By Joe Schackman
Do not forget that in 2007, the Patriots were caught cheating.
Over the last 10 years the Patriots have been easily one of the most successful franchises in the National Football League. Built on the backs of two future Hall-of-famers, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the Patriots have been the epitome of consistency. They've won at least nine games every year since Brady took over in 2001 and in that span, they've won more than ten games seven times. They played in five Super Bowls and won three of them. But none of those Super Bowl victories have come after the infamous 2007 Spygate incident. Pats fans won’t want to hear it, but the scandal still looms large over the legacy of the team.
By now, most football fans wave off the scandal as part of the past. The party line is that videotaping is simply something every team does, and the Pats were just the ones who got caught trying to gain a small advantage. But the NFL’s fines cannot be ignored. Belichick was slapped with a $500,000 penalty, the highest possible amount allowed under NFL rules. The Patriots, as a team, were forced to turn over $250,000 to the league, and were docked their first-round pick in 2008. It was no slap on the wrist. The league saw what it considered a serious breach of the rules, and they took appropriately serious action.
And while you cannot exactly measure the effect those illegal video tapes had on the team's success and their three Super Bowl victories, there is a glaring absence of rings since the team was caught cheating.
The Pats have been just as consistent in the regular season as they have before, but that does not come as a surprise. No one is arguing that the team is not loaded with talent. Brady will go down as one of the best quarterbacks of all-time and Belichick is considered one of the finest football minds to ever stalk the sideline. Over 16 game, the slight advantaged gained from the tapes may get washed out. But in a single game it can make all the difference.
If you look at their playoff record since they were caught by the league, you realize that the Pats have just one signature playoff win. They lost to the Giants in 2008 Super Bowl. They lost to the Ravens and Jets in the divisional rounds in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The Pats made it the championship this season but no one is exactly showering them with praise for beating the Broncos. Their victory over the Ravens was a strong statement, but one only made following a Billy Cundiff shank (not to mention a Lee Evans drop).
The Patriots don't owe their success to those video tapes. But if Brady and Belichick fail to win another ring, it cannot be forgotten. Spygate still factors in to the legacy of this organization.
The Week Ahead (all times EST)- Your guide to what to watch-- and what to watch for-- this coming week
College Basketball
Florida at Kentucky-Feb 7 at 7:00 pm (ESPN)
Georgetown at Syracuse- Feb 8 at 7:00 pm (ESPN)
Duke at North Carolina- Feb 8 at 9:00 pm (ESPN)
Baylor at Missouri- Feb 11 at 1:30 pm (ESPN 3)
Michigan State at Ohio State- Feb 11 at 6:00 pm (ESPN)
NBA
Lakers at Philadelphia- Feb. 6 at 7:00 pm (COMCAST)
Lakers at Celtics- Feb. 9 at 7:00 pm (TNT)
Oklahoma City at Utah- Feb. 10 at 10:30 pm (ESPN/ESPN3)
Denver at Indiana-Feb 11 at 7:00 pm (NBA TV)
NHL
Devils at Rangers- Feb 6 at 7:00 pm (MSG)
Boston at Buffalo- Feb 7 at 7:30 pm (NBCSN)
Vancouver at Minnesota- Feb 9 at 8:00 pm (FSN0)
In the Kitchen- Tracking the major hot stove stories
- Pat Burrell called it a career earlier this week. The former first overall pick by the Phillies won won two World Series rings. He finished his career with 292 home runs and was never once voted to the All-Star game.
- Rick Ankiel, who was thought to be on his way to the Mets, was resigned by the Nationals. He could potentially win the center field job if the Nats don't add another free agent.
- Manny Ramirez is yet again rumored to make a return to the MLB. He would be required to sit out 100 games because of his positive PED test early last year with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Orioles and Athletics are rumored to be interested.
- Edwin Jackson, possibly the most under-appreciated starter in the league, was finally signed by the Nationals. He signed a one year deal for $10 million. Although it is unclear exactly how much he can improve the Nationals. Even with Jackson rounding out their rotation it probably won't be enough to propel them into playoff contention.
Men's tennis is potentially in its golden age and Rafael Nadal is a big reason. Brian Phillips makes his weekly appearance.
It is no easy task being the vet required to put down an injured horse.
Coming Up- What's next at Began in '96
- Tuesday: A fan-soaked reflection on the Giants' Super Bowl win, by Adam Cancryn.
- Wednesday: Rutgers grad Alex Jankowski on former football coach Greg Schiano, and the massive shoes Kyle Flood must now fill.
- Thursday: Richmond Law student Mary Grace Miller dives into the legal situation of the NCAA.
- Friday: Joe Schackman wonders whether the Jets give up on the Mark Sanchez experiment and go all-in with Peyton Manning.
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