Shula softens 'Spygate' comments (Flip Flop)

Boston.com Staff ^ | November 8, 2007 | Gary Dzen

[Boston Blackie]

Dolphins Hall of Fame coach Don Shula clarified his comments on the Patriots' "Spygate" scandal today, telling ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" that New England's accomplishments should not have an asterisk attached to them. more stories like this

"If they run the table, and they win all the games, then they are doing it within the rules of the National Football League," Shula said. "And there shouldn't be any asterisk to it. That would be the accomplishment that they made. It would be the best in all of sports."

Shula's 1972 Dolphins team had a perfect 14-0 record. If the Patriots go undefeated, they "will deserve to be called the best team," said Shula.

[rlmorel]

He just clarified his comments...as a Pats fan, I can certainly accept that.

He musta been reading Sports Illustrated...

[Resolute Conservative]

I can agree.

[raygunfan]

sounds like someone had a little talk with don and said, cut the crap out, we are interested in carrying this any further, we have just enough room under the rug now...dont push any further....

[Pistolshot]

*

[NonValueAdded]

I guess he got “a talkin’ to”

[lepton]

I guess he got “a talkin’ to”

Maybe...or maybe he just thought about it and saw how obviously stupid what he said before was. I'll give him a Mulligan on this.

[big'ol_freeper]

I think Shula might have a few screws loose so I’ll lay off him, but really...

[poobear]

I agreed with his first comments.

Turn it around and ask yourself if the Dolphins had done something like that in Shula’s heyday.

The Jets, Patriots, Giants and everyone else in the North East would be crying all kinds fouls and doubting the legitimacy of the Dolphins’ wins.

Just a thought.

[poobear]

all kinds fouls = foul

[rlmorel]

I disagree.

The fact that the kabosh was put on it on the first half of the first game means it has no bearing whatsoever on what they do this season.

That is why the NFL, the networks and even the Jets all dropped it. They knew if they continued to stress it, they would look like complete and total idiots given the way things have gone since halftime of the first game against the Jets.

The would look like the complete moron on Free Republic who maintained that he "...knew Brady was never THAT good...he HAD to be cheating...no WAY a sixth round pick would EVER be that good..."

Personally, I think it has been a great thing for the team. It has brought them closer together and given them a cause. As a Pats fan, I like that.

People are emotionally all bent over it, because the Pats have been bending their teams over a barrel. I used to feel that way about the Cowboys back in the early seventies, but hey, I have grown up. I realize the Cowboys were a pretty good team back then, and Roger Staubach wasn't a pussy because he would slide feet first into tacklers. If people want to think the sum total of what the Patriots have done doesn't count, then...power to them. I don't live under their emotional delusions...they have to live in that world.

There will be no asterisk, anyone hoping the NFL would do that (or hoping the league would somehow award Game 1 of the season to the NY Jets) is analogous to liberals thinking that appeasing Islamofacists will make them more secure. It is a fantasy, a pipe dream, and a form of mental masturbation.

In other words, regarding that line of thought...

(By the way, this humorous (to me) line of thought was not directed towards you...I thought you stated your point of view quite cogently and politely. I just think the people who can't let it go are deserving of ridicule. But that is me...everyone is entitled to their opinion, even Don Shula and the rest of the 72 Dolphin team...:)

[poobear]

Dude, I let it go after the fine and next kick @ss game by the Patriots. Brady is great. The rest of the team, well lets just say they are one team that compliments each other in almost every aspect.

Regarding my post and thoughts, the fact that there was yet another thread on the subject I wanted to put another spin on it rather than just comment on “guess Shula had a talkin’ to” or something to that effect.

Remember, he was hated long before he got old. Can you just imagine the comments on his winning season had he got caught taping defensive plays DURING a game.

And thank you for not scathing me for even posting to a die hard Patriots fan. It’s just football you know.

GO GATORS! GO JAGS! GOD HELP TAMPA! MIAMI.... nevermind!

[rlmorel]

I appreciate that completely. I used to be a diehard Redskins fan when my family moved to a military base near Washington DC...and the bug bit me in a major way. I was a fanatic until into the Nineties, when one day it occurred to me I was spending a lot of emotional energy on it.

When I was in the Navy myself, I used to pace back and forth outside the radio hut on Sunday nights...for hours sometimes, waiting for the scores to be posted. I would be on the flight deck at night, going up and down the radio dial, stopping on any english speaking voice that SOUNDED like a sports announcer, no matter how static filled or faint.

I hated the Cowboys above all other teams...and the Dallas fans and I went at it hammer and tong...(well, to be fair, I could never bring myself to gloat when my team won...but that usually wasn’t reciprocated...:(

If my team lost, I would be stricken with depression for several days.

Now, I watch football because I enjoy it. If my team loses, I can shrug my shoulders and grin...I guess as I got older, I found...perspective.

And the Cowboys did have some great teams...:)

Good luck with those Jags...:)

[poobear]

We grew up.

But college football is still alive thank goodness.

The 70’s,80’s and 90’s NFL and AFL may never be the same but we’ll have hopes of greatness with new teams.

I for one am on board for great football!!!!

May the best steroid filled team win... just had to ad that one ;D!

HUT... HUT... HUT...

[rlmorel]

LOL...good post...good...:)