Posted on 09/11/2007 4:12:17 PM PDT by jmc813
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.
Bad example. That rule is there purely for betting purposes. You've seen a guy labelled as "out", who shows up at the game? Or just a boatload of "probables", and the occassional "doubtful"?
I've been wondering the same exact thing. As much as I love the Jets with all of my heart, I bet with my brain, and a Pat's loss/not covering the spread will cost me money. Frankly, I really don't care at this point though.
Then why did they?
ping as pats fan for later humor...:)
LOL, I wish he had married Bridget.
Don't misunderstand. I'm not a Patriots detractor, and that wasn't a jab. But don't you thinks it's an interesting question?
Don't misunderstand. I'm not a Patriots detractor, and that wasn't a jab. But don't you thinks it's an interesting question?
Just as dumb as bugging the McGovern election HQ’s at the Watergate. Why bother.
I’m a little confused by what the infraction is. While the article doesn’t say it, I presume this occured during Sunday’s game. But the game was televised so any defensive signals could have been televised as well. How exactly is videotaping a televised game an infraction of the rules? Are these signals aural or signals like in baseball? In anyone can clairify I would appreciate it.
Say the jets are in a nickle package and the safety blitzes --- the person doing the filming has all 2,3 or 4 sets of signals sent in... now the same package is on the field and one set of signals is the same and the safety comes on the blitz. --- now they know WHICH person is sending in the real signals, and more importantly what the signal for a safety Blitz is. The Cameraman then sees that same signal again -- he quickly radios the coach or maybe even he is on the frequency to brady -- Brady immediately checks to a quick slant into the Safety's coverage area. Complete pass, long gain or touchdown.
Good explanation, commish.
The TV feed only catches the signals every now and then — the patriots had a cameraman on the sideline with his camera directed right at the Jets Signal callers. he was also most likely in direct ommunication with the Coach or coordinators, and was tipping them to the defence or blitz package etc -— if they were successful at that, it could lead to many big gains, blitz pickups, etc etc
I believe in today's digital world, that signals captured via a zoom lens on a video camera could be instantly transmitted to the coaches calling plays in the booth. It could give quite an advantage.
It’s illegal for teams to use electronic means to record from the coaches box, the sidelines, or (one other place - the locker-room, I think). Apparently one can use Polaroids, or do it from a place other than one of the three proscribed locations, or with personnel not employed by the teams.
I know a couple of years ago there was an issue with one team apparently having gotten film of signals from one of the broadcasters - including footage not broadcast.
Yeah I understand that....I think its a garbage thing to do and the Pats shold be punished, no argument from me.
Thank you
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