Roger Goodell clearly just wants the whole Spygate thing to go away. The NFL is just too much of a gravy train with biscuit wheels. Any controversy isn’t good for the league and thus the league will slowly but definitively sweep the whole Spygate issue under the rug. Here are some thoughts:

1. This thing has come a long way from simple spying on divisional opponents for use in future games. If this is the case why spy on the Chargers in 2002 when you don’t play them again for three years? Why spy on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFC championship game? The fact that they spied on Pittsburgh during the championship game, both offensively and defensively, could only be to use that information later in the game. What would be the point?

2. If we accept the fact that they spied on the Steelers in the NFC championship game are we to believe they didn’t use the cameras to spy on teams during the Super Bowl victories? The Super Bowl, more than any game, is perfect for spying and deciphering signals. The TV timeouts are longer than usual and halftime is thirty minutes long. The team that is known for making all the right adjustments could have very well made those adjustments in less than honorable circumstances. Keep in mind that all three Super Bowls were won by three points margins. Also keep in mind the numerous late game defensive plays where they always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

3. Why go through the whole production of filming signals, then down and distance, then signals? Matt Walsh himself indicated that he would hand off the taps to the mysterious Ernie Adams, the Patriot assistant legendary for the supposed “photographic” memory. If anyone doubts the ability of people to pick up signals you only have to look at the great baseball signal stealers over the years. Major League baseball has long been known to have coaches who’s only job is to decipher and steal signs. Why would Ernie Adams and the Patriots be any different? Here’s an interesting and detailed article on Adams.

4. The whole hullabaloo over the Rams “walkthrough” is a convenient diversion. Common sense would tell me the actual filming and deciphering of signals during a game is more important than a walkthrough with no access to play calls or signals.

The whole thing stinks and the whole NFL power establishment just wants it to go away. Belicheck’s legacy is clearly tarnished, as it should be. He’s been less than truthful in the whole process and not until finally confronted with evidence did he fess up. When he finally did fess up he divulged a filming system that is a lot less widespread than what Walsh has brought up. The bottom line is Goodell just wants this all to go away so the NFL can go back to being the most dominant sport in the history of mankind.

Arlen Specter may be a grandstander but in this situation I hope he grandstands to the fullest. The Patriots got away with this and a measly fine and loss of a draft pick is a pittance.