The other shoe dropped last night, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell levied a $250,000 fine on the New England Patriots, a $500,000 fine on head coach Bill Belichick and the loss of a first round pick in 2008 if the Patriots make the playoffs and a second and third round pick in 2008 if they fail to make the playoffs.
Does the punishment fit the crime? $750,000 isn’t much when you consider that Bob Kraft shits gold coins, but the draft pick suspension… well, that just shows that Goodell means business.
“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 wrote in a letter to the Patriots.
“I specifically considered whether to impose a suspension on Coach Belichick,” Goodell also wrote. “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.”
A tip of the cap to Goodell for holding his ground and electing to enforce the maximum amount ($500,000) under the NFL Constitution and By-Laws for the blatant violation of league policy.
What really cracks me up is Belichick’s statement after the ruling from Goodell:
“I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight’s ruling. Once again, I apologize to the Kraft family and every person directly or indirectly associated with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused. I also apologize to Patriots fans and would like to thank them for their support during the past few days and throughout my career.
“As the Commissioner acknowledged, our use of sideline video had no impact on the outcome of last week’s game. We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress.
“Part of my job as head coach is to ensure that our football operations are conducted in compliance of the league rules and all accepted interpretations of them. My interpretation of a rule in the Constitution and Bylaws was incorrect.
“With tonight’s resolution, I will not be offering any further comments on this matter. We are moving on with our preparations for Sunday’s game.”
Belichick’s balls must be the size of church bells. I love that bravado… but sorry, dude. You got caught.
As I pointed out during the Rodney Harrison/HGH episode earlier:
It’s always funnier when it happens to a team you can’t stand.
(Don’t get me started on the Boston Apologist’s column about this incident. Although, I will give him some credit — he finally realized why people hate the Red Sox.)
Thanks to Mike Reiss of the Baaahston Globe, I see that the Patriots are stacked with draft picks for 2008. New England has a total of nine draft picks next year — two apiece in the first and third rounds, and one each in the second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
Will the loss of a 1st round pick hurt the Patriots? Yeah, sure — but it would hurt a lot more if they only had one 1st round pick. Since the AFC East is a weak division, the Pats should walk right into the playoffs, thus rendering their 32nd overall pick (please, God… no!) useless. So the focus now is on how the 49ers finish. If they can win the NFC West, it’s possible that the Pats would have a late-round pick.
The president has been set. Blatant violations of league policy will not be tolerated in the Goodell era - this ain’t yo momma’s Tagliabue league anymore… there’s a new sheriff in town.
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