Goodell Prepared to Strip Patriots of Draft Picks
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is prepared to strip draft picks from the New England Patriots as punishment for Sunday's incident in which they allegedly used videotaping equipment to steal the play signals of the New York Jets, two sources familiar with the league's investigation into the matter said today.
"He is going to do more than just fine" the Patriots, said one person with knowledge of the investigation, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the league has not announced its decision. "Draft choices could come into play."
Another source said that Goodell would not make a final determination about a punishment until speaking to Patriots officials. That conversation is likely to take place by telephone this week, the source said.
Said Greg Aiello, the NFL's senior vice president of public relations: "No decision has been rendered."
League security officials confiscated videotaping equipment from a Patriots employee who was on the field at Giants Stadium during Sunday's triumph over the Jets. The Patriots allegedly were taping the hand signals being used by Jets coaches to make play calls to players on the field. That would violate league rules, and Goodell is empowered to punish such an infraction with a fine or the stripping of a draft selection or selections.
By Mark Maske |
September 11, 2007; 7:20 PM ET
| Category:
League
,
Patriots
Previous: D. Anderson, Not Quinn, to be Browns' Starter at Quarterback, For Now |
Next: Prognosis Reportedly Improves for Everett
Posted by: Steelers Fan | September 11, 2007 7:48 PM
if Goodell is going to strip the Pats draft picks as punishment what he needs to do is strip them of couple of at least 3 first round picks this way it sends the message to the rest of the teams that this is the punishment if you decide to cheat in order to win games
Posted by: armen | September 11, 2007 8:30 PM
If the NFL really considers it cheating, they should show how much they disapprove. Suspend everyone involved for the next NE/NYJ game. If that means they are without half the coaching staff and the starting QB, then maybe the'll learn not to cheat. Or give the Jets defense earpieces to listen in on the Brady/Belichick signals for their next game, just to even things out. The Jets need to be compensated somehow.
Posted by: just draft picks? | September 12, 2007 9:20 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
How stupid must you be to cheat against a team whose head coach used to work for your organization and knows your cheating tactics. Wouldn't it be prudent and wise to suspend cheating while playing against the Jets?