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THE AUDIBLE | COMMENTARY
Belichick's punishment? He should go back in time
Comment: What should the punishment be for New England and Bill Belichick?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
So the spotlight is shining on New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick again, but this time it's for alleged cheating.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. I'm sure there's not a dry eye in NFL executive offices from coast to coast.
Extras
What should Belichick's punishment be for stealing the New York Jets' defensive signals via videotape Sunday, if that's what actually happened?
I've heard various sanctions suggested, everything from fines to confiscation of draft picks. Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said the Patriots should be made to forfeit their upcoming game against them. Everybody's a comedian.
I like my idea better: Belichick should be sentenced to take over as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, effective immediately.
Belichick, you might recall, coached the Browns from 1991 through 1995. Negative reaction to him — by just about everyone — was cited on an ESPN special as one of the reasons you couldn't blame Art Modell for evacuating the Browns to Baltimore.
Even Modell had wearied of Belichick, opting for a fossilized Ted Marchibroda to coach the new "Ravens."
Three Super Bowl rings later in New England, Belichick is bound for the Hall of Fame. The Browns probably will be seeking a coach soon, preferably one who looks for any edge he can get.
There you go.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could help the Browns avoid the Christmas rush, even if he orders Belichick to leave his surveillance equipment behind.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Max Spencer
September 13, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
My hat is off to Sean McClelland. A fine article of subtlety. Buona fortuna, sir.
By Ron Fowler
September 13, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
I think they should have to forfit the game and lose their highest draft pick next year.
By Bengwolf15
September 13, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
I agree with the plethora of comments on here. I think the team should be fined, and Belichick should be suspended for a couple games. There was something stated in an article on SI.com, I believe it was, that they could lose a draft pick to go with the fine. I however don’t see that as punishment. Given the fact that they don’t need the draft pick anyway with the talent they have on their roster. So again, a fine and a 2 game suspension are good.
By Hop
September 13, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Football is a war and whatever you can do to give your team the edge, bar cheating, go for it. What Bellicheck did is probably common practice among the teams only he got caught. Get over and give Mike Vick his just do, only make his prision term in Dog Years….
By madmaxmedia
September 13, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Yes, it is against the rules to use a camera to try to steal signals. By doing so, the Patriots have gained an unfair advantage over other teams. How much of an advantage is hard to say, I doubt any commenters here have any NFL coaching or sideline experience. It’s probably not insignificant, as some here have said. The Pats are still a good team, but there will be some fallout.
The NFL will investigate this incident, and also try to determine if it has gone on previously, before any ruling.
By mike
September 13, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Bengals? The upcoming game is the Chargers. Do I feel, if guilty, which I am sure he is, that Belechek should be suspended, yes. How long? I’ll leave that to the NFL.
As for having the Pats forfiet a game, I think that is a little harsh, especially Brady and Co. meaning the PLAYERS not the coaching staff are not responsible for Belecheks mistakes. They get the plays from him, not from the Cameraman.
But, as for Belechek, if guilty, suspend him…Oh, and I am a patriots fan.
By mike
September 13, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Bengals? The upcoming game is the Chargers. Do I feel, if guilty, which I am sure he is, that Belechek should be suspended, yes. How long? I’ll leave that to the NFL.
As for having the Pats forfiet a game, I think that is a little harsh, especially Brady and Co. meaning the PLAYERS not the coaching staff are not responsible for Belecheks mistakes. They get the plays from him, not from the Cameraman.
But, as for Belechek, if guilty, suspend him…Oh, and I am a patriots fan.
By Grampy
September 13, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
I fail to see a problem here. I’m sure any coach worht his salt in the NFL would have done the same thing. If that’s the case you probably have to start fining the players on the field if they should happen to figure out the other teams signals… Give it a rest and let the best team win…
By tDog
September 13, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
They should get rid of the coaching staff this year and enforce iron-man football for the PATR-IDIOTS. Wanna watch Brady and company play defense.
By clint
September 13, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
Belichick should get the ultmiate punishment……be sent back to coach the Cleveland Browns again!!! Poor guy, no one deserves that.
By Erik
September 13, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
If Pete Rose can be banned for life from baseball for allegedly placing bets outside the game, why not ban Belicheat for cheating in games in which he was actually involved?
By Jonah
September 13, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
I think a combination of penalties should be assessed… Fine and suspend Belichick, maybe $50-100k and 2 games. Fine the organization, say $250k, for letting this happen (especially when they have been warned). And possibly throw in the loss of a draft pick or two, maybe 2nd-3rd rounders for next year. WHO DEY!
By re: Jim5
September 13, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Dear Jim5 -
You are an idiot. Football is NOT war….you sound like Kellen Winslow from a few years back…. anyways….The Pats should lose their coaching staff for 6 games.
By Papillon
September 13, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
Is there a rule in the NFL against this? Isn’t it kind of like stealing the catcher’s signs in baseball? You might get beaned but its not illegal.
By Ray
September 13, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
He should be banned from the game. He is a cheater. Put an asterisk beside their Super Bowl Championships. He is a CHEATER!!! Or how about this, give the guy credit for thinking, using his knowledge to gain advantages for his team. Stealing signals, what is the big deal. Great Coach, Great Team, but I don’t like the Pats! Go Bengals!!!
By Ray
September 13, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
He should be banned from the game. He is a cheater. Put an asterisk beside their Super Bowl Championships. He is a CHEATER!!! Or how about this, give the guy credit for thinking, using his knowledge to gain advantages for his team. Stealing signals, what is the big deal. Great Coach, Great Team, but I don’t like the Pats! Go Bengals!!!
By kevin
September 13, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
HEY SEAN, number one you are probaly a biased bengals fan who likes to dog the browns and that being said they should sentence Belichick to have to hang out with you that should be punishment enough!
By Jim5
September 13, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
Football is War. Espionage is part of War. Belichick should not be disciplined (or be apologizing) for any part of what he did in preparation for Jets game. Well, okay, I think he should be suspended for the Patriots’ upcoming game against the Bengals — but not one minute more!
By Fred E.
September 13, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
Belichick and his staff should be removed from coaching for the remainder of the season and forfeit their pay as well. Let the Pats find an intern staff to replace them during the season. The only place that matters is the pocketbook!
By Laurie
September 13, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
NOOOOOO!! I think we Brown’s fans are suffering enough thank you!!