How does this strike at the integrity of the game?! That’s just hyperbolic silliness. Here’s the punchline to all of this, stealing signals is PERFECTLY OK in the NFL rule book, the only thing the Pats screwed up was videotaping them. It’s the TOOL that broke the rules, not the goal. They can have guys on the sideline stealing signals, in the press box stealing signals, in the stands stealing signals, in the freaking blimp stealing signals, so long as none of them are trying to make video recordings. They can even video tape the various TV broadcasts of the game hoping to get signals, you just can’t video tape from IN the stadium.
The integrity of the game is not threatened because somebody chose the 1 method (of dozens available) of stealing signals that’s actually against the rules. This isn’t betting on games or shaving points, that threatens the integrity of the game.
The Patriots' "dynasty" consists of three championships won by a total of nine points. If they were videotaping signals against the lowly Jets, they were doing it in the Super Bowl. That means they cheated. That means their dynasty is a lie. It's not terribly complicated.
stealing signals is PERFECTLY OK in the NFL rule book, the only thing the Pats screwed up was videotaping them. It’s the TOOL that broke the rules, not the goal.
And taking money from a bank is perfectly okay by law. The only thing the robber screwed up was doing it with a pistol.
Of course there's no rule against stealing signals. Coaches give them in plain view of opposing players and coaches all day long. If you're sharp enough to remember every combination of hand signals, set them apart from the decoys, and associate them with particular blitz packages and retain that knowledge throughout a game you happen to be coaching, you deserve to win. Belichick wasn't that sharp. That's why he used a team employee to take video of the hand signals, so he and his coaching staff could analyze them in depth.
They can have guys on the sideline stealing signals, in the press box stealing signals, in the stands stealing signals, in the freaking blimp stealing signals, so long as none of them are trying to make video recordings.
The rules can't prohibit "stealing signals" because they can't prevent anyone from seeing them. The difference between having guys observing signs and having footage of those signs to study in the locker room is the difference between studying for an exam and having an open book. It's also the difference between no fine and the largest fine in league history.
They can even video tape the various TV broadcasts of the game hoping to get signals, you just can’t video tape from IN the stadium.
There are not "various broadcasts" of any single game. There's one. It doesn't have a dedicated camera trained on the coaching staff for the entire game. And yeah, the coaches are allowed to TiVO the game and watch it when they get home. Otherwise, the coach's tape is strictly overhead footage. You can make out the teams' hang signals in those tapes about as well as you can make out license plate numbers of passing taxis from the top of the Empire State Building.
And yes, this rulebook rationalization is eerily Clintonian.