Panthers fans have had one question since the Patriots' "SpyGate" was revealed in 2007: "Did they cheat Carolina out of a Super Bowl?" There hasn't been any evidence, more like a feeling -- and that feeling is given weight today because of a new ESPN report that outlines the depth of New England's (alleged) cheating over the last 15 years.
There are so many dicey things, shady practices and disgusting moments that the whole thing will make your head spin. Seriously, go read it. Today let's just focus on the question at hand: Did they cheat in Super Bowl XXXVIII?
"The Panthers now believe that their practices had been taped by the Patriots before Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004. "Our players came in after that first half and said it was like [the Patriots] were in our huddle," a Panthers source says."
I'm sure Patriots fans will claim sour grapes, but there's no doubting in watching that game that the Panthers were two different teams during the Super Bowl. Dan Henning's offense was never great at adjusting the game plan mid-flight, it was a weakness of his -- and yet the Panthers were forced to salt the earth and start over during the second half.
"During halftime -- New England led 14-10 -- Carolina's offensive coordinator, Dan Henning, changed game plans because of worries the Patriots had too close a read on Carolina's schemes."
The box score makes it appear that the game was closer than it really was. The Panthers only had one good drive, with the defense keeping them alive. Carolina gained 135 yards in the first half, then surged back with 252 in the second.
"Do I have any tape to prove they cheated?" this source says. "No. But I'm convinced they did it."
That statement right there is why nothing will come of this. Like it or not: There's no proof. Maybe this is all just a grand conspiracy theory or the Patriots are exceptionally good at covering their tracks. I'm banking on the latter.