This could change. People need to let the facts come out first. They could very well be guilty, but the media has taken this thing and ran. Stealing signals causing this much controversy, oh brother.
NFL denies Patriots taped Jets’ signals
01:00 AM Wednesday, September 12, 2007
BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer
A spokesman for the National Football League last night denied ESPN and NFL Network reports from earlier in the day that the league had found the New England Patriots guilty of violating league rules by taping defensive signals during Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
Greg Aiello, NFL senior vice president of media relations, said there had been no official determination made and that the Patriots had not been notified of any decision, nor has head coach Bill Belichick been summoned to league offices in New York City for a Friday meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell.
“There’s no decision. When there is one, it will be communicated to everyone properly,” Aiello said.
Asked if the league had or will make a phone call to the team, Aiello replied, “I’m sure there’s been many. It’s standard procedure: if you’re looking into a matter, you have to (talk to) both sides.”
NFL security officials confiscated a video camera and tape from New England video assistant Matt Estrella during the game. Estrella was on the Patriots’ sidelines while he was taping New York’s signals.
League rules prohibit teams from using video recording devices in the coaches’ booths, on the field or in the locker room during a game.
Also yesterday, NFL Network reported that “more evidence was pouring in” to link New England to videotaping signals.
Aiello said the league had nothing further to report when asked if more teams had leveled accusations against the Patriots.
Both the ESPN and NFLN reports said that Goodell was considering sanctions against the Patriots, which could include losing draft picks, fines and/or suspensions.
When the Patriots were contacted for comment on the reports last night, they deferred all calls to the league office in New York.
“There is an investigation going on now, and perhaps an adjudication of it, and I think it would be inappropriate at this time to make any comment,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft told reporters at a charity appearance last night. “When you’re successful in anything, a lot of people like to try to take you down and do different things. We understand that.
“We worked very hard to try to put an organization together that we all could be proud of in New England, and we’re very proud of the New England Patriots organization and the record that they’ve established over the last 13 seasons and one game.”
