Can someone please explain the "Cheating" thing to me?

The only violation was placement as you said and I am upset that Hoody could have avoided this. However the rule is gray despite what Peter King and other media members will have you think.

It states a team is not allowed to "have any camera equipment in non designated areas ... for use in a game". Bellicheck took that to mean in the current game but it actually means any game. Since the footage they had was from that field position the league destroyed it and any library they had from that POV.

The only possible case you can make for an advantage is that they had the additional footage from the designated spot and the illegal spot to work with and other teams, to our knowledge, only have footage from the designated spot. To me it's minor at best. Goddell stated that they "gained no competitive advantage" so the cheating tag should not be there.

To me cheating means doing something to gain an advantage and since that cannot be proven, it is not cheating. ESPN was the first to call it that and people ran with it.

Actually the problem was filming the signals. filming the plays is fine, and the teams actually get their study tapes from the teams. however, the problem is taping the signals. if that was legal then you would know what play is coming and when. Thats why the controversy started. Also, Bill has said that this wasnt the first time he did it. what was gained this year? Nothing. But, the question everyone has is what was gained the past 5 years?

"The rule is that no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game," the league said in a statement from spokesman Greg Aiello. "Clubs have specifically been reminded in the past that the videotaping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals on the sidelines is prohibited." nfl.com

"Last November during New England's 35-0 victory in Green Bay, the Packers caught Estrella shooting unauthorized video told him to stop." nfl.com

The "cheating" is the fact that they taped the signals. the last quote is another thinker, as it says that they have done it before, sure, teams may want to get an advantage, but thats not the question. here. is the fact NE got caught, and it is what it is. so, your question as of what was gained, no one really knows because we dont know how long they have been doing this.

The Patriots did have a cameraman on the sidelines filming defensive signals.

The Patriots never used the illegally obtained materials. They were caught in the first half of the first game and the camera was seized by the Jets security men.

The league fined the Patriots $250,000 and took away their first round pick. The league fined Coach Bellichick $500,000. That is a lot of money, even to him.

It wasn't cheating, it was simply breaking a rule. stealing defensive signals IS part of football. the way that Coach Belichick chose to steal the signals was a violation of the NFL rulebook. However, many teams have been accused of this before as a memo was sent out to the teams prior to Week 1, which, if you remember, was when the Patriots were caught, in the first quarter.

It was not an advantage. I also see no clear advantage considering teams change their signals throughout each game.

It's just the media spinning a hype on it and ignorant fans calling it cheating. The New England Patriots never received the proper respect they deserved.

Bottom line...the Patriots are NOT cheaters.

Well, there are really two different sets of questions here:

Did they cheat? Yes. Did they do so intentionally? Yes. Did they deserve to be fined... a lot? Yes. Absolutely.

Did their cheating help them win a game? No. It was caught way too early to have an impact. Should wins be taken away from them? No. Have they cheated since then? Highly unlikely -- they're being watched too closely.

IT STARTED back years ago with the fumble the chicken refs called a forward pass in the playoffs against the raiders 6 years ago and they been cheating ever since

if it is not glaringly obvious to you, than why should i or anyone else waste our time? you know the facts and if you don't that's a you problem. what do you think the patriots got fined and a draft pick taken from them for? come back to the real world, i'm sure there is someone here who's missed you

The last sentence of your explaination makes it clear that you already know the answer.

But in case you require further information.....this is what it means to be cheating:

1.To act dishonestly; practice fraud.

2.To violate rules deliberately, as in a game: was accused of cheating at cards.

i'm undecided if this question pertains to bullies, God, or the "loose present." So i'm going to remark on all. remark on bully: i think a bully could experience like a god after he has pushed human beings to place as much as him. Bullies thrive on potential. in spite of the undeniable fact that, in comparison to God, Himself, a bully could properly be put in his place. remark on God: He does no longer bully you into submission. He can provide a decision. on the "loose present." God has given us many loose presents, only by means of fact He loves us. As for the bully. Get a Bible. Stick a observe on it that asserts "loose present," then positioned it in his locker.

That was not cheating. You are really wrong. Tom Brady does not cheat. You saw him pull out the win last night. You know how good he is. Put a camera out in public to spy? No way, Jose.