GRIDIRON GRUMBLINGS: WEEK 3

WINNING DOESN'T ABSOLVE CRIME BUT IT HELPS
By Marc Jimenez, NFL Draft Bible

The New England Patriots accomplished two things by crushing the San Diego Chargers, 38-14, at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night: 1. They proved they are a dominant team. 2. They got the critics off their backs amidst a cheating scandal which resulted in a $500,000 fine for coach Bill Belichick, plus an additional $250,000 team fine and the loss of a first-round draft pick if New England makes the playoffs. This punishment was OK, but it doesn’t hurt the Pats this season. Some people believe that Belichick should have been suspended as well, which would have been consistent with Commissioner Roger Goodell’s previous punishments. However, the coach could face harsher penalties if Goodell finds other wrongdoings after viewing all of New England’s coaching videos.

Despite the ugly backlash the Pats faced this week, they went out and defeated a worthy opponent and showed that they didn’t need to videotape opposing coaches to win games. So why did the Pats cheat in the first place? It’s even more mind-boggling when you consider that Belichick likely ordered the move against the New York Jets, who are of course coached by his former pupil Eric Mangini, after the league sent out a memo informing teams not to do such a thing.

But an explanation will not take place, given that Belichick has cowardly avoided talking about the situation in public. What he has done is allow critics to question the validity of New England’s accomplishments. But luckily for him, his players have his back. Tom Brady was 25 of 31 for 279 yards with three touchdowns. Randy Moss, who has risen from the dead, caught eight passes for 105 yards with two TDs while Wes Welker added 91 yards on eight receptions.

Belichick, ever the cold fish, even thanked the fans for their support and praised his players for staying focused. Clearly his players, who were left to clean up his mess, were trying to save a little face and stand up for their beloved coach.

“This is one of the most satisfying victories of my career,” said Tedy Bruschi after the game.

By manhandling a talented Charger squad, it looks like the players on the Pats will overcome this cheating scandal without taking too much of a hit on their reputations. But as far as Belichick goes, his audacity to cheat and his utter refusal to discuss the matter shows that he isn’t a stand-up guy.

Not long ago, New England won three Super Bowls and Belichick was perceived as a football genius, but now the hooded coach seems to be no different from any athlete who is willing to break rules just to get ahead. In the real world, people who cheat in the workforce often face termination. But in the sports world cheaters are frequently compensated for their unethical behaviors.

This just in: Belichick has reportedly agreed in principle with the Patriots on a new contract.