Pats are guilty of spying, according to ESPN Talking Heads

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by Brittschramm

The hardest working man in the NFL biz, Chris Mortensen, has gotten word from league sources that confirm the New England Patriots are guilty of stealing hand signals. And John Clayton says that the penalty will be severe, stating it might cost the Pats a 2nd Rounder and a 5th rounders in next year's draft. Clayton also brings up the fact that defensive signal callers might begin to wear the same equipment as QBs. He, then, concludes the column with a bizarre, almost dismissive thought:

What will be the longterm effect on Belichick and the Patriots? Although this is embarrassing, you can't take away what this franchise can do. They may have the best team in football. Robert Kraft is one of the league's best owners. The team has three Super Bowl rings and a great chance to get a fourth. Other great organizations have paid penalties for violating league rules. The Broncos lost a draft choice for violating the salary cap with John Elway. The Steelers once had to forfeit a third-round draft choice for working out in shoulder pads in the offseason. The Patriots may lose a draft choice or two. And whether or not the Patriots videotaped the Jets' defensive signals, Belichick won't be any less of a coach.

Enable Comment Auto-Refresher

836 days ago

Score 5

Forfeit the Jets victory or forfeit all draft picks in 2008. I have no compassion for the Pats. They were warned last year that if they continued to do it, they would be punished. Now, throw the book at them.

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

836 days ago

Score 2

When were they warned?

Brendan.CanneyDiv-I Stud

836 days ago

Score 2

Last year.

"They had a man on their sideline dressed in coaching attire with a video camera who was presumably videotaping the other team's signals. You can't do that. They were warned. If it happens again, they're going to be disciplined." From former NFL general manager Charley Casserly.

And according to Green Bay Packers President Bob Harlan, a cameraman credentialed through the Patriots was told to stop filming Nov. 19, 2006 at Lambeau Field when it was determined he should not have been allowed sideline access. "There was a situation where a gentleman had to be removed from the field at halftime," Harlan said. "We confiscated the camera, but we did not do anything with it."

RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

836 days ago

Score 3

You have a link to the story?

CheezerAll-Star

835 days ago

Score 1

Forfeit the victory AND lose all draft picks in 2008. They cheated.

Steel TownDraft Pick

835 days ago

Score 1

Draft picks and a loss? Someone should be out of a job.

Brendan.CanneyDiv-I Stud

835 days ago

Score 0

Enjoy the read.

RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

835 days ago

Score 0

Thanks for the link. However, it seems as though you skipped over the part about there being no official ruling from the NFL yet. Interesting.

Brendan.CanneyDiv-I Stud

835 days ago

Score 0

You asked when they were warned and I provided an article chronicling that. I never said anything about an NFL ruling.

KelsdadAll-Star

836 days ago

Score 3

Damn straight!

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

836 days ago

Score 3

Belichick will blame it on that no-good Rodney Harrison! :)

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Confessions Of A FanaticDiv-I Stud

836 days ago

Score 2

Clayton drank the "Pats Will Win the Super Bowl" Kool-Aid.

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

836 days ago

Score 3

Nice pic, BTW

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Oh No RomoDraft Pick

836 days ago

Score 3

The pic is nice

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BradyToMossVarsity Captain

835 days ago

Score 3

Considering they were defensive signals, and the Jets barely managed to score 14 points, and Ellis Hobbs had 7 of the 38... the Pats would've won anyways..

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

835 days ago

Score 2

http://xxingg.blogspot.com

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Anonymous Fanatic #2

835 days ago

Score 1

Shouldn't a coach be held to a higher standard than a player? If Tank Johnson/Michael Vick can be suspended, why not a cheating coach? This doesn't cross the line - it obliterates it! I'm not a Jets' fan, but if Belichick gets a slap on the wrist - loses a 2nd round draft pick! - it will be just one more bit of evidence of hypocrisy. Where are the calls for a Barry Bonds type asterisk besides the Pats' Super Bowl championships? Where is the hysteria about "the sanctity of the game"?? I'm a white guy and this racial double standard is sickening.

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KayosWaterboy

835 days ago

Score 0

I agree. A coach should be held accountable and held to a higher standard than a player. I think the draft picks is an easy way out but they need to suspend him without pay for a couple of weeks along with the draft picks. The draft picks are punishing the organization. The suspension is for the culprit and in this case that would be Belichick.

Steel TownDraft Pick

835 days ago

Score 1

I said yesterday that this could have an impact of Bondslike proportions.

Steel TownDraft Pick

835 days ago

Score 1

Do we know the extent of Belichicks involvement? This could all be the work of a coordinator or someone else.

KayosWaterboy

835 days ago

Score 0

Well according to the radio and various places, I heard that Mangini knew because he worked for Belichick. So this is pure speculation for the most part but I think it's the mastermind work of the General himself.

Steel TownDraft Pick

835 days ago

Score 3

Thats a shame. The Pats where one of the great teams of all time in my eyes. The dynasty might be tainted forever now.

KayosWaterboy

835 days ago

Score 1

The Dyansty is tainted. If this is the repeat offense like they say, then the Pats should lose more than just a video assistant. They need to treat them just like they treated Pacman and Vick!

RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

835 days ago

Score 1

Hold on a second guys. Pacman, Johnson, and Vick all committed FELONIES. I think you should find some better comparisons. Pacman beat up a stripper, among other things. Johnson drove drunk, among other things. Vick killed dogs. If you think that's on the same level as stealing defensive signals with a video camera, then you're not that bright.

Steel TownDraft Pick

835 days ago

Score 1

I don't recall PacMan, Johnson or Vick being called dynasties. I also don't think they were CHEATING. They compromised their own integrity. The Patriots compromised the integrity of a team and a dynasty.

MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick

835 days ago

Score 1

In terms of overall morality, committing an actual crime is always worse that something that happens at a sporting event. In terms of affecting the outcome and integrity of a game I think there is no doubt that cheating during the game is far worse. I mean Kobe Bryant getting frisky against the wishes of an innocent female is a reprehesible thing, but it does not affaect the game on the court nearly as much as having a referee on the take.

RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

835 days ago

Score 0

"I don't recall PacMan, Johnson or Vick being called dynasties. I also don't think they were CHEATING. They compromised their own integrity. The Patriots compromised the integrity of a team and a dynasty. " It seems like what you're arguing here is that the Patriots committed a worse offense than Jones, Johnson, or Vick. Is that right? Because "compromising integrity" isn't the crime that these people committed. Their crimes were far worse.

KayosWaterboy

835 days ago

Score 0

The General of the Gridiron has been caught stealing. I'm shocked and it's disheartening. I may not be a fan of the Patriots but I have or had much respect for Bill Belichick. How do you look at yourself in the mirror everyday knowing you're cheating the game? This man had me in utter awe at the fact he had every teams number. I call him the general because there's no better strategist than Belichick. Now, I find out he's been stealing defensive signals. I'm disappointed. I'm outraged. My respect has been lost for the Patriots. Life isn't fair but this takes the cake. I can't even call New England a dynasty after this.

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False ProphetAll-Star

835 days ago

Score 2

You did read the article, and noticed that a lot of previously great teams had some sort of penalty. Teams cheat. It's not new

Steel TownDraft Pick

835 days ago

Score 1

I don't think this is on the same level as having an extra practice or violating the salary cap. Especially since they were warned before. This was downright cheating and will recieve a harsher penalty because of it.

False ProphetAll-Star

835 days ago

Score 0

so signing an elite QB even though you go over the cap isn't cheating (considering each team knows they can't go over the cap)? You don't it gave the Steelers an edge by practicing in full pads in the offseasohn? All three are bad examples of cheating.

KayosWaterboy

835 days ago

Score 2

Signing a QB is basically a money issue. Filming defensive signs is WAY MORE different. You can't cheat any worse than that! Knowing that you are gonna win because you have inside knowledge of the infrastructure?!? Naw, that is almost on the level of industrial espionage. Naw, money and pads, is nothing compared to someone getting your strategy and using it against you.

Steel TownDraft Pick

835 days ago

Score 2

So are you all forms of cheating are the same? Steroids, Game fixing, Extra practices, salary cap violations, and signal stealing are all equal. Committing murder and tax evasion are both felonies do you consider them to be on the same level?

WrmjrRed-Shirting

835 days ago

Score 1

I agree. Cheating in a game situation is different than cheating the salary cap (which is still quite bad) or cheating on practice rules. If we found out they were shaving points, there would be an enormous outcry because the effect on an individual game is clear.

RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

835 days ago

Score 1

"Filming defensive signs is WAY MORE different. You can't cheat any worse than that!" This made me laugh because there are about a trillion worse ways to cheat than that.

JuTMSY4Legend

835 days ago

Score 2

how about 15 yards and an automatic 1st down for the jets next time they play the pats...anytime they want it ; - )

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

835 days ago

Score 1

How about a 20 point handicap for the Jets. They'll need it.

Steel TownDraft Pick

835 days ago

Score 0

Will they need a 20 point handicap if they don't know the defensive plays anymore? Can you see the weight of this at all?

RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

835 days ago

Score 0

Well, it was a joke. Weight? Weight of what?

835 days ago

Score 0

cheezer no offense but do you think the packers could hav even beat the pats if they cheated againest us?

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