We're all familiar with an all points bulletin. This isn't as grand. This is a few points bulletin:
I want an independent investigation opened into Super Bowl XXXVII. Tampa Bay had an unfair advantage because head coach Jon Gruden coached the Raiders the year before and knew all of their plays. Anyone who's watched their Super Bowl highlight video hear jubilant defenders running to Gruden saying variations of "It was just like you told us." That's because he designed the offense Oakland ran and coached quarterback Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon on how to run the system. Gruden knew practically every strength, weakness and tendency of the Oakland offense and with the Bucs exploited the Raiders. Gruden didn't need video tape because it was all committed to memory. He's a cheater! Scandal!
Pensylvania Senator Arlen Specter continues to look to validate Philadelphia's loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIV and now the two AFC Championship losses by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately because New England head coach Bill Belichick lied about misunderstanding the rules leaves him and his accomplishments open to be doubted until the end of time. But Specter needs to give this a rest.
He pointed out how during the 2004 season Pittsburgh soundly beat New England during the regular season but the tables were turned in the AFC Championship. He's speculating that recorded hand signals was why the result the second time around made a complete 180.
Well if that's the case, does that mean the 2007 Giants that lost to Dallas twice and New England cheated to win Super Bowl XLII?
Maybe Pittsburgh lost the '04 AFC Championship because a rookie QB was playing the worst football he played all season? Ben Roethlisberger was terrible down the strech and it continued into the playoffs. Even if the Patriots played bad on offense, the defense would had secured that win because Big Ben was just plain bad that night.
Former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz can say he's satisfied with the results and so can other players and coaches, but Spygate is far from over with Specter and other fans still raising questions even when the facts say it's over. Wish I could say it's over, but it's not.
Boston Herald reporter John Tomase offered his personal apology and explanation in today's edition of the paper. This it what readers deserved and he explained himself satisfactorily. He owned up to it, and that's what I was hoping for. I can't predict the repercussions he will suffer through, but it might take a while to restore his name and regain the trust of the fans, players and coaches.
Getting back to football news, the Patriots had Kevin Jones in for a visit. The former Detroit Lion, who is still recovering from a knee injury, was a first round pick of the Lions but was released. If the Pats sign him on the cheap, it's a great move. I remember watching him run for Virginia Tech and he was amazing. I thought he would be a good pro and didn't disappoint in his rookie season, rushing for over 1,000 yards. With time to heal, he could add excellent depth at the position. The Pats also recently signed WR Robert Ortiz. His chances of sticking with the team are slim, but he will get reps during camp and maybe earn a spot on the practice squad.
