Bill Belichick’s personal nightmare continues. A former Patriots’ player speaking on basis of anonymity told the New York Times that Belichick has been taping opponents’ defensive signals since 2000.
Questions linger about how much of an advantage the Patriots may have had if they intercepted defensive signals. Under Belichick, the Patriots have often run a no-huddle offense, which forces opponents to quickly call a defensive play. N.F.L. rules allow quarterbacks to hear instructions from coaches — through a headset and into a speaker in the quarterback’s helmet — until there are 15 seconds left on a play clock. When the defensive play call is deciphered, the Patriots could call a play to counteract. The Patriots lost the 2000 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when videotape of signals was used in preparation, according to the former Patriots player, who was among several former players interviewed by the N.F.L but said he did not want to speak publicly because the investigation is continuing.
You want to believe that the Patriots have been this model organization and that they’ve always done things the right way. You want to believe that Belichick is this genius and he’s one of a kind. Who knows – maybe they still are. But the more evidence that comes out, the more damning it looks for the Pats and Belichick.
And anybody down-playing this situation is fooling themselves. This is a huge deal and stealing opponent’s defensive signals is the equivalent to some kid using a cheat sheet on a final exam.
