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The New England Patriots have always looked for a reason to believe they were being disrespected. Whether it was real or created out of their own interpretations, it's how they motivate themselves.
The disrespect is real now. With the revelation that the franchise had recorded opposing defensive signals, probably giving them a competitive advantage, fans and people throughout the league will label them as cheaters.
Starting this season, the NFL allows up to five players on each team to wear a "C" on their jersey, signifying the team captains. Though New England passed on the opportunity to wear the letter, critics will look at the Patriot players and imagine a "C" that stands for "cheater" on every player.
And with that perception comes doubts over what the team accomplished under head coach Bill Belichick's direction. First they'll question Belichick's history and assume the signs were there all along: His abuse of the injury report, interviewing players who recently played for upcoming opponents, being secretive, heck he even cheated on his wife! Yup, Belichick fits the profile. He would cheat.
Next they'd put the dynasty in question: How long has this been going on? If they did it against Green Bay and Detroit, did they do it to all teams? How many of those wins were because of their underhanded tactics? Did they cheat to win the Super Bowls? They only won by three each time...
Even opposing players and coaches are chiming in. San Diego running back LaDanian Tomlinson said, "I think the Patriots actually live by the saying, 'If you're not cheating, then you're not trying.' "
Pittsburgh rookie head coach Mike Tomlin said, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." And Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Paul Spicer said it bluntly: ?They finally got caught. They?re busted.?
Whatever is being said or what people now think of the Patriots, New England can't answer back. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell determined the Pats were stealing the Jets' signs and delivered a harsh punishment. From this point on, perception taints New England's accomplishments over the last six years.
The Patriots have only one option left: Prove everyone wrong.
Yes, Belichick was caught red-handed. No sugarcoating that. Now that the penalty was handed out, the players want to get back to playing football in the worst way.
As embarrassing as it was to be caught cheating, this couldn't have happened at a better time. The regular season is one week old. That leaves 16 weeks to send a message to the rest of the league that they can win no matter the circumstances and regardless of what people think and say about them.
Think about it. Now that they've been exposed, they will be under extreme scrutiny for the rest of the season. While under the microscope they won't be able to get away with any level of cheating. Whoever thought the Pats weren't playing fair before won't be able to say that anymore. From this point on, they'll play as clean, if not cleaner, than the rest of the league. With every win there should be no question it was a fair win.
But regular season success won't be enough. Winning Super Bowl XLII would let everyone know they are the best without any claimed advantages.
Doubters fuel their fire. In case you forgot:
- Super Bowl XXXVI -- The Vegas line listed the Pats as 14-point underdogs. After the improbable win, they said no one thought they could win.
- 2003 playoffs vs. the Indianapolis Colts -- Indy scored at a record pace. Some people thought the Colts were unstoppable. The Patriots reminded everyone of those thoughts after they handcuffed Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
- 2004 playoffs vs. the Colts -- The point of emphasis on pass interference was brought up by Colts? president Bill Polian. It didn't matter in the playoffs as New England dominated Indy. The Patriots asked what rule would be changed next to keep them from winning.
We?ll never know how much of an advantage recording the signs were. One thing for sure is for many of those wins, the only difference would had been the margin of victory. Now that the Patriots have been exposed, they are determined to show they are the class of the NFL, without cheating.
