OFFICIAL: From ESPN Patriots Cheating...

From ESPN.COM home page:

Belichick fined $500,000
Team fined $250,000
Loss of 1st round draft pick if Pats make playoffs.

He got off easy.

Should have been suspended IMO. But not for our game, I don't want any excuses.

Weak.

Thats what it looks like. Looks like its more a warning than anything else. My guess is if they do anything close to what they did later it will get much worse. More a warning shot over the bow I believe is what goodell is doing.

My only question is will this be enough of a scare tactic to ward off other teams doing the same thing.

The one thing that will always be part of this I'm a guessing is those super bowls will forever be tainted. And this team will have cheater stamped on their backs for quite a while.

your right, he did get off easy thats weak

Wonder how long it will take Mirriam-Webster to recognize the new word in the English language:

Belicheat - tainted meat

???

Pats get hit hard

ESPN News reported the following:

BB fined $500,000

Patriots fined $250,000

If they make the playoffs this year, they surrender an '08 1st round pick, if not, a 2nd and 3rd.

No link yet.

Pats get hit hard

Suspension??

Pats get hit hard

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80251b7e&template=without-video&confirm=true

here is the NFL link

Pats get hit hard

New England Patriots 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.

In addition, Commissioner Roger Goodell also notified the Patriots that they would forfeit their 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," 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 Sept. 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, Goodell determined that the Patriots' use last Sunday of the video camera, which was seized by NFL security before the end of the first quarter, had no impact on the outcome of the Patriots-New York Jets game.

Goodell also believes that Patriots ownership was unaware of 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."

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," 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."

Pats get hit hard

250K= min salary of one poor player.
1st round pick= They have another, it means very little.

Bellicheat took the hit, 500K is a the maximum penalty they could give him short of a suspention.


I'm not impressed, Bellicheat should have been suspended at least 2 games.

Pats get hit hard

This is crap.

They needed to hit them with the loss of multiple major draft picks and salary cap weight.

Make it so the team feels the *** hurt for years.

Pats get hit hard

Sorry for the extra thread, mods. Please merge with Carlsbads thread that I didn't see.

Goodell's nutsack shrank when it mattered most.

Wow, a total of $750K in fines and a single draft pick.

Oohhhh.... tough stuff..... NOT!

Pats get hit hard

Not hard enough imo

Pats get hit hard

I was hoping that this would drag a little to add to the distraction. They are going to be PISSED on Sunday Night.

Pats get hit hard

Backfire from whom? He's the commish. He's got the dictatorial power.

Use it.

Pats get hit hard

I suppose this sends a message, but the fact is, if this had been a player, he would have been suspended...Belichik should have gotten a suspension, just like any other.
I would go so far as to say they should have forfeited the Jets game.

Agreed. Why not forfeit the win against the Jets? Or, what about inelligible for post season play? Belichick blatantly broke an NFL rule regarding cheating. You can bet that Bob Kraft will pay the $500k.

Pats get hit hard

Has a head coach ever been suspended? :icon_shrug:

I think the punishment is plenty stiff.

Pats get hit hard

I think we rip them a new one ...again in their house.

Pats get hit hard

I REALLY hope we beat the piss out of them Sunday night. I hope we're up by 30 with less than 2 minutes to go and Rivers throws a BOMB to Jackson or Davis for TD. Rub their noses in ****.

Pats get hit hard

This is ****...He is a cheat and he has to give up 500K...Chump change to a guy like BB!

The league loves and needs the pats...

TBF

Pats get hit hard

The pats superbowls will always be questioned from now on. And they will have cheaters written on the back of thier jerseys as long as bellycheater is their coach.

Pats get hit hard

You actually think thats a HARD punishment??

That is a joke

The fact that he doesnt even get suspended proves that Goodell is a ***** when it comes to punish big moneymakers

Pats get hit hard

Hell the cowboys QB coach gets suspended for viagra, but Belicheat doesnt get suspended for this???