Welcome to FanIQ!
FanIQ is the ultimate free community for sports fans.
•Talk sports with fans from all over - 1,232,017+ Comments
•Track your game picks - 14,800,358+ Sports Predictions
•Prove you know sports - 64,776+ Trivia Questions
•Find fans of your teams - 1,758,006+ New Friends
Today's Best FanIQ Fan Articles
Best Sports Videos. Powered by Fans.
About the Author - MrNFL
"Only two months until NFL Season!"

Jordan
Big Rapids, MI
Male 17 years old

About Me:
Big NFL nut. There is nothing better than NFL Sunday. (Or Monday...or Saturday...) If there is an NFL game on, you can bet I'll be watching it or at least trying to watch it. I'm a Colts fan, spent 15 years of my life in the great state of Indiana before moving to Michigan 2 years ago, and it kills me being forced to watch the Lions each week. 49ers are my favorite NFC team, just because as a kid, my favorite player was (and probably still is) Jerry Rice.

I can enjoy most sports. Hockey, in person, is fantastic and may be the best in person. I go to each of Ferris State's College hockey games, and I watch the NHL, although more in the playoffs than regular season. Didn't get in to hockey until I came to Michigan, thus I'm a Wings fan.

I do enjoy baseball, and am a Cubs fan from a long line of Cubs fans in the family. I like basketball, but I ultimately probably enjoy high school ball the best, as it's really the game at it's purest form and how it's meant to be. College football games I do find interesting, but I can't get in to it because I know there won't be a legitimate finale to the season thanks to the worthless BCS.

I do public address announcing for my high school's various sporting events, and have done football, baseball, softball, soccer, wrestling, and basketball. I've also do PA for a club hockey team at Ferris State, and I did color commentary on a local radio station for my high schools' football team (1-9 d'oh!) as well as a few state playoff games.

And...wow I really wrote too much here. The end.
Patriots: Commish Determines They Violated League Rules
by MrNFL MrNFL | >7 days ago29 Comment Comments »
Patriots: Commish Determines They Violated League Rules PhotoBad news for the Patriots.  According to ESPN, Roger Goodell has determined that the Patriots have violated league rules, and is considering very strong sanctions, including docking them "multiple draft picks"

The Patriots will be allowed to present their case and defend themselves sometime before Friday, and Goodell is expected to have a decision no later than Friday.

"NFL security officials confiscated a camera and videotape from Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella on the New England sidelines when it was suspected he was recording the Jets' defensive signals. Sources say the visual evidence confirmed the suspicion.

The league also was reviewing a possible violation into the number of radio frequencies the Patriots were using during Sunday's game, sources said. The team did not have a satisfactory explanation when asked about possible irregularities in its communication setup during the game."

This is a very interesting situation.  If the Patriots are proven guilty, they should be punished however the fitting punishment is, but losing multiple draft picks could be a huge loss for a team that added a 1st and 3rd round pick during the draft.  Although I wouldn't doubt that other teams have done things like this, the Patriots violated the rules, got caught, and should be punished for the crime.

More on this as it develops.

Source: (ESPN)

Read Related:  NFL
Teams:  New England Patriots
thumbs up6 Like it?
Share with a friend

Discuss: 29 Comments Comments last by IlliniBob72 IlliniBob72
< NFL Week 2 Fan Power Rankings | FanIQ Blog Home
All Posts By MrNFL | Norfolk State Coach (Playing Rutgers This Weekend) Would Rather Play Michigan >
 &nbp;
TOP COMMENT * * * * * * * * * * * *
#30 | 301 days ago

 +3 thumbs upLittle off topic, but Sports Center just broke the story that Kevin Everett will walk out of the hospital, not anytime soon but after a few weeks or months, he will be able to walk again.
Was this comment...? Smart(3) Funny Bold Poor
  
29 Comments | Sorted by Most Recent First
   Page: 1  

Vote for your favorite comments. Fans decide the Top Comment (3+ votes) and also hide poor quality comments (4+ votes).
#1 | 301 days ago

 +1 thumbs upInteresting, ESPN.com's Sportsnation poll has 44% saying that if true, the Patriots should forfeit their victory against the Jets.  That might be just a stretch.
Was this comment...? Smart(1) Funny Bold Poor
#2 | 301 days ago

 +3 thumbs upLittle off topic, but Sports Center just broke the story that Kevin Everett will walk out of the hospital, not anytime soon but after a few weeks or months, he will be able to walk again.
Was this comment...? Smart(3) Funny Bold Poor
#3 | 301 days ago

 Jubanator14 wrote:
Little off topic, but Sports Center just broke the story that Kevin Everett will walk out of the hospital, not anytime soon but after a few weeks or months, he will be able to walk again.
I heard that also, and that was great news to hear.  Let's hope for a full recovery and a walking Kevin Everett in the near future.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#4 | 301 days ago

 (Edited 09/11/07 6:11PM by Indydave)
+1 thumbs upOUCH!!!!  I still don't know why they supposedly did this-- I mean I believe that the Pats could beat the Jets with ease--- you can bet I'll make sure my comrades that work at the RCA dome know about this one
Was this comment...? Smart Funny(1) Bold Poor
#5 | 301 days ago

 Indydave wrote:
OUCH!!!!  I still don't know why they supposedly did this-- I mean I believe that the Pats could beat the Jets with ease--- you can bet I'll make sure my comrades that work at the RCA dome know about this one
They weren't doing it for this game. I highly doubt they film the signals for 2 quarters and analysis it before the end of the game to figure out the Jets plays. I am 100% sure this is for the next time the teams play. That is why this game shouldn't be forfeited.

Also, if the Pats loose draft picks they will be of the 4th,5th and 6th round variety and the Pats almost never sign those guys. Not worried here.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#6 | 301 days ago

 Whats the matter the Pats afraid of the jets that much they need to cheat to beat the Jets. and of all teams the Patriots.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor(1)
#7 | 301 days ago

 +1 thumbs upJust a question, can you do the same thing from the pictures taken and printed out during each play. Now I am not defending what the Patriots did, but if you are not going to allow teams Videotape the games and signals, why should you be able to take pictures of them?
Was this comment...? Smart(1) Funny Bold Poor
#8 | 301 days ago

 I understand its different sports, but couldn't this just be compared to baseball and "stealing" signs?

In baseball, its more of a skill because your doing it on the fly. But is on film mean its completely out of the question and "unfair"?
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#9 | 301 days ago

 Nick S wrote:
They weren't doing it for this game. I highly doubt they film the signals for 2 quarters and analysis it before the end of the game to figure out the Jets plays. I am 100% sure this is for the next time the teams play. That is why this game shouldn't be forfeited.

Also, if the Pats loose draft picks they will be of the 4th,5th and 6th round variety and the Pats almost never sign those guys. Not worried here.
+3 thumbs up

They allegedly were doing this last season at Lambeau Field as well. If this is true, that would wipe out the theory that it was for the next time they played.

Was this comment...? Smart(3) Funny Bold Poor
#10 | 301 days ago

 I think this is more or less the  league enforcing an old rule. Just like they did with the chuck rule. The Pats have been cited in the past for this so this is nothing new. Teams try to steal signs all the time, thats why there is three people giving defensive signs. And I'm sure there is three people trying to match those signs up with the defensive formation and blitz packages. QB's are always looking at photographs of defensive formations trying to read the defenses and to get an edge. I think if Belichick can gain a 1% advantage in a game he will do it. The league wanted to enforce the rule this year and as it happens the first week the Pats get caught(Who coaches the Jets?).
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#11 | 301 days ago

 +1 thumbs upIf I were the league I'd come down hard on the Patriots... I'm just not sure how.  I don't think its fair to make them forfeit the game, but it'd probably be either a 1st and a third this year or 2nd round picks the next two years.  We don't need anymore of this.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold(1) Poor
#12 | 301 days ago

 (Edited 09/11/07 8:37PM by shschill)
kantwistaye wrote:
If I were the league I'd come down hard on the Patriots... I'm just not sure how.  I don't think its fair to make them forfeit the game, but it'd probably be either a 1st and a third this year or 2nd round picks the next two years.  We don't need anymore of this.
I don think that it will be that harsh at all. It will probably be a late round pick and a fine. And I doubt this is the only team stealing calls.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#13 | 301 days ago

 (Edited 09/11/07 8:39PM by kantwistaye)
shschill wrote:
I don think that it will be that harsh at all. It will probably be a late round pick and a fine. And I doubt this is the only team stealing calls.

It probably won't be as harsh, and I could care less if other team's steal calls.  Its the manner in which the Patriots did that makes it so wrong, plus the fact that they've been accused of cheating many many times.  If this was something everyone was doing there wouldn't be so many people talking about it. The NFL needs to make a stance on this and end it immediately.

 

I think any team that gets caught should get this punishment... and in the future even more because this needs to stop now.

Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#14 | 301 days ago

 The penalty has to be harsh. I really don't think that draft picks is enough in this case. To match up against the Jets and not have an even playing field is a crime for the Patriots.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#15 | 301 days ago

This is going to be TOTALLY bias, coming from a Jets fan. Jets should get the win but that won't happen. The Jets barley had a chance to grab an INT, everytime the Pats scored in the air, the wideout was in the clear. I would love to look at tape to see how many audibles Brady called at the line. A 4th, 5th, and 6th round pick would show that this league can't put good punishments on a huge "crime," so to say.

Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#16 | 301 days ago

 kantwistaye wrote:

It probably won't be as harsh, and I could care less if other team's steal calls.  Its the manner in which the Patriots did that makes it so wrong, plus the fact that they've been accused of cheating many many times.  If this was something everyone was doing there wouldn't be so many people talking about it. The NFL needs to make a stance on this and end it immediately.

 

I think any team that gets caught should get this punishment... and in the future even more because this needs to stop now.

+2 thumbs up

I agree with the fact that they are being smug in the way they were cheating. But stealing signs is part of the game. You just are not suppose to use cameras to do it. I will be surprised if this reoccurs within the league because this type of sign stealing really offers little advantage other than some half time adjustments. But those can also come from just watching the hand signs and looking a photos which is legal. A reason why the penalty will not be that harsh.

 

They need to use head sets like the offense. That may be the silver lining with this whole mess.

Was this comment...? Smart(2) Funny Bold Poor
#17 | 301 days ago

 Nick wrote:

This is going to be TOTALLY bias, coming from a Jets fan. Jets should get the win but that won't happen. The Jets barley had a chance to grab an INT, everytime the Pats scored in the air, the wideout was in the clear. I would love to look at tape to see how many audibles Brady called at the line. A 4th, 5th, and 6th round pick would show that this league can't put good punishments on a huge "crime," so to say.

So your saying the Patriots receivers were open because they new the Jets signals?? I am pretty sure its because the Defensive Backs got toasted. Stealing the signals would only help the Patriots with picking up the blitz and blocking for the run, not with how the receivers got open.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#18 | 300 days ago

 Nick S wrote:
So your saying the Patriots receivers were open because they new the Jets signals?? I am pretty sure its because the Defensive Backs got toasted. Stealing the signals would only help the Patriots with picking up the blitz and blocking for the run, not with how the receivers got open.
+3 thumbs upI am willing to bet that if this were the Jets in trouble and not the Patriots you would be calling for the book to be thrown at them.

The rules were broken and the Patriots were caught breaking them.  It's no different than using HGH to gain a physical edge over the opponent.  There should be a punishment, but I don't like the idea of crippling a team for years to come, and the draft would do just that, but I do like the idea of suspending Bill Bellichick for 4 games.  Everyone knows that nothing happens on that Patriots sideline with out the Coach knowing about it, and you can't convince me that this isn't something he would think of.
Was this comment...? Smart(3) Funny Bold Poor(2)
#19 | 300 days ago

 Nate wrote:
I am willing to bet that if this were the Jets in trouble and not the Patriots you would be calling for the book to be thrown at them.

The rules were broken and the Patriots were caught breaking them.  It's no different than using HGH to gain a physical edge over the opponent.  There should be a punishment, but I don't like the idea of crippling a team for years to come, and the draft would do just that, but I do like the idea of suspending Bill Bellichick for 4 games.  Everyone knows that nothing happens on that Patriots sideline with out the Coach knowing about it, and you can't convince me that this isn't something he would think of.
Like I said, if you read in all the other posts, I am not defending the Patriots. So please don't accuse me of something if you don't know all the facts.

The Pats cheated, but in no way did it help the receivers get open, that is the stupid thing I have ever heard.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#20 | 300 days ago

 Nick S wrote:
Like I said, if you read in all the other posts, I am not defending the Patriots. So please don't accuse me of something if you don't know all the facts.

The Pats cheated, but in no way did it help the receivers get open, that is the stupid thing I have ever heard.
What's not so stupid is the idea that stealing play calls is what bought Tom Brady extra time to get those open receivers.  A couple of those Randy Moss passes seemed like he had minutes to figure out what he was going to do.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#21 | 300 days ago

 Nate wrote:
What's not so stupid is the idea that stealing play calls is what bought Tom Brady extra time to get those open receivers.  A couple of those Randy Moss passes seemed like he had minutes to figure out what he was going to do.
Whats so stupid?? Doesn't matter if Brady staying in the pocket and took a nap, the receivers still had to run past the Defensive Backs. It was a good job by the receivers and it wasn't because they new they were going to blitz.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#22 | 300 days ago

 Nick S wrote:
Whats so stupid?? Doesn't matter if Brady staying in the pocket and took a nap, the receivers still had to run past the Defensive Backs. It was a good job by the receivers and it wasn't because they new they were going to blitz.
You aren't making any sense.  I said "What's not so stupid" not being the operative word.  It's not stupid to think that there may have been an unfair advantage given to Brady and his passing game.  If somehow they were able to pick up a blitz, or know where the blitz is coming from thus allowing Brady more time, in a play that might have lead to him being sacked, that would be unfair.  Right?  Maybe Moss got open because of the amount of time Brady had?  In which case the team cheating by finding out the defensive signs offered Brady more time to find his open receiver, and his receivers more time to get open.   Now, I am not saying that's absolutely what happened, but we do know for a fact the Patriots did cheat.  There is no way to know if it helped them or didn't help them to that extent.  The question will always be there, in the exact same since as whether or not Barry Bonds would be the all time home run hitter had he not taken steroids.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#23 | 300 days ago

 Nate wrote:
You aren't making any sense.  I said "What's not so stupid" not being the operative word.  It's not stupid to think that there may have been an unfair advantage given to Brady and his passing game.  If somehow they were able to pick up a blitz, or know where the blitz is coming from thus allowing Brady more time, in a play that might have lead to him being sacked, that would be unfair.  Right?  Maybe Moss got open because of the amount of time Brady had?  In which case the team cheating by finding out the defensive signs offered Brady more time to find his open receiver, and his receivers more time to get open.   Now, I am not saying that's absolutely what happened, but we do know for a fact the Patriots did cheat.  There is no way to know if it helped them or didn't help them to that extent.  The question will always be there, in the exact same since as whether or not Barry Bonds would be the all time home run hitter had he not taken steroids.
I misread your post. But I think the Patriots cheating but that only helped the protection, you think differently, nothing wrong with that. But to think that it caused the Patriots to score 35 points isn't correct, IMO.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#24 | 300 days ago

 Nick S wrote:
I misread your post. But I think the Patriots cheating but that only helped the protection, you think differently, nothing wrong with that. But to think that it caused the Patriots to score 35 points isn't correct, IMO.
The thing is, no one would have ever questioned it, if they hadn't cheated.  It's that simple.  Because they cheated it leaves questions about how legit their wins are.  Just like Barry Bonds.
Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#25 | 300 days ago

 Nick S wrote:
Like I said, if you read in all the other posts, I am not defending the Patriots. So please don't accuse me of something if you don't know all the facts.

The Pats cheated, but in no way did it help the receivers get open, that is the stupid thing I have ever heard.

How can that be the stupidest thing you ever heard when it's pretty logical? You can't say that it DIDN'T help them because if a guy is supposed to run a slant route and they pick up a cornerback blitz by stealing the signals, and Brady audibles at the line making the wide-out run a straight route, your saying that it's a equal matchup now? Atleast when the WR was running a slant route the CB blitzing may have had time to throw a block on him preventing him from getting open.

 

The stupidest thing I ever heard is you saying that your not defending the Pats, but calling my statement stupid.

Was this comment...? Smart Funny Bold Poor
#26 | 300 days ago

 Nick wrote:

How can that be the stupidest thing you ever heard when it's pretty logical? You can't say that it DIDN'T help them because