Just So We Are Perfectly Clear: Sideline Video was NOT ANALYZED During Games

[maverick4]

Per Belichick's statement:
"As the Commissioner acknowledged, our use of sideline video had no impact on the outcome of last week’s game.
We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress."

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We have never used sideline videotaping to find an edge during a game. We beat the Jets fair and square last week, and the same goes for any of our past games. For those who doubt this, has our offense ever appeared unstoppable in the 2nd half of most games, especially in any of our playoff games? The answer is obviously no. And those players claiming we knew their offensive signals, they are a joke and liars because this violation is for defensive signals; offensive signals are relayed to QB's through their helmet so videotaping is impossible.

Belichick violated a rule, and the Patriots paid a price, as they should have. But we did not CHEAT or STEAL signals during games in progress. I want that to be made clear to all the mediots all there who should be charged with slander for repeating those two words over and over.

 

[DougGabriel2007]

Ugh, what do you expect him to say? This isn't gonna stop criticism from our team. Its hard to believe much of what Bill says at this point...

 

[BelichickFan]

Maybe I'm stubborn but I think it's ridiculous that we were using this tape to cheat. If we were we would have found some place to put the guy other than on the sideline in plain view. Obviously Belichick was wrong and is paying for that mistake but it's clear to me that he thought what he was doing was legal or he would have tried to hide it.

 

[BelichickFan]

Ugh, what do you expect him to say? This isn't gonna stop criticism from our team. Its hard to believe much of what Bill says at this point...

Don't believe him then. And find a new team I guess - if I didn't trust my wife there would be little point in staying with her and I feel the same way about this. If I didn't believe Bill I would have no choice but to move on. I do believe him.

 

[PATSgotRINGS]

Maybe I'm stubborn but I think it's ridiculous that we were using this tape to cheat. If we were we would have found some place to put the guy other than on the sideline in plain view. Obviously Belichick was wrong and is paying for that mistake but it's clear to me that he thought what he was doing was legal or he would have tried to hide it.

Thats a good point

BB was either real gutsy and tested the illegal waters, or he just assumed other teams were doing it so why can't I

I still think other scandals are on the way for other teams around the NFL

 

[sanvara]

I agree, it's hard to believe this was not used in game. What would be the point of taping and using it later? Teams aren't going to use the same signs every game.

 

[nowayback]

maybe some people would feel better if we did everyting completely by the book and lose, then do what the colts did in the afc champ in the 2nd half.
ie them knowing all our defenses signals. one half they were completely mixed up and the 2nd they were perfect....odd isnt it.
if i remember right...i didnt feel too good after that game.

 

[smg93]

The fact of the matter is, videotaping during a game is illegal. he has paid for it, and that's that. It is what it is boys. He got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, got punished, and now it's time to move on.

 

[emoney_33]

I agree, it's hard to believe this was not used in game. What would be the point of taping and using it later? Teams aren't going to use the same signs every game.

Possibly to pick up on tendencies and human nature tells etc... No way in hell there's enough time to effectively decipher the tape during the game.


There's no way BB knowingly broke the rule so blatantly unless there was a reason for it. There's either a reason for it or he honestly didn't think he was breaking any rule.

 

[upstater1]

I agree, it's hard to believe this was not used in game. What would be the point of taping and using it later? Teams aren't going to use the same signs every game.

To cheat later?

LOL. Leave it to a Chargers fan to miss the obvious.

The same signals? Probably not. But, they do have the same tendencies. Maybe not the same signals, but BB is smart enough to decipher tendencies.

 

[sanvara]

More than likely Kraft told BB to make a statement that the signs were not used in-game so it would not cast such a tainted light on the outcomes. Why is the cameraman going to the locker room with the video while the game is in progress if it's not being used in-game? He was stopped while he was trying to do just that. What BB says means nothing. He has zero credibility in terms of any statements he makes on this issue. He says only what he wants people to hear whether it's the truth or not.

Just because a team steals signs doesn't mean they will be unstoppable while doing it. Stealing signs gives you an edge. Sometimes you can know what's coming and the team executes so well you still can't stop it.

The real kicker to this whole situation is this though...BB does this on the sideline in plain view of the Jets, with the same camera guy that they used in the past when Jets coaches worked for the Pats. It's so absurd it's beyond belief that someone could think they could be that bold and blatant and not get their asses nailed to the wall.

 

[DarrylS]

Maybe I'm stubborn but I think it's ridiculous that we were using this tape to cheat. If we were we would have found some place to put the guy other than on the sideline in plain view. Obviously Belichick was wrong and is paying for that mistake but it's clear to me that he thought what he was doing was legal or he would have tried to hide it.

Could not agree more, none of this makes any sense.. all it makes is good pats bashing national yakking.. if he really wanted to steal signals via video camera there are so many ways, beside having a well known pats employee on the sidelines. Goodell, is trying to be the big bad sheriff, and he has essentially missed this whole thing. I am waiting for another faux pas by another franchise to see if he will be consistent.

 

[Bostonian1962]

I never thought it was. Saw Scott Zolak yesterday said that it's virtually impossible to have used it during a game. He said by the time you get off the field there's about 12 minutes before the game starts back up. He said everybody is using the head when they get back there, and you blink and it's time to head back out. He said there is just no time to be running through video and matching hand signals.

 

[SaCaCh]

More than likely Kraft told BB to make a statement that the signs were not used in-game so it would not cast such a tainted light on the outcomes. Why is the cameraman going to the locker room with the video while the game is in progress if it's not being used in-game? He was stopped while he was trying to do just that. What BB says means nothing. He has zero credibility in terms of any statements he makes on this issue. He says only what he wants people to hear whether it's the truth or not.

Just because a team steals signs doesn't mean they will be unstoppable while doing it. Stealing signs gives you an edge. Sometimes you can know what's coming and the team executes so well you still can't stop it.

The real kicker to this whole situation is this though...BB does this on the sideline in plain view of the Jets, with the same camera guy that they used in the past when Jets coaches worked for the Pats. It's so absurd it's beyond belief that someone could think they could be that bold and blatant and not get their asses nailed to the wall.

He was going to the locker room because he was escorted off the field in the first quarter by Jets officials. Then at half time some officials show up and decide they want the tape from the camera, arguements ensue and finally the NFL officials step in and take the camera and film.

 

[Murphys95]

The NFL said the camera was seized before the end of the first quarter and had no impact on the game.

This specific sentence can be found in multiple articles on the web. Belichick reiterated it in his statement.

"no impact on the game"

I'm sure this will remain the biggest point of contention for those who believe the Patriots utilized film during a game. The Eagles would have no beef otherwise - considering Super Bowl XXXIX was the first time the two teams met that year (same goes for the Panthers)

 

[PATSNUTme]

Even Aldolph Goodell stated that it had "no impact on the game."

To all you so called Patriots fans who can't believe BB and are embarrassed to be a Patriots fans. There are many of us who will buy your season tickets if you can't stand the shame. We will take them off your hands at face value so you don't suffer any financial loss as well as shame. If you want to sell them for more than face value, that's cheating.

To the rest of the fair weather fans, you may now return to your Red Sox boards.

 

[cubicle_6]

The story of this isn't as good if the "cheating" didn't affect the game, so don't expect to hear much about that fact from the media.

 

[DaBruinz]

I agree, it's hard to believe this was not used in game. What would be the point of taping and using it later? Teams aren't going to use the same signs every game.

You just insist on being stupid. Its not hard to believe that it wasn't used during games. First, there is NFL security that checks the locker-rooms for video-playing equipment. Second, NFL Security is at the locker-room door when the teams come off the field. Third, the reason its used is because it shows tendencies.

 

[DaBruinz]

More than likely Kraft told BB to make a statement that the signs were not used in-game so it would not cast such a tainted light on the outcomes. Why is the cameraman going to the locker room with the video while the game is in progress if it's not being used in-game? He was stopped while he was trying to do just that. What BB says means nothing. He has zero credibility in terms of any statements he makes on this issue. He says only what he wants people to hear whether it's the truth or not.

Actually, there are differing versions as to WHEN the cameraman was stopped. The NFL version says that the tape was confiscated about 8 minutes into the 1st quarter.

If anyone has zero credeibility is a homer Chargers fan who believes that Merriman only used tainted supplements and didn't use steroids regularly.

Just because a team steals signs doesn't mean they will be unstoppable while doing it. Stealing signs gives you an edge. Sometimes you can know what's coming and the team executes so well you still can't stop it.

The real kicker to this whole situation is this though...BB does this on the sideline in plain view of the Jets, with the same camera guy that they used in the past when Jets coaches worked for the Pats. It's so absurd it's beyond belief that someone could think they could be that bold and blatant and not get their asses nailed to the wall.

Yeah, and if you had a brain, you'd see that the Jets were doing it also. The pictures show the proof. But, I've noticed that there hasn't been a damn thing said about their cameraman pointing his camera at the Pats sideline while the Pats defense was on the field...

 

[dtbrks]

The problem is, everyone outside of new england (and some inside the area) believe the pats did use this in games and won because of it. All fan reaction on SI.com, espn, etc is that the pats cheated DURING games and nothing will change that perception.

It pisses me off that people are so blind to the facts and it pisses me off the media and the nfl imply that the pats are using this during games.