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About the Author - MrNFL
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36
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Patriots, Bill Belichick Get Their Punishment
by MrNFL
9/13/07

NFL.com is reporting that the Patriots have received their punishment.  Coach Hoodie will get a $500,000 dollar fine, and the team will get a $250,000 fine.  They will also be docked a draft pick depending on the teams' performance.  If they make the playoffs, they will forfeit a 1st round pick in next year's draft.  If they miss the playoffs, they only lose a 2nd and 3rd round pick.

Here is some of what Roger Goodell wrote in a letter to the Patriots.

"This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field."

Goodell also believes that Patriots ownership was unaware of Belichick's action, but determined that penalties should be imposed on the club because "Coach Belichick not only serves as the head coach but also has substantial control over all aspects of New England's football operations. His actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club."

"I specifically considered whether to impose a suspension on Coach Belichick.  I have determined not to do so, largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."

Your thoughts?  Too harsh?  Not enough?  Weigh in.

Links (NFL.com)

FanIQ Says... (436)
The Patriots Punishment
As a result of their schenanigans, the Patriots have received the following punishments... 500k fine for Belichick 250K fine for (more...)
(Q1 of 4) $500,000 fine for Belichick? (Maximum allowed fine)
31% Sounds right
11% No, fine him less
2% No, no fine
16% He should be suspended a game
27% He should be suspended 2-4 games
8% He should be suspended for the year
6% Other
Asked by: MrNFL
Asked 9/13/07

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396 days ago
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kantwistaye wrote:

Weak.  I still stand by taking away both 1st round picks and the 2nd round pick as well as suspending Belichik for 4 games as well as warning the rest of the league that the next team would be cripling themselves by doing this (lose whole draft and banning the head coach for life).

That sounds ridiculously harsh. Especially the lose whole draft and ban head coach for life if another team is caught.
-My god Slaton is fast.
But I agree that this wasn't as big a punishment you would expect compared to what he has already done in his tenor.
 
396 days ago
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Weak.  I still stand by taking away both 1st round picks and the 2nd round pick as well as suspending Belichik for 4 games as well as warning the rest of the league that the next team would be cripling themselves by doing this (lose whole draft and banning the head coach for life).
 
396 days ago
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This sounds fair to me. I'm sure Patriots fans out there will think it's too harsh and hoodie haters will continue to complain till Belichick's kicked out of the NFL (if not the planet). All in all I think the punnishment fit the crime.
 
396 days ago
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Goddell reviewed they facts and gave them the punishment that he felt fits. Of course, I am going to says its a good punishment because I'm a Pats fan but the people who aren't Pats fans are going to complain, thats how things are.
 
396 days ago
5
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+3
 
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kantwistaye wrote:

Weak.  I still stand by taking away both 1st round picks and the 2nd round pick as well as suspending Belichik for 4 games as well as warning the rest of the league that the next team would be cripling themselves by doing this (lose whole draft and banning the head coach for life).

That sounds ridiculously harsh. Especially the lose whole draft and ban head coach for life if another team is caught.
-My god Slaton is fast.
But I agree that this wasn't as big a punishment you would expect compared to what he has already done in his tenor.
 
395 days ago
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I've never been a fan of the Patriots and never will.  That being said, i think the punishment overall was pretty good.  A lot of people are saying that the 500k fine to Belichick is nothing for him.  500k is still 500k.  I'm not sure what he makes this season and i may be way off.  But, lets say he's set to make 3 mil.  Thats roughly 17% of his salary.  In comparison, if you make 30 grand a year, thats about 5 grand.  If you got a $5,000 fine that would hurt a bit.  The 250k fine to the club is pointless but some fine was needed.  The draft picks were perfect.  No more, no less than what i thought they should have gotten. (Take the whole draft away???  Come on now, no way)  I probably would have thought a 2 game suspension would have been fine as well.

 

The fact is, everyone tries to figure out the other teams signals.  Why wouldn't you.  The problem is they tried to record them and got caught, plain and simple.  They still have to play the game.  As an opposing coach you should know that the other team will try to figure you out,  Why???  BECAUSE YOUR DOING IT TOO.
 
395 days ago
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Janse wrote:
That sounds ridiculously harsh. Especially the lose whole draft and ban head coach for life if another team is caught.
-My god Slaton is fast.
But I agree that this wasn't as big a punishment you would expect compared to what he has already done in his tenor.

For the record, I didn't give you that P