It seems former Patriots videographer Matt Walsh, who’s said he has a smoking gun that will indict the Patriots, doesn’t have much more than a tired, used water pistol. According to the NYT, he handed over eight tapes to the NFL that show the Patriots videotaping offensive and defensive signals: Charges the League has already punished New England for, the Patriots have already accepted, and which were put to bed six months ago. There are no tapes of the St. Louis Rams’ walkthrough before their Super loss to the Patriots in February 2002.
A couple weeks ago, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he hoped Walsh had something on the Patriots. It wasn’t because he wanted the Pats to get into deeper trouble, but because Walsh was reigniting an issue the commish had thought was behind the League. I’ll be curious to hear what Goodell has to say about the lack of new information. Unfortunately, he can’t take a draft pick away from Matt Walsh. -Cyd Zeigler jr.
on May 7th, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Since Walsh does not meet with Goodell until May 13, nothing is officially over.
Walsh, according to the NYT, sent the league 8 tapes from 6 games from 2000-2002. The Pats were penalized for actions in 2006 and 2007, so I am not sure if these tapes put the Pats in any more jeopardy. Among the Walsh tapes is from the Pats’ win over Pittsburgh in the AFC title game in Jan. 2002. Says the Times:
“Goodell has left open the possibility that additional evidence will lead to additional penalties against Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots.”
on May 8th, 2008 at 2:23 AM
It also mentions the stealing of offensive signals in the AFC championship game in addition to defensive signals, which hasn’t been mentioned before (at least not publically).
on May 8th, 2008 at 6:42 AM
The Patriots taped regular season games against division rivals, and in the AFC championship game. That’s just as bad as if they had recorded St. Louis. Spygate is just getting started, much to the chagrin of Patriots fans(can’t believe there are any left) everywhere.
on May 8th, 2008 at 9:38 AM
LOL. Wishful thinking by all the Patriot haters. But this thing is over.
on May 8th, 2008 at 9:40 AM
LOL…this wishful story by Cyd reminds me a joke…
A young boy passes by his mother’s room and sees her naked on her bed caressing herself moaning, “I want a man…I want a man…”
The next day he hears strange noises coming from her room so he runs down the hall and peaks through the keyhole and sees his mom having sex with a stranger. He goes back to his room and shuts the door.
After his mother says goodbye to her gentleman caller she hears strange noises coming from her son’s room. She walks down the hallway and opens the door and sees her son naked on the bed caressing himself moaning, “I want an XBOX…I want an XBOX…”
Keep rubbing Cyd…keep rubbing.
on May 8th, 2008 at 11:17 AM
It will come to an end if the tapes don’t contain any new information. Declaring the controversy over before that doesn’t make much sense.
And obviously, for people who don’t like the Patriots, Spygate will be the gift that keeps on giving in perpetuity.
on May 8th, 2008 at 9:17 PM
How much of there success can be isolated to this type of behavior? In 2005 you have to wonder if it wouldn’t have been different (Ben’s first year). I think Brady is over-rated.
on May 9th, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Last night, ESPN’s John Clayton declared that the Pats will be “exonerfied” next Tuesday.
Man, is this a great time to be a Boston sports fan or what?
on May 10th, 2008 at 12:48 AM
patriots are cheaters.
this is not over.
on May 10th, 2008 at 1:02 AM
John Clayton and Chris Mortenson and everyone else I’ve listened to has said it’s over. Wishful thinking, though.
Waaaaaah the Patriots won too many Super Bowls. Waaaaaah.
on May 15th, 2008 at 8:26 AM
I simply don’t (anti)-trust the NFL’s conclusion.
on May 15th, 2008 at 12:54 PM
You go, “Arlen”!