Thread: NFL - Patriots secretly taping Jets signals

mg: Wow, naughty naughty!

Schefter: NFL determined Patriots have violated rules

NFL.com Wire Reports

NEW YORK -- After looking into claims a New England Patriots employee was videotaping signals by Jets coaches on New York's sideline during the season opener, the NFL has determined that the Patriots have violated rules governing the usage of video tape on sidelines, reports the NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

Schefter also reports that the league plans on summoning New England coach Bill Belichick to its offices in New York this week to discuss the matter, and that possible punishment being considered by the NFL include fines, loss of draft picks and suspensions.

The investigation was first reported by ESPN.com, which said that NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots employee during New England's 38-14 victory Sunday. The employee was accused of aiming his camera at the Jets' defensive coaches, who were sending signals out to the players, sources told the Web site.

"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 story was first reported on the Web site of Jets Confidential, which said the Jets chief of security alerted NFL security about the issue during the game.

"With anything along those lines, those are all league-related matters, and anything that deals with an issue like this or anything on a team-by-team basis, those all go to the league," coach Eric Mangini said in his news conference Monday.

When asked if the Jets had in fact notified the league, he said: "It's all a league matter."

Patriots spokesman Stacey James declined comment. New England cornerback Ellis Hobbs said he was unaware of the controversy, and unwilling to believe his team had cheated.

"We put too many hours in as individuals and a team to have to go out and cheat," he said. "If it's true, obviously, we're in the wrong. But I'm standing behind my team, my coaches. I don't think we do that stuff."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Schefter: NFL determined Patriots have violated rules

Shows a lack of confidence in their team this year if they really did this I guess.

And what feels so good about winning by way of cheating? Some people just want to be the "winner" at any cost. I'd rather know I earned it. I wonder what kind of trouble they'll be in.

"Cheating" at professional sports seems to be a new fad whether it be the Bonds steroid controversy, Wrestling ban for roids, olympic dosing. Its all out of control and sending the completely wrong signal to children idolizing these people IMHO. Kids are learning its ok if your not good at a sport, there are ways to deal with that. Ridiculous!

They have done this before as well when they played against Green Bay. So the penalty should be a fine and take away a few draft picks.

Wow no way. I'm going to send this article to my brother, he's a big fan.

Coach was fined half a million.

Originally Posted by Colleen

Coach was fined half a million.

which is peanuts to him, 1/10th of his annual salary.

meanwhile the Dallas QB coach purchased an illegal drug (last year while with another team) to combat his diabetes and was fined 1/3-1/2 of his years salary and got 5 game suspension!!

Drugs: BAD! See you in week 6....oh and you're out 1/2 of your salary this year!!!
Cheating: Silly Bill!

He's lucky that's all he got, illegal drugs could have gotten him alot worse. Others go to prison for an extended period of time.

Originally Posted by Grim

He's lucky that's all he got, illegal drugs could have gotten him alot worse. Others go to prison for an extended period of time.

it's a performance enhancing drug (again for his diabetes), not like he was smoking crack.

don't you thionk Bellichecking got off light?? even if I remove my biased Dal comparison?

Originally Posted by timsdd

it's a performance enhancing drug (again for his diabetes), not like he was smoking crack.

don't you thionk Bellichecking got off light?? even if I remove my biased Dal comparison?

Yes I do, and I am not for giving the other guy even what he got Just think it's BS all around for illegal drugs, not just coaches.

Originally Posted by Grim

Yes I do, and I am not for giving the other guy even what he got Just think it's BS all around for illegal drugs, not just coaches.

The really (not) funny thing was the $250K fine the club got...the same club that is valued @ $1.1 Billion

ok so they lost a draft pick.....they had 2 this year anyway!