Can’t believe no one mentioned it sooner…
Cliffs: Patriots Videographer (direct team employee) busted videotaping nothing but the opposing teams play calling signals all game.
Initially, http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8023a2fb&template=with-video&confirm=true
Posted: 3 hours 58 minutes ago Patriots accused of spying on Jets’ signals during game
NEW YORK – The NFL is looking into claims a New England Patriots employee was videotaping signals by Jets coaches on New York’s sideline during the season opener.
The investigation was first reported by ESPN.com, which said that NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots employee during New England’s 38-14 victory Sunday. The employee was accused of aiming his camera at the Jets’ defensive coaches, who were sending signals out to the players, sources told the Web site.
“The rule is that no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game,” the league said in a statement from spokesman Greg Aiello. "Clubs have specifically been reminded in the past that the videotaping of an opponent’s offensive or defensive signals on the sidelines is prohibited.
“We are looking into whether the Patriots violated this rule.”The story was first reported on the Web site of Jets Confidential, which said the Jets chief of security alerted NFL security about the issue during the game.
“With anything along those lines, those are all league-related matters, and anything that deals with an issue like this or anything on a team-by-team basis, those all go to the league,” coach Eric Mangini said in his news conference Monday.
When asked if the Jets had in fact notified the league, he said: “It’s all a league matter.”
Patriots spokesman Stacey James declined comment. New England cornerback Ellis Hobbs said he was unaware of the controversy, and unwilling to believe his team had cheated.
“We put too many hours in as individuals and a team to have to go out and cheat,” he 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.”
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Now:
Sources: Goodell determines Pats broke rules by taping Jets’ signals
By Chris Mortensen
Updated: September 11, 2007, 7:32 PM ETNFL 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.Chris Mortensen covers the NFL for ESPN.
