The Rocket

Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Sports

Cheaters never win. Unless of course you are Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

With the recent cheating scandal involving Bill and his boys, the National Football League has had to handle the latest in a long line of unpleasant headlines. These range from Chris Henry and Michael Vick to one of the most beloved coaches in the entire sports world.

I dislike Belichick and the Patriots very much, and it's not just because I am a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan. This scandal has given more reason for the world to hate that whole crew up north.

Roger Goodell has said that one of his goals as commissioner is to clean up a league that has become a laughingstock in the sports world over the last decade. So far, he has done a wonderful job. Goodell has suspended players for conduct that violates the NFL player agreement.

Tank Johnson received an eight-game suspension after he was arrested yet again, with the last one coming on the suspicion of drunk driving.

Michael Vick, as we all know well by now, was suspended indefinitely for his role in a dog-fighting ring.

In his first few months as commissioner, Goodell has lived up to his word.

Until now.

Yes, he did fine Belichick $500,000 dollars and is taking away draft picks. But the draft picks that the Pats lose are based on how well the team does this season. If they make the playoffs, they must give up their first-round pick.

But if they miss the playoffs they have to give up second- and third-round picks.

But here is the kicker: If the Patriots lose their first-rounder next season they still will have a first-round pick, obtained from San Francisco in the deal that brought Randy Moss from Oakland.

Roger my friend, you have dropped the ball on this one.

First off, the Patriots losing drafts picks shouldn't hinge on how well they do.

They should lose all their picks in the first three rounds. They cheated!

When Goodell suspended Patriots safety Rodney Harrison for violating the NFL's drug policy, he didn't say, "Well, I will suspend you for four games, unless your team loses the first two. If that happens, then you can come back." He cheated, just like the rest of his teammates and coaches. So why should the team have a punishment that is contingent on their performance?

Secondly, Belichick should be suspended. He cheated!

(I find this to be a recurring theme here.)

Just like anyone else that cheats or violates terms of some NFL agreement, Big Bill should be suspended.

Fining him half a million bucks is a slap on the wrist. The guy is a multimillionaire; that kind of money is chump change to him.

Roger, you have done a good job in trying to give the NFL a new look. You have taken 10 steps forward in your quest.

This however, is a giant leap back.

New evidence points out that the Pats may have been cheating for a number of years. Maybe that is why they have been so good. Maybe that is why the Eagles don't have a ring.

One can only hope that if more evidence comes to light, Goodell will give Belichick what he deserves.

Everyone says he is a great coach, when in reality he his a great liar and cheater.

Belichick needs to clean up his act. He can start with that hideous sweatshirt he wears.

Brandon Fox is an English graduate student and the sports editor for The Rocket.

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