... the legendary former Dolphins coach isn't one to question the Patriots' accomplishments this season in light of getting caught for illegally videotaping the Jets' defensive signals in Week 1. After all, Shula's initial hiring by the Dolphins wasn't entirely on the up-and-up. 
Shula told the Daily News that the Patriots' accomplishments this year deserve an asterisk because they were slapped with heavy penalties - a $500,000 fine for Bill Belichick, forfeiture of a first-round pick and a $250,000 fine for the team.
Shula is very protective of the legacy of his unbeaten 1972 team, but he was the subject of some controversy back then, too. When the Dolphins lured Shula away from the Colts in 1970, the Colts complained about tampering. The NFL concurred, and the Dolphins were forced to surrender a first-round pick in 1971 because they were found to have indeed tampered in hiring Shula.
In the end, I don't think you take anything away from either team. The Dolphins deserve their place in history as being the NFL's only unbeaten champs, and that shouldn't be tainted by their misdeeds in hiring Shula. And now that the Patriots have paid the price for illegally videotaping defensive signals, their 9-0 start - and the potential for matching the Dolphins' feat - will not require an asterisk.
It's fair to criticize Belichick for his past practices of stealing defensive signals - although we suspect he was far from alone. But it's also obvious that this Patriots team is one of the all-time greats on its own merits.
Comments (7)
This team? Sure Bob, hard to argue, after all, their illegal activities were found out in week one this year.
But what about the past five years that the Pat's employed this individual as a "Video Specialist"?
Super team? So far, it's hard to argue against that. Dynasty? Not in my mind.
Now you're just mocking me. Using "We" in the headline....then again when suspecting he was not alone...
Boy, those deeds each received the same punishment?! The Pats got off easy this year that tells me...I mean us. Cheating during games for years on end is equivalent to talking to a coach under contract to another team? Goodall's been tough on individual players, as your team of writers ("we") outlined in your other daily entry, but not the Pats. It was a slap on the wrist. Ooh, you lose the 32nd pick in the draft and a fraction of what you've made thanks to all of those tainted Super Bowl runs....
Stick to steriods like the 70's Steelers...then you can be a dynasty! Wait, did we just say that out loud?!
Big Ben is back!
We like your style.
The hiring of the HC of the NEP was also tainted by tampering accusations and payoffs. Off the field Belichek cedes the high road to all save Rae Carruth.
Craiger,
Excellent point! And a Rae Carruth reference to boot! Man, it's been a long time since we've heard that name.
all this back and forth talk on "spygate" is so much hot air, shula is totally disingenuous. on and on it goes. let everyone have their opinion but please keep it to yourself. no one says anything new about it. my attitude is that the Pats should put their heel into the windpipe of every team that crosses their path and if that opponent can't play 60 minutes of football, let the final score reflect their ineptitude. no prisoners. no pity. no whining.
And, let's not forget that the Compensatory Pick for plucking Shula was used on Long Island's own Don McCauley (Garden City).