weak side, and signal Brady or off. coor. to throw screen pass to the strong side. Happened over and over in SB XXXIX....

Finnally a somewhat logical look at the big picture. Silly isn't it. There was no need for it. You have to ask yourself this.
So why do it and get caught when they could have done it and never got caught?
Piece of cake. Just watching the game you can figure out what a defense is going to do from the sofa by the second half anyways. Besides that camera could have been placed anywhere in the stadium and got the same results. All you need was a seperate sound crew. Like TV does now. There was no reason to get caught.
What was to be gained? Really?
In the big picture it will get the passage of the ruling that the Defense can get wired and there is no more need for signing in the play. The penility is ok considering the picks involved for the pats. They are over loaded next year. As ar as the fines go, it probably would be a wash cost wise. Comparing the fine to the time and money spent to get the passage of the bill. Quick and simple.
Why should the offense have that advantage over the defense anyway?
Is that not cheating for the offense? They can wait till the defensive package is on the field to select the play. Cuts the play selction in a third. Oh thats right, the NFL has changed the rules of the game not only to speed up the games in order to keep the Networks happy and maximize the profits. But also to insure higher scoring games to appeal to a growing fan base. The key word is insure. The game has been tainted for money and because of the money. This is true of all professional sports.
Conclusion
A small price to pay to somewhat level the playing field between the offense and the defense. Which will truely never be leveled again because, you the viewing fan does not want it so. Thats right; YOU THE FAN.

For us old timers the game is not the same. We miss the contact.
Let the defenses play again in all professional sports, please.