Belichick Taping Since 2000

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.

Specter said Goodell gave him that information during the 1-hour, 40-minute meeting, which was requested by Specter so the commissioner could explain his reasons for destroying the Spygate tapes and notes.

Goodell said Belichick told him he believed the taping was legal; Goodell said he did not concur.

The State Of . . . Belichick and the Patriots’ Dynasty. This has to call into question Belichick’s stature as a coach. People have long thought of him as a football genius. Now that his secret is out, his coaching prowess is definitely diminished. We’ll see years down the line if Hall of Fame voters voice their concern. As for the Patriots over all those years, were they that good a team when they had secret access to team practices? Wouldn’t even the Raiders or the Falcons be better if they sat in on opposing team practices?