Tomase Fesses Up, Massarotti Covers Up
John Tomase gives his mea culpa today on how everything went wrong for him on his story right before the SuperBowl about the Patriots taping the Rams’ walkthrough.
For the past few days, Tomase has been facing a lot of heat in New England, and a columnist for his paper the Herald, Tony Massarotti took some of the pressure off by writing a column blasting Patriots fans. Now I find his column more amusing than anything and knowing my fair share of Patriots’ fans, they don’t all fit this description, just as all Jets fans aren’t all Class B sexual predators trolling Gate D.
… general thoughts on Patriots fans …
“official home of yahoos, hero worshipers and gutless suck-ups.
“Try to discern which members of the media show up to work wearing Patriots Super Bowl jackets, and which of your pathetic, repressed middle-aged neighbors wear their Tedy Bruschi jerseys on Sundays.”
… on use of social media and metaphysical philosophy …
“Meanwhile, take time to wonder if those same neighbors are blogging and posting on message boards while spending hours on hold so they might hear their voices on the radio.
“Listen, mom!
“Just like karaoke!
“These are the people who preserve the sports fantasy world that justifies their own sorry existence.”
… on personal hygiene …
“Wash your official NFL-licensed Patriots underwear. After a while, most everything gets dirty.”
Filed under: Main Page
In Friday’s USAToday, matt walsh states that videotaping signals gave the Patsies a competitive advantage. Healso states that if bill belichick really believed it had little or no impact on games, he wouldn’t have continued doing it. And on whether goodell’s punishment fit the crime, he states that the patsies would pay $750,000 again if they could win 3 superbowls.
In my opinion, the penalties assesed to the patsies were no more than a slap on the wrist. And the specter of arlan spector isn’t going away anytime soon. An independent investigation, not by someone tied to the red sox like in baseball, could prove very embarrassing for the patsies and the nfl.
Here’s another great line from Massoratti’s article:
“Patriots coach Bill Belichick gives Christmas gifts and holiday cards to some members of the media, cyanide-tipped glares to others. You’re either a Belichicklet or you are not, and there is no base-level membership.”
Here’s to all the Belichicklet’s out there, may they all eat their words!!
Bring on an independent investigation of all NFL teams. Why do you think the NFL doesn’t want this?
What will happen when it comes out that most if not all teams do this kind of thing? Bring it on!
Rose- Gimme a break. Justify the actions of your Patsies using 2nd grade logic. You sound like my seven year old, “but all of my friends are doing it…”, yeah, that makes it right. And just like my kid, you over estimate the number of TRUE cheaters out there. Stealing signs is one thing, what the Patricheats did was flat out CHEATING, and they are the ONLY ONES who have been accused and caught red handed. Why is that? If this behavior is so prevelant as you claim, surely there must be other documented instances of this sort of cheating? Oh yea, there are none. Just the Pats.
Actually Doug, the a Jets videographer was stopped by stadium security and ejected from the stadium in Foxboro.
Jimmy Johnson has come out publicly and admitted going through opposing teams wastebaskets looking for scouting reports and drafts of gameplans.
The KC Chiefs were implicated years ago in the same type of sign stealing.
Except that stealing signals is perfectly legal. Taping them from the sidelines is not.
Doug…not to be knitpicking but…
The Miami Dolphins admitted to having and using an audio tape of the Patriots line audiables several years ago. Jimmy Johnson has admitted to taping opponents signals while he was a coach. Matt Walsh told Arlene Spector he saw the Jets taping the Pats signals in 2002. The league penalized the Broncos and the 49ers for manipulating the salary cap…who know what else was under those rocks.
I am not trying to start a huge ruckus, I am simply pointing out that Football is a Military War game….a violent ground acquisition game if you want. There is an offense and all the military terminology that goes with it. A defense and all the military terminology that goes with it. I think we all have to be naive if we truly believe teams do not have a covert intelligence gathering operation to benefit these other two operations. Quite frankly I just do not see what the issue is…let them waste time and money on film all I care about is that come sunday two teams suit up and a game is played. How they get there is pretty immaterial to me. BTW, was what the Pats doing against the rules…absolutely…should they have been punished…again totally…but the moral authority which people are using to look down on this whole situation seems awfully hypocritical to me. Maybe if we all let it go come September they will play football again.
Actually if they investigated the NFL, several teams would be in trouble from headset “interference” to pumping extra sound into domed stadiums. The problem here has to do with the arrogance of the Patriots. There probably were a majority of teams doing what the Pats were doing in the early years (2000-2003) Buth the league addressed it, then re-addressed it in 2006, making a statement of rules that I believe are not at all unclear. Cameras were not allowed anywhere on the field or in the stands except the End Zone camera they were allowed for coaches film. I would suspect that after that statement was made in 2006, most teams were not doing it anymore. The problem is that Mangini warned BB not to do it, but BB couldn’t help himself and did it anyway. BB thought he was untouchable. He was partially right, because he got a slap on the wrist by the comissioner
Actually Debi- The Jets claim that they asked permission (and received it), and when asked to stop, did just that. Afterwards, the Patriots claimed that permission was not granted. Of course this revelation was information released after Spygate, by the Patriots, so I guess if that is a source you feel you can trust…….
And If you could show me were picking items out of the trash at half time is a violation of NFL rules, I’d like to see that.
The KC Cheifs were accused of video taping signals? Funny how I have not heard of that. Could you be more specific or give a cite? Stealing signals by lip reading, or visual interpretation without the aid of video equipment is not against the rules, as you point out. So I am not sure of your point, except that KC didn’t cheat like the Patriots did.
Jenson Bob- Hate to knitpick too, but Jimmy Johnson did not admit to video taping the opponents signals, if I recall, Debi is correct in her statement that he admitted to picking through the garbage. Again, there is no rule against that. Matt Walsh told the NFL he saw the NYJ taping the Patriots? Well ,it must be true then. He is very credible. You are correct about the Niners, funny that Eddie D is no longer the owner since he was indicted on Bribery Charges. Just goes to show you the depths that cheaters will sink too.
A competive advantage gained through deligent work within the rules (however creative) is just that. Stop trying to justify blatantly breaking the rules with other tactics, regardless of how low they may seem, if they are not expressly against the rules. This would include the Dolphins using AUDIO, not VIDEO of the game.
Belichick should have his eyes burned out with hot irons. Then he should be broken on the rack. Then the pieces should be cut up and burned. Then the ashes should be buried in a latrine. And then, and then, and then…..
MarkB-
I’d settle for something between your suggestion and the wrist slap he did receive.
I’m a diehard Patriots fan, Red Sox, fan. And I can safely speak for most Boston fans in saying that Massarotti is a complete d-bag. He’s as hypocritical as they come. He’s basically a water-carrier for Sox ownership, as evidenced by his two fawning, fluff-piece books. (Big Papi, Dynasty) But he has this odd hatred toward fans. Basically, his customers. Lord knows a lot of Patriots fans are total meatheads. But that comes with any team from any city. But, my God! Slamming the fans for an entire article? He has not even begun to experience the backlash from this. But he will.
Doug — perhaps you lash out so blindly because, at the end of the day, Mangina is fundamentally, a terrible, terrible coach?
Tim-
I have to wonder about you, really. You say you are a “diehard” Patriots fan, but here you are on a Jets sight, being (easily) offended by opinions which don’t coincide with yours. Could it be, at the end of the day, you feel a bit of guilt and self loathing because fundamentally, you root for a team that cheats?
Doug:
I think you meant “site.” Okay, thanks!
8 – 8 fever! Catch it!
Tim
I think the Patricheats will be a little better than 8-8.
Thanks for the spell check, you must be a real genius.
“Patricheats” That’s awesome, dude!
You like that? Thanks. I can’t take credit though. That is what most non-NE fans are calling your team now. I personally think it has nothing on Mangina.
Doug- 8-8? Are you familiar with the phrase “Wishful thinking?”
ybbiG2- yeah, sure. What is your point?
I am a bit confused about your question , Tim, er…MarkB, oh, I mean ybbiG2. Are you suggesting that it is wishful thinking that the Partiots will be better than 8-8? I think they have a real chance of being above .500 this year. Wouldn’t wishful thinking be that they finished 4-12?
bradshaw 4 SBs
montana 4 SBs
aikman 3 SBs
brady 3 SBs*
we will never know due to NE’s cheating…
Yes! That is what I am talking about. Nothing more true has been posted here today. Thank you dakar!
by the way…whats with all you patsie fans coming in here…oh i get it…your ashamed of being part of a fan base that supports lying and cheating and you came in here wanting to make a change for the better in your lives but the withdraw symtoms are proving difficult… like a drug attick…you dont know which way to turn… really pathetic…but theres help…admit to youself that NE is a bunch of liars and cheaters and you’ll be cured…
Drug “attick”
Atta boy, Dougie!
Jets = JV
Oops, I mean Dakar!
Welcome to America!
doug
whats true is true…and i agree with you on your posts…
Okay, ladies, I’m out!
See you in the fall!
Ghoulston? Yeah, that ought to do it!!!!!
BWAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Dakar-
Thanks. I am also wondering why so many Patricheat fans are here today. I think Massarotti’s article must have touched a nerve. Don’t blame them about the guilt/shame/humiliation/betrayel that they must feel about their team. I would be crushed to find out something I was so proud of was a flat out sham.
Have a good weekend!
doug
you to bro…
Tim, even Bellichick would be embarrassed by you. Now that says something.
i have 1 more thing to say…i like this mass. reporter for writing the truth…at least for this time around…for exposing the dirty pathetic cheaters the patsies are and for ripping these ignorrant and arrogant patsie fans…for being ignorant and arrogant…haha…
Guys, here is a reality check -
Videotaping was not cheating; Goodell simply threw his weight around without reading the three-paragraph bylaw that doesn’t ban taping but bans in-game use of taped footage.
Belichick’s interpretation of that bylaw wasn’t wrong, as even Goodell tacitally admitted (apparantly without even realizing it) when he noted other teams wanted to tape.
“Belichick wouldn’t have done it if it didn’t give a competitive advantage.” It’s SCOUTING activity; it’s what teams are supposed to be doing.
Massarotti’s problem is he has a deranged hatred of a lot of people in the Boston media, notably Dale Arnold, and uses arguments they make noting facts on the side of the Patriots against them by calling them “in the tank with the Patriots” and other such verbiage, yet Mazz never brings any countervaling facts to the issue. Mazz is sympomatic of the larger sports media in its ignorant hatred of the Patriots.
John Tomase’s problem was the premise of his February piece was perposterous on its face – if anyone tried to tape the Rams wlkthrough they’d have been stopped by NFL security or Rams team security or stadium security. He should have pointed this out in the original piece.
Virtually all the facts of this issue are on the side of the Patriots.
The credibility of Matt Walsh is a major issue because of his history of lying on his resume and attacking fellow employees – he got fired for taping conversations with Scott Pioli and was known as a backstabber wit delusions of grandeur.
The bottom line is Goodell is the one in the wrong here – he should have accepted Belichick’s interpretation of the bylaw and told all the other teams to just shut up and play. As it is, between his clumsy and arrogant handling of Videogate, his clumsy handling of the Michael Vick and Pacman Jones issues, and the suddenly-real potential of a lost 2011 season and shattered economic stability in the league, Goodell looks more and more like someone totally out of it as far as ability to lead the NFL.
Mike -
If the Pats did (or even attempted to do) something that gave them a competitive advantage and no other team was allowed to do (in a sport where the slightest competitive advantage can make all the difference), then in my opinion it is cheating, but I won’t argue with you over it.
I agree Walsh lacks credibility and Arlen Specter is even worse, plus I think there was probably many more teams doing the same thing before 2007, so the Walsh revelations were never going to increase the punishment, which probably assumed they had been doing it for years and took that into account.
We should all just move on and look forward to the Pats and Jets meeting up next year (and the year after that and the year after that) on a level playing field and hopefully with the Jets making things more competitive now they have retooled a bit.
Thanks for not resorting to calling us Jets fans losers and tearing into the Jets like every other Pats fan who has chimed in here.
What if a New York columnist had written an article in the Post or the Times saying the same things about Jets or Giant fans?I wonder what kind of backlash he would be recieving on this site.
Actually, Jets fans often get chastised (sic) by the local and national media. (Nobody is going to call us front runners or bandwagon jumpers though!) If you were to believe the media, every Jets fan boos his own players, cheers when they get injured and objectifies / harrasses women, when obviously those assertions were based on the minority.
I didn’t comment on the article, but I actually think it’s terrible to insinuate that all fans of a certain team are a certain type of person. I’m sure there are Pats fans who fit the description, but there are also those who are just loyal and knowledgeable fans of their team. If anything, this discussion (and other interaction we’ve had with Pats fans) is testament to that. I don’t blame genuine Pats fans for having a problem with it.
If they said it about Giants fans, we would agree with them. Giants fans are idiots (just kidding).
fair enough,bent
Besides, Massaroti’s point is more about the media in Boston than it is the fans. Sports journialism is a little different than regular journalism, but many of the Boston Sports media are mouthpieces for the Patriots rather than honest critics of them. WEEI’s staff are the ones who are the chief mouthpieces. Several of them (mostly the guys on the Big Show with Glenn Ordway) are seen on television sporting Patriots jackets and shirts and few like Dale Arnold and Michael Holley have had access to the Patriots behind the scenes in ways most reporters don’t. Holley was actually following the team as more than a beat writer when he was working on his book and given access that noone else in the media had. If you read the article it wasn’t about all Pats fans, it was about WEEI & its listeners primarily.
that should be *sports journalism*
I just went to patriotsblog to see what they are saying. Almost every story had no comments. I guess they are all on thejetsblog.
The Patriots Super Bowls will always have a cloud over them.
Now lets see what happens.
I think the Jets will split with the Pats in 08.
So you think it was all Belichick by himself?
Eric had no impact since being BB’s ball boy in Cleveland? Daboll also had no influence on the Offensive side of the ball?
If it really was a team effort to be Patricheats then you have the reasons why Manigi is failing now.
You may say that both could have benefitted from the cheating of the Pats organisation, but if this is the case, since both have forged their reputations on their time in New England when they had an unfair advantage, if it proves that without that advantage they are inept, then considering the money and responsibility invested in these guys in good faith by the Jets it would be an absolute disgrace that the Jets franchise received no compensation whatsoever from the scandal.
And yet the Jets are often portrayed as the bad guys…
Let’s hope for the sake of both franchises and justice itself that Mangini and Daboll’s credentials are proven to be worthy in the fullness of time.