The league found the Pats violated the no-video-taping rule. I guess the tape showed the Pats employee was recording the signs the Jets coaches were sending into the players on the field. This is a prohibited act.

I declare this tactic the stupidest move since Watergate. I can't imagine the taping of signs was anything more than a convenient way to record what every other team steals by way of observation and notation. Pats just didn't need to do this and it strikes me as a sign of insecurity. It will be interesting to see how the Pats explain this and how the team reacts to it.

 

Another sad case of sports and money overshadowing sportsmanship and character. Doesn't seem to matter where: F1, basketball, etc. We as a society are certainly setting a wonderful example for our children.

 

What should be the appropriate penalty? How about the coach being supended for x amount of games?
Levi

 

The Patriots are and always have been one of my favorite teams. This really sickens and saddens me. They don't need to cheat to win!!!

 

[QUOTE=Legal Bill,Sep 11 2007, 11:13 PM]I declare this tactic the stupidest move since Watergate.

 

Spying on the other teams is something that goes on all the time in sports. It is just that being so blatant is outright stupid. Especially from a team like the Pats. Now their reputation is permanently stained. A true shame.

 

They didn't even need to cheat to win. Now that they have been caught, nothing short of a game forfeit and a huge 7 figure fine will send an adequate message to the league. Then, make it worse for the next team caught. This is a huge money sport, and they owe it to the people paying the bills - the fans.

 

The only way to send a message is to make the team feel the pain by forfeit and substantial amount of fine.

 

I think a forfeit is unlikely. the word here is that the league may take away a future draft choice.

 

It's sad that they cheated in such a stupid, unproductive way. I don't really understand the point of the rule, because the signs are displayed in the open, and can be readily observed. BUT, a rule is a rule, and they violated it. It's just pitiful that they are squandering their reputation for little or no real potential gain.


Disclosure: I am a Pats fan, though not a rabid one.