PatsBlog: A Patriots Blog

 It looks like the Patriots cheated.  From ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has determined that the New England Patriots violated league rules Sunday when they videotaped defensive signals by the New York Jets‘ coaches, according to league sources.

NFL security officials confiscated a camera and videotape from Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella on the New England sidelines when it was suspected he was recording the Jets’ defensive signals. Sources say the visual evidence confirmed the suspicion.

Goodell is considering severe sanctions, including the possibility of docking the Patriots “multiple draft picks” because it is the competitive violation in the wake of a stern warning to all teams since he became commissioner, the sources said. The Patriots have been suspected in previous incidents.

The Patriots will be allowed an opportunity to present their case by Friday, sources said, most likely via the telephone.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said on Tuesday that no official decision has been made and that the club has not been notified.

The league also was reviewing a possible violation into the number of radio frequencies the Patriots were using during Sunday’s game, sources said. The team did not have a satisfactory explanation when asked about possible irregularities in its communication setup during the game.

Goodell is expected to have a decision no later than Friday but that is not set in stone.

A few things happened today, nothing huge, but everything was worth noting.  First, former Patriots receiver Reche Caldwell signed with the Washington Redskins today.

Also, the Patriots released linebacker David Herron.  The funny thing is that the Patriots only signed Herron so that the Vikings couldn’t sign him to their practice squad.  Belichick asked Brad Childress not to sign Garrett Mills (so he could be put on the Pats practice squad), and that if he did, he would sign one of the players that the Vikes planned to place on their practice squad, David Herron.  Not too classy, if you ask me.  The Patriots filled Herron’s void by resigning linebacker Chad Brown.  I’m glad they did this, as it will likely be Brown’s last year on an NFL team.

Lastly, the investigation continues about the Patriots employee taping the Jets signals.  I don’t know if it’s true, but if it is, I’ll be disgusted.  But, I don’t think the Patriots should be fined draft picks, that wouldn’t be right.  I think the team should be fined, and maybe lose compensatory picks (Tully Banta-Cain?). but if the NFL took a fourth round pick or higher, that would just be devastating.  We just have to wait and see how this pans out.