This just released while I was watching the Maryland vs. West VA game:
1) Bill Belichick will be fined $500,000
2) The New England Patriots orginization will be fined $250,000
3) The New England Patriots will lose their 2008 first round draft pick if they make the playoffs this year. If they do not make the playoffs, they will forfeit their 2nd and 3rd round picks.
Think that Roger Goodell is taking this spying situation seriously? Just goes to show you what can happen when people in charge choose to mitigate ethical violations.
-Darren Heitner
6 Comments
Weak penalty, IMO.
I’m surprised and disappointed that no suspensions have been handed down.
Eh, I think it was weak too. The fine won’t hurt the Patriots, or Belichick, and the first round pick doesn’t do a whole lot either, since they have one from the 49ers.
On the other hand, if Taglibue had this, the Patriots would have been fined $10,000, so i guess it is a step up.
Show me one NFL team that does not spy on their opponents and then this fine may be justified. Is New England the scapegoat here?
If other teams get caught, as the Pats did, they should be punished as well.
Either way, the penalty is crap, shows inconsistency, IMO with Wade Wilson’s fine/punishment last week.
Im not completely satisfied either. This directly compromised the integrity of the game. But, better this than nothing.
I think Chris Collinsworth said it all on Monday Night Football.