Patriots awaiting ruling on videotaping incident
FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS (TICKER) —The New England Patriots are awaiting the NFL’s decision that they violated league rules Sunday by videotaping defensive signals by the coaching staff of the New York Jets.
Citing sources, ESPN has reported that the NFL has visual evidence to confirm the suspicions after league security officials confiscated a camera and videotape from a Patriots employee.
According to the report, Commissioner Roger Goodell is considering “severe” sanctions, which include the possibility of penalizing New England multiple draft picks because the team has been suspected of previous videotaping violations.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that he still is waiting to hear what action the league will take.
“Earlier this week, I spoke with Commissioner Goodell about a videotaping procedure during last Sunday’s game, and my interpretation of the rules,” Belichick said. “At this point, we have not been notified of the league’s ruling.
“Although it remains a league matter, I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected, most of all ownership, staff and players. Following the league’s decision, I will have further comment.”
The New York Daily News reported that Jets coach Eric Mangini, a longtime assistant under Belichick, basically was responsible for the league catching the Patriots in the act. Citing sources, the newspaper said Jets security tipped off league officials, who then confiscated the camera.
Mangini attempted to distance himself from the matter during his media briefing Wednesday.
“This is all a league matter. I understand the interest in it, but our focus now is Baltimore and we’re going to let them (the league) handle that,” Mangini said.
Asked if he was aware of the Patriots videotaping signals when he was a member of Belichick’s staff, Mangini said, “It’s a league issue. They are handling it and we are really focused on the Ravens.”
The Jets coach also said he has not been in contact with league officials regarding the matter.
“In relationship to this, (there has been) none. (Team president) Mike (Tannenbaum) and others handle those things,” Mangini said. “My focus is on Tuesday night, preparing for Wednesday, getting ready for the game plan-related things, going through the normal game week and that’s how we are all approaching it. (It’s) just a normal game week and all of these other situations are external.”
The Boston Herald, citing sources, reported that it’s the fourth time in the past year that the Patriots have been caught illegally stealing signals from an opponent.
Sources told the Herald that the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers were among the teams who have caught the Patriots filming their signals.
“There’s a league-wide perception that this is something they do,” the Herald quoted one rival executive.
