I hope that Roger Goodell makes like Frank Vincent and tells Arlen Specter to go get his shine box when the two of them meet to discuss Spygate today.
The Republican senator from Pennsylvania is an admitted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. That fact alone should call into question his state of mind. He has season tickets to the Eagles and has had them since the Eagles were playing at a place just one step above the fires of hell Veterans Stadium. Specter takes time out from his duties in Washington to call in to radio talk shows in Philadelphia. Guess what he wants to talk about? It's not his policy concerning illegal immigrants. Yes, his beloved Eagles. The same Eagles that lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Goodell and the NFL have already conducted their investigation into allegations that the Patriots cheated their way to three Super Bowl titles. Bill Belichick and the organization said that they turned over every piece of evidence that Goodell and the NFL asked for and the tapes were destroyed. Goodell declared the matter closed, leaving all the smart-ass comments and asterisks placed on New England's championships sounding like bitterness and jealousy from fan bases (yes, Buffalo, New York and Miami, I'm talking to you) that haven't been as fortunate.
That wasn't enough for Specter. He used the hammer that Congress always goes back to when it feels like being the bully. Specter made a thinly-veiled threat to Goodell involving the NFL's anti-trust exemption, forcing Goodell into meeting with Specter face-to-face. The fact that he clearly has an agenda doesn't seem to matter to anybody outside of New England, mostly because this has turned into a nation of people who hate the Patriots. It's only natural that dynasties stir some strong emotions, and New England has done just that thanks to its consistent excellence and Belichick's stand-offish personality.
The fact that the league's conclusions aren't satisfactory to a windbag like Specter shouldn't matter. Goodell isn't ready to pick at a scab that could start gushing blood and spill all over the most PR-conscious sport in this country right now. Specter should be going after Donovan McNabb, the quarterback who was sick/hungover/having panic attacks/ready to kill Terrell Owens during the final five minutes of the Eagles' 24-21 loss. He should save his scorn for Philadelphia coach Andy Reid, a man who has stood by while two of his sons have been incarcerated multiple times in the past year for drug use. Specter has shamelessly used his position to force Goodell into a meeting. I hope Goodell responds with some Goodfellas justice.
