It's no secret the New England Patriots are one of the top three teams in the NFL this year. They did an amazing job in picking up key players and still staying within the guidelines of the salary cap. An example of their shrewd moves was the acquisition of wide receiver Randy Moss. Last Sunday the controversial wide out did all of his talking with his receiving skills. In the season opener Moss caught 9 passes for 183 yards, including a 51 yard touchdown reception. Led by Tom Brady, this team had no reason to, after repeated warnings from the NFL commissioner, cheat. They had no reason to have one of their photographers videotape the New York Jets coaching staff sending in signals to from the sidelines.

The controversy starts and ends with head coach Bill Belichick. He obviously condoned the practice. Still, at a brief news conference before his weekly news conference, the Patriots head coach apologized to his team, his ownership and the fans but I'm not sure why he did that. He refused to elaborate on his statement saying he's waiting for NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell to rule on the matter. He did say he's spoken with the commish about quote: "interpretation" of league rules that ban video taping of the opposing sideline. What's not to understand. A photographer from your team is strictly prohibited from taping the other teams sideline. End of story. In even more simple terms, Bill Belichick cheated. What's puzzling from my point of view is why? The Pats head coach has been described as surly, aloof and not a very nice guy. None of that bothers me. It's the cheating when it's not legal or necessary that upsets me the most.

Prior to this black eye in Beantown, I had nothing but respect for the franchise. It was my belief that they won 3 Super Bowls the right way. They drafted well, they signed key free agents and their head coach and his staff was among the best the sport had to offer. Based on the latest developments my opinion of the New England Patriots (and it is just my opinion) has changed dramatically. I'm left to wonder how long the videotaping of the opposition has taken place. Did Belichick cheat during the Super Bowl seasons? Is Coach Belichick so competitive that he hit rock bottom by cheating? The veteran coach drug a lot of outstanding players and coaches under the bus with him if you believe in guilt by association. For this I deem this team, the PATHETIC PATRIOTS.

Gary Cruz
CBS 5 Sports Anchor
gcruz@kpho.com