Sources: Camera confiscated after claims of Pats spying on Jets

[WMR]

Sources: Camera confiscated after claims of Pats spying on Jets

NFL security confiscated a video camera and its tape from a New England Patriots employee on the team's sideline during Sunday's game against the Jets in a suspected spying incident, sources said.

The camera and its tape were placed in a sealed box and forwarded to the league office for investigation, the sources said.

"We don't have any comment," an NFL spokesman said Monday.

The Patriots' cameraman was suspected of aiming his camera at the Jets' defensive coaches who were sending signals to their unit on the field, the sources said. The league also is investigating some radio frequency issues that occurred during the game.

The league's competition committee could conduct a conference call about the incident, which violates NFL policy, and ultimately recommend a penalty that could cost the Patriots a future draft pick or picks if it verifies that the team was spying on the Jets.

"It's not their first time," a member of the committee, who did not wish to be identified, said.

In fact, Green Bay Packers president Bob Harlan confirmed a similar incident that occurred when the Patriots played at Lambeau Field last Nov. 19. The same cameraman who was questioned by NFL security on Sunday was also the one whom the Packers removed from the sideline and escorted from the field during their 2006 game, according to Packers security official Doug Collins.

"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 they [the Patriots] did this sort of thing, so we were looking for it."

A Jets official declined comment Monday, directing an inquiry to the league office. The Patriots also did not have immediate comment.

Chris Mortensen covers the NFL for ESPN.

www.espn.com

[cincinnati chili]

I saw this too. I wonder how many draft picks they'll lose. The commish will be in a precarious situation because the Patriots are such a model franchise for the league (and brings in so much revenue).

[Caveat Emperor]

I saw this too. I wonder how many draft picks they'll lose. The commish will be in a precarious situation because the Patriots are such a model franchise for the league (and brings in so much revenue).

Then again, it might be good for the league if the Patriots come back down to Earth again.

I'm sure the people in Boston feel differently, but I get the real sense that there is a "Patriots-fatigue" among NFL fans. There is only so much ESPN coverage of one team and set of players you can take before you start angling for them to move on. Seven years is an eternity in the NFL spotlight.

[RFS62]

They should make Belichick wear a tuxedo on the sidelines for every game the rest of the year as punishment.

[Roy Tucker]

They should make Belichick wear a tuxedo on the sidelines for every game the rest of the year as punishment.

Or wear a suit like Mike Nolan or Jack Del Rio.

[bucksfan2]

I read that this has happened before. There is a whole lot of arrogance that is associated with the Pats. It has almost become that both Kraft and Belichick have said we are going to do what we want and don't care what anyone else thinks. That is why I think there is some truth behind this. Not only did Belichick want to beat the Jets he wanted to embarass Mangini. I think he would almost do anything to run up the score on the Jets. Hopefully there comes a time that Belichick is taken down a peg or 20.

[cumberlandreds]

Make them forfeit the game. If the league did this I bet it would never happen again. A team like New England could care less if they lose a draft pick or two. So make them hurt where it hurts the most.

[MWM]

Nothing surprises me with Belichick. I'm also of the mind that if it turns out to be true, you absolutely drop the hammer on them. That's blatant cheating. They should have to forfeit the game against the Jets and lose several early round picks for the next few years. A slap on the wrist will not do.

[WMR]

Nothing surprises me with Belichick. I'm also of the mind that if it turns out to be true, you absolutely drop the hammer on them. That's blatant cheating. They should have to forfeit the game against the Jets and lose several early round picks for the next few years. A slap on the wrist will not do.

Agree completely.

[WVRed]

Nothing surprises me with Belichick. I'm also of the mind that if it turns out to be true, you absolutely drop the hammer on them. That's blatant cheating. They should have to forfeit the game against the Jets and lose several early round picks for the next few years. A slap on the wrist will not do.

I'd take it a step further and trace it back all the way to the first Super Bowl season. This probably has been going on for a while and possibly even during the three Super Bowls.

Would anybody be opposed to seeing the Patriots forfeit three Super Bowls if this were true?

[cincinnati chili]

There's no way they'll make them forfeit the game. And let me be clear, I think they SHOULD receive a severe sentence. Losing a first round pick would be a huge penalty. Losing a first and an additional pick would give me new respect for Roger Goodell.

[MaineRed]

I'd take it a step further and trace it back all the way to the first Super Bowl season. This probably has been going on for a while and possibly even during the three Super Bowls.

Would anybody be opposed to seeing the Patriots forfeit three Super Bowls if this were true?

So next time you get stopped for speeding or some other violation will you be opposed when the cop says:

"Um, Mr WVRed, we can safely assume you have been speeding for, "awhile", so we are going to have to give you a ticket for every time you have gotten behind the wheel. Please wait patiently while I write you out 15,678 tickets for speeding."

Sound OK to you WV?

In what other aspects of life do we catch someone doing something once and then go back and assume they have been doing it all along? Why should this be any different?

I would not be opposed to them having to give up the W. No way it happens though. However talk of taking away their Super Bowl wins is poposterous. Who would be the champion in that case? Why would the NFC champion that lost to the Pats have any more right to the title than the AFC runner-up who lost to the Pats or the team from the previous round that lost to the Pats or a team that missed the play-offs because of a loss or two to the Pats?

[durl]

Or wear a suit like Mike Nolan or Jack Del Rio.

Slightly off topic, but I think Del Rio and Nolan look great in suits on the sidelines. Belichick looks like he's about to do work around the house.

[WMR]

I'd like to see Marvin in a sharp-looking suit like that.

[justincredible]

Belichick always has been and always will be a worthless piece of trash, IMO. Sure, I'm a Jets fan so I have a bias against him, but his arrogance and blatant disregard for the rules make it hard for anyone outside of Patsieland to actually like the guy.

This same camera man was apparently caught doing the same thing when the Pats were in Green Bay last year so I would assume that they have been doing this quite regularly. If the NFL wants to send a message they need to put the hammer down. If a player can get suspended 4, 8 or 16 games, or however long for off the field actions I think a franchise should get just as harsh a punishment for their on the field transgressions. I'm not saying they should have to forfeit half the season, or even this game, but something has to be done to bring this franchise back to reality and let them know they aren't the God of the NFL.