Football Patriots are "Habitual Line Steppers" - Page 2

**petegz28** · 09-11-2015, 08:10 AM

On Thursday night, it was the headsets.

It didn’t matter that the Patriots beat the Steelers by a touchdown at home, with Tom Brady — a guy who’s in the discussion for best quarterback ever — playing probably the greatest season opener of his career. It didn’t matter that on multiple plays the Steelers appeared to forget to cover Rob Gronkowski, the number-one tight end in football, who scored three touchdowns.

It was the headsets.

Right.

On Thursday night, for periods of much of the first half, the Steelers coaches were unable to communicate over their headsets because of interference from the Patriots’ radio broadcast. After the game, the NFL explained that they provide the headsets to both teams, and the issue was one that affected both teams due to the rainy conditions and the set-up at Gillette Stadium.

It didn’t matter. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, miffed, said that his coaches’ radios never work against the Patriots. “That’s always the case. Yes. I said what I said,” Tomlin said.

And here’s the thing. It doesn’t matter that the Patriots also complained of the same issues — Belichick said he had to switch microphones multiple times and they were going to switch out Tom Brady’s helmet at one point. It doesn’t matter that the NFL issued a statement that they handled both teams’ headsets and the Patriots did nothing wrong.

Everyone thinks the Patriots cheated. And the Patriots only have themselves to blame.

That’s what you get when, in the words of Charlie Murphy, you’re a habitual line stepper. Was letting a little air out of a football a big deal? I’d argue no. Was filming opposing teams’ signals a big deal, even when those teams are making those signals in front of 80,000 people? Meh. You could make a case, but not really.

Was it a big deal to go into an opponents’ locker room, as an ESPN report alleges, and see if they could grab any play sheets the other team had left around? Well, actually, yeah that one is a big deal.

Is having the other team’s headsets repeatedly cut out a big deal, even if it’s happening to both teams? According to the NFL, no.

But here’s the thing, when all those small to medium things add up, that constant flirting with the line, you get a reputation. Patriots fans can say all they want about jealousy and the other teams just wanting to take down the king, and there probably is a little bit of that. But come on.

The Patriots earned this. They stepped over the line so many times that their credibility is gone. People will always think they’re cheating now, no matter what. Until Bill Belichick and Brady are gone, or until the Patriots lose 10 games a season and no one cares about them, people will think the Patriots are cheating.

This drives Patriots fans insane. They get indignant and come up with wild conspiracy theories. But they should probably just adopt the attitude of Belichick on this one. Just own it. People will always think you’re a cheater, so stop caring what people think.

Throw on those cargo shorts, smile at the press, and get on with it. What else can you do?

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/from...s-are-cheating

Hog's Gone Fishin · 09-11-2015, 08:38 AM

They are getting close to Bronco level.

Saccopoo · 09-11-2015, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

They are getting close to Bronco level.

**petegz28** · 09-11-2015, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Habitual line steppper

Those Dave Chappelle Show "True Hollywood Stories w/ Charlie Murphy" sketches are ****ing hilarious.

Mojo Jojo · 09-11-2015, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

We took out Brady's knee. Does that count?

Which came back to screw the Chiefs...Matt Cassel

**wazu** · 09-11-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

They are getting close to Bronco level.

Actually they still have a ways to go: http://yourteamcheats.com/cheaters/

CoMoChief · 09-11-2015, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

I can watch those a million times and still laugh as hard as I did the first time.

I met Charlie Murphy in Columbia MO back in 2005 when he was doing a standup comedy tour. Took a selfie w/ him on my first camera phone back at the concessions stand before he went up on stage when I happened to be back there. Don't have the pic anymore, wish I still had it.

His stand up routine was just him telling stories about him and his brother ...kinda like on the show w/ the sketches. Still funny. I could sit down and be entertained by any story that dude tells.

BucEyedPea · 09-11-2015, 08:58 AM

The headsets are controlled by the NFL , not by the teams. The NFL came out with a statement as to what happened to them because of the weather. It had nothing to do with the Patriots. Ignorant mediots will be swayed by reports this was another episode of cheating. Says more about them, and how they ignore facts. Ridiculous.

If you can't beat 'em on the field, you can always try off the field with distractions.

**petegz28** · 09-11-2015, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

The headsets are controlled by the NFL , not by the teams. The NFL came out with a statement as to what happened to them because of the weather. It had nothing to do with the Patriots. Ignorant mediots will be swayed by reports this was another episode of cheating. Says more about them, and how they ignore facts.

...the weather...that's so funny...just say technical problems and go on

I know when the weather gets bad my radio stations start broadcasting the Patriots radio broadcast

**Rain Man** · 09-11-2015, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

The headsets are controlled by the NFL , not by the teams. The NFL came out with a statement as to what happened to them because of the weather. It had nothing to do with the Patriots. Ignorant mediots will be swayed by reports this was another episode of cheating. Says more about them, and how they ignore facts. Ridiculous.

If you can't beat 'em on the field, you can always try off the field with distractions.

Does the NFL also control the jammers? It doesn't matter who controls the radios. What matters is who controls the jammers.

Amnorix · 09-11-2015, 09:05 AM

Belichick response to all the crap. FWIW (nothing, in your minds, I know).

**DaFace** · 09-11-2015, 09:06 AM

Well...yeah. That's been obvious for a while now. Even if they don't break the rules entirely, it's pretty clear that they're fine with tossing out sportsmanship as long as they can get away with it.

**notorious** · 09-11-2015, 09:10 AM

Just own it, Pats fans.

Your team and you are branded as cheaters. Nothing will change that.

**TimBone** · 09-11-2015, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

The headsets are controlled by the NFL , not by the teams. The NFL came out with a statement as to what happened to them because of the weather. It had nothing to do with the Patriots. Ignorant mediots will be swayed by reports this was another episode of cheating. Says more about them, and how they ignore facts. Ridiculous.

If you can't beat 'em on the field, you can always try off the field with distractions.

Did you even read the article?

l4z4rd · 09-11-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Tomlin's sentiment jibes with the OTL report, which noted it has happened so often at Gillette Stadium over the years that "one team asked a league official to sit in the coaches' box during the game and wait for it to happen. Sure enough, on a key third down, the headset went out."

In 2006, Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said that his team's headsets "mysteriously malfunctioned" for the entire first half a Jaguars-Patriots game at Gillette Stadium. In 2007, the NFL found that the Patriots could not provide a satisfactory answer to explain possible irregularities in its communication setup during a game.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/po...uldnt-be-worse

Garcia Bronco · 09-11-2015, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

The headsets are controlled by the NFL , not by the teams. The NFL came out with a statement as to what happened to them because of the weather. It had nothing to do with the Patriots. Ignorant mediots will be swayed by reports this was another episode of cheating. Says more about them, and how they ignore facts. Ridiculous.

If you can't beat 'em on the field, you can always try off the field with distractions.

One doesn t need to have possession of the headsets or radio system components to interfer with the headsets. Its the frequency that it happens in foxboro.

09-11-2015, 08:10 AM
petegz28 Supporter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Olathe, Ks Casino cash: $2524127	Patriots are "Habitual Line Steppers" On Thursday night, it was the headsets. It didn’t matter that the Patriots beat the Steelers by a touchdown at home, with Tom Brady — a guy who’s in the discussion for best quarterback ever — playing probably the greatest season opener of his career. It didn’t matter that on multiple plays the Steelers appeared to forget to cover Rob Gronkowski, the number-one tight end in football, who scored three touchdowns. It was the headsets. Right. On Thursday night, for periods of much of the first half, the Steelers coaches were unable to communicate over their headsets because of interference from the Patriots’ radio broadcast. After the game, the NFL explained that they provide the headsets to both teams, and the issue was one that affected both teams due to the rainy conditions and the set-up at Gillette Stadium. It didn’t matter. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, miffed, said that his coaches’ radios never work against the Patriots. “That’s always the case. Yes. I said what I said,” Tomlin said. And here’s the thing. It doesn’t matter that the Patriots also complained of the same issues — Belichick said he had to switch microphones multiple times and they were going to switch out Tom Brady’s helmet at one point. It doesn’t matter that the NFL issued a statement that they handled both teams’ headsets and the Patriots did nothing wrong. Everyone thinks the Patriots cheated. And the Patriots only have themselves to blame. That’s what you get when, in the words of Charlie Murphy, you’re a habitual line stepper. Was letting a little air out of a football a big deal? I’d argue no. Was filming opposing teams’ signals a big deal, even when those teams are making those signals in front of 80,000 people? Meh. You could make a case, but not really. Was it a big deal to go into an opponents’ locker room, as an ESPN report alleges, and see if they could grab any play sheets the other team had left around? Well, actually, yeah that one is a big deal. Is having the other team’s headsets repeatedly cut out a big deal, even if it’s happening to both teams? According to the NFL, no. But here’s the thing, when all those small to medium things add up, that constant flirting with the line, you get a reputation. Patriots fans can say all they want about jealousy and the other teams just wanting to take down the king, and there probably is a little bit of that. But come on. The Patriots earned this. They stepped over the line so many times that their credibility is gone. People will always think they’re cheating now, no matter what. Until Bill Belichick and Brady are gone, or until the Patriots lose 10 games a season and no one cares about them, people will think the Patriots are cheating. This drives Patriots fans insane. They get indignant and come up with wild conspiracy theories. But they should probably just adopt the attitude of Belichick on this one. Just own it. People will always think you’re a cheater, so stop caring what people think. Throw on those cargo shorts, smile at the press, and get on with it. What else can you do? http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/from...s-are-cheating
Posts: 128,258

09-11-2015, 08:38 AM	#16
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1450477	They are getting close to Bronco level.
Posts: 40,392

09-11-2015, 08:58 AM	#22
BucEyedPea Gimme My Berries Back! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $3199963	The headsets are controlled by the NFL , not by the teams. The NFL came out with a statement as to what happened to them because of the weather. It had nothing to do with the Patriots. Ignorant mediots will be swayed by reports this was another episode of cheating. Says more about them, and how they ignore facts. Ridiculous. If you can't beat 'em on the field, you can always try off the field with distractions.
Posts: 161,924

09-11-2015, 09:05 AM	#25
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Belichick response to all the crap. FWIW (nothing, in your minds, I know). __________________ "I love signature blocks on the Internet. I get to put whatever the hell I want in quotes, pick a pretend author, and bang, it's like he really said it." George Washington
Posts: 43,125

09-11-2015, 09:06 AM	#26
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $1756899	Well...yeah. That's been obvious for a while now. Even if they don't break the rules entirely, it's pretty clear that they're fine with tossing out sportsmanship as long as they can get away with it.
Posts: 51,964

09-11-2015, 09:10 AM	#27
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2655884	Just own it, Pats fans. Your team and you are branded as cheaters. Nothing will change that.
Posts: 83,553