Pats still cheating as much as possible

[RamWraith]

Sources: Camera confiscated after claims of Pats spying on Jets

By Chris Mortensen
ESPN.com

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.

It's not their first time.

-- A member of the NFL's competition committee


Audio:
• Chris Mortensen says the Pats could lose future draft picks if the allegations prove true. Listen

"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.

"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.

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."

[ramsanddodgers]

Sounds like the old baseball axiom, "If you ain't cheatin' you ain't trying"

[r8rh8rmike]

"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.

If anyone has a good idea if these allegations are credible and whether or not New England has engaged in these types of practices in the past, it's Mangini.

[SavageRam]

Yeah, it's all over the news media up here in Maine. Everyone seems to be in a total state of denial like Ellis Hobbs has exhibited.

I loath the Patriots and their incredibly pompous fans. I hope suspensions and fines are handed out for those responsible if this is true.

Of all the teams that need to cheat... :x

[RamsFanSam]

Instead of letting this pack of thieves remain in NE, I say if they are found guilty (like anyone doubts their guilt...) they should break up the team, ban the owner of the franchise and also the coaching staff from anything sports related for life (of course, soccer would be OK for their involvement...) and give LA a football team again.

Hey....they could even name them the L.A. CHEETAHS!!!!!

Of course, if this happenned, Brady would surely look to be traded to SF ASAP....

[r8rh8rmike]

It will be interesting to see what, if anything is on the confiscated tape. I hope they get caught red handed because it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of rule benders and manipulators.

[UtterBlitz]

Say it isn't so......please, the pats they are all so sweet and innocent.

[ramsanddodgers]

Say it isn't so......please, the pats they are all so sweet and innocent.

Put down your drink and back away from the bar....

[UtterBlitz]

Put down your drink and back away from the bar....

It is very important to believe everything, that is right, I said everything that I say.....cause I am always serious and truthful.

[ramsanddodgers]

It is very important to believe everything, that is right, I said everything that I say.....cause I am always serious and truthful.

Did someone say I didn't believe you? How dare they?!?!:l

[LA Rammer]

Hopefully this leads to a full investigation that uncovers the conspiracy of SB XXXVI and we are crowned champs plus the 14 points

Tar and feather Brady, knocked up my chick. She was hot in Men in Black.

[blood85]

I hope the allegations are found to be TRUE.

[RAMMAN68]

I'm sure they had all of our calls down during their SB cheatfest.

[laram0]

Hopefully this leads to a full investigation that uncovers the conspiracy of SB XXXVI and we are crowned champs plus the 14 points

Took the words right out of my mouth.

I knew something was up when that dreaded Pats team beat our high flying RAMS.
It's bad enough they had the officials on there side. Also films of our sideline action!!

Belichek...you dirty......!!!!!!!!

[badmoforamfan]

Sources: Goodell determines Pats broke rules by taping Jets' signals
By Chris Mortensen
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: September 11, 2007, 6:10 PM ET

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 spokesman Greg Aiello: "No decision has been rendered, we haven't announced anything and the club hasn't been notified."

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.

Chris Mortensen covers the NFL for ESPN.