Football Patriots are "Habitual Line Steppers" - Page 5

**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

Beef Supreme · 09-11-2015, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Makes no logical sense? There are plenty of reasons why a team would **** with their own headsets. If you know a problem is going to occur, you are the only team prepared to cope with it. Not saying in this case that's what happened. But there is absolutely an advantage to the home team if they did this deliberately.

Not to mention the obvious possibility: The Patriots lied about having problems with their headsets.

suzzer99 · 09-11-2015, 09:58 AM

Like this kind of line?

KCUnited · 09-11-2015, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

Link?

You said the NFL controls the headsets, that's wrong, they provide them. The home team is responsible for the equipment installation and maintenance. I'm not accusing them of anything, just clearing up your post.

BucEyedPea · 09-11-2015, 10:00 AM

From same link:

Quote:

We had a lot of problems," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "We had to switch headphones a couple of times. The communication system wasn't very good. We deal with that, it seems, weekly.

"They told us they were on the verge of shutting it off, but then I guess they got it working. I don't know, but it was a problem the whole game. We almost had to switch helmets with [Tom] Brady there at the end. Couldn't get the plays in to him. It was a problem all night."

BucEyedPea · 09-11-2015, 10:02 AM

Continue your Harbaugh-esque whining folks. I'm enjoying it and your salty tears. Meanwhile the NFL admits this was their fault.

Amnorix · 09-11-2015, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Not to mention the obvious possibility: The Patriots lied about having problems with their headsets.

They wouldn't complain about having problems with the headsets if they didn't report it to the league, right? BB said they had the technicians working on them.

Beef Supreme · 09-11-2015, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

They wouldn't complain about having problems with the headsets if they didn't report it to the league, right? BB said they had the technicians working on them.

Were any of those technicians nicknamed "The Jammer?"

Amnorix · 09-11-2015, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Were any of those technicians nicknamed "The Jammer?"

Not to my knowledge, but I'm sure Wells could come up with some wya to frame the Patriots for it.

BucEyedPea · 09-11-2015, 10:18 AM

I just found out that Yuri Geller is on the Patriots stealth payroll. He interfered with the radio signals. In fact he also bent the goal posts last night which is why the Steeler's kicker missed twice and drew Ben offsides.

Valiant · 09-11-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

That's true -- communication failures are not uncommon in NFL games. But an obviously agitated Tomlin said "that's always the case" in New England. According to a Yahoo Sports report, the Steelers plan to file a formal complaint. 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."

Wow.

Yeah that is what I was thinking. I have never seen rain mess with a signal like they are saying. If it did you would hear about it more often. More than likely it is organization or some fans messing with the frequencies. But seeing that NE has been involved in soo much crazy shit you cannot give them a pass.

The fact it is Tomlin saying this such mean a lot.

siberian khatru · 09-11-2015, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Were any of those technicians nicknamed "The Jammer?"

They called him that because he liked to make strawberry preserves at home.

**Rain Man** · 09-11-2015, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

They called him that because he liked to make strawberry preserves at home.

I bet the Deflator hated all that homemade jamming given that he was trying so hard to lose weight.

Mile High Mania · 09-11-2015, 10:38 AM

Honestly, I have no problem with a team working to get every advantage they can within the rules. That's why they have rules, to show you how far you can go and when to stop.

If you can gain a competitive advantage that exist to every other team and you find a way to tip toe on that line... then go for it until you're told you're doing it wrong.

Pablo · 09-11-2015, 10:51 AM

The organization and fans have no shame. Just a bunch of complete assbags all the way around. The East Coast Raiders if you will.

**Rausch** · 09-11-2015, 10:57 AM

Elway chuckles and says : "Hey, thanks guys for taking the spotlight over there!"

09-11-2015, 08:10 AM
petegz28 Supporter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Olathe, Ks Casino cash: $2234127	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: 128,432

09-11-2015, 09:58 AM	#62
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $2404284	Like this kind of line?
Posts: 27,357

09-11-2015, 10:02 AM	#65
BucEyedPea Gimme My Berries Back! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $2909963	Continue your Harbaugh-esque whining folks. I'm enjoying it and your salty tears. Meanwhile the NFL admits this was their fault.
Posts: 161,938

09-11-2015, 10:18 AM	#69
BucEyedPea Gimme My Berries Back! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $2909963	I just found out that Yuri Geller is on the Patriots stealth payroll. He interfered with the radio signals. In fact he also bent the goal posts last night which is why the Steeler's kicker missed twice and drew Ben offsides.
Posts: 161,938

09-11-2015, 10:38 AM	#73
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3267229	Honestly, I have no problem with a team working to get every advantage they can within the rules. That's why they have rules, to show you how far you can go and when to stop. If you can gain a competitive advantage that exist to every other team and you find a way to tip toe on that line... then go for it until you're told you're doing it wrong. __________________
Posts: 30,361

09-11-2015, 10:51 AM	#74
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North da River Casino cash: $1459356	The organization and fans have no shame. Just a bunch of complete assbags all the way around. The East Coast Raiders if you will.
Posts: 40,885