Goodell says "Nothing New" in Spygate

[Keenum]

Of course it's new information, but Goodell has his head too far up his butt to actually do something about it.
The more I read and hear about it, the more I'm thinking the whole thing is a cover up by the NFL.

[GreatestShow99]

It is a cover up. Goodell is Kraft's lap dog...

[Rambos]

Specter criticizes NFL, wants Mitchell-like investigation
Associated Press


WASHINGTON -- Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) wants an independent investigation of the New England Patriots' videotaping of opposing coaches' signals similar to the Mitchell Report on performance enhancing drugs in baseball.

Specter again criticized the league's handling of the investigation and threatened the possibility of revoking the NFL's antitrust exemption during a news conference Wednesday. The senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee met with former New England video assistant Matt Walsh a day earlier.

Commissioner meets with Walsh
Specter criticizes NFL, wants Mitchell-like investigation
Associated Press


NFL commissioner Roger Goodell indicated he considered the investigation over after meeting with Walsh on Tuesday.

"Everybody pooh-poohs it," Specter said. "It's ridiculous to make that kind of contention."

Specter, from Pennsylvania, cited the fact a Patriots attorney sat in on Walsh's meeting with Goodell as proof the investigation has not been impartial.

He also repeated his disapproval of Goodell's decision to destroy the notes and tapes confiscated during the initial investigation last fall.

"That sequence is incomprehensible," Specter said. "It's an insult to the intelligence of the people who follow it."

If the NFL condones cheating, Specter said, it encourages others to cheat.

"They owe the public a lot more candor and a lot more credibility," he said.

Yes, this is more like it, something smells foul! No tape but he was at our practice C'mon.

[RamOfDenmark]

Originally Posted by Pape

They have zero credibility in your eyes yodude?

Of course they don't have much if any credibility on this issue. They're only trying to protect themselves. Why would the Patriots reveal anything at all? It's much smarter to deny everything and see what people discover on their own and then admit to just that - you don't just give away ammunition to be used against you. It's pretty basic stuff. Give us a good reason that the Patriots would have a lot of credibility in this situation because I don't see it?

Originally Posted by Pape

- Said he was on the field during the walk thru and told some of the Patriot coaches what he saw. Whose bloody fault is that? Its the Rams fault.

It's the Rams fault that the Patriots cheat if the Rams don't notice and catch them? So I guess it's also my fault if I get robbed and don't manage to stop the criminal myself? Let's get rid of the police force then...

I will agree with you that maybe some of this is being blown up a little when you look at the facts that we do have and there is always a tendency for conspiracy theorists to emerge in these situations. But it seems to me that one new fact has emerged from the interview: Walsh watched the Rams walk-through and reported back to the Patriots. It wasn't taped. So? Watching it, taking notes and reporting back is very similar to taping only slightly less effective (unless you're very thorough).

It's not unreasonable to discuss this as a new fact that may warrant further investigation and/or punishment.

[Rambos]

They have zero credibility in your eyes yodude?. Fine, as i said, conspiracy theorists are free to rage on.....

Everything you said is based on your opinion of whats happened and offer no proof regarding anything having to do with "spygate". Just what you feel. Based on the investigation so far, what we do know:
- Walsh said the SB 36 walkthru was not taped. Today the Boston Herald issued a retraction regarding the issue.
- Walsh stated he knew of no one else taping the walk thru.
- Said he was on the field during the walk thru and told some of the Patriot coaches what he saw. Whose bloody fault is that? Its the Rams fault.
- The commissioner indicated that the regular season game between the Rams and Patriots was not taped.
- Walsh said he did not tape the regular season match up.
- Walsh was told to conceal his taping activities.
- Walsh indicated that the tapes were not used during the games in which they were made.
- That the Patriots Cameramen liked to film the San Diego Chargers Cheerleaders.

This story is such a non-issue which has been overblown to the point that its become ridiculous. There were two things that interested me: 1) Did they tape the walk thru? - The answer - No.
2) Were they able to use the tapes during the games? - No. Based on that tidbit of information, this issue died. The commissioner stated that its legal for teams to scout and steal signals. Basically, based on that comment, all the Patriots did wrong imo was have a cameraman on the sidelines instead of being locked in a booth. So yes its a dead issue.

So Yodude, spare me the shrill screeching of someone who wants to believe what they want to believe regardless of how many facts are presented.

conspiracy theorists are free to rage on.....

Its not a conspiracy...Today...

Specter criticizes NFL, wants Mitchell-like investigation
Associated Press


WASHINGTON -- Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) on Wednesday called for an independent investigation of the New England Patriots' videotaping of opposing coaches' signals, possibly similar to the high-profile Mitchell Report on performance enhancing drugs in baseball.

"What is necessary is an objective investigation," Specter said at a news conference in the Capitol. "And this one has not been objective."


Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) addressed the media Wednesday, regarding a three-hour conversation he had the day before with former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh.

The Pennsylvania Republican was unforgiving of his criticism of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, saying that Goodell has made "ridiculous" assertions that wouldn't fly "in kindergarten." The Senator said Goodell was caught in an "apparent conflict of interest" because the NFL doesn't want the public to lose confidence in the league's integrity.

"They are enormous role models for everybody," Specter said. "If you can cheat in the NFL, you can cheat in college, you can cheat in high school, you can cheat on your grade-school math test. There's no limit as to what you can do. I think they owe the public a lot more candor and a lot more credibility."Goodell essentially declared an end to the scandal after a 3½-hour meeting in New York on Tuesday morning with former New England video assistant Matt Walsh. Walsh supplied the league with videotapes of coaches' signals made by the Patriots, but offered no new significant revelations about the cheating scandal that has threatened to taint the team's three Super Bowl titles.

Goodell said afterward that the information from the interview with Walsh "was consistent with what we disciplined the Patriots for last fall," when the commissioner docked the team a 2008 first-round draft pick and fined coach Bill Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000.

But Specter held his own three-hour meeting with Walsh in Washington on Tuesday. He said Walsh detailed how the Patriots used videotaped signals to their advantage: an offensive player would memorize the signals, watch for them on the sideline and pass them on to assistant coach Charlie Weis, who would then inform quarterback Tom Brady.

"And they had some obviously good results," Specter said.

Specter said he would prefer the NFL arrange the independent investigation and was willing to wait several months -- while he continues to undergo chemotherapy treatments for Hodgkin's disease -- before calling for Congress to take what he called "corrective action." Such action could include hearings or a full-blown Mitchell Report-type investigation. He said public reaction would determine the NFL's next step.

"I would hope that the commissioner would do this on his own," Specter said.

Patriots spokesman Stacey James said the team had no comment on Specter's remarks.

Earlier Wednesday, the Boston Herald apologized for a story that said the Patriots videotaped a St. Louis Rams walkthrough before the 2002 Super Bowl.

Specter also repeated his disapproval of Goodell's decision to destroy the notes and tapes confiscated during the initial investigation last fall, as well as the "piecemeal" way the league has revealed details about the tapings. He also cited the fact a Patriots attorney sat in on Walsh's meeting with Goodell as proof the investigation has not been impartial.

Commissioner meets with Walsh

"That sequence is incomprehensible," Specter said. "It's an insult to the intelligence of the people who follow it."

Specter's interest in the story surrounding the Patriots videotaping of opposing coaches centers in part on the two NFL teams in his state. The Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Patriots in the Super Bowl in 2005, the same season in which the Steelers were defeated by New England in the AFC Championship Game.

Pittsburgh defeated New England earlier that season, and the implication is that taped signals from that game helped the Patriots in the rematch. Steelers chairman Dan Rooney has called the matter a "non-issue."

"I have a different perspective," Specter said. "I'm elected by 12 million people., and a lot of them are Steeler fans. ... Frankly I'm incensed about what happened with the Steelers, and I'm incensed about the notes being destroyed. I really am."

Specter was again asked whether his interest in the matter has to do with Philadelphia-based Comcast, one of his largest campaign contributors. Comcast has been involved in a dispute with the league over the placement of the NFL Network on its cable system.

"They have been a campaign contributor," Specter said, "along with 50,000 other people ... I've been at this line of work for a long time, and no one has ever questioned my integrity."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

For me, just tell me if I am watching the WWF and then I will know not too.

[Goldenfleece]

Goodell is really disappointing me. This is not something that can be handled as an internal manner, but that's how he's trying to treat the issue. Did he forget the entire industry is based on ticket-buying fans? Destroying the evidence before it could have possibly been analyzed looked suspicious and now announcing there's no new information just because Walsch lacks the physical evidence to back up all of his testimony looks bad, too.

If this was a legal investigation, I'm sure the authorities would look for corroborating evidence to back up a witness' allegations. When it's Goodell and the NFL, we get every reason to believe they're just trying to make this go away as quickly as possible.

[Yodude]

They have zero credibility in your eyes yodude?. Fine, as i said, conspiracy theorists are free to rage on.....

I find it kind of silly that you think the Pats', as well as the NFL's credibility in this matter is not at issue. The items you list as facts are not facts, they are statements made by the Pats, their former employee and the NFL. Said statements were all prepared behind closed doors with no public witnesses. They were spoon-fed to the media by the NFL, whose sole purpose in this situation is damage control and public relations. The fact that Goodall destroyed the evidence without making it public is ridiculous...you do not need to be U.S. Senator to find that disturbing. I would think anyone with an ounce of intelligence would find it highly suspicious.


Think of it this way. Imagine you have a weekly poker game that's been going on for months (or years). There's one guy who wins way more than anyone else, but you chalk it up to a combination of skill and luck. Then you catch the guy cheating. He responds with "I only cheated last week, all the other times I've played fair and square." Are you telling me that this guy's crediblity is not shot as far as you're concerned. If that's the case, God bless you and your naivety.

Guess what...if you get caught cheating in a casino, you are cordially invited to never come back, even if you steadfastly claim you have never cheated any of the other times you visited their tables.

As far as the shrill screetching of someone who wants to believe what they want to believe regardless of how many facts are presented, that's not even close. As I stated previously, in my opinion, sugar-coated statements prepared behind closed doors by an organization trying to protect it's own greedy, self-serving interests and public image do not impress me as facts.

Why do you think we have the SEC to investigate securities fraud? Because if you put the rats in charge of the cheese, the cheese gets eaten, that's why. Why do you think congressional hearings are public? For their entertainment value? I think not.

I don't even care whether they taped any walkthrough or not, nor am I promoting any "conspiracy theories". The only "facts" of this case are that the Patriots are cheaters, and anything they've accomplished in Belichick's tenure is suspect and tainted in my book. As far as the NFL's underhanded conduct in this matter, it makes them accomplices.

[Milan]

Is being at the walkthrough illegal? Not sure about the rules.

[Rambos]

Is being at the walkthrough illegal?

No its cheating...to sneak into a practice you know you are not approved to attend and then report the info to coaches to gain an advantage.

Not sure about the rules.

Is finding a wallet illegal? No, keeping the money is.

[Milan]

Originally Posted by Rambos

No its cheating...to sneak into a practice you know you are not approved to attend and then report the info to coaches to gain an advantage.




Is finding a wallet illegal? No, keeping the money is.

...So, is what he did illegal? I agree, it's pretty low but is it illegal?

[maineram]

Cover up, cover up, cover up, lies, lies, lies !!!! Protecting the Patsies dynasty by destroying tapes before anyone else has the opportunity to see them is BULL &*%$ !!!! No one OUTSIDE will ever know NOW !!! I've given the league the benefit of the doubt for a while on most of the past stuff, but with this PATSIES stuff, but if it looks like a fish, smells like a fish, swims like a fish..... it's a fish. The punishment the league handed down initially, doesn't begin to offset the effect this CHEATING, had on the other teams in the league that were effected. Goodell is no Roselle that is fore sure. I don't have to guess who may be padding his pockets.

Just destroy the league that you have been handed pretty boy.

I hope Spector also looks into this crap, put them all on the stand and see what shakes out.

Dealing with the devil comes at a price I am willing to wait on.

Maineram -

[Pape]

Originally Posted by Yodude

I find it kind of silly that you think the Pats', as well as the NFL's credibility in this matter is not at issue. The items you list as facts are not facts, they are statements made by the Pats, their former employee and the NFL. Said statements were all prepared behind closed doors with no public witnesses. They were spoon-fed to the media by the NFL, whose sole purpose in this situation is damage control and public relations. The fact that Goodall destroyed the evidence without making it public is ridiculous...you do not need to be U.S. Senator to find that disturbing. I would think anyone with an ounce of intelligence would find it highly suspicious.


Think of it this way. Imagine you have a weekly poker game that's been going on for months (or years). There's one guy who wins way more than anyone else, but you chalk it up to a combination of skill and luck. Then you catch the guy cheating. He responds with "I only cheated last week, all the other times I've played fair and square." Are you telling me that this guy's crediblity is not shot as far as you're concerned. If that's the case, God bless you and your naivety.

Guess what...if you get caught cheating in a casino, you are cordially invited to never come back, even if you steadfastly claim you have never cheated any of the other times you visited their tables.

As far as the shrill screetching of someone who wants to believe what they want to believe regardless of how many facts are presented, that's not even close. As I stated previously, in my opinion, sugar-coated statements prepared behind closed doors by an organization trying to protect it's own greedy, self-serving interests and public image do not impress me as facts.

Why do you think we have the SEC to investigate securities fraud? Because if you put the rats in charge of the cheese, the cheese gets eaten, that's why. Why do you think congressional hearings are public? For their entertainment value? I think not.

I don't even care whether they taped any walkthrough or not, nor am I promoting any "conspiracy theories". The only "facts" of this case are that the Patriots are cheaters, and anything they've accomplished in Belichick's tenure is suspect and tainted in my book. As far as the NFL's underhanded conduct in this matter, it makes them accomplices.

Silly? Its anything but silly. Whats silly is groping around in the dark looking for reasons as to why the Rams lost Superbowl 36. The items that I listed are indeed facts, as much as can be proven in an instance like this. Matt Walsh had no reason to lie to the NFL or the specter. You may not believe what he has to say, but that does not disprove the statements as fact.

Looking at the case what do we know?
-The Patriots have video taped team signals since 2000. The league stated it. The Patriots admitted it. Okay, where is the issue being swept under the rug?
- The NFL punished the team for the video tape violations. Where in this instance is the issue being obfuscated or swept under the rug?
- Matt Walsh stepped forward in order to add his .02 to the issue. Thru his lawyers an agreement is made for the NFL to interview him. Where is the NFL hiding anything here?
- The NFL interviewed Matt Walsh about what he knew of the Patriots taping practices.
- The NFL broadcast top the media the information Matt Walsh came forward with. The videos concur with the statements issued by Wlash's attorney regarding the content. Where is the smke job here?
- Matt Walsh told the NFL what he knew, including information about two additional topics which the league will investigate. These include him being at the walkthru, ticket scalping and IR irregularities. Okay, if he Walsh was acting as a shill for the Patriots, would these issues have come forward? Highly doubtful.
- Then Matt Walsh meets with Senator Comcast. Um er I mean Senator Specter.Its obvious from the press conference he held Senator Specter doesnt understand what's going on. His pc was a rambling at times incoherent affair.

If the Senator wants to convene an independant council to investigate the "Integrity" issue in the NFL, fine. But said investigation has to be focused on the entire league - not just the Patriots. Including the reports of the Patriots walkthru practice being spied upon the day before SB 36. (An act witnessed by a league official, no less.)

So yeah, as much as you want to deny it, your very statements regarding the NFL Walsh and the Patriots concocting sugary sweet press releases for the media is, well a conspiracy, at least to my naive eyes.

At this point, I believe this is a dead issue. All the complaints about the punishment not being harsh enough, about how this issue was swept aside, buried etc smells of sour grapes.

[r8rh8rmike]

Nothing in Spygate adds up for me. The whole Walsh involvment is bizarre. Refusing to talk without immunity? Immunity from what? We're supposed to believe all he had was more of the same stuff the Patriots already admitted to? It just doesn't make sense. He's put himself at risk and on the line for a book deal? What would be the appeal of the story if it's nothing more than a guy on the sideline taping NFL signals? Who's going to buy a book that has no revelations or revealing details?

Then there's the commissioner. He's going to be judge, jury and executioner? He's going to ask the hard, legitimate questions? There's no way. People may think Specter is a kook, but he's spot on in wanting an independant investigation because let's face it, Goodell has been trying to play see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil since this thing began.

[maineram]

OK..... let's start a FIRE GOODELL petition now !!! The guy is a sleeze ball and not looking out for the best, for the ENTIRE league. What is the good of trying to save the INTEGRITY of the league when you yourself have NONE !!!

What a **** bird, he makes me sick !!!

Roselle is rolling over in his grave

Maineram -

[Rambos]

Walsh tells how the Pats used the videotapes.

A player was used during the week of practice to study the signals. During the game this player stood next too the OC and watched for the signals across the field. He would tell the OC what the D was going to run. The OC would then use the headset to tell the QB (Brady) and there you have it folk’s advantage offense. (Per NFLN)

So, is what he did illegal? I agree, it's pretty low but is it illegal?

It's not a crime and no one says it is.

It’s about integrity, if the NFL has none why should I watch it and pay hard earned money. If the NFL is no more then the WWF, that’s fine, just don’t try and pass it off as a real sport.

Marion Jones comes to mind right about now. She got caught cheating and was stripped of her medals to uphold the integrity of the games. She went to jail for perjury.

See Walsh and any other can lie at will to the comish, congree is another matter, ask Roger Clemens how he is feeling these days or Bonds.