Will Spygate Haunt the Patriots?
By Robby Morton
Coming into last season, the Patriots were looked upon as the pride of the NFL, the next dynasty to be remembered for its class, expert coaching and drafting skills. Led by future hall-of-famer Tom Brady, the Pats could not be stopped with a superior offensive and defensive that was mixed with young talent and veteran abilities. Now at the end of this season as the total impact of Spygate is getting felt, one must wonder about how the team will be remembered.
Spygate, as it has come to be known, started early in the season when the Pats were caught filming the Jets during pregame practice and continued during the game. As it is illegal to film the opposing team, the Patriots and the coach Bill Belichick were fined in addition to losing their first round draft pick. Later in the year it came out that other games had been taped and accusations were made that Belichick recorded the pregame warm-ups on a regular basis and maybe even before one of their super bowl victories against the Rams.
If a baseball player always knew where the pitcher was putting the ball, would they not look like a great hitter? The same question is now asked of Tom Brady. If he knew what play to run based on the defense that was put out there, is it a wonder he had so many completions? Belichick has been a winning machine since taking over in New England, but who wouldn't have been if you knew the play the opposing team was about to run? The questions need to be asked in order to keep some legitimacy in the sport and avoid further scandals like what is happening to baseball today.
As sports fan have little patience for cheaters, you would have to think that the Patriots fan base has taken a serious hit and will take time to rebuild their reputation. As steroids may leave an astrix next to many baseball records, one might wonder if history will leave an astrix next to all records set by the Patriots, MVP's won by its members and hall-of-famers inducted based on this cheating scandal.
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