Preparation just going too far

Region - Last week's hot controversy usually becomes this week's old news. But regardless of how much they wish it would go away, coach Bill Belichick's "Patriot-gate" is going to have some longlasting legs. When the story first broke of the Patriots illegally videotaping opposing coaches hand signals, in attempts to steal those signals, I've stayed on the sideline. I wanted the initial emotions of the controversy to settle before commenting.

I listened carefully to both sides. Many in the national media thought the NFLpenalty for the team and Belichick wasn't enough, often using comparisons of multi-game suspensions handed out by the commission to other players for transgressions. But there is a big diff erence. Those suspensions broke not only league rules, but broke U.S. laws (such as the minimum four-game bans for use of steroids and human growth hormones). The national media seemed to lose that perspective.

There was the extreme on the other side, mostly hardcore Pat fans, who flooded local sports talk shows bemoaning the "harshness" of the fines levied against the coach and team, and the taking away of the team's top draft pick next year. They claimed, and likely the case, that many teams were doing something similar to the Pats. That's lame. That's like your high-schooler who gets caught doing something they shouldn't be doing, then cited, "Well, everybody is doing it." It doesn't make it right … even more so, it is still very wrong.

This story is going to follow the Patriots to a hopeful Super Bowl title and beyond. I've been torn how to place this blatant act of cheating, and as much arrogance on Belichick's part.

Obviously it sets a lousy example, especially for our youth. This is not the way to win. The Patriots didn't need this to win. This didn't deter- mine Super Bowl wins over the Rams, Panthers and Eagles, as much as those teams would like to think that. But in a NFLworld where everything seems to be about exhaustive preparation, the Pats staff viewed this as another way of being prepared.

It clearly delivers the wrong message. A team, franchise and coach who had built a reputation and had set an example of how to succeed with preparation, hard work, attention to detail and teamwork, has been tarnished.

There are few things more valued to one's self and harder to fix when damaged than a reputation. Bill Belichick's legacy will largely be determined by how well he moves forward from this transgression. Everybody deserves a second chance. We are very forgiving people.

100 miles for a

great cause

Westborough's Geoff Spofford has done the prep work and is set for his 100-mile bicycle "Rodman Ride for Kids" fund-raising event Saturday Sept. 29.

Spoff ord has done the "century" ride several times, but admits, "it sounds longer every year."

Spoff ord hopes to personally raise $2,000 for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Mass./Metrowest. To contribute to Spoff ord's fund-raising, go to RodmanRideforKids.org, choose "Sponsor Participant," then, "Big Brothers Big Sisters" and then link to the Spoff ord Web page.

Contributions are tax-deductible and through arrangements with the Rodman Foundation, all donations will be matched by an additional 15 percent.

Patience,

Tomahawks

Now this is a challenge for a team and coach. Don't plan your picnic around the Algonquin boys soccer schedule. The team's first three regular season games were postponed because of rain and/or lightning. The T-hawks didn't open the season until their Sept. 18 win at Leominster, 10 days later than expected.

It has left the team, which is expected to compete for another CMASS title, with a back end loaded schedule that now includes 13 games in the first 29 days of October.

Week 4 pigskin

forecast

All games are Friday Sept. 28 (7 p.m.) or Saturday Sept. 29 (1 p.m.) unless otherwise noted.

Algonquin at Burncoat, Friday. The T-Hawks are for real in 2007, and it looks like Algonquin has finally found a football coach for the long haul. Prediction: Algonquin 21-6.

St. John's at Shrewsbury, Friday. This is the game of the week, certainly in Shrewsbury, as unlike some recent seasons, these are two teams on equal footing. They packed them in for the Cols' 28-7 win over Wachusett a week ago; expect an overflow crowd this week. Prediction: Shrewsbury 21-20.

Westborough at Marlborough, Friday. Westborough lost a tough one at home to Milford, while Marlborough was spanked 34-6 by Leominster. Hard one to call. Predic- tion: Westborough 14-13.

Hudson at Auburn, Friday. The Hawks dropped a 16-10 game to Narragansett, a winnable Hawk game, but one that got away. This week won't be any easier. Prediction: Auburn 28-21.

Hudson Catholic at Keefe Tech, Saturday. The Green Wave comes off a 29-6 loss to Assabet Valley This is another formidable opponent. Prediction: Keefe Tech 28-14.

Assabet at Worcester Tech, Friday. The Aztecs, now 2-1 with a two-game win streak, look to continue it here. Prediction: Assabet 21-13.

Send mail and sports ideas to ronwoodcock@charter.net.