Before I Forget

Here is what my friend Phil had to say in response to some jabbing I made at one of his posts (it was in fun, but I think I jabbed too hard):

Abhorance sometimes gets in the way of rational thinking. You can detest the people who commited the cheating, but it's irrational to transfer that to the players, who no one has suggested had anything to do with the cheating. And you can have the same feelings for the Patriot team as I do for the Yankees, but in neither case, as far as I know, is cheating involved. Likewise, there were no penalties for or accusations of cheating made by either the refs or the Redskins. The Patriots won because of a solid team effort from excellent players. While this isn't a legal case, the traditions of American jurisprudence do require that proof of an illegal act be presented before the offender is hung. Thus far that hasn't happened. I can't believe that Bellichek wants to be fined another half million or worse for another stupid act. As for next Sunday, I give the edge to the Colts, what with home field advantage and having beaten the Patriots in their last three meetings. No matter, chances are good they will meet again in the playoffs.

Here was my response. (this is shorthand to actually typing this out differently, ya know?)

Ouch. Did I actually say that I was blaming the players? I don't remember if I did, but if I did, I didn't mean to. If I think about it, I don't blame the players. However, it's a team. And the team's integrity has been soiled thanks to their head coach. So what if Belichick was fined $500,000? Did you know that's only 12% of his (alleged) ANNUAL salary? Did you know that this was the second time (according to my readings tonight) that the cameraman Estrella was found taping the opposing defense?

The commissioner said that the penalty given to the coach and the team is "in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension." So, I guess I'm okay with it. I would have been more satisfied with a termination though.

So, after my rant and your scolding, I am somewhat settled with the Patriots now (wait, ask me again next Sunday! ;) I will definitely watch what I say around YOU!

I suppose the gist of this is I don't blame the players. I don't care if he was fined the max, it would have been more satisfying to see Belichick lose his job.