Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 5/26/09

by Marima on May 26, 2009 10:31 AM EDT in New England Patriots News

Brady and Belichick practice during 2008 pre-season.

TOP SHOTS

Karen Guregian notes an ESPN camera crew caught Brady in passing.

An ESPN camera crew, filming the NCAA lacrosse championships at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro yesterday, also caught Patriot’s quarterback Tom Brady throwing passes on one of the side fields. There was no footage of who was on the other end of his passes, but the two-time Super Bowl MVP looked fine dropping back and throwing during the brief video clip.

Michael Lombardi (Nat'l Football Post) discusses the issue of tampering in the NFL. So... it's okay to break this NFL rule???

This is the business of the NFL. Tampering is always going to occur before the free agency period, in large part because of the Combine. The Scouting Combine is now the NFL’s version of a convention for coaches and executives. Virtually all NFL coaches and executives show up in Indy, and the NFL Players Association holds its annual agent accreditation meetings at the same time. So all the agents are in the same spot, and all NFL executives are in the same spot — you make your own assumptions.

More Shots after the jump...

LOCAL SHOTS

Mike Reiss reports Tom Brady is expected to participate in today's OTA at Gillette, and will garner national attention during the media portion of practice.
Christopher Price lists the top five undrafted free agents in the Belichick era who were hidden gems for the Patriots.
Michael Felger asserts that Roger Goodell has a Pit Bull problem in the NFL and should deal with Steeler James Harrison and Michael Vick in the same manner.
Mike Reiss focuses on Terrence Nunn from last Wednesday's OTA, and wonders who should be special teams captain?
Karen Guregian discusses former Patriot great DL Houston Antwine, whose 39 career sacks are tied with Richard Seymour for 10th on the Pat's all-time list, and his opportunity to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

LONG SHOTS

Tim Graham (ESPN) Moss: Pats offense can be scarier than '07.
Aaron Dodge (Bleacher Report) Introducing New England Patriots' fullback Russ Hochstein.
Ed Thompson (Scout.com) 7 Points: Pressure's on. Don't write off Maroney yet.
Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) No end in sight for off-field issues.

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Comments

Tampering = a "non-story"??? I don't think so

I appreciate Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post, but I don’t agree with his stance on the tampering charge against the Redskins. Lombardi says it’s a non-story and that no matter what the league does, tampering is impossible to monitor and can’t be prevented. Oh. So it’s okay to ignore the rule then?

Maybe the Patriots should have tried that argument when going before judge Goodell and the media court of opinion on the ridiculous 2007 non-issue of someone videotaping from an unauthorized location. Why no outrage about tampering? Because too many teams do it? Where are the calls of arrogance on the part of Washington head coach Jim Zorn, who thought he was above the NFL rules?

The league is investigating. If Goodell’s stance with the Patriots was that an NFL rule can’t be broken, and no team, owner, or coach is above the rules, then if there is enough evidence against the Redskins they should be fined the same as was Bill Belichick.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on May 26, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

There needs to be a consistent stance on the issues of rule breaking. I really couldn’t have said it any better myself.

by NESilver on May 26, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Tampering can't be prevented

As much as I like the Patriots, I really don’t think spygate and tampering is on the same level – and yes, that opinion is also influence by the fact that most teams are doing it.

I believe the proposal to have one week where people can talk to free agents but not sign them yet is a rational solution.

by hythlodaeus on May 27, 2009 8:18 AM EDT reply actions

until the tampering rule is changed, it's still a rule

and Goodell hangs himself out there if he lets it pass when it’s broken

Keep the faith!

by Marima on May 27, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, but as always it is impossible to prove

It was perfectly legal for Snyder to speak to Haynesworth’s agent – just not about him.

by hythlodaeus on May 27, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I hear ya

I know what you’re saying, and agree about the issue of proof. The NFL and owners should vote to change the rule and not leave any door open to having ‘breakable rules’ and ‘unbreakable rules’.

It will be interesting to see what the commish does with the Haynesworth case.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on May 27, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions