Back in September, the Patriots became the whipping post of NFL fans. Controversy erupted… Back in September, the Patriots became the whipping post of NFL fans. Controversy erupted after New England pasted the New York Jets, 38-14. A team employee was caught filming the Jets’ coaching staff reeling off hand signals to its defense.

A swift investigation ensued, and the NFL fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000. The league also decided to take the Patriots’ first-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Belichick’s fine was the largest ever imposed by the NFL on a coach. It was the maximum punishment.

There hasn’t been anything else reported regarding the Patriots “cheating” since the punishment.

Folks, get over it.

There will not be an asterisk next to the Patriots inclusion in the history books. There shouldn’t be one. The team was caught doing something reportedly done by every team in the NFL. And the Patriots haven’t been caught doing it since.

That was in September. It’s January now. By the time the Patriots square off against the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, it will be Feb. 3.

So give it up.

This has been the most historic run in football history, and probably the greatest run ever in sports. The Patriots score at will, and only one more obstacle stands in the way of history. The Giants will be a tough opponent, so no one is ready to get Denny Green on us and “crown” the Patriots.

But to this point, the Patriots have been unbelievable. Tom Brady, whether you like him or not, has solidified himself as the greatest quarterback of our generation. Randy Moss broke the single-season touchdown receptions record, and Brady broke the single-season passing touchdowns record. Belichick won coach of the year. Brady won MVP.

The accolades piled up, and that you must respect.

If you want to say they cheated, great. Ruin a special moment in time. You can tell your kids 20 years down the road that you were griping and whining about some “cheating” scandal that surfaced and disappeared in the span of a month when the Patriots made history.

Don’t worry, though. The Patriots don’t care what the haters think. Patriots’ fans don’t care what the haters think. And the NFL isn’t going to put an asterisk next to their name regardless of the result.

So get over it. Enjoy history while it lasts.

Let’s get to the rapid fire:

– Don’t look now, Roc, but Pitt women’s basketball is on a roll. It’s time to start paying attention to this group – they are very good.

– TRIVIA: I’ll give you a hearty pat on the back, Roc, if you can tell me when Pitt football last played Iowa.

– It’s good to see Tony Dungy returning to the sidelines.

– Octavio Dotel is not worth $11 million. He never will be. Enjoy that, White Sox.

– “Cloverfield” looks stupid. I won’t be seeing that one.

– I can’t stand Facebook pages covered by “applications” and all those bells and whistles.

– Sid the Kid’s injury is too bad. It’ll be fun to see how the Penguins respond.

– Pitt football looks like it will have a good season this year.

– Kentucky beat Tennessee? Really?

– TRIVIA ANSWER: Pitt last played Iowa in football in 1952. The Panthers will host the Hawkeyes on Sept. 20 in the 2008 season.

– Jon Gruden got an extension? Really?

– Michael Beasley at Kansas State is a stud, for real.

– Did you see that new Mac laptop? It’s skinnier than Kate Moss. How it works, I will never know.

– Parting thought: Pitt had better bust Villanova when the revenge train rolls through the Pete next week.

E-mail Jeff Greer at [email protected].