NFL hands down penalty to Patriots, Belichick for spying

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

Who knows.....it'll definately have an impact on the team and their future.

Have a good one!:jointsmile:

I think he got away easy. Booo hiss.

For any other team this would be an alright punishment. But for the Pats it's not enough. The only thing they will lose is 1 to 2 rookies next season. Ooo big lose for a team that doesn't need them. I agree with Rebgirl...way too easy on them.

I've always said that Drew Bledsoe is overrated because he's a gunner, and it seemed like his running backs always allowed him to catch the defense off-guard, every time he threw.

You can cheat. Dan Marino is the best.

Michael Vick gambles on dogfights and is suspended, thus losing millions; the Patriots get caught IN THE ACT of cheating in a football game, not once, but twice, and are fined only $750,000 total and a few draft picks....pshed......where's the justice?

And, Lindsay Lohan gets pulled over and caught with cocaine. What did she get, a day in jail?

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Originally Posted by beachguy in thongs

And, Lindsay Lohan gets pulled over and caught with cocaine. What did she get, a day in jail?

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*Sigh* Lets here it for our judicial system! :mad:

Theres a clip that espn/ nfl network keeps showing with Belicheck in a hoodie and it makes him look like the dark emperor from star wars or something. Its pretty funny because you know they did it like that to make you think EVIL!!!!


check it