NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHEAT, FOLLOW UP

For whatever reason, the most popular article I have written for Associated Content was about the New England Patriots "Spygate" issue, early in September of 2007. A lot has happened since that time, The Patriots had a perfect season, heading into the Super Bowl. Hundreds of media experts have weighed in on this issue, but none were as much of a fan as a lot of us. So here is my latest view on the entire "cheating" scandal.

First, as I stated in my original article, I believe the Patriots should have been punished for their cheating. The Owner and the Coach both paid dearly. Not only financially, which was substantial, but also team image wise. How many of you rooted against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl? I rest my case. Instead of being a familiar "Underdog" team, they became the hated team by many. Even if they had won the Super Bowl, I firmly believe that this entire season was a wash. How sad is that? I'm not sure, but it does say something about the state of affairs in professional sports.

As a Patriot fan, let me tell you what I am left feeling at the end of all this....confused. First of all, I, like many other Patriot fans was both surprised, and disappointed in the final outcome of the season. Instead of being able to enjoy the ride, we were bombarded with insinuations, leaked reports, and even Senators from rival states. It wasn't enough to lose a first round draft pick. Did they video tape a team's walk through the day before a Super Bowl? Come on, boys and girls, a team's walk through? Did the Rams go over their entire play book on the field? Did they run through all of their signals? Did Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk at least wave to our guy? Hope so, I hope they weren't rude.

It's simply not enough that the New York Giants out coached, and outplayed our team on Feb 3rd. That didn't hurt enough. Now, with every free agent we lose, and there has been quite a few, it's not because the other teams are willing to overpay for the talent they are getting, it's because these players want to get away from New England, according to the same "experts." So, what should we do America? Should we banish the Patriots forever? I bet the Cowboys, Eagles, and Colts would love that. Not to mention San Diego. Or maybe we should strip the Pats of their 3 Super Bowl titles. I know the Rams, Panthers, and Eagles wouldn't really mind that either. They could be crowned Champions through default. While we are at it, let's give Hank Aron back his Home Run title, and give the second place finishers in the Cy Young voting their own Cy Young by default titles. That'd be cool.

Here is what I would like to say, as my final thought on all of this. "Spygate" will live forever. No matter what the Pats do in the future, it will always be questioned. They video taped the first half of the first game of the 2007 season, and got caught. They must of been the first team in the NFL to ever do that. Or, the first to get caught, at least. Funny how that worked. They went on to finish the year 18-1, with the 1 being a big hurt. But the thing I'll remember the most is this. Why weren't the Patriot players more disappointed when they lost? Did they not care? I didn't see any of the players cry, or get angry, or even bash their own coach or teammates. I think the NFL should look at what it was in their Gatorade. End of story.