Sending a message for “Spygate”

The NFL’s ruling in the “Spygate” scandal was not only too harsh, but ridiculous. The league let emotions get the best of them as they fined New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick the league maximum $500K and ordered the team to pay another $250K for spying on the NY Jet’s defensive signals last Sunday.

Commissioner Roger Goodell also ordered the Patriots to give up draft picks dependent on if New England reaches the playoffs this season.

The incident came to light when a camera was confiscated from New England’s video assistant, while he was on the Jets’ sideline. The Pats dismantled New York winning the game 38-14.

Yes, the Patriots did break an NFL rule, which states “no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game.”

But, is this really a huge deal?

Every team is trying to gain an advantage, while keeping what they know secret. Football is a cheater’s paradise.

Seahawks’ coach Mike Holmgren and Eagles’ coach Andy Reid are just two sideline warriors who always cover their mouths when calling plays. Who knows, the other team could have a lip reader trying to determine their calls?

The Patriots probably gained some advantage from taping the signals, but we don’t know what. Was this an egregious act? Hardly. Even if players knew what was coming, they still have to execute their own play.

Most of the “Spygate” outrage is coming from a league that despises New England. The Patriots win a lot and an air of arrogance follows. But now everyone is jumping on this opportunity to take their shots.

Some Eagles players are questioning if the Pats had an unfair advantage during the 2005 Super Bowl, when they lost by a field goal. Philly players are still making excuses, because they couldn’t have just stunk for that day.

And Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson took his turn by saying “I think the Patriots actually live by the saying, ‘If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.’ They live off that statement. Nothing surprises me really.”

Bill Belichick is great coach; he has consistently called the game better than everyone else the last seven years, period. Maybe we should add that Belichick is also one of the sneakiest coaches in the league. The “Spy Gate” scandal should not cast a shadow over the Patriots dynasty. They’re darn good.

For breaking the rules, Belichick should have been handed a one game suspension and a smaller fine. That punishment would have been more than enough.

Now, can we please just move onto Sunday’s games.