Belichick and Bonds go hand in hand

You'll be happy to know that today's post is going to be short (albeit not sweet -- you'd expect nothing less). But I need to quickly lead some of you away from the idea that what Bill Belichick and the Patriots did isn't as wrong as what Barry Bonds (allegedly) did because "Belichick was just looking for a competitive advantage."

I'm not a fan of Bonds. I don't particularly have a strong affection for Belichick. That said, what Belichick did was wrong. NFL teams were warned before the season by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that videotaping another team was strictly prohibited. What do the Patriots do in their first game of the year? They use videotape against the Jets. The Patriots are probably good enough (and the Jets bad enough) that they didn't need to resort to cheating. In football, there's really no telling how much knowing the signals really helps. It's not like in baseball where, if a team steals its opponents pitching signs and can relay that somehow to the hitter before each pitch, it's a tremendous help.

However, what Belichick did was wrong. Period. He blatantly went against rules that were explicitly laid out before the season. And he deserves whatever punishment Goodell hands down.

What Barry Bonds allegedly did, was wrong. Steroids in whatever form are wrong. Against the rules. By using them, like Belichick, he was looking for an advantage. If Major League Baseball ever proves it, Bonds should be punished.

But by saying what Belichick did wasn't as bad as Bonds and, therefore, shouldn't be said in the same breath, is ludicrous, ignorant or hypocritical. Take your pick.

One more thing. I recently heard someone say that George Brett, because of the Pine Tar Game, was one of the top cheaters of all time. Evidently, the person was a Yankees' fan. Everything George Brett touched as a player had pine tar. Helmet, jersey, you name it. Pine tar up to the label on a bat wouldn't help the ball fly any farther. Sorry.

OK, now one more thing. Be sure to join Dave O'Hara and I tonight at Chappell's Restaurant and Sports Museum in North Kansas City for the "Behind the Stats" radio show from 6-7. Former Mizzou and L.A. Laker player Clay Johnson will be our guest. Either stop by and join us (and try to answer the Chappell's Trivia Tour question) or tune in to 1140-AM or 1160-AM.

Until then, have a day.

Matt
(www.mattfulks.com)