Steve’s on vacation for a bit so I’ll be bringing you the Patriots news for a few days.
If you hadn’t heard by now, there was some sort of scandal with the Patriots and a video cameraman being caught at the Jets game last week. Then you had Bill Belichick’s cryptic apology where he apologized but didn’t. It was more of a Texas two-step around an apology.
Rumors had been the Patriots would probably lose a draft pick or two as punishment and that Belichick would be suspended for some games. Well that was certainly not the case on Thursday when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handed down the punishment.
Goodell fined Belichick $500,000 and the Patriots organization $250,000. The Pats will also lose their 1st round draft pick if they make the playoffs and their 2nd and 3rd round picks if they don’t. However, the Patriots will not lose a first round draft pick obtained from San Francisco in the trade for Randy Moss from Oakland.
Some excerpts from Goodell’s letter to the Patriots:
“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 said in a letter to the Patriots.
Goodell said he considered suspending Belichick but didn’t “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.”
But it said the commissioner believed 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.”
Belichick also issued a statement in response to the punishment and said this will be the last time he comments about the situation.
I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight’s ruling. Once again, I apologize to the Kraft family and every person directly or indirectly associated with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused. I also apologize to Patriots fans and would like to thank them for their support during the past few days and throughout my career.
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.
Part of my job as head coach is to ensure that our football operations are conducted in compliance of the league rules and all accepted interpretations of them. My interpretation of a rule in the Constitution and Bylaws was incorrect.
With tonight’s resolution, I will not be offering any further comments on this matter. We are moving on with our preparations for Sunday’s game.
So now that’s all said and done, can we get down to the business of kicking the Chargers’ asses on Sunday night.
