There are numerous stories about the New England Patriots as rampant rules breakers. These stories that were once non-corporeal and difficult to grasp have taken on new meaning in the face of cheating allegations against one of the most successful franchises in NFL history.
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| Belichick has earned more than a rep as a tactical mastermind. (AP) |
The problem with these stories is that they are like vapor: Difficult to see and grasp because of a code of secrecy that exists in the NFL. When NFL and Jets security officials confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots employee during New England's 38-14 victory over New York on Sunday, it was one of the few times the veil on NFL cheating was allegedly lifted.
But not the first time.
The Green Bay Packers have publicly said they caught a member of the Patriots organization filming the Packers' signals during a November game last year. The videographer, reportedly Matt Estrella and the same staffer involved in New York, was escorted from the field. What is not generally known is that Estrella was later caught filming from a nearby tunnel and was tossed from the stadium altogether.
Packers president Bob Harlan told reporters that upon being removed from the sideline, Estrella "had quite a fit when we took him out. We had gotten word before the game that they did this sort of thing, so we were looking into it."
The Patriots media guide lists Estrella's title as video assistant. The guide also says Estrella is in his third year with the team as full-time video assistant, and that his duties include editing game and practice tapes.
Longstanding rumors and stories about the Patriots using this methodology to steal signals were never accompanied by hardcore proof -- until now, that is, apparently in the possession of commissioner Roger Goodell.
Sunday's discovery might finally be the culmination of a belief that the Patriots, under Bill Belichick, are a team that pushes the envelope and sometimes crosses the line more than any other.
"I think that the Patriots live by the saying, 'If you're not cheating, you're not trying,'" San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson was quoted as saying Tuesday. "I'm not surprised because you keep hearing the different stories (and) people complaining about the stuff that they do."
A league source said the Denver Broncos, Packers, Jets and Buffalo Bills believe the Patriots have videotaped their signals before. The source also said other teams have phoned NFL Security with their suspicions since the story first broke.
There was such concern over rumors that the Patriots were using video cameras to steal signals over the past several years, a league source said, they were put "atop the league's watch list" for that type of rules violation. Goodell's fall of '06 warning to all 32 teams was mainly aimed at New England, the source said.
Cheating has been rampant in football for some time, say league executives, general managers, coaches, players and agents. Some years ago, for example, teams would flock to the San Francisco area for the East-West Shrine Game. Some coaches and scouts, however, would also take in a different site. They would go to the highest floor of a local hotel and, at the time unbeknown to the 49ers, would watch -- sometimes even film -- team practices.
