by Michael Podlesny

Created on: June 18, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Of course they were. The Patriots were cheating as per the outlines of the rules set forth by the NFL. The NFL rules clearly state that you are not allowed to use any video taping device during the game that will give you an advantage over the other team. It is written clear as day and for Bill Bellicheat to suggest that he misinterpreted the rule is crazy.

I, on the other hand, do not think the New England Patriots were penalized enough. I also do not agree with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell destroying the evidence. Why did he destroy it? He should have allowed it to be shown to the public. It is the public after all that buys tickets, merchandise and watches the game. The public has a right to see what was on the tape and make their own decision.

The fact is you are fining millionaires a few hundred thousand dollars. I would hardly call that a fine especially since the Krafts are practically billionairs with their packaging business, and Bellicheathas a monster contract. As long as Bellicheat keeps winning he will keep getting paid. That fine will mean nothing to him. Unless he has a "hard time feeding his family". A popular excuse by many millionair pro athletes today.

Along with the so called financial burden placed on them, they lost "their" first round pick. But low and behold, look how lucky they are, they get the 49ers first round pick (7th overall) in the 2008 draft. Then they trade that pick away to move down in the draft and get an additional first round pick next year. So again they will have two picks in the first round.

Here is what should have happened. Forget about the money. That punishes no one in this case. They should have taken away both first round picks and a second round pick. Then along with the picks the game against the Jets should have been an automatic loss. How can you award someone a victory in a game they cheated is beyond me. There is no question the Jets are not as good as the Patriots, however the Pats did cheat, and for that you get a loss.

So there goes their "undefeated" regular season. It doesn't stop there though. You really need to send a message not only to the Patriots but to the rest of the teams that this won't be tolerated. You do that by suspending the organization from post season play for two years.

Have I gotten everyone's attention? You bet I have! Imagine if that was the punishment being handed down to the Patriots I guarantee every team in the NFL would think twice before attempting to cheat.

What the Patriots were caught doing has clearly taken away from the accomplishments they had. Winning 3 Superbowls, having an undefeated regular season, setting records and so much more. It is a shame what they did. But it is more a shame of what Roger Goodell DID NOT do that is the real tragedy in this whole story.

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