Patriots, NFL deny new spying allegation

AP and Yahoo News ^ | 3 Feb 08 | None

[SkyPilot]

PHOENIX - A member of the New England Patriots' video staff taped the St. Louis Rams' last walkthrough before the 2002 Super Bowl, a Boston newspaper reported Saturday. The NFL, however, said it was satisfied this was not another Spygate.

_{New England Patriots chairman and owner Robert Kraft, center, is seen as the team gets ready for a team photo at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots will play the New York Giants in the Super Bowl XLII football game on Sunday, Feb. 3}

"We were aware of the rumor months ago and looked into it. There was no evidence of it on the tapes or in the notes produced by the Patriots, and the Patriots told us it was not true," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press.

Citing an unidentified source, the Boston Herald reported that a Patriots employee recorded the Rams' walkthrough at the Superdome in the New Orleans a day before the Super Bowl. New England beat the heavily favored Rams 20-17 its first NFL title.

The Herald reported that a source close to the Patriots in the 2001 season said the team held a walkthrough at the Superdome in New Orleans before the game on Feb. 3, 2002. After the Patriots took a team picture, a member of their video department stayed inside the stadium and taped the Rams' session.

It was not known whether the cameraman was told by the Patriots to film the practice or what he did with the tape, the Herald said. The Rams were two-touchdown favorites, but lost on Adam Vinatieri's last-second field goal.

"The suggestion that the New England Patriots recorded the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI is absolutely false. Any suggestion to the contrary is untrue," Patriots spokesman Stacey James told the AP.

Rams spokesman Rick Smith, reading a statement from team president John Shaw, said, "At this point, we have no comment."

The unbeaten Patriots will try to win their fourth Super Bowl in seven seasons Sunday when they play the New York Giants.

Early this season, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell fined New England coach Bill Belichick $500,000 and docked the team $250,000 and a first-round draft pick after the Spygate scandal. The Patriots were accused of videotaping New York Jets defensive coaches as they signaled to players.

New England did not have a walkthrough Saturday. The Giants held one at the Arizona Cardinals' practice facility.

A walkthrough is done without pads or helmets, giving teams a chance to practice their formations.

Goodell spent much of his state of the game address Friday talking about that episode. He said he did not think the Patriots used such tapes to win previous titles.

"There was no indication that it benefited them in any of the Super Bowl victories," he said.

Goodell also defended his decision to destroy notes and videotapes linked to the Spygate, saying "there was no purpose for them."

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who sent Goodell a letter asking for explanation, said Goodell's response "didn't make any sense at all."

[SkyPilot]

The APs headline is a bit confusing. Yes, these are new allegations, but they pertain to 2002. Still, they are troubling - but why does this story come out the morning of the Superbowl?

As is often said - the timing is not a coincidence.

[SkyPilot]

Lousy picture of Brady here too....

[Kakaze]

I think the NFL basically ignored the whole incident, the penalties wern't jack

But I really , really get tired of congress and especially spector sticking his damn nose in this.

No where in the constitution does it say anything about policing football

Fight the war, protect the borders and worry over interstate commerce Arlene, THATS your job, leave the games to the professionals.

[tongue-tied]

This report was released by Miami Dolphin supporters, surely. < sarc/ >

They want any possible record to be marked with an asterisk. To taint it.

And to be honest, I would have to agree. Cheaters never win, unless you're in the NFL. Or politics. Or baseball, or...anywhere these days. sigh

[SkyPilot]

I agree with what you said about Congress.

They can't fix Social Security or find time to declare war (as is called up in the Constitution), but they have plenty of time to micro-manage Baseball and Football?

I am Giants fan, but this story should not have led AP's morning release on Superbowl Sunday.

I want to see a good game, and a good match up between Manning and Brady (one of the game's all time great quarterbacks).

[G.Mason]

FWIW ... I agree.

Perhaps the Patriots should to investigate Congress.

I would think that may just accomplish something.

[gridlock]

Cheaters cheat. It is what they do.

[metesky]

I guess that none of the other franchises spying is working out for them, eh?

NE Patriots, the KGB of NFL spying.

[dawn53]

The article I read yesterday, about the tapes destroyed, said that 6 of the tapes were from the 2006 season. So if they have tapes from 2007, 2006...why wouldn’t there have been a taping in 2002? I sure believe the team spokesman that said it didn’t happen (end/sarcasm.)

[Popman]

No where in the constitution does it say anything about policing football

It's right in the Commerce clause in small font with invisible ink, able to be read only by congress critters and nanny staters.

Amazing how the founding fathers know football would become the national pastime and had the foresight to know Snarlin Arlen Spector would need the powers of the Commence clause to find something to do instead of real governance

[sirchtruth]

I am Giants fan, but this story should not have led AP's morning release on Superbowl Sunday.

Being a giants fan I'd be very concerned. I don't know whose going to win the Superbowl, but what I do know is between Plaxico making his prediction, Giants and NFL fans calling the Pats cheaters, and the press causing a rouse by over hyping a "rumour," the Pats players are going to come out to PLAY!!

For all anybody knows Belichick had this info released. He a master at pumping his team up!

[Beckwith]

why wouldn’t there have been a taping in 2002

Wasn't against the rules until 2007.

[SkyPilot]

The article I read yesterday, about the tapes destroyed, said that 6 of the tapes were from the 2006 season. So if they have tapes from 2007, 2006...why wouldn’t there have been a taping in 2002?

Now, that does bother me. The NFL should have asked for the tapes (all of them) to be turned over last September. If the Patriots refused, they should have initated more penalties until they complied.

[SkyPilot]

Wasn't against the rules until 2007.

I am not trying to be a smart a__ - but I didn't know that. I thought the rule was around for awhile.

Commissioner Roger Goodell also ordered the team to give up its first-round draft choice next year if it reaches the playoffs this season, or its second- and third-round picks if it misses the postseason. "This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid long-standing rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field," Goodell said in a letter to the Patriots. Could you post something about the rule change?

Thanks.

[ICE-FLYER]

Now, that does bother me. The NFL should have asked for the tapes (all of them) to be turned over last September. If the Patriots refused, they should have initated more penalties until they complied.

If you read the article Goodell addresses this and other concerns.

It is just sour grapes hatred that drives this on and on. It seems that very few fans and some bitter atheletes are on the Anti-Patriots rant and do not want it to die. Meanwhile the vast majority of NFL pundits and commentators and even coaches agree its much ado about nothing.

[dawn53]

I don’t remember which article, but it was one of the ones talking about Arlen Specter’s investigation. I wondered why they were making such a big deal about the Pats destroying evidence, until I read in that article that there were 6 tapes from 2006.

[SkyPilot]

Weel, like I said - I partially agree. This day should be about the Superbowl, period.

The reason I posted this story was it was the #1 headline on my Comcast homepage, it was the #1 story on Yahoo, and this morning my local news put it on.

It is news - but I don't think it warrants this coverage Superbowl morning.

[Emperor Palpatine]

And Bill Belicheat is the spymaster.

[SkyPilot]

It's kind of funny - baseball seems to be under incredible scrutiny from Congress (steroids, perjury!). Perjury - that's right, something the US Senate found was no big deal when President Clinton did it, but get some baseball players up on the Hill and Congress is all over that perjury rap.

Congress is putting the US in debt by the day because of MediCare, payment on the debt, and Social Security. But, they have time to investigate football?

[nyyankeefan]

Cheaters cheat. It is what they do.

are you talking about the clintons or the patriots....really both the same!!!!

[metesky]

[Loud Mime]

Perhaps the Patriots should to investigate Congress.

Not the team, the citizens!

[G.Mason]

Glad to see someone got it.

Of course it would have been better had I put Patriots in quotes. ;)

[mewzilla]

As is often said - the timing is not a coincidence.

Maybe not, but Roger Goodell's starting to remind me of Bud Selig.

[GoldenPup]

2002 ??? Isn’t that over ??? Did it show up again when nobody was looking ??? God...more for the hand-wringers and bed-wetters to whine about. Fuggetabutit !!!!

[mewzilla]

Today's Boston Herald coverage, but the comments that follow are really the reason I linked....

Patriots, NFL deny report on taping

[Semper911]

The Patriots have become the Yankees of football. Everyone hates them because they are so damn good.

(...and of course I mean the Yankees of years past, not of recent years.)

It is a good day to be a New Englander -- World Series pennant on the wall, perfect football record on the line, cold beer, and hot wings.

[John W]

NFL Can Blame Itself For Scandal’s Timing

By Gregg Easterbrook for ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/080202&sportCat=nfl

[rod1]

At a minimum the Patriots should have forfeited this year’s cheating game to the Jets as that was the one were they were caught and found guilty of cheating by the NFL. But reporters said that a forfeited game was so trivial a penalty as to not matter among theother penalty’s doiled out (e.g. loss of draft choices). Of course now that particulalr regular saeason win/loss is everything to the Patriots’ perfect regular season. Game forfeit should have been first among the menu of penalties the commissioner issued.

[Boston Blackie]

Cheaters cheat. It is what they do.

are you talking about the clintons or the patriots....

or Clemens or Pettitte or Giambi or Sheffield etc,etc.

[Beckwith]

In a memo sent Sept. 6 (2007) to NFL head coaches and general managers. In it, Ray Anderson, the league's executive vice president of football operations wrote: "Videotaping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches' booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game."

NFL coaches long have suspected opponents of spying. In the early 1970s, the late George Allen, coach of the Washington Redskins, routinely would send a security man into the woods surrounding the team's practice facility because he suspected there were spies from other teams there.

And coaches like Seattle's Mike Holmgren and Philadelphia's Andy Reid, among others, always cover their mouths when calling plays from the sideline because they fear other teams have lip readers trying to determine their calls.

As Belichik himself has said, "As the Commissioner acknowledged, our use of sideline video had no impact on the outcome of last week's game. We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress."

Stealing signals has been going on forever - - if it upsets you - - that's your problem.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80251b7e&template=with-video&confirm=true

[Beckwith]

The Commisioner of the NFL acknowledged the use of sideline video had no impact on the outcome of the Patriot’s/Jet’s game.

Get a life.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80251b7e&template=with-video&confirm=true

[Hoodlum91]

When I read the headline yesterday, I thought “Here we go again”.

Then I read the story. By the author’s own admission it’s one unnamed source and was denied by everyone he contacted. Even his “source” says he didn’t know if the guy with the camera was taping and if he was if he was doing it for the Pats or on his own.

This is a story for headlines timed to throw more controversy on the Pats. There doesn’t seem to be any substance. All fluff for excited headline writers.

[montag813]

As a Giants fan I hope this new allegation will take the Pats’ attention away from the stupid Plaxico Burress comments the other day.

[mewzilla]

Stealing signals has been going on forever - - if it upsets you - - that's your problem.

Football is a multi billion dollar industry.From this link...

The NFL's unsportsmanlike conduct

...The revenue of the league showed it. This year, the NFL will garner more than $20 billion in television revenue, more than $6 billion in ticket sales, and untold billions in memorabilia and promotions.

Not to mention the Heaven knows how much placed on bets...

If the folks paying all that money are po'ed, the NFL's got a problem. Trust is the coin of the realm and the NFL is fixing to squander it, just like MLB has.

Of course, if it doesn't affect the bottom line, the NFL ain't gonna care.

But if this is going to affect the bottom line, and the NFL doesn't cotton to that until the damage has been done, the NFL has only itself to blame.

[mimaw]

*

[montag813]

 

/s

[Beckwith]

So what?

[Beckwith]

All the idiot rants on this thread evidently didn’t read the part of the headling that says, the “NFL deny(s) new spying allegation.”

Got that - - the NFL says it didn’t happen.

You obsessives who want to make more of this non-story need to hook up with the Paulians and 9/11 truthers.

[nyyankeefan]

or Clemens or Pettitte or Giambi or Sheffield etc,etc.

what a bunch of haters!!!!

sounds like lib/dem whines!!!!

[SkyPilot]

Stealing signals has been going on forever - - if it upsets you - - that's your problem.

Whoa! Easy pal. I asked respectfully, and I thanked you in advance.

[Archon of the East]

Because they cheat! hehehehe well OK maybe they cheat. But anyway i will be rooting for the Giants. First of all we have no Red state team to root for so I am going with Tom Coughlin! Here is an old school guy that almost got fired for not being sensitive enough from the PC crowd. I suspect he was put through a reeducation camp to become a better comuuunicator and more sensiiitive so he could keep his job. During the championship (I was rooting for Green bay) I saw his reaction to the first missed field goal. I quickly change my allegiance to coach Coughlin. As the kicker came off the field his reeducation was forcing him clap and encourage his sensitive kicker all the while the red face look of seething anger was as obvious as the night is dark. It was truly ans internal conflict that I feel represents to large degree the struggles we who love the principles of our founding are also having. We are being forced to swallow the bitter pills of multiculturalism, Government tyranny and ridicule for disagreement. Go Giants!

Well I dont bet so for what other reason should I watch.

[SkyPilot]

You obsessives who want to make more of this non-story need to hook up with the Paulians and 9/11 truthers.

Good gracious man. Didn't you read my comments on this story at post #1?

[Beckwith]

You realize, of course, that association ientifies you as a liberal.

[Boston Blackie]

LOL...What goes around comes around!

[SkyPilot]

It is a good day to be a New Englander -- World Series pennant on the wall, perfect football record on the line, cold beer, and hot wings.

I hear you. I was living in Boston when the Patriots played the Chicago Bears in 1986. It was such a heartbreak to see them get blown out in that one. I was down at Faneuil Hall with about 10,000 other grown men crying.

I am rooting for the Giants now, but hope for a good game.

[mewzilla]

Which part of it didn't you get? The part where fans who love the game are po'ed by cheaters? The part where people who make their livelihoods off football could be screwed if fans and sponsors get turned off? Jeez louise, Beck, I hope Goodell see the situation more clearly than appear to do.

Then again, maybe I'm wrong and nobody gives a flaming fig. Sigh. All I know is that if Goodell doesn't clean this up, I'm gonna feel the same way about the NFL that I have about MLB for quite some time. And I haven't watched/listened to an MLB game in years.

[Beckwith]

Because you started this nonsense and now go “lavabo manus meus.”

[SkyPilot]

I know. That is what I said in my post #1.

[Leisler]

Belicheck addresses his coaches before today's big game.

Two Giants players sleep in late.