Post by onewithdog on Sept 11, 2007 12:34:05 GMT -5
NEWSDAY
BY TOM ROCK
The Patriots may have crossed the line between gamesmanship and cheating Sunday in their win over the Jets. And apparently it isn't the first time the Patriots have taken part in such high-tech and illegal espionage.
The NFL confirmed it is looking into an incident that arose during the game when a Patriots employee was confronted by the Jets and league security while filming on the Jets' sideline at Giants Stadium.
The camera and its contents were confiscated and, according to a report, placed in a sealed box and forwarded to the league. It is believed the cameraman was recording hand signals used by coaches to relay defensive plays onto the field, a violation of NFL rules.
The Patriots racked up 431 yards in a 38-14 win. Tom Brady and Randy Moss picked away at the Jets' coverages and the offensive linemen were able to pick up the Jets' blitzes as if they knew what was coming. Maybe they did.
The Jets had no comment on the investigation. Coach Eric Mangini said only: "With anything along those lines, those are all league-related matters. Those all go to the league."
NFL rules prohibit the use of video recording devices of any kind on the field, in the locker rooms or in the coaches' booths. "Clubs have specifically been reminded in the past that the videotaping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals on the sidelines is prohibited," the NFL said in a statement from spokesman Greg Aiello. The NFL's investigation also is looking into issues with radio frequencies that arose during the game.
The story first appeared on jetsconfidential.com; the Web site reported that Jets security chief Steve Yarnell spotted the videographer in question.
This wouldn't be the first such spying incident involving the Patriots. A league source told Newsday that the Patriots used video to steal hand signals from teams in recent seasons.
Packers president Bob Harlan confirmed a similar incident to ESPN when the Patriots played at Lambeau Field last Nov. 19. ESPN reported it was the same cameraman involved in both incidents.
"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 [the Patriots] did this sort of thing, so we were looking for it."
Newsday's source said such actions were why the NFL considered adopting a coach-to-helmet communications system with defensive players similar to those used by quarterbacks. The owners did not approve the measure at their league meetings in March.
The Patriots had no comment on the investigation, but cornerback Ellis Hobbs said he doesn't think his team did anything wrong.
"We put too many hours in as individuals and a team to have to go out and cheat," Hobbs 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."
If the NFL investigation finds the Patriots broke the videotaping rules, they could be subject to fines and/or the loss of draft picks at the discretion of commissioner Roger Goodell.
BY TOM ROCK
The Patriots may have crossed the line between gamesmanship and cheating Sunday in their win over the Jets. And apparently it isn't the first time the Patriots have taken part in such high-tech and illegal espionage.
The NFL confirmed it is looking into an incident that arose during the game when a Patriots employee was confronted by the Jets and league security while filming on the Jets' sideline at Giants Stadium.
The camera and its contents were confiscated and, according to a report, placed in a sealed box and forwarded to the league. It is believed the cameraman was recording hand signals used by coaches to relay defensive plays onto the field, a violation of NFL rules.
The Patriots racked up 431 yards in a 38-14 win. Tom Brady and Randy Moss picked away at the Jets' coverages and the offensive linemen were able to pick up the Jets' blitzes as if they knew what was coming. Maybe they did.
The Jets had no comment on the investigation. Coach Eric Mangini said only: "With anything along those lines, those are all league-related matters. Those all go to the league."
NFL rules prohibit the use of video recording devices of any kind on the field, in the locker rooms or in the coaches' booths. "Clubs have specifically been reminded in the past that the videotaping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals on the sidelines is prohibited," the NFL said in a statement from spokesman Greg Aiello. The NFL's investigation also is looking into issues with radio frequencies that arose during the game.
The story first appeared on jetsconfidential.com; the Web site reported that Jets security chief Steve Yarnell spotted the videographer in question.
This wouldn't be the first such spying incident involving the Patriots. A league source told Newsday that the Patriots used video to steal hand signals from teams in recent seasons.
Packers president Bob Harlan confirmed a similar incident to ESPN when the Patriots played at Lambeau Field last Nov. 19. ESPN reported it was the same cameraman involved in both incidents.
"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 [the Patriots] did this sort of thing, so we were looking for it."
Newsday's source said such actions were why the NFL considered adopting a coach-to-helmet communications system with defensive players similar to those used by quarterbacks. The owners did not approve the measure at their league meetings in March.
The Patriots had no comment on the investigation, but cornerback Ellis Hobbs said he doesn't think his team did anything wrong.
"We put too many hours in as individuals and a team to have to go out and cheat," Hobbs 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."
If the NFL investigation finds the Patriots broke the videotaping rules, they could be subject to fines and/or the loss of draft picks at the discretion of commissioner Roger Goodell.
Speculated picture. Dont all camera men have to wear red vests?
Fuck the Pats!