Belichick Needs to Be Suspended

ESPN.com columnist Gregg Easterbrook is tired of Spygate, the Patriots videotaping scandal, but not so weary of it to forgive and forget. He argues that the NFL will have to deal with the imbroglio until New England coach Bill Belichick is properly punished. The $500,000 fine and forfeiture of a first round draft pick are not enough for Easterbrook, who says Belichick must also be suspended.

While he's not advocating a Mitchell Report-esque investigation, Easterbrook believes that the head coach hasn't properly owned up to his own responsibility in the scandal. “Suspension for a season would actually be a mild penalty. Belichick's lack of remorse creates an argument for a lifetime ban,” he writes, “A man of dignity, who is caught cheating, would resign.” (More NFL stories.)