Yes, they were cheating, and, yes, they got caught. How does it affect their status as the NFL's best team??
Caught Red-Handed, red-faced
The biggest
question is – Why? Why do it. I mean I would understand if Tampa Bay
was out there trying to videotape the opposing team’s sideline signal, because,
let’s face it, that’s a team that needs all the help it can get. But if you are
the New England Patriots, the latest team dynasty in America’s most popular game, the
best team going into the new season, then there is no excuse for trying such a
bush-league tactic. There is no good alibi for having some hack with a camera
trying to capture the fleeting signal of the East Rutherford Jets, perhaps the
lowest of the low-quality prop football teams.
NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape
from a Patriots employee during New England's 38-14 victory over East Rutherford on the first Sunday of the 2007 regular
season. The employee was accused of aiming his camera at the Jets' defensive
coaches as they signaled to players on the field.
The NFL Network's Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday night that Goodell has
determined the Patriots violated league rules that ban videotaping of defensive
signals.
Schefter also reported that the league could be
considering fines, suspensions, loss of draft picks and possibly all three
together as punishment for the Patriots.
Bill Belichick apologized to his team and saidd
that he has spoken to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about his
"interpretation" of league rules that ban videotaping of the opposing
sideline.
Here is a
brief releases by nfl.com:
Patriots under
investigation for following rules, guidelines violations ...
1. Page 105 of the Game Operations manual says:
"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." It
later says: "All video shooting locations must be enclosed on all sides
with a roof overhead."
2. And, a memo from Ray Anderson, NFL head of football operations, to
head coaches and GMs on Sept. 6, 2006 said: "Video taping of any type,
including but not limited to taping of an opponent’s offensive or defensive
signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches’ booth, in the locker
room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the
game."
NFL News
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If you get caught ...
If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying ... but this is ridiculous