Pats wrestle with image woes

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2008 | by Larry Weisman

The New England Patriots created an aura of excellence in football and in business and marketing as they won three Super Bowls and built a privately funded stadium to house their rabid fan base.

Is that what they are known for now? Or are they the team that cheated and got caught and one on which personal conduct seems to be a burgeoning issue?

"Spygate," the Patriots' covert videotaping of opponents' coaches and their hand signals, might finally be part of the past. It overrode a number of other events of the past season, as did the Patriots' unprecedented run of 18 consecutive victories before they lost Super Bowl XLII 17-14 to the New York Giants.

Now there's another image problem -- that of offensive tackle Nick Kaczur being arrested on drug...