Chris Mortensen Reports:
NFL security confiscated a video camera and its tape from a New England Patriots employee on the team’s sideline during Sunday’s game against the Jets in a suspected spying incident, sources said.
The camera and its tape were placed in a sealed box and forwarded to the league office for investigation, the sources said.
“The rule is that no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game,” the league said in a statement from spokesman Greg Aiello. “Clubs have specifically been reminded in the past that the videotaping of an opponent’s offensive or defensive signals on the sidelines is prohibited.
“We are looking into whether the Patriots violated this rule.”
The Patriots’ cameraman was suspected of aiming his camera at the Jets’ defensive coaches who were sending signals to their unit on the field, the sources said. The league also is investigating some radio frequency issues that occurred during the game.
The league’s competition committee could conduct a conference call about the incident, which violates NFL policy, and ultimately recommend a penalty that could cost the Patriots a future draft pick or picks if it verifies that the team was spying on the Jets.
I really hope this isn’t true, because if it is, it will tarnish the Patriots’ image (or those who initiated the cheating). I also don’t like the idea of forfeiting a draft pick(s), so lets just hope this whole thing gets cleared up before it gets really ugly.
September 12, 2007 at 8:44 am |
This shouldn’t surprise anyone. Remember December 12, 1982. The Dolphins and the Patriots were deadlocked in a 0-0 game during a snow storm in New England. In the 4th quarter, the Dolphins got in field goal range, but when Garo Yepremian attempted the kick he lost his footing (kicking in 4″ of snow) and missed the field goal. Meantime, Mark Henderson, a convicted convict who was working for the Patriots as a snow sweeper driver, was sitting atop his snow sweeper on the sideline. When the Patriots got within field goal range Patriots head Coach Ron Meyer called a time out. He then ran down the sideline toward Henderson and yelled for him to “Do something.” Henderson then drove the snow sweeper onto the field and cleared a spot for the holder and the kicker. The field goal was made and the Patriots won 3-0. The Patriots have cheating in their blood. No doubt, they have cheated on numerous other occasions, but just didn’t get caught. I hope they lose a couple of draft picks over the spying incident.
September 12, 2007 at 8:45 am |
Watch how ugly this gets. First, the commish is gonna take the win away from the pats and give it to the jets. It is imperative that he does this for the simple reason that if you are caught cheating on such a high level you forfeit the game. Second, he will take a high draft pick and hit them with a huge fine. The best part of all of this will be when they finish the season 15-1 and don’t get the elusive undefeated season.
September 12, 2007 at 8:53 am |
Hey, I forgot put my name on that last post, so here it is. Cliff Christopher, still a Dolphin fan. I know they don’t stand a snowballs chance in h _ _ _ this year, but they’re still my team and they will still beat the Pats in at least one game like they always do. Go Dolphins, the only undefeated team in NFL history.
September 12, 2007 at 10:47 am |
I’m not surprised that the Pats were caught cheating because Bill Belichick is a weasel. As a die hard Jets fan I feel that it was just pathetic to spy on the jets coordinators. You have Tom Brady throwing to Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth and you really feel the need to cheat?! next you will hear about the Colts cheating, maybe the Bengals should follow the Pat’s footsteps because they really couldnt win a game without cheating… The Jets have been preparing so hard for this opener and their chances were ruined because the Pats have no morals. I respect their players but Belichick is a little rat
September 12, 2007 at 1:22 pm |
jint: The NFL can’t take away a win from the patriots. Is the MLB taking away home runs from Barry Bonds? No. The only things that can be taken are draft picks (won’t be higher than a third) and possibly a suspension to Belichick (which I hope happens despite how much it will hurt the team).
September 12, 2007 at 5:04 pm |
The snowplow game was 25 years ago, different owner, different coaches and different players. Also, it was not illegal at the time to use the snowplow. The rule was made the next season. I’m sure dolphins fans remember that Saben (head coach at the time) said he purchased tapes of the Pats offense (from an undisclosed source), added it to coaches tapes, enhanced Brady’s voice, and sync’d it with NFL tapes – to disclose Brady’s audibles, and this was instumental in their win over the Pats. This wasn’t against the rules, but it sure pushes the envelope.
Mangini was with the Pats for years. You have to wonder if he endorsed this activity himself while he was with them. If they were doing it then, that means Mangini is a weasel, too. Jets would have lost no matter what, and the tape was taken before it could be used anyway.
You can’t take away a win. If you could, the Ravens should have the win over the bengals because the refs gave them the game.
I love how the AFC East has fallen and everyone is at each other’s throat. I don’t know which I enjoy most, the patriots cheating, or the other teams using it as an excuse for losing. When the Jets lose to the Bills, they’ll probably blame the Pats LOL.
America’s team, the Cowboys, will prevail.
September 13, 2007 at 3:29 pm |
Belichick worse than Bonds.
Where there is proof people get stung.
Which one gets stung first?
September 13, 2007 at 10:30 pm |
The Pats should be ashamed of themselves. A buncha cheaters…. I love football and now it’s going the way of baseball and basketball. What a sad day for the NFL.
September 16, 2007 at 6:52 am |
Let’s get this straight.
Video taping coaches signals by team staff in certain locations is against the rules – the Pats broke that rule – they were caught and they were punished.
Spying IS NOT against the rules and is therefore not cheating…stealing signals IS NOT against the rules and is therefore not cheating. I’d describe it even further than that — it’s not only not cheating — Let’s face reality — STEALING SIGNALS (IN SOME FORM) IS EXPECTED OF ANY RESPECTABLE COACH.
I coached Sr. Babe Ruth — even in the 16 to 18 year age group, the team participated looking for signals.
Beyond the manner in which they did it (video taping) — what we have here is political correctness invading professional football! STEALING AND SPYING ARE PARTS OF THE GAME – PERIOD!
This keeps up and I’m going to join my wife watching Desperate Housewives.
December 23, 2008 at 5:31 am |
sourcearticle.info has a similiar post if anyone’s interested
July 31, 2009 at 9:06 am |
best sports betting system…
Are the Detroit Lions the worst team on NFL history? They certainly are the only team that achieved the worst possible record SO FAR, the most negative one at least 0 wins and 16 losses. Read the rest of this entry»…