Camera confiscated after claims of Pats spying on Jets

[BSchank]

This is the second time this happened. If it holds true, the Patriots should be severly punished.

Camera confiscated after claims of Pats spying on Jets
by Chris Mortensen

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.

"We don't have any comment," an NFL spokesman said Monday.

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.

"It's not their first time," a member of the committee, who did not wish to be identified, said.

In fact, Green Bay Packers president Bob Harlan confirmed a similar incident that occurred when the Patriots played at Lambeau Field last Nov. 19. The same cameraman who was questioned by NFL security on Sunday was also the one whom the Packers removed from the sideline and escorted from the field during their 2006 game, according to Packers security official Doug Collins.

"From what I can remember, he had quite a fit when we took him out," Harlan said. "We had gotten word before the game that they [the Patriots] did this sort of thing, so we were looking for it."

A Jets official declined comment Monday, directing an inquiry to the league office. The Patriots also did not have immediate comment.

[DallasBoys]

AWESOME!

[DCfan60]

Would they have to forfeit he game as well?

[sandtrapjack]

Nope just draft picks.

But if this is true, then you KNOW who probably started it all? Parcells!

He helped build that New England franchise and was a mentor to Bellichek.

And lets not forget the time at training camp in San Antonio a few years ago that Parcells had a fan with a camera that was wearing a KC Chiefs jacket (Yes a jacket in July in San Antonio) removed from the Alamodome accusing him of being a spy.

Parcells was always very wary of spies and hated any cameras at his practices.

[DCfan60]

I guess we better pay attention come Oct 14th... make sure they arent doign it again..

[thevalleyranchreport]

take away their lombardis, that's not fair and totally cheating. What a bunch of fakes!!!! oh man, that sucks.

[Cowboyzadam]

That explains it!!! The Giants had a camera focused on Wade and read every Defensive play he was calling. I knew our defense could not have been that bad! :lol: :D

[NewmanOwns]

friggin patriots. I hate them. I wouldn't put it past them that this is completely true.

[kdog55]

Although this sounds bad, I am sure that every team has some sort of "scouts" at opponents games and I am also sure that they all stretch the rules of what they can and cannot do, Dallas included.
In the immortal words of the late Dale Earnhart, "If you aint cheatin', then you aint tryin'!"
That about sums it up.The Pats are just the unlucky ones that got caught.

[thevalleyranchreport]

If something bad comes from this, their Super Bowl runs will ALL come under suspicion. It would be like the whole Barry Bonds, and the asterisks debate... what a bunch of losers man.

[BSchank]

I wouldn't put this past Bellicheck at all, something about him just rubs me the wrong way.

[NewmanOwns]

I wouldn't put this past Bellicheck at all, something about him just rubs me the wrong way.[/b]
yeah, exactly, in fact the whole team rubs me the wrong way.

[mcaje]

Is this sh!t for real?

I keep reading the article thinking it's an Onion joke or something.

[Cowboyzadam]

Is this sh!t for real?

I keep reading the article thinking it's an Onion joke or something.[/b]


It's for real Mitch. They were talking about it at half time during the 1st Monday nights game.

[Tulip_Sniper]

its also up on ESPN if you want to check it out

[22stillrocks]

Although this sounds bad, I am sure that every team has some sort of "scouts" at opponents games and I am also sure that they all stretch the rules of what they can and cannot do, Dallas included.
In the immortal words of the late Dale Earnhart, "If you aint cheatin', then you aint tryin'!"
That about sums it up.The Pats are just the unlucky ones that got caught.[/b]

I doubt it. The Pats are cheaters. Two times with the same team, no chance here man. Belichek just seems shaddy to me as well. After things players have said, and what they did in SD lasy year, and the injurded settlement guys, and now this. LT was on to something... they are dirty and should have an asterisk.

Take away the next two years first round draft picks. Maybe 3.

[NewmanOwns]

Belechik just couldnt take a loss to Mangenius. It pissed him off beyond belief when Mangini beat him last time. Whatever it took to win, Bill didnt care, he HAD to win.

[mcaje]

Alright I've been thinking about this and here is what I've come up with.

Pete Rose received a lifetime ban from Baseball for allegedly betting on baseball. The reasoning here is that betting on the game is indicative of an impropriety that could taint the game with an unfair outcome. If this is true, it actually did taint the outcome of games.

If Belichick knew, and I don't see how he couldn't, then he deserve a lifetime ban.

I know I'm comparing apples and oranges comparing baseball to football, but I think the reasoning is sound.

As the Commissioner I would issue an immediate no-contact order between Belichick and the Patriots and I would take away New England's #1 draft pick for the next two years seeing as how this is their second incident.

I highly doubt it would happen again.

[DallasBoys]

Alright I've been thinking about this and here is what I've come up with.

Pete Rose received a lifetime ban from Baseball for allegedly betting on baseball. The reasoning here is that betting on the game is indicative of an impropriety that could taint the game with an unfair outcome. If this is true, it actually did taint the outcome of games.

If Belichick knew, and I don't see how he couldn't, then he deserve a lifetime ban.

I know I'm comparing apples and oranges comparing baseball to football, but I think the reasoning is sound.

As the Commissioner I would issue an immediate no-contact order between Belichick and the Patriots and I would take away New England's #1 draft pick for the next two years seeing as how this is their second incident.

I highly doubt it would happen again.[/b]

I think the fallout rfom this whole thing will be very light. I don't even think a suspension is forthcoming. I could be 100% (not that I'm ever wrong or anything :P), but somehow I get the sense it's not anything other teams don't do.
What I don't get is why on earth do the Pats need to know what the other team is calling? That team is insanely full of talent and the front-runner for the SB this year. It was stupid of them to even try it. I also bet other teams do it.

[mcaje]

The sad thing is if they don't come down hard, it will only get worse.

Soon you'll be having sound technicians with the those big dish microphone stealing the plays and cont while the offense is in the huddle and then signalling it in to the defense.

The technology is already there and readily available. Television shows us how to do it quite often.

[DallasBoys]

Well, the mics in the helmet was already a bit much for me. I'm very old fashioned.
It is a known fact that teams have a spotter to try to read the other teams' plays when they are called in. Hoenstly, videotaping it doesn't seem like that big a deal to me for some reason....it's jusut dumb that they chose a shortcut, but it's just as easily done with a pair of binoculars and a sheet to write down each call. I guess videotaping it makes it easier to analyze aftrward in case it's hard to tell what they are saying.
Either way, to me it's not a big deal...like the stealing signs in baseball controversy a few years back, it's been happening for decades now. It's part of the game...the use of a camera was more dumb, than a big deal to me.

[Cowboyzadam]

I think the fallout rfom this whole thing will be very light. I don't even think a suspension is forthcoming. I could be 100% (not that I'm ever wrong or anything :P), but somehow I get the sense it's not anything other teams don't do.
What I don't get is why on earth do the Pats need to know what the other team is calling? That team is insanely full of talent and the front-runner for the SB this year. It was stupid of them to even try it. I also bet other teams do it.[/b]


What is even sadder is that they are so dumb that they went and used the same guy who got busted for doing it before to do it again? :blink:

[DallasBoys]

Oh, it was dumb...no doubt about it ^_^
The only infraction I can see, is the use of technology to do what they already do.

[chumpy]

awesome. wtf is the nfl coming too :)

[DallasBoys]

Apparently, ESPN reports that the penalty could be the loss of a draft pick for the Pats. That seems extreme, but then again, the future champs will likely not miss the last pick in the first round anyway. ;)

[DonCanabis]

nobody said a 1st rounder maybe a 3rd

[Cowboyzadam]

nobody said a 1st rounder maybe a 3rd[/b]


Just suspend the whole team for the next 8 games and then let them come back.

[DallasBoys]

nobody said a 1st rounder maybe a 3rd[/b]

Even less of a big deal...they won't miss it

[NewmanOwns]

big update on ESPN:


NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has determined that the New England Patriots violated league rules Sunday when they videotaped defensive signals by the New York Jets' coaches, according to league sources.

NFL security officials confiscated a camera and videotape from Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella on the New England sidelines when it was suspected he was recording the Jets' defensive signals. Sources say the visual evidence confirmed the suspicion.

Goodell is considering severe sanctions, including the possibility of docking the Patriots "multiple draft picks" because it is the competitive violation in the wake of a stern warning to all teams since he became commissioner, the sources said. The Patriots have been suspected in previous incidents.

The Patriots will be allowed an opportunity to present their case by Friday, sources said, most likely via the telephone.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said on Tuesday that no official decision has been made and that the club has not been notified.

The league also was reviewing a possible violation into the number of radio frequencies the Patriots were using during Sunday's game, sources said. The team did not have a satisfactory explanation when asked about possible irregularities in its communication setup during the game.

Goodell is expected to have a decision no later than Friday but that is not set in stone.[/b]

[kdog55]

Just read on Rotoworld that the NFL has confirmed that the Commish has determined that the Pats did indeed break the rules and will hand down the penalty on Friday. Looking like multiple draft picks right now. Plus they are also looking into possible illegal use of the communication systems.
Bad boys, bad boys, what ya gonna do......

[Cowboyzadam]

big update on ESPN:[/b]


Oh Yeah baby. They've got Goodell involved now. Spank that Patriot butt Goodell. All I can say is...BUSTED!!! :lol:

[sandtrapjack]

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has determined that the New England Patriots violated league rules Sunday when they videotaped defensive signals by the New York Jets' coaches, according to league sources.

NFL security officials confiscated a camera and videotape from Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella on the New England sidelines when it was suspected he was recording the Jets' defensive signals. Sources say the visual evidence confirmed the suspicion.

Full Story on ESPN.COM (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3014677)

[thevalleyranchreport]

How fcukin insane is that?? They should be ineligble from the playoffs for 1yr and docked draft picks, 1st rounders, throw the book at them! CHEATING, CHEATERS, DIE :lol:

[Nathan]

I think this is freakin awesome!! Seriously, i hate the pats more than ANY other team in the NFL. ( I live in NE)...they act like they are the toughest sh.t every year and say they are the most disciplined team and are too good. Now look...harrison suspended for abusing the drug policy, now cheatin with cameras. Tsss..the funny thing is the Packers complained now too saying that the same guy with the camera was banned from the game last year at green bay against NE bc of the same reason, except they didnt complain about it. Now that this has happened with the jets twice.....the packers sent their complaint. So the pats really violated this 3 times!!!...They should have their first round pick for the next two years taken away plus more picks...and that game last week should be forfeited and given to the jets. LT just made a statement also saying hes not surprised about this bc he believes the pats live the the saying.."If you aint cheating, you aint tryin".....Pats are freakin cheaters and bellichek can in Cartmen's words....." SUCK MY BALLS!!!".

[lcboysfan]

All Crediility to that Organiztion during Bele-Cheats era is tainted IMO!

[sandtrapjack]

I think the fallout rfom this whole thing will be very light. I don't even think a suspension is forthcoming. I could be 100% (not that I'm ever wrong or anything :P), but somehow I get the sense it's not anything other teams don't do.
What I don't get is why on earth do the Pats need to know what the other team is calling? That team is insanely full of talent and the front-runner for the SB this year. It was stupid of them to even try it. I also bet other teams do it.[/b]


I don't know...this is Roger "Lay the Hammer Down" Goodell we are talking about. Taking into account Goodells recent actions against players, I think that the repercussions are going to be extremely stern.

The article says the Pats have long been suspected of these acts, and now they finally got caught with thier hand in the cookie jar. I say Goodell uses this to send a message to ALL of the teams and make an example of them.

I can see several draft picks over the course of 2 or 3 years getting taken away from them. Maybe even fining the organization as well. Taking away an owners voting rights in the spring meetings, this could get down right nasty.

[Cowboyzadam]

I don't know...this is Roger "Lay the Hammer Down" Goodell we are talking about. Taking into account Goodells recent actions against players, I think that the repercussions are going to be extremely stern.

The article says the Pats have long been suspected of these acts, and now they finally got caught with thier hand in the cookie jar. I say Goodell uses this to send a message to ALL of the teams and make an example of them.

I can see several draft picks over the course of 2 or 3 years getting taken away from them. Maybe even fining the organization as well. Taking away an owners voting rights in the spring meetings, this could get down right nasty.[/b]


If they do take away some of their draft picks next year....Can we have some? :lol:

[alanster5678]

It looks like Belichick won't be allowed to forget this too soon. Check out what these guys (thepatriotgames.com) are doing. I'd like to be there when he opens the package!