New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick issued an apology to the league and his team without really saying what he was apologizing for. After taking a page from Jason Giambi’s playbook here’s what the coach had to say:
“Earlier this week, I spoke with Commissioner Goodell about a videotaping procedure during last Sunday’s game and my interpretation of the rules. At this point, we have not been notified of the league’s ruling. Although it remains a league matter, I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected, most of all ownership, staff and players. Following the league’s decision, I will have further comment on the matter”. – Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
Belichick was asked several times to elaborate on the statement refusing in his common matter of fact monotone. After he was finished discussing the Chargers game he was asked what “his interpretation of the rules” were and he left the room without further comment.
As has been written earlier, this isn’t the Patriots first rodeo with these accusations. And this is far from the first time the NFL has a coach who stole the oppositions signal calls. In the late 1980’s Cleveland Browns head coach Marty Schottenheimer routinely sent a scout to watch the signals the opposing teams used to send in plays. He would then watch game film and match the scouting reports to play calls.
Kansas City head coach Herm Edwards said it is still the norm today to do what Schottenheimer did looking for tips on game films and from highlight shows on TV.
ESPN’s John Clayton has a good article online today about the scandal and what actions could possibly happen and how others in the league will react to it and feel about it and how this affects the Patriots.
UPDATE Wednesday September 12, 10:20 p.m.
Accoring to the New York Daily News an insider close to the situation claims that Jets head coach Eric Mangini is the one the who tipped the league to the taping.
From the Daily News:
“[The Jets] knew they did it,” the Daily News wrote, citing a person with knowledge of the situation, who sent the newspaper an e-mail. “They caught the guy a year ago, but couldn’t do anything about it. When Eric came, he said that’s what they used to do. Bill is going to be [ticked] at Eric. He kissed and told.”
Sunday was the fourth game that Belichick and Mangini have coached against each other since Mangini took over the Jets in 2006.
