The New England Patriots have been caught video taping the signal calls of the Jets D in their game this weekend. This is considered a "competitive violation" and can bring various penalties including the possibility of losing "several draft picks".

ESPN - Sources: Goodell determines Patriots broke rules - NFL

This isn't the first time the Patriots have been accused of cheating.

Do you consider this cheating or just good preparation and strategy? Would losing "several draft picks" be a suitable punishment?

Does this change the way you look at the Patriots organization? Does this diminish their three Super Bowls wins?

What are your thoughts?

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What ARE the rules? I figure all play calls on the field/court, audio or visual, in any sport are open to 'the public' during an event. Personally, I draw the line at electronic eaves-dropping. If the Pats had the aid of microphones or tuning in to radio frequencies between the Jets sideline and the upstairs booth...that ain't right in my book.

Mr. Subliminal: Sort of ironic timing for this story in pro sports considering the public's almost forgotten Donaghy issue.

they broke the letter of the law..... saying that every other team breaks the spirit of the law, and probably there are many others that are doing the same thing just arn't getting caught.

The Tuna said it already, if your smart your signals won't be figured out till the game is over and you change them up each game, sure they broke the law but give me a break its not a huge deal unless there going to go out get serious about every teams attempt to steal signals. why do college teams have there back up qb's giving fake calls, why do you see people trying to hide there calls.....

Let's see what the penalty is. That'll determine the seriousness of the infraction. They've been competitive for a long time. Hard for me to knock them when our home team is the Lions..................<<Brady

It is probably not right using electronics to pick up other team's calls. But, what do the rules say about it? And in any case several draft picks would be way too much a punishment.

This thing irritates me that the Patriots are cheating. I hope the entire league hates them now (ala Yankees). Just because you hate them, though, doesn't mean you're good enough to beat them...

Any penalty to the innocent players would be wrong. [Forfeit the game etc.]
Slam Bill B.
$.5M should get his attention.

While I agree that the players on the Pats are more than likely innocent of wrong doing in this, the problem is that their opponents are also innocent, but are penalized by being at a competitive disadvantage in their games. If there were no victims in this, I think a fine would be sufficient, but I feel that in a case like this, assuming they clearly broke league rules, losing draft pick(s) would be a fair punishment.

does anybody really think the patriots are the only team here? they may be the only team with the guts to use a video camera team... but every team is trying to steal the other team signals.

and if cheating makes you so much better lets get some signal stealers for our lions lol

The coach did this, more than likely, without the players knowledge.
This is why there will be a penalty. The Jets were the victim. Taking Draft picks hurts the fans too. [But they're never innocent]
Drill Belilcic only. If it was his idea.