2. Tale of the tape
The biggest news from any of the pregame shows was that Jay Glazer of FOX got his hands on the tape shot last Sunday by Patriots employee Matt Estrella. It was compelling stuff, with clear, indisputable evidence that the Patriots were indeed cheating.
But how did Glazer get the tape? The camera and its contents were confiscated by NFL security, boxed up, and sent to NFL headquarters. The only reasonable inference is that someone from the league office gave the tape to Glazer, or gave the tape to someone who then gave the tape to Glazer.
The development has prompted speculation in league circles that Patriots owner Bob Kraft will complain loudly about the fact that the tape was leaked. The other networks could be complaining, too, because the appearance is that FOX got preferential treatment.
However, I've learned from a media source that the tape was not leaked by the league office; several copies of the tape were made because several people outside of the league office -- such as members of the Competition Committee -- needed to see it. Once the thing exited the exclusive possession of the league office and got into the hands of folks at multiple teams, it became much harder to keep the tape under wraps.
