Signing a player and then asking them about his former team is not illegal. You keep believing that though Roy. There is no code of conduct about what you can or cannot say as long as you didn't steal a playbook and hand it over.
What's really naive about your argument is that the Dolphins and every other franchise out there have brought in players and picked their brains about the competition if its their former team.
I'm not saying it is. If Irsay believes Painter gives him the best chance at winning the SB that is his right. On the other hand if Irsay believes Painter gives him his best chance to the first overall pick and Andrew Luck then that is illegal. Its a fine line but again intent is what's important. If a kid runs out in front of your car and you
can't react fast enough and kill him you're not a murderer. If a kid runs out in front of your car and you
choose to not react fast enough you
are a murderer. Intent is impossible to prove in a lot of cases.
Joe Philbin has a right to some secrecy, otherwise Belichick would have the practices filmed by a professional film crew.
Bill Belichick has a right to sign any free agent he wants.
Those statements are both true but they do not add up to meaning Bill Belichick has the right to infringe on Joe Philbin's right to secrecy. If infringing on Joe Philbin's right to secrecy is a consequence then its within the rules. If infringing on Joe Philbin's right to secrecy
is the goal then it is illegal. Again its a fine line but there is a big difference.
And to be fair if we were doing it I probably wouldn't complain too much. Still, I find it ridiculous to complain that we aren't stooping to their levels by taking advantage of this loophole. You guys feel that winning is all that matters, that integrity is a weakness, and I'm sure you're not alone. I just hope I don't find myself in a poker game with you bunch of unethical bastards....