The Giants won perhaps the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, defeating the previously unbeaten New England Patriots 17-14. Eli Manning was the Most Valuable Player, leading one of the most remarkable last possession drives I've ever seen (I'm still not sure how he avoided being sacked, found David Tyree, threw the ball where only he could catch it, and how Tyree actually held onto the ball).
New England coach Bill Belichek was his usual taciturn self in the post-game interview essentially refusing to answer any questions, reluctant to give the winners any credit and now gets to prepare for a re-visiting of the entire "Spygate" affair (see below entry from yesterday).
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has promised to meet as soon as possible with Senator Spector (and likely some staff from the Senate Judicary Committee) about the destroyed tapes. Spector has already made the statement that the explanation by Goodell, "doesn't ring true." He also wants to know if the NFL interviewed Tom Brady to ask him directly what he knew about the taping affair. The answe it appears, is that the NFL didn't.
At this point it is going to be very unlikely that Goodell is going to be able to convince anyone (except maybe the Patriots) that a thorough and professional investigation was done. He is already stating that if there is "new" (read here, stuff he should have found out before) information, he reserves the right to re-visit the entire matter and administer additional penalties.
Both Goodell and Senator Spector now want to talk with Matt Walsh, the former Patriot Video official about what he knows. Kurt Warner, the losing quarterback of the Super Bowl, where the Patriots are now accused of video taping the Rams final walk through, is on record as wanting some answers. Warner is a highly respected player, former league and Super Bowl MVP. He is not the kind to become embroiled in controversy or make statements lightly. Whatever sources the Boston Heald has for their story on the same matter are also going to be sought after.
New York Jets coach, Eric Mangeni, who made the complaint this year that started the "Spygate" matter is going to certainly be called again. Mangeni was on the Patriots coaching staff and apparently had some knowledge of what was going on in the past. When this first came out early in the year there was also a story that the Patriots had been caught doing the same thing against the Packers at Green Bay. For a small market team the Packer organization is also highly respected in the league and their story is certain to be revisited.
The biggest issue remains, if the results of a Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXXIV against the St. Louis Rams) are tainted because the allegations of video taping the Rams final walk through are proven true, the league will be forced to administer perhaps some of the most severe penalties that the NFL has ever seen.
Today's Super Bowl loss may only be the start of a very bad couple of weeks for the New England Patriots.
Posted by Narnia3 at February 3, 2008 7:50 PM | TrackBack