Belichick Issues Statement, But Refuses to Address NFL Spying Accusations

[Hoov]

coach should definitley be suspended. as for draft pics, i guess that is a punishment, though cheating in the game has nothing to do with the draft. But the headcoach should be suspended for allowing this to happen.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Man this is Patriots Gate if I ever seen it!

 

[cleverusername]

Chris Mortenson was on ESPN radio earlier with Colin Cowherd. He talked about some of the rumors and hear say associated with the Pats. One is that the Pats defensive linemen wear hidden microphones to pick up the calls of the opposing QB and offensive linemen. They can record this information and study it to figure out the calls for different pass protections and blocking schemes for the next time they play that opponent. That would be a huge advantage in a game.

If this is true ... No more Championships!


There getting the Death penalty .

 

[trickblue]

Here ya go...

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Man this is Patriots Gate if I ever seen it!

Lets play with this one...

BellGate
PatGate - all the team does is adapt and have success in NFL
3SBGate - not such a great achievement anymore - ask Barry Bonds
BradyGate - maybe people talk different about his 6th greatness
BillGate
HoodieGate - sales just declined
ReaperGate - even the reaper wont take calls from Bill, tarnished his image

 

[cleverusername]

"Check out this picture from Sunday's game. Note the circled cameraman.

He has been verified as not working for CBS, not working for NFL Films (NFL Network), and not working for the Jets.

All the other cameramen are focused on the game. Why does he have a video camera pointed at the Jets' sideline while they are on defense?"

 

[Danny White]

I think they should forfeit the game, but the Jets shouldn't get credit for a win. It should go down as two losses.

The Pats should be punished, but I don't see that the Jets should be rewarded for something that may not have influenced the outcome of the game.

I also think Bellicheck should be suspended and a first round draft pick lost.

 

[Crown Royal]

Well you are giving me your "not likely" scenario and not backing it up. Your attempt at a backing it up doesnt hold water

I am giving a "possible scenario".... not saying it was exactly that way... but I DO BELIEVE they were using it to cheat in this game. You are naive to think its for the next game.

So you want me to prove a negative? Let's consider the logistics it would take to get the film in this game to affect the outcome.

1) The cameraman has his camera trained in on the defensive coordinator and/or secondary coach, watching for signals.

2) I find it very unlikely that the camera would be streaming this video to a dedicated television or printer, especially considering the apparatus needed to perform this operation would be pretty obvious in an opponent's stadium and would require quite a bit of extra equipment. But let's go ahead and grant you this, regardless of it's likelihood.

3) The video is streamed to the offensive coordinator's booth, who gives it to a specialist. They maybe know the defensive signals since Mangini is from the Belichek coaching tree, so they analyze it and figure out swiftly what a call means.

4) Over the course of the first quarter the Patriots ran 15 plays. 7 were pass plays, 8 were running plays. They scored 3 points. Over these plays, by your scenario, they would have to try to determine what coverage schemes were being used, then determine in what situations these were being used. Note that most of the pass plays were out of the shotgun, I'm not sure of the WR formations. Regardless - it would damn near take a specialist to match these up and determine the trends. That's a lot of work to do.

5) Sometime in the first or second, the camera is confiscated and no more film.

So at this point, it already takes a stretch of the imagination to think that anything meaningful has been extracted that can be taken from this information.

Here's the kicker - the patriots use the Shotgun only 13 more times in the last three quarters and score 1 touchdown off the formation.

Way to use all the information you got in the first quarter.


EDIT: So there is the best possible way I can think of that the Pats could possibly have used this camera to their advantage in this game. If you can give me a better one, I am all ears.

However, it seems to me that the simpler explanation is that they were going to take video of the signals and then use it to their advantage next game, after they have reviewed the the trends used by the Jets and learned their calls over the course of a game.

 

[dogunwo]

They better lose draft picks.

It better be a fine and high draft picks, not just some 2nd day picks either. This is serious.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I think they should forfeit the game, but the Jets shouldn't get credit for a win. It should go down as two losses.

The Pats should be punished, but I don't see that the Jets should be rewarded for something that may not have influenced the outcome of the game.

I also think Bellicheck should be suspended and a first round draft pick lost.

Yeah... I posted yesterday that the Pats should get the win but that it shouldnt count for a division win. So it doesnt mess all the bets won and lost on the game. Thats important you know

 

[Yeagermeister]

Here ya go...

OH man can you say BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Crown Royal]

Is the Pats cameraman wearing Jets green?

 

[Zaxor]

So you want me to prove a negative? Let's consider the logistics it would take to get the film in this game to affect the outcome.

1) The cameraman has his camera trained in on the defensive coordinator and/or secondary coach, watching for signals.

2) I find it very unlikely that the camera would be streaming this video to a dedicated television or printer, especially considering the apparatus needed to perform this operation would be pretty obvious in an opponent's stadium and would require quite a bit of extra equipment. But let's go ahead and grant you this, regardless of it's likelihood.

3) The video is streamed to the offensive coordinator's booth, who gives it to a specialist. They maybe know the defensive signals since Mangini is from the Belichek coaching tree, so they analyze it and figure out swiftly what a call means.

4) Over the course of the first quarter the Patriots ran 15 plays. 7 were pass plays, 8 were running plays. They scored 3 points. Over these plays, by your scenario, they would have to try to determine what coverage schemes were being used, then determine in what situations these were being used. Note that most of the pass plays were out of the shotgun, I'm not sure of the WR formations. Regardless - it would damn near take a specialist to match these up and determine the trends. That's a lot of work to do.

5) Sometime in the first or second, the camera is confiscated and no more film.

So at this point, it already takes a stretch of the imagination to think that anything meaningful has been extracted that can be taken from this information.

Here's the kicker - the patriots use the Shotgun only 13 more times in the last three quarters and score 1 touchdown off the formation.

Way to use all the information you got in the first quarter.


EDIT: So there is the best possible way I can think of that the Pats could possibly have used this camera to their advantage in this game. If you can give me a better one, I am all ears.

However, it seems to me that the simpler explanation is that they were going to take video of the signals and then use it to their advantage next game, after they have reviewed the the trends used by the Jets and learned their calls over the course of a game.

watch the video for your answer

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3014677

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If I was Goodell I would punish him more for that lame statement about "my interpretation of the rules".

We aren't a bunch of idiots Belichik.

Can you imagine Mike Vick defending himself by saying he "misinterpreted" the laws prohibiting dog fighting?

 

[firehawk350]

So you want me to prove a negative? Let's consider the logistics it would take to get the film in this game to affect the outcome.

1) The cameraman has his camera trained in on the defensive coordinator and/or secondary coach, watching for signals.

2) I find it very unlikely that the camera would be streaming this video to a dedicated television or printer, especially considering the apparatus needed to perform this operation would be pretty obvious in an opponent's stadium and would require quite a bit of extra equipment. But let's go ahead and grant you this, regardless of it's likelihood.

3) The video is streamed to the offensive coordinator's booth, who gives it to a specialist. They maybe know the defensive signals since Mangini is from the Belichek coaching tree, so they analyze it and figure out swiftly what a call means.

4) Over the course of the first quarter the Patriots ran 15 plays. 7 were pass plays, 8 were running plays. They scored 3 points. Over these plays, by your scenario, they would have to try to determine what coverage schemes were being used, then determine in what situations these were being used. Note that most of the pass plays were out of the shotgun, I'm not sure of the WR formations. Regardless - it would damn near take a specialist to match these up and determine the trends. That's a lot of work to do.

5) Sometime in the first or second, the camera is confiscated and no more film.

So at this point, it already takes a stretch of the imagination to think that anything meaningful has been extracted that can be taken from this information.

Here's the kicker - the patriots use the Shotgun only 13 more times in the last three quarters and score 1 touchdown off the formation.

Way to use all the information you got in the first quarter.


EDIT: So there is the best possible way I can think of that the Pats could possibly have used this camera to their advantage in this game. If you can give me a better one, I am all ears.

However, it seems to me that the simpler explanation is that they were going to take video of the signals and then use it to their advantage next game, after they have reviewed the the trends used by the Jets and learned their calls over the course of a game.

While it's pretty easy to tell that it didn't help in this game, it's not because it's hard to stream the video. Assuming you have a digital camcorder (and I don't think that it's a difficult assumption, you can get a wireless transmitter and receiver for it http://www.nextag.com/wireless-video-transmitter/search-html Given that it would take all of about 15 minutes to set up and the teams probably get a couple of hours on the sidelines before the game, they could easily have somebody somewhere in the vicinity that their only job is to decipher the meaning of playcalls.

 

[Crown Royal]

While it's pretty easy to tell that it didn't help in this game, it's not because it's hard to stream the video. Assuming you have a digital camcorder (and I don't think that it's a difficult assumption, you can get a wireless transmitter and receiver for it http://www.nextag.com/wireless-video-transmitter/search-html Given that it would take all of about 15 minutes to set up and the teams probably get a couple of hours on the sidelines before the game, they could easily have somebody somewhere in the vicinity that their only job is to decipher the meaning of playcalls.

That's fine - I still don't know how likely that was - I don't think it was a small handheld digital camcorder, but I still granted the possibility in my scenario.

 

[trickblue]

OH man can you say BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!

Now I don't know if that is the guy... heck he could be with NFL Films for all I know...

But it is funny...

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

If I was Goodell I would punish him more for that lame statement about "my interpretation of the rules".

We aren't a bunch of idiots Belichik.

Can you imagine Mike Vick defending himself by saying he "misinterpreted" the laws prohibiting dog fighting?

Well its become the newest trend..

I did not have sexual relations
I dont recall
If it doesnt fit you must acquit


u know stuff like that LOL

 

[burmafrd]

What if they have been doing this for a while? So the camera was only there to see if they had changed anything. If they confirm nothing has changed, then they do not need any more data.

 

[Angus]

Patriots caught on tape
Face punishment from commish
By John Tomase
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - Updated 38m ago

The Patriots [team stats] thought they could win the Border War with pure firepower, but like all scrappy, overmatched foes, the Jets countered with guerrilla tactics.

And now the 38-14 victors are reeling instead of rolling, exposed by an enemy coaching staff that knows their deep, dark secrets better than any in the league.

With a number of Jets coaches - including head man Eric Mangini - experienced in some of the Patriots’ more underhanded maneuvers, the Jets went where other teams wouldn’t dare, ratting out their rivals for illegally videotaping defensive signals.

And now it looks like the Pats are going to pay.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell believes the Patriots broke the rules and intends to punish them, according to a league source. The news, first reported by ESPN.com, means the Patriots could lose draft picks and be fined.

“It’s embarrassing is what it is,” said former NFL defensive lineman Mike Golic. “At some point, my god, you just have to line up and play ball. Sometimes coaches get too out of hand trying to steal something instead of just feeling confident.

“The Patriots had the best offseason of anybody. They have the best team on paper. They dominated the Jets in Week 1. And now you’re going to get caught for this? Come on. I’ll use the word again - it’s embarrassing.”

The Patriots have until Friday to plead their case by phone, but they shouldn’t expect leniency if Goodell’s history on player misconduct is any indication.

Spokesman Greg Aiello said the league has not yet decided whether to punish the Pats.

However, league insiders believe Goodell was swayed by what he saw on the camera that was confiscated from Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella, a 26-year-old in his fourth year with the team. Coming on the heels of similar allegations by the Packers, Lions, and one other unnamed team last season, the evidence has mounted.

There also are questions regarding the Patriots’ use of radio frequencies during the game.

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters in Pittsburgh. “Those rumors are founded on something. So it’s not totally shocking, no.”

The competition committee is expected to address the issue, possibly with tougher rules for next season. It can also recommend the Patriots lose draft picks, although only Goodell can make that decision.

“The first thing that came to mind is, there will not be another visiting person on the sidelines with a camera ever again,” said former punter/linebacker Paul Maguire. “That crap is over.”

What’s only just beginning is the Jets-Pats war. It should come as no surprise that the Jets caught the Patriots in the act. The Pats had used the same cameraman to do the same thing on the Packers’ sideline last season, when current Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll was wide receivers coach for the Patriots, and Mangini undoubtedly witnessed many of their tactics firsthand.

But that hasn’t stopped a number of Pats-Jets shenanigans since Mangini became the HC of the NYJ. Last year, for instance, television cameras caught Jets linebacker Matt Chatham - a former Patriot - practically frisking a ballboy who was supposed to be standing on the line of scrimmage, but had instead migrated behind Mangini on the Jets bench.

Golic wonders what the point is. Not only are the Patriots [team stats] more talented than the Jets, they’re more talented than pretty much everybody.

“If you’re a player, you’d hate to think your team would even do this kind of thing,” he said. “It’s disheartening. You think you just dominated a team, but wait a minute, we’re stealing signs. I have a hard time believing that’s the reason they were winning games. It just seems like such an unnecessary avenue to pursue.”

Patriots owner Robert Kraft, appearing at a charity event in Mansfield, was asked when he expected a verdict, but said those questions had to be directed toward Goodell.

“There is an investigation going on now, and perhaps an adjudication of it, and I think it would be inappropriate at this time to make any comment,” Kraft told The Associated Press. “When you’re successful in anything, a lot of people like to try to take you down and do different things. We understand that.

“We worked very hard to try to put an organization together that we all could be proud of in New England, and we’re very proud of the New England Patriots [team stats] organization and the record that they’ve established over the last 13 seasons and one game.”

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1030947