Give NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell credit for one thing … his justice is swift.
Below is the text of the release issued regarding his penalties for the Patriots — a $500,000 fine to Bill Belichick, a $250,000 fine to the team and the loss of either a first-round pick or second- and third-picks, depending on whether they make the playoffs. If they qualify for the postseason, it’s a first-rounder; if not, it’s the No. 2 and No. 3.
New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has been fined the maximum amount under the NFL Constitution and By-Laws of $500,000 for violating league policy last Sunday on the use of equipment to videotape an opposing team’s offensive or defensive signals, the NFL announced today.
In addition, Commissioner Roger Goodell also notified the Patriots that they would forfeit their own first-round draft choice in 2008 if they reach the playoffs, or their own second-round and third-round picks if they do not qualify for the playoffs, and that the club would be fined $250,000.
“This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field,” Commissioner Goodell wrote in a letter to the Patriots.
NFL policy states that “no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game” and that all video shooting locations for club coaching purposes “must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead.”
In a memo to NFL head coaches and general managers on September 6, 2006, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson said, “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.”
In his review of the facts, Commissioner Goodell determined that the Patriots’ use last Sunday of the video camera, which was seized before the end of the first quarter, had no impact on the outcome of the Patriots-New York Jets game.
Commissioner Goodell also believes that Patriots ownership was unaware of Coach Belichick’s action, but determined that penalties should be imposed on the club because “Coach Belichick not only serves as the head coach but also has substantial control over all aspects of New England’s football operations. His actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club.”
Commissioner Goodell informed the Patriots that the NFL would closely review and monitor the Patriots’ coaching video program, effective immediately.
“I specifically considered whether to impose a suspension on Coach Belichick,” Commissioner Goodell wrote. “I have determined not to do so, largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension.”
I heard fans on one radio show suggesting a suspension. I also read an article in the Florida Times-Union in which Jaguars defensive lineman Paul Spicer suggested banning the Patriots from the postseason if they were guilty.
What do you think? Is the punishment enough? Weigh in below.
Tags: Bill Belichick, NFL, Roger Goodell
GOOD, THEY DESERVE TO LOSE THEIR #1, AND THE FINES! tHEY’VE BEEN CHEATING FOR YEARS. nOT EVEN THE FIRST TIME THEY’VE HAD THIS HAPPEN! SAME DUDE WAS BUSTED LAST YEAR! BELICHEK IS A CLASSLES COACH, WHO DOES ANYTHING TO GAIN ADVANTAGE! hOPE THEIR SEASON IS MARRED BY THIS! NICE TO KNOW WE OWN THEM, EVEN WHEN THEY’RE CHEATING!
Really surprised he didn’t go with a suspension. The loss of draft picks, and the heavy fines seem fair enough though.
Good. It’s a heafy personal fine and the picks will hurt the team. I wish this never happened, but at least now, MAYBE, if other teams were doing the same thing, they will think twice, and a third time about it.
Maybe the steriod tests will be next, maybe not…
Props to the new Commish for doing what’s right. It’s about time someone in a high powered seat did the right thing and doesn’t always follow the $. Refreshing in the world we live in today.
I’m glad that this was cleared up. I personally don’t thing the actual allegation is ZOMFG TEh HOriIbLeZ, but i do thing that the defiance by the Pats was serious and deserved a penalty.
Terrible punishment- Im sure $750,000 is nothing more than pocket change to them.
They should have gotten more than just money and a draft pick. I think it should have been money, no draft pick, and taking away that win and making it a tie. so they should be 0-0-1 right now along with the Jets. I don’t think that this changed the game dramatically, the Pat’s would have probably won anyways, but they won while cheating. That has to be more than just $$$ and a draft pick (or picks).
I think that the Jets game should be forfeited and count as a loss. When you cheat in the olympics or in the Tour, they strip you of your medals. The same should hold true in this case. A loss and the loss of draft picks (or a suspension) would hurt more than a fine, especially since Belicheat has plenty of money.
Just makes you wonder if they would have ever gotten so far without doing it and brings into question how good of a QB Brady really is.
I’m glad to see the monetary aspect but I still don’t believe that the punishment holds the Patriots or more specifecaly Bill Belichick to the right standard. Take this small morsal in to consideration. The San Diego Chargers had the best record in the NFL last year. They take this 14-2 record in to the post-season and destroy the Chargers. Although the Chargers did seem to change their defensive play calling on nearly every set of downs it looked like the Patriots were reading Wade Phillips mind. A feat that only two other teams had done the entire year with enough efficiency to beat the Chargers. This little snafu cost Marty his head coaching job which was subsequently responsible for Phillips and Cameron to jump ship. How does Bill Belichick explain this. Does he even attempt to apologize for it. NO! He remains on his pedistal in an attempt to continue with his “Kid’s don’t act like this when you lose” award. A poor sportsmanship trophy he seems to walk away with every year. Bronco fans will remember the lack-luster post game interviews that Belichick and Brady gave after their playoff loss to the Broncos. They were filled with “we gave them this” and “we gave them that” and not once did they concede to the fact that they were out coached and out played. You remember Tom Brady flying off the handle on the sidelines of that game and the increasing look of frustration on Belichicks face. One has to ask now if those instances were brought on by simply not playing well or was it the fact that their attempts at cheating were being stymied by a very intelligent and precautious Broncos Coaching Staff.
In the end though what Belichick has done is to undermine the entire sport. For that he should be made to make a very public apology that includes a statement as to how long they have been doing it and an apology to every coach or player that was effected by it. He should have been suspended for at least four games. When players misbehave they are told to go away and not come back untill they have had the time to reflect on the error of their ways. Pac-man Jones a year, Michael Vick maybe an entire career. Where is the accountability for the one man who is supposed to conduct himself in a way that his entire team, nay, the entire league can be proud of and can set an example by. Taking a draft pick, even a first rounder, from the Patriots means nothing. It’s simply more money they can spend on a free agent next year. If you want to make your point, you take both of their first round picks for this year and you take the first round pick of the Patriots for the next three years. This ensures that the message transends time and is a point of discusion each and every year. Watching how hard the coaches, especially the Broncos staff, work, how tireless they are in their pursuit of greatness, the actions of Bill Belichick are inexusable. Please correct me if I’m wrong but he gives the impression of a man who has forgotten every aspect of why we the fans love the game, why players love to play it, and why coaches love to teach it. Because we, they, I LOVE IT! If just winning at any cost is where he is at then he should be made to live in a place where he can be reminded of what we already know. In the stands with the fans.
Mike of San Diego.
I don’t see any difference between this and most penalties commited during a game. For example, a holding penalty. When lineman get beat they hold to try and stop the pass rusher. This is “cheating” and sometimes they get caught and sometimes they don’t. The Patriots got caught and they are serving the apporpriate penalty. I do know one thing though…Tom Brady is going to have a hell of a time reading the Denver D without a video camera because he looked mighty frustrated when he did have his visual aids.
Yes it is, it is good that Goodell is harsh on teams as he is players.
im glad that they are going to lose a 1st round pick…the cash like everyone says is pocket change….i think belichik should have been suspended some games and or forfeit game….patriots got caught cheating and thats that…but in the long run..everyone knowing that they cheated is going to be like barry bonds beating the record, if the patriots win, people will always question the patriots, so that organization hurt themselves for any respect at all….go broncos
I agreee the money means little to them. The loss of a draft pick does nothing to punish Belicheck now. It might in 3-4 years, not nothing now. I say they should loose all rights to video any part of any game for four games.
the fine is not enough, and he should be suspended for atleast one game if not more i am sure glad that the tv is saying something bad about the patsies instead of hyping them up like they have.
I think the game should have just become a forfeiture, a hefty fine for coach and team, and a 1 game suspension to the head coach. Regardless of what teams or which coaches were involved. The team that was cheated on didn’t do anything wrong and therefore should not be punished by having to take the loss in that game. Who cares if the actual cheating in the game didn’t affect the outcome immediately it could have affected it later. ALL R3ADY!!!!!
I have to agree with wormyblackburny, if you cheat you should forfeit. the fines don’t really hurt their pockets unless you reduce their salary cap for that season or the next. draft pick forfeiture is good in future years not for the on going season. The Commish should log the game as a forfeit, reduce their salary cap for this season by $10 mil and suspend Belicheat for a four game run, Just for the principle of arrogance. We don’t tolerate performance enhancers and steriods in players, why should we tolerate cheaters and getting an unfair advantage over teams with video equipment. This makes me wonder, did they do the same thing during the Super Bowls? I wonder. Once a cheater, always a cheater!!!
I think this is way too steep a penalty. A fine yes, suspension for a game or two games yes…but draft picks? that’s ridiculous. The players should not have to pay the price for a coaches actions, especially when they more than likely had no idea. However, I doubt that taping the NY Jets signals is going to give the Patriots an advantage over the other team. When it comes down to it, the players still have to go out there and execute the play regardless of what signal is called.
I dont condone what Bellichick did, but I think Goodell has gone overboard with this excessive sentencing crap. If this would have happened against any other team, we would not be making a big deal out of this…but because it happened against the NY Jets, now there is this big outcry for action, and people are speaking out, and judging Bellichick and the Patriots.
Why is it when something happens to NY, whether it be 9/11, or Tom Coughlin, or whatever it may be, things tend to get blown up bigger than they really are, and whacked out of proportion? Why does the entire country stop doing what it’s doing, when breaking news or some big thing happens in NY. The NY Jets, Giants, Bills, Yankees, Mets, Syracuse, and all those other worthless teams, get more attention than any other teams in the world of sports, and frankly I really don’t care.
Video taping the NY Jets signals, did not make any difference whatsoever in Sunday’s game, or any previous games. The NY Jets are so hapless, they couldn’t fight their way out of a wet paper bag. That said, the Jets beat the Pats last year in NY, so that right there proves the video taping of signals doesn’t give any advantage. The Pats got beat by the Colts in the AFC Championship Game. Denver went to New England on a Sunday night last year and we tally whacked the living hell out of them on National T.V…are you gonna tell me about video tapes and signals on these games? I think not. It’s a bunch of rubbish, and the NFL and Goodell knows it.
Time to move on, and quit looking for scapegoats. play the damn game, and let’s get on with life.
ok, I’ll admit it, I have never liked the Pat’s, even though the Broncos have had their number in recent years.
but in response to the punishment, I think it Belichick and the Patriots organization got off easy. I think Goodell should’ve taken away the New Englands 1st round pick for 2008 and 2nd round for 2009, at least. that would’ve hurt the team more down the road, and since we don’t know for how long the Patriots have been benefiting from these tapes, a penalty that lasts two years seems fair enough.
97svtinkc, I understand how frustrated Patriot fans like you might be, but you have to understand, Belichick has been given great authority over the team. only punishing him would not be effective because he has abused the power he has and used it to benefit the team. that is why the team in itself must be penalized. and this everything in New York gets publicity is rediculous. It is about time I hear a columnist somewhere say something bad about New England for once.
but I do have to admit, for the first time, I feel a little bit of sympathy for the New England players. imagine, at every one of their next 7 away games they are going to get booed ceaselessly, and yet they had no idea of the cheating until now. I don’t know how Belichick is going to deal with his players. hopefully he can shape up.
in responce to it meant nothing to determining the outcome of a game..->then why do it at all if it doesn’t help you? obviously it provides some sort of help or advantage or they wouldn’t waste their timer doing it.
in responce to penalty-> 500,000 is a lot to most but if you make 4-5 million a year maybe not so much . draft picks = who cares what was everyone talking about this year with the pats, free agents stallworth, thomas, moss, welker which one did they draft? draft means nothing in the era of free agency
i think a coach suspension and a probation period of one year where they play games but not allowed to advance to post season. why do you cheat – to get to post season.. take it away you wont cheat again.
why do kids cheat on tests to get an A, if they get caught they get a 0 an F they dont get to keep the A they stole, even if they cheated only on one question the whole test = 0.
I agree with Goodell (and like him) that this punishment is more “long lasting” – however, I also agree that a forfeit loss to “the jets” would also give an immediate sour taste that would impact the whole league.
Way to clean up the NFL and keep it the best professional league of any sport!
Thanks Andrew for bringing it to us – Go Broncos – take care of our home turf against the “sign ‘em late” Raiders!!!
The punishment fits the crime. I actually thought whether or not it helped the outcome or not, they shouldve gave the Patriots the loss and the Jets the win. The game is more about W’s than draft picks and money. That kind of punishment would make teams think twice before doing that, especially when it comes down to tie breakers at the end of the season where those count. Why would the Patriots of all teams need to steal signals from another team unless they have been……naaaa couldn’t have been doing this the whole time. One has to wonder.
Broncos rule!!!! AAHOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!!!(per Nate Webster)
They have two 1st round draft picks. Losing one isn’t going to do much. They still have five first day picks.
I was expecting a suspension, fine and a loss of a draft pick. This is a “slap on the wrist.”
Edit: I meant they have ONE first rounder left not two.
The punishment handed out by the NFL is on a par with the MLB comissioner letting the Yankee steroid freak Giambi off without anything at all. A $500,000 fine to a guy that makes $millions/year is a joke. A $250,00 fine against a team turning a profit of $milions is another joke. Taking a draft choice from a team that has 5 on the first day anyway, another laugher. The right penalty would have been to forfeit the game and award a win to the Jets. Especially since the patsies have been warned by the league BEFORE !!! The freaking patsies have been cheating for many, many years: remember the snow game when the guy came out with a plow and cleared the field for the patsies to kick a field goal ?? How about bellychick never telling the truth about injured players ?? A deterrant to other teams cheting with cameras would be to forfeit the game. Money is nothing to these guys. It really doesn’t matter who the commissioner is, the owners run things in the NFL, they always have & they always will !! Read the hsitory of the NFL, you will see the leagues was started by gamblers, for gamblers. As $millions are bet in vegas every Sunday, why are we even surprised that the league really could care less about cheating !!! I really believe the NFL and the casinos in Vegas are in cahoots !!! Go Broncos !!!
WEll, I guess this means that they get an * by ever one of their wins. Kind of like Barry Bonds.
1) The Jets did nothing to deserve a win.
2) Can’t help but think lightening his wallet a half mil didn’t sting a bit.
3) Draft picks have value even post FA, but mostly in top dozen picks.
4) Names most associated with alleged NFL cheating? Davis, Belichick, and… Shanahan.
I think the punishment fit the crime. But discussion of the value of the stolen signs should not come into play. They violated a clear rule that had been emphasized by the league. Derision, $$$, and a draft pick is evidently the price you pay. Gotta admit, though, I thought their play calling was genious at times…
Once again professional sports has found a way to side step taking full responsbilitiy for their totally unprofessional behavior. The Patriots should have forfeited the game. The money is petty cash for an NFL franchise and there are ways to get good players without a top draft choice for one year. I have greatly admired the Patriots for years. The trust is gone and so is the admiration.
[...] Maybe it’s just because everyone’s on heightened cheat-watch alert in the wake of the Patriot Caper and the subsequent punishment handed to Bill Belichick. [...]