Videogate

In sports, I've always subscribed, to an extent, to the theory that "if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying."

That's why I didn't expect the accusation about the Patriots using video to the steal the Jets' defensive signals on Sunday to become such a controversy.

Belechick today apologized, though he didn't really say for what, in a statement and the NFL is now considering a penalty.

Over the course of the news cycle, several more football teams have piled on with accusations, including the Packers, Steelers and Jags,

Additionally, more commentators than I care to link to are striking up moral indignation.

I'm no Pats fan. But if all these teams knew New England was stealing their signs, why didn't they do a better job disguising their calls? You ever see those guys in baseball on the third base line making all the signals? There's a reason their signs are complicated.

Do the cameras question the Pats integrity? Yes. Does it question the team's dynasty? Not to me.

Isn't the rumor that Bobby Thomson was tipped off to the pitch on the "shot heard round the world?" Weren't the two-time AL Champ Indians teams of the late 90s corking their bats? And lots more cheating here.

Teams look for advantages in sports all the time. The Pats got caught and will pay the price, but let's keep their crime in perspective.

The Patriots must be punished. But they're still three-time Super Bowl Champs, and will likely win again this year.

And it won't put a stop to cheating in the NFL, as Mike Freeman writes.

And after this trist, is anyone surprised that the hoody-wearing Belichick cheats on the field?

--Nate Sandstrom