The New England Patriots? venture in the spy business certainly was the major topic for all of the major networks? NFL pregame shows. So this week?s edition of “Good Line, Bad Line,” is dedicated to James Bond Belichick and the New England Patriots.
» GOOD LINE: “Everyone wants to know what evidence the NFL has in order to drop the hammer on the Patriots. We?ve got it for you. Check this out. [Tape runs] Video assistant Matt Estrella is clearly picking up the Jets? defensive coaching signals, and then he pans up to the scoreboard for down and distance. This goes on throughout the entire tape. What they do is take this film and then afterwards, sync it up with the actual coach?s game tape. One of the coaches will then study the signals, and the next time they play the New York Jets and see those same hand signals, they can relay the blitz and coverage info down to the coaches on the sideline.”
? Fox Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer
» BAD LINE: From a coach?s perspective, trying to steal signals is part of the game. We understand that as a coach. You see walkie-talkies, tape recorders, but when you take the camera on the field, that?s just arrogance. I think the penalty was stiff by the Commissioner. I think it will be a good deterrent. The two AFC Championship games that we lost to the New England Patriots, I don?t believe this had any factor in it. I have too much respect for Tom Brady, for (Corey) Dillon, for (Deion) Branch and also for Coach Belichick. I think he?s still a good coach.
? Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher on CBS? “The NFL Today.”
» GOOD LINE: “I think Commissioner Roger Goodell blew this one. Bill Belichick should have been suspended without question. The violation of the league rules occurred in this football season and yet the punishment hit only their wallets and future draft choices. There is nothing that impacted this season. He should have been suspended for at least the Jets game because that?s where the violation occurred and, in my opinion, a playoff game. This was a great opportunity for the Commissioner to lay down the law like he?s done with the players and he didn?t do it.”
? Cris Collinsworth on NBC?s “Football Night in America.”
» BAD LINE: “I respect Cris (Collinsworth) a great deal but I don?t think that?s appropriate here. It?s my job to make sure that all 32 teams are operating within the same rules and a level playing field and that?s what I?ve tried to do here with this penalty is make sure that all teams are playing by the same rules. There is no question in my mind that a first round draft choice, which is unprecedented, will send a message to all 32 clubs that you are going to play by the rules. That?s the important message here. It?s a significant penalty to the franchise and Bill Belichick.”
? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during an interview with Bob Costas
