The NFL is suspending players left and right but the Patriots pay a fine 4 cheating? Is this a double standard?
[Edited 9/15/07 8:08am]

what to they do the orginization?

pretty much

Come on... he's a cheater... not a thug...

I think the organization got penalized fairly....
$500,000 is stiff for any individual.

I think the organization should have gotten fined more
money though.

Plus, they lost a first round pick...

Which suspended player was penalized for stealing signs from the opposing team?

When 2 people recieve different penalties for the same infraction, there is a double standard.

How would you answer your question? And if you think there is a double standard, why do you think that?

Would u rather write a check or be suspended?

Graycap23 said:

whatare you talkin' about?

this is AmeriKKKa!

Revolution said:

They only lose the first rounder if they make the playoffs. And that's a minor penalty considering that they have 2 first round picks in 2008. Belichick should have been suspended. There should have been some penalty that immediately impacts the Patriots chances to win.

Revolution said:

They only lose a 1st round pick IF they make the playoffs. If they miss the playoffs they lose a 2nd round pick and another pick in another round. My question is, why is there a stipulation for them to lose a 1st round pick? Why not have them lose a 1st round pick REGARDLESS of if they make the playoff?

They got off easy because none of the penalties affect THIS current team as far as suspensions or anything like that. Their coach won't miss any games nor will any players, yet they CHEATED. That's not right.

80% of the teams cheat in one way or another...bugged locker rooms, no heat in opposing locker rooms, videotaping, stealing playbooks...it's the consequence of a win-at-all-costs mentality that we have in pro sports.

Cheating, however, is far from breaking the law...which the players are being suspended for.

Revolution said:

I think it's a stretch to say 80% of teams cheat. Come on. I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt until its clear they no longer deserve it. No heat in opposing locker rooms is creating discomfort for the other team, but it doesn't begin to equal stealing defensive signals.

Revolution said:

It's truly ridiculous to think one can ONLY be suspended for breaking the law. In fact, Wade Wilson, QB coach for the Cowboys, was suspended 5 games for using HGH. He broke no law.

Cheating = breaking the NFL law = Suspension.

Revolution said:

Cheating IS breaking the law-- laws of the game. In fact, that is what the NFL needs to be policing. You are supposed to come down harder on somebody threatening the integrity of the game than somebody that might sully the image at most. Now having said that, the NFL is completely within its rights to impose punishment on its employees in addition to what they receive from the United States legal system, so I'm not arguing that. If you're fucking up off the field I'm not going to defend you.

Goodell just missed the boat with his response to the Patriots. It comes off like he gets tough on the little guys but is scared or powerless to do the same with the big boys (organizations, owners, etc.). It's typical.

The funny thing is that the NFL at least could have publicized a tougher punishment while levying a light one. We all know who the commissioner works for so the money wouldn't really be changing hands anyway.

The way to hit the Patriots is for them to have to forfeit the game. Then they might think twice about it.

On a side note ever wonder how coincidental it is that the Patriots rise to prominence around the time of 9/11 and the war? The ball just always seems to bounce their way, even when it doesn't. Just an observation from a Raiders fan with a grudge.

They gave Wade Wilson a five-game suspension for using HGH for his diabetes four years ago. It was used for his medical condition and he didn't give it to anyone else. He was coaching a different team and not even playing. Meanwhile Belichick isn't even suspended for cheating in an actual game.