Duane Sampson
Posts: 14200
Status: offline
|
NFL Destroys Patriots Videotapes & Notes Fri Sep 21, 2007 The Boston Herald reports the NFL has received and destroyed all the videotapes, notes and documents it requested and received from New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick in the wake of Camera-gate, and the case appears closed. According to a league statement released yesterday through NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, the Pats complied with commissioner Roger Goodell’s request and vowed they haven’t kept anything behind. "The Patriots have fully cooperated and complied with the requirements of the commissioner’s decision," the statement read. "All tapes, documents and other records relating to this matter were turned over to the league office and destroyed, and the Patriots have certified in writing that no copies or other records exist. League policies on in-game videotaping and audio communication will continue to be closely monitored and strictly enforced with all 32 teams." When asked last night if he anticipated any further sanctions against the Patriots, Aiello said, "I don’t expect anything further." While it’s unclear why the tapes were destroyed, it’s likely the league wanted to make sure they wouldn’t be put to any use again by Belichick, who claims he misinterpreted the rules. It is believed by many around the league that Belichick had compiled a library of film on defensive coordinators and their signal-calling. The Pats coach was fined $500,000 by Goodell and the team was fined $250,000 for violating a league rule that prohibits clubs from using a video camera on the sidelines for any purpose - including recording signals relayed to opposing players on the field. The penalty also includes the loss of the Patriots’ first-round draft pick next year if they make the playoffs, or second- and third-rounders if they don’t. A video camera aimed at Jets coaches was confiscated from Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella during the first quarter of the team’s 38-14 win over New York at the Meadowlands on Sept. 9. Jets HC Eric Mangini, the former Patriots defensive coordinator, reportedly blew the whistle on Belichick, and called in NFL security when he suspected the Patriots of filming his team’s signals. Another charge hurled at the Pats involved defensive players using microphones or other recording devices in their shoulder pads to pick up Jets audibles. "We have no evidence to support that claim," Aiello wrote in an e-mail last night.
|