But NE is the only team doing it, so they'd be the only ones penalized. Plus, losing a pick hurts no matter what position a team is drafting from, since there's no guarantee a pick will pan out even if they're drafted in the top five. And anyway, it seems like the only reason they're looking at losing a pick is because it's a pattern of behavior. Frankly I think that not only does NE need to forfeit any games they cheated on, but they need to also forfeit a pick to the team they cheated against.

We will see what size Balls Goodell has. It's not like BB has many friends on that Competition committee though!

False statement. Multiple teams have been accused of this, which is why the league sent out the warning last year.

Patriots have been found in violation, now it is just a matter of waiting on the punishment.

What other teams? The only team that's been systematically accused of violating this rule is the Patriots.

Many teams have accused the Colts of this as well. There were some other teams mentioned earlier today, but I forget who they are.

Of stealing signals or recording them? There's nothing against the rules about trying to steal signals, it's recording them that isn't allowed.

No, other teams have been accused of using video, just like the Colts, which is why the league issued a league wide warning last year. The accusation by the Packers last year just put it over the edge as it became a publicly known problem at that point.

Patriots do appear to be the ones the most guilty though, as their name has been at the forefront of this.

Between this and the Rodney Harrison story I've just about lost it. Who is to say how long this crap has been going on? How do we know they weren't pulling this (videotaping) in the playoffs... in afc championships.. in super bowls?

September 11, 2007, 19:04
NFL :: Patriots


Patriots HC Belichick To Meet With Goodell
Adam Schefter, NFL Network

NFL.com's Adam Schefter reported on NFL Network that the NFL is insisting that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell this week to answer questions regarding the Patriots spying incident this past weekend during their game with the New York Jets. Schefter said there is mounting evidence that the Patriots have been spying and/or cheating for years. Schefter speculated that the Patriots could face stiff penalties such as fines, loss of draft picks and suspensions, and perhaps all three. Belichick is expected to meet with Goodell within 24 - 48 hours.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn't surprised a New England Patriots employee is suspected of videotaping signals by Jets coaches during Sunday's season opener. Spying rumors in the NFL are nothing new, Tomlin said Tuesday, and he wouldn't be surprised if the allegations were true.
"Usually where there's smoke, there's fire, so those rumors are founded on something," said Tomlin, an NFL assistant coach for six years with Tampa Bay and Minnesota before being hired by Pittsburgh. "No, it's not totally shocking, no."

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Sports Outlaw Fantasy Football League Champion 2007 - Maelstrom

I hope they strip the Pats of the win. The draft pick shouldn't hurt a team like that very much. I could be wrong, but don't the Pats have two 1st rounders next year? I might be mixing them up with the Cowboys, but if they have two picks, taking a 2nd or 3rd rounder won't mean much to them. Taking away the reason they cheat is the only true way to punish them.

While Goodell and Belichick are in their meetings, can they go ahead and go over the complete disrespect of the NFL Injury Report?

Might as well address two situations with one meeting.

True.....so true!

Arrogance........total arrogance.

I was listening to Mike and Mike on the radio this morning, and they were talking if this tainted their title run.

I would like to take this to the N'th degree with you here.

Is Brady the Brady we thought?
As stated above, if he knew ahead of time, or even as each play is called....how can you not be an accurate or successful Qb? This is actually one reason I was against radio's in Qbs helmets to call plays. Too much more information can be shared.

Is Bellichek the genius everyone thinks?
Well, if he really, really is doing this...then no. If you konw what you are facing before it happens...then it is pretty easy to win. Not to mention the whole question of cheating...and purposefully doing so.

Are the Superbowl wins tainted?
good question. We don't know how long this has been going on. But as the whole question of steroids will forever more taint the HR record...won't this taint the Superbowl success if they are announced as known cheaters?


As for punishment....
A forfiet is fitting, but won't happen. I wish it would, but it probably won't. While I would somewhat agree with Mike that a first round pick isn't as tough on a successful team...it is still a pretty heavy price to pay.

A suspension of Bellichek for a large period of time is most warrented.

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Expert on nothing, opinionated on everything...

I just caught part of Mike & Mike. I think this is every bit as bad as steroids for it serves the same purpose. To gain advantage. Hell, when you really think about it, the gambling world has been most affected, for it did cahnge what would have been normal results to tainted ones. I think he ought to be banished from the league, if he in fact, condoned this practice. Won't happen because of the domino affect, but probably should. One thing for sure....TAKE THE RADIOS OUT OF THE HELMETS!!!!!

How does this affect me?

I have Rivers, Randy Moss, and Charges Def starting this week... Should I reconsider any of these?

I am a Pat's fan and may be biased when i make my comments.. First of all, sure they have some advantage over the other team but how many plays can they actually "cheat out of"? I don't know how many plays the defense has but it can't be that few right? It takes time for the camera guy to tape and report back (unless there is actually another team investigating on the footage on the fly to figure out calls...). But regardless, i dont see them getting that much of an advantage that they would win by so many points aginast Jets or that blowout against GreenBay.

In addition to that, it depends on the players who executes whatever play the coaches are calling - cheating or not, so the players have to be great by their own rights to be able to execute - i bet the browns wouldn't break 500 even if they have the whole play by play of their opponents laid out in front of them. Also, I am hoping that the Pats are taping and "cheating" as a last resort sort of thing where if they need it they will use it but not "lets use it whenever we can". maybe like a straight A student who is so scared of the exam that he/she brings a backup cheat sheet in case he needs it but if he aces it then no need....

I think the commisioner should have Bill explain to him play by play on why he is calling that play against the Jets and have a team of analysts there to see if there are any plays that seems really awkward or surprising that could be attributed to the inside knowledge. Heck, Bill should offer it (if he didn't use it of course) to lessen the severity. It is better to read "pats recorded video of defense coordinator but didn't cheat at game" than "pats cheated at game".
I am saying cheating is right but there are different severities to it and if Bill did cheat throughtout that game then it is a shame because he should've done it to the chargers or a worthy team to be caught on.

terrell davis on nfl network had a great idea--put the pats on probation like they do to college teams, i.e. no matter how good their record is, no playoffs!!!

think that would deter teams from cheating? i do