Bill Belichick Fined $500K

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has fined Patriots head coach Bill Belichick $500,000 for his role in stealing defensive signals from the NY Jets in last Sunday’s 38-14 road victory.  In addition, the New England Patriots will be slapped with a $250,000 fine and will be forced to give up a draft pick in next year’s draft.  It has been rumored for some time that New England has been playing unfairly.  In November of last season, New England was accused of spying on the Packers in a game that resulted in a 35-0 win for the Patriots.  In that game, Green Bay officials removed the same man, Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella, after they witnessed him filming the Packers defensive personnel from the sidelines.

You have to wonder how many other Patriots games employed the use of videotape-spying and what effect, if any, these tactics had on the results of the games.  In my opinion, Goodell came down rightfully hard on Belichick and hit him square where it hurts - in the wallet.  Poor Matt Estrella.  He will probably be available to photograph your wedding or Bar Mitzvah sometime in the near future.

Written by Jon on September 13th, 2007 with no comments.
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