The Fan Hub

There is no doubt that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are both destined to be forever enshrined in the halls of Canton, Ohio once they decide to retire. They have the rings and flashy records to both be no-brainer first ballot entries. However, the loss on Sunday really makes it hard to argue for the "Best Ever" title that many were ready to christen them with if they reeled in a fourth ring. And it becomes even tougher to do so with what is perhaps the biggest coincidence in sports now looming even larger over their heads.

The common defense for anybody trash-talking with a Patriots fan is the “Cheaters” defense (referring to the Spygate incident of 2007). It’s traditionally been somewhat of a weak argument given the fact the Patriots have been perennial playoff contenders ever since the video taping incident was announced, and Tom Brady’s continued dominance in the regular season. However, in the wake of this Super Bowl loss, it now stands as a serious black eye on Belichick’s career.

Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

The Patriots are 2-4 in playoff games since the season they were busted, including 0-2 in Super-Bowl appearances. The only playoff games in which Brady has looked anything like his old self since losing to the Giants four years ago happened this year against Joe Flacco and Tim Tebow. Three of their losses were choke jobs, and one of them was a blowout in New England (against Joe Flacco…). That "clutchness" that defined Tom Brady in the early stages of his career has all but evaporated, and this makes twice, against the same team, that the Patriots’ lack of discipline ended up being the difference.

The question now is, people are going to wonder if the Patriots "cheating" actually is the difference in them winning or losing the Super Bowl. It’s hard to deny that the Patriots haven’t quite been the unbeatable force they were since before 18-1. Crushing playoff losses at home to the Ravens and Jets in 2009 and 2010 greatly decreased Tom Brady’s perceived "it" factor, and now there’s this one against the Giants…again.

Before this Super Bowl appearance the "cheating" remark had been a somewhat dismissed, low-value burn, but not anymore. There is nowhere for them to hide, no way for them to defend themselves against that label. Two future Hall of Famers have not won the big game since being caught breaking the rules. It’s almost like Alex Rodriguez getting caught for steroids; he’s been good, but nothing like he was before.

If Belichick does not retire with another ring, do people look at his legacy differently than other coaches who have won three Super Bowls? Obviously he’ll always be mentioned among the greats, but can you include him on a list with Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, Vince Lombardi, and Bill Parcells without at least pondering the Spygate incident? It’s hard to predict into the considerable future, but I have to believe for the next twenty years it will still come up in the discussion who the greatest coach was, and it will be an imperfection on an otherwise legendary legacy.

And where does that leave Tom Brady? Obviously you can’t take away the man’s 50 touchdown season, his three Super Bowl rings (tainted or not), his multiple MVPs, division titles, and passing records. He is unquestionably an all-time great, and a name that will live on forever. But without another ring before he retires can he be considered the best EVER with this imaginary asterisk next to his name?

New England still has a few years to take more shots at the Lombardi trophy with their dynamic young tight ends acting as a fountain of youth for Brady, but the window is closing fast. In my mind Spygate will be washed away by what people can consider a legitimate title; however until that happens, I cannot help but let my mind wander.