Call on Pats: Caught Stealing

Commissioner concludes New England taped Jets' signals
By Lev Weinstein,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 12, 2007 9:48 AM CDT
Call on Pats: Caught Stealing
New England Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick, right, talks to linebacker Junior Seau during second half NFL football action against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007. Patriots won, 38-14. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)   (Associated Press)

Confiscated video evidence has confirmed suspicions that the Patriots taped the Jets' defense during Sunday's 38-14 win, ESPN reports. Roger Goodell has reviewed the footage taken from the Pats' sideline and determined that the team violated league rules by recording signals. The commissioner is considering sanctions, which could be as severe as stripping the Pats of multiple draft picks.

New England will have a chance to plead its case, probably in a conference call Friday, but this isn't the first time the team has been suspected. Goodell plans to make an example of the Pats, sources told ESPN, because he started his job with stern warnings about competitive violations, and they're the first club to cross the line. (More New England Patriots stories.)

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