It looks as if the New England Patriots might get off with a light punishment in the latest controversy of possible cheating by the organization.
Mark Maske of Washington Post reported that the NFL’s investigation into the Patriots videotaping the Bengals’ sideline is winding down and just might be over as soon as this week.
His sources also informed him the Patriots’ punishment likely will be in line with those handed down for game-day infractions committed by other teams (Atlanta Falcons pumping in crowd noise, New York Giants using walkie-talkies on the sideline, etc.).
“The league’s investigation of the latest video incident involving the Patriots is winding down and could be completed as soon as this week, according to those people. They said it remains likely at this point, barring the last-minute uncovering of more damaging evidence, that the NFL will impose penalties consistent with those handed out in recent years in other cases of game-day infractions.
“That would mean that the Patriots probably would be facing a fine in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and possibly the loss or reduction in value of a draft pick. … “But there is no indication at this point that Belichick or the Patriots’ football staff has been tied to the video or that the investigation has uncovered evidence of a sustained, organized effort by the Patriots to gain a competitive on-field advantage, according to those people with knowledge of the case.”
It was Jay Glazer of FOX Sports who obtained video of independent crew filming an episode of a documentary for the team’s media, but it showed that employee trying desperately to get that footage deleted, with the Bengals security not agreeing with what he wanted to do to make the situation go away.
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Belichick denied any connection to the team’s production department upon being asked about it and it looks like he was telling the truth.
We shall see what happens from now.
