Psycho4Bud
09-14-2007, 05:31 AM
The NFL took away money and at least one player, two things he has plenty of. But perhaps more damaging to Bill Belichick, the league also branded the most prolific coach of the past decade a blatant cheater.
Calling Belichick's strategy of videotaping defensive signals on the sideline of Sunday's game against the Jets "a calculated and deliberate attempt" to break league rules, commissioner Roger Goodell announced .severe penalties against the coach and the franchise in a .letter to the Patriots Thursday night.
Goodell slammed the coach with a $500,000 fine, the maximum allowed, and stripped the Patriots of either a first-round pick in 2008 if they make the playoffs this season or a second- and third-rounder if they don't. While saying he believed Patriots ownership was unaware of Belichick's actions, Goodell also fined the club $250,000.
"I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight's ruling," Belichick said in a statement, reiterating his apology to the Patriots' owners and players for the "embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused."
Belichick said his interpretation of the rules was incorrect and added that the Patriots have "never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress."
Goodell said he considered suspending Belichick but decided the heavy fine and draft-day penalty would serve as a "more significant and long-lasting" rebuke. The NFL will closely review and monitor the Patriots' coaching video program, effective immediately. The commissioner also determined that use of the video camera, which was seized before the end of the first quarter, had no impact on Sunday's game, a 38-14 Patriots win.
"We support the commissioner and his findings," the Jets said in a statement.
The questions of how far back the incidents reach and their impact upon other games are being debated around the league, however, tarnishing the sterling silver of three Lombardi Trophies in some minds.
Some Eagles who played for the team when it lost to the Patriots by three points in the Super Bowl three seasons ago couldn't help but wonder what impact videotaping and sign-stealing might have had in that game.
"Do I think about it? Mmm-hmmm," cornerback Sheldon Brown said. "It's crazy. I just don't know how far back it goes. Something's not right about that."
Safety Brian Dawkins also thought this incident raises doubts about the Pats' Super Bowl wins. "Now there's always going to be questions about the situation," he said. "Was it great adjustments at halftime or what?"
NFL hands down penalty to Patriots, Belichick for spying -- Newsday.com (http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/ny-spfine0914,0,7990792.story)
Who knows.....it'll definately have an impact on the team and their future.
Have a good one!:jointsmile:
Calling Belichick's strategy of videotaping defensive signals on the sideline of Sunday's game against the Jets "a calculated and deliberate attempt" to break league rules, commissioner Roger Goodell announced .severe penalties against the coach and the franchise in a .letter to the Patriots Thursday night.
Goodell slammed the coach with a $500,000 fine, the maximum allowed, and stripped the Patriots of either a first-round pick in 2008 if they make the playoffs this season or a second- and third-rounder if they don't. While saying he believed Patriots ownership was unaware of Belichick's actions, Goodell also fined the club $250,000.
"I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight's ruling," Belichick said in a statement, reiterating his apology to the Patriots' owners and players for the "embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused."
Belichick said his interpretation of the rules was incorrect and added that the Patriots have "never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress."
Goodell said he considered suspending Belichick but decided the heavy fine and draft-day penalty would serve as a "more significant and long-lasting" rebuke. The NFL will closely review and monitor the Patriots' coaching video program, effective immediately. The commissioner also determined that use of the video camera, which was seized before the end of the first quarter, had no impact on Sunday's game, a 38-14 Patriots win.
"We support the commissioner and his findings," the Jets said in a statement.
The questions of how far back the incidents reach and their impact upon other games are being debated around the league, however, tarnishing the sterling silver of three Lombardi Trophies in some minds.
Some Eagles who played for the team when it lost to the Patriots by three points in the Super Bowl three seasons ago couldn't help but wonder what impact videotaping and sign-stealing might have had in that game.
"Do I think about it? Mmm-hmmm," cornerback Sheldon Brown said. "It's crazy. I just don't know how far back it goes. Something's not right about that."
Safety Brian Dawkins also thought this incident raises doubts about the Pats' Super Bowl wins. "Now there's always going to be questions about the situation," he said. "Was it great adjustments at halftime or what?"
NFL hands down penalty to Patriots, Belichick for spying -- Newsday.com (http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/ny-spfine0914,0,7990792.story)
Who knows.....it'll definately have an impact on the team and their future.
Have a good one!:jointsmile: