Lost in the shuffle of misremembering yesterday was Roger Goodell’s meeting with Arlen Specter. Now, we can’t say we’re the biggest Specter fans in the world; we can say we’re losing some respect for Goodell in this whole Spygate process. Here’s a man who brings the hammer down on athletes — and rightfully so, Pacman — for off-field transgressions, but treats something like this, which could have at least some ramifications on the integrity of the game, with kid gloves. And, of course, he says it all with the smug brush-off that only a Belichick could love.

From the AP (our bold, of course):

Bill Belichick has been illegally taping opponents’ defensive signals since he became the New England Patriots’ coach in 2000, according to Sen. Arlen Specter, who said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told him that during a meeting Wednesday. “There was confirmation that there has been taping since 2000, when Coach Belichick took over,” Specter said. … Goodell said Belichick told him he believed the taping was legal; Goodell said he did not concur. “He said that’s always been his interpretation since he’s been the head coach,” the commissioner said. “We are going to agree to disagree on the facts.” … Goodell noted that “we were the ones that disclosed” the Patriots’ illegal taping of the New York Jets’ defensive signals in Week 1 of last season. Further, Goodell said, they had an admission by Belichick. “I have nothing to hide,” Goodell said. Goodell also told Specter that that he doesn’t regret destroying the Spygate tapes or the notes. “I think it was the right thing to do,” Goodell said.

We’ll never know the extent of the cheating, nor will we know exactly what edge was gained. What we do know is this: destroying the tapes was absolutely NOT the right thing to do. Goodell is using the excuses of either an 8 year old or a man who is used to having any explanation accepted at face value. Good thing Roger Clemens is around because nobody seemed to notice.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 9:15 am and is filed under Main. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.