Spygate story still has wheels

If you thought you heard everything about the Patriots’ Spygate story, you were mistaken if you watched the NFL network pregame shows.

The one thing I picked out of all the reporting this week is the notion that all of these network NFL experts — former players and front office types and long-time football reporters — all knew about this story well before it broke open last week, and some even defended the actions of spymaster Bill Belichick because the belief is it goes on everywhere. It would have been nice to see some more reporting on this story long before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell came down hard on the Patriots.

Charley Casserly, an ex-NFL general manager, offered this information on CBS’ The NFL Today:

“The Patriots asked for three wireless frequencies to be used on their Patriot television show. However what they did was change to other frequencies, other channels, which is against League policy.”

“Also during the game, Jets had trouble with their coach-to-quarterback system. One of these (Patriots) channels was close to the Jets coach-to-quarterback system. You can’t deliberately interfere with another team’s coach-to-quarterback system. Now, many other teams have had trouble when they’ve played the Patriots with their coach-to-quarterback system. I asked the League, is there any specific knowledge that the Patriots deliberately interfered with the coach-to-quarterback system of the Jets. They told me no, but they said they reserve the right to make another case against the Patriots if other facts come forward.”

“An NFL coach told me he got this from an ex-Patriot coach. What the Patriots would do is send someone into the opponent’s locker room looking for information. In one specific game the opponent had left their opening plays on the board, this person brought them back to the Patriot coaches.”

What will happen next? Said Casserly:

“The League has prepared a memo to go out to all teams next week, not with new policies, but to re-emphasize certain points of policies. First of all, NFL security will be allowed to spot check sidelines and locker rooms presumably for videotaping. Also, NFL security will be allowed to confiscate materials, equipment, or any parts of uniforms in violation of NFL rules. I think this rule is being emphasized because last week when NFL security went to the Patriots and asked them to turn over the camera and videotape, they refused. And finally, wireless frequencies – you’re only going to be allowed to be on NFL frequencies, which is the rule now, but it will be strictly enforced and penalties could be enforced if you violate it.”

Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher said stealing signals is “part of the game.”

“You see walkie-talkies, tape recorders, but when you take the camera on the field, that’s just arrogance. I think the penalty was stiff by the commissioner. I think it will be a good deterrent. The two AFC Championship games that we lost to the New England Patriots, I don’t believe this had any factor in it. I have too much respect for Tom Brady, for (Corey) Dillon, for (Deion) Branch and also for coach Belichick. I think he’s still a good coach. I do agree with the fact that the deterrent has been set with the precedent when this commissioenr came down hard on him.”

Former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino said he is dead-set against any means of cheating.

“To a quarterback, if you know the signals ahead of time, that’s a huge advantage. If you know where the blitz is going to come from, what coverage that they’re going to be in … it’s arrogant. It’s wrong. It’s cheating.”

Former Broncos and Ravens receiver Shannon Sharpe said the penalty against Belichick “should have been more severe”:

“The precedent was set when the commissioner suspended the quarterback coach for the Cowboys, Wade Wilson, five games for receiving human growth hormone. Even if you just suspended Bill Belichick for five games, fine him a third of his salary on principle alone. Maybe he can still talk to his coaches and get the plays in, but the precedent has been set. Now you’re talking about competitive balance. You’re talking about the integrity of the shield. This guy blatantly did it. Blatantly disregarded your direct orders Mr. Commissioner on September 6 when you sent out that memo, he did that. If it wasn’t a big deal, why would he go to these lengths to do what he did?”