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Robert Kraft statement on Patriots' punishment

FOXBORO – Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement today on the punishment that New England received as a result of the videotaping scandal -- $750,000 in fines and the loss of a first round draft pick in 2008.

“This has been an extremely difficult week for our organization,” Kraft said in the statement. “The most troubling part for me, personally, is the impact these actions have had on our fans. We have spent the last 14 years developing and building a franchise that people could embrace and support. The loyalty of our fans has been the most rewarding aspect of owning the team. I am deeply disappointed that the embarrassing events of this past week may cause some people to see our team in a different light.

“After reviewing the facts of the past weekend, the commissioner (Roger Goodell) has made a determination that our franchise engaged in activities that violate the league's rules. He has determined the punishment and I accept it.”

NFL policy states that, “videotaping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches' booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game.”

Goodell believes that Kraft was unaware of Belichick's action, but determined that penalties should be imposed on the club because, “Belichick not only serves as the head coach but also has substantial control over all aspects of New England's football operations. His actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club,” Goodell said in a statement released by the NFL.

"I believe that coach Belichick always tries to do what is best for the team and he is always accountable for his decisions,” Kraft said in his statement. “He has been a very important part of what our organization has accomplished over the last seven years. In this case, one of his decisions has resulted in a severe penalty for our franchise. He has paid a heavy price and so has our organization. He has apologized for his actions. I accept his apology and look forward to working with him as we move forward.”

Belichick said in a press release about the fine, “I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight’s ruling. Once again, I apologize to the Kraft family and every person directly or indirectly associated with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused. I also apologized to Patriots fans and would like to thank them for their support during the past few days and throughout my career.

“As the commissioner acknowledged, our use of sideline video had no impact on the outcome of last week’s game. We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress.”

Kraft hopes that the incident won’t taint the Patriots’ image.

“It has been a distinct privilege to be involved in the National Football League since 1994. I am passionate about the league because it represents the ultimate in competition,” Kraft said in his statement. “To this end, the integrity of the game and competition between the 32 teams is of paramount importance to me. Whenever the commissioner believes that the integrity of the league’s competition is compromised, he must act decisively to protect it.

“In addition to our fans, I also feel for our players. I know how hard our players work and prepare for every game and their accomplishments speak for themselves. I look forward to returning all of our focus and energy to the field."

Posted by Rob Lee  at 9:59 PM | Permalink | Comments 6

Patriots: third most-valuable franchise

Hey all --

Forbes magazine, which comes up with lists for just about everything money-related (unfortunately, we haven't made any of the lists -- yet), this week released its 2007 valuation of NFL franchises and the Patriots ranked third.

Forbes lists New England's value at $1.199 billion, behind Dallas ($1.5 billion) and the Washington Redskins ($1.467 billion). Surprisingly, the Houston Texans are fourth at $1.056 billion.

According to the magazine, the team had revenues of $255 million last year.

The bottom of the list? The Minnesota Vikings, valued at "just" $782 million.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:48 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

AP video report on Belichick and cheating

View the AP's report on the NFL and Patriots Coach Bill Belichick.

Posted by Peter Phipps  at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Friday injury report

The Patriots' injury/participation report for their last on-field practice before Sunday's home opener with San Diego is a bit smaller than it was yesterday...

Limited Participation in Practice

G Stephen Neal (shoulder) - questionable
DL Mike Wright (knee) - questionable

Full Participation in Practice

QB Tom Brady (right shoulder) - probable

TE Kyle Brady, DL Jarvis Green, WR Randy Moss and TE David Thomas have all been removed from the list. If Thomas did take part fully in practice, it could mean that he's ready to see his first game action of the year after sustaining a broken foot during offseason activities.

For the Chargers:

OUT
WR Eric Parker (toe)

Did Not Participate in Practice
DL Luis Castillo (foot) - probable
LB Stephen Cooper (groin) - probable

Full Participation in Practice
TE Antonio Gates (back) - probable
LB Shawne Merriman (Achilles) - probable
FB Andrew Pinnock (hamstring) - probable

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Jim Donaldson: Belichick unwilling to admit fault

AP photo / Michael Dwyer
Bill Belichick arrives for today's news conference at Gillette Stadium.

By JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO, Mass. - It is what it is.

That's one of Bill Belichick's favorite, fall-back clichés.

He didn't say anything remotely as pertinent or insightful yesterday at his first, post-punishment press conference.

The media wanted to talk about the $500,000 personal fine he'd incurred, the first-round draft choice he'd cost the team in 2008, and the $250,000 the franchise had been fined for, in the words of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Belichick's "calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid long-standing rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field."

Belichick wanted to talk only about the San Diego Chargers.

He wouldn't even read aloud the written statement he'd issued Thursday night, in which he said: "I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight's ruling. Once again, I apologize to the Kraft family and every person directly or indirectly associated with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused. I also apologize to Patriots fans…"

Even in writing, however, Belichick wouldn't acknowledge that he was entirely wrong, adding: "My interpretation of a rule in the Constitution and Bylaws was incorrect."

You be the judge: As recently as Sept. 6, a memo sent to NFL coaches and general managers by Ray Anderson, the league's executive V.P. of football operations, stated "Videotaping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches' booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game."

How is that open to misinterpretation?

And how should we interpret Belichick's unwillingness to say - to actually speak the words, not simply hand out a written statement - ``I was wrong. I'm sorry?"

It is what it is.

What this unseemly, unsportsmanlike incident is, is shameful, egregious (hence the severe penalty issued by the league), costly, and disappointing.

What is particularly disappointing is that Belichick had a chance yesterday to look human, rather than like the cold, calculating automaton he so often appears to be.

How simple it would have been to read yesterday morning the statement he had released Thursday night. How nice it would have been to actually hear him say the words: "I accept full responsibility. I apologize."

Instead, he figured a handout would get him off the hook. It was not unlike his hastily scribbled note saying he had resigned as "HC of the NYJ" at that most awkward, uncomfortable, downright bizarre press conference seven years ago at which it was announced he was turning down Bill Parcells' offer to succeed him as coach of the Jets.

Belichick did that because he wanted to come to New England, where he has had remarkable success, winning three Super Bowls in four years between 2001 and 2004, five division titles in six years - last four in a row, and reaching the conference championship game again last year.

Remember the famous line from the popular book, and movie, Love Story - Love means never having to say you're sorry?

Apparently, winning three Super Bowls also means never having to say you're sorry.
"We're moving on to San Diego," Belichick insisted yesterday, refusing repeatedly to comment on any aspect of the illegal videotaping or the severity of the punishment meted out to him and the team. "That's what we're addressing."

Perhaps he hopes that, if his Patriots look as impressive tomorrow Sunday night in beating the Chargers as they did in routing the Jets last Sunday, that's what fans will focus on, rather than his transgressions.

Perhaps he's hoping that team owner Robert Kraft, who has made a point of taking the high road since saving the franchise in 1994, suddenly will start sounding like Raiders owner Al Davis and simply say: "Just win, baby."

"There's nothing I can do about the past," said Belichick, who clearly wants this tawdry incident to fade away as quickly as possible.

But it's not going to go away. He can ignore, but he can't erase, the stigma of what he did, the stain he has brought to the reputation of the franchise. It still will be a focus of attention at next year's draft, when the Patriots will have to forfeit their first-round pick because of what Belichick did last Sunday.

And there is, in fact, something he could have done about it yesterday: He could have truly apologized. He could have actually said, rather than merely write, the words: ``I'm sorry."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments 17

What they're saying across country about Belichick and the Pats

SHADY BRADY AND BILL BELICHEAT

This You Tube piece by Ryan Parker about sums up the Patriots' new legacy. At least until people forget.

While Parker's opinion is a little over the top -- it's catchy, though -- it's not all that different from what you're reading all over the Web today. Here's what some of them are saying . . .

I TOLD YOU NOT TO: Old friend Tom Curran says Belichick was punished so harshly by comissioner Roger Goodell because he ''was warned -- along with 31 other head coaches -- not to do something. And he went ahead and did it anyway.'' (NBCSports.com) Still, Curran thinks the penalty wasn't as bad as it could have been. He also looks at others -- Tom Brady, Robert Kraft, Eric Mangini -- whose reputations took a hit in this episode.

IT COULD HAVE -- SHOULD HAVE -- BEEN WORSE: Peter King of SI.com thinks Belichick got off easy. His colleague, Don Banks, agrees. Also in agreement is ESPN.com's John Clayton .

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Clayton also answers some frequently asked questions about the incident.

NEW IMAGE: Banks believes the incident has tarnished the Patriots' legacy.

TAKING IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL: SI.com's Dr. Z (Paul Zimmerman) puts forth the notion that the Patriots have brought cheating to a new level in the NFL.

WE DON'T LIKE YOU: Foxsports.com's John Czarnecki thinks a dislike for Belichick played into the punishment.

THE BIG APPLE: Reaction in New York is about what you'd expect. The Daily News' Gary Myers wants to know why the commissioner didn't suspend Belichick. The Post's Steve Serby either wants Sunday's game replayed or for the league to switch the Jets-at-Pats game of Dec. 16 to Giants Stadium, giving the Jets an additional home game. But the Post's Jay Greenberg thinks Goodell hit the Patriots where it will hurt the most by stripping them of a first-round draft choice. -- ART MARTONE

Posted by Art Martone  at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

One fan's suggestion

Just got a voice mail from a Patriots fan named Jan from Jamestown -- for privacy purposes, Jan, I won't mention your last name -- who thinks all the fans attending Sunday night's game should bring video cameras to the game, tape the signals, and make some money by selling the tapes to the Patriots and Chargers.

I have to admit, I laughed at the suggestion. It can't happen, because video cameras aren't allowed inside Gillette Stadium, or any other NFL venue for that matter, presumably for reasons such as this. (It doesn't mean people don't sneak them in, as the proliferation of You Tube videos from NFL games prove, but you're not supposed to.) But it's a fun suggestion.

Thanks, Jan.

Posted by Art Martone  at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments 2

Perfect attendance

Hey all --

Once again there was perfect practice attendance, as the Patriots are holding their session inside Gillette Stadium in shorts and shells.

Media access, as almost always, consisted of stretching and some special-teams work.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Projo PatsTalk with Shalise Manza Young: Moving forward after a punishing week

Click here to listen to today's edition of projo PatsTalk with Shalise Manza Young. The topics: the league's punishment and whether it's appropriate; how much losing a draft pick will hurt; the fans' mixed reaction; the next time the Jets come to Foxboro; how the players avoid distraction; stopping LaDainian Tomlinson; and how Randy Moss will fare against San Diego.

Here are some excerpts from Shalise's comments.

On fan reaction: "There are some people, who are diehard Patriots fans, that one of their mottoes is 'In Bill we trust,' and they figure if he's doing it, everybody else must be doing it too. People are really upset with Eric Mangini, because they feel like he ratted out his old boss ... but by the same token, Mangini might have just been doing what Bill taught him to do -- you do anything you can to gain an edge. And there are some Patriots fans who think, 'I'm all for this team, but I want everything we do and every success we have to be totally legitimate.' And there are fans out there who definitely are embarrassed by this."

On the next time Bill and Eric meet: "I think as well-documented as the first four handshakes have been, I don't even know if there will be a handshake in the next game, because I dont think Bill Belichick will forgive this one anytime soon."

Moss against San Diego: "I think Randy will be a target again. Of course, after the performance he put on last week, he'll get a little more attention [from San Diego], but as we saw on that 51-yard touchdown catch that he had last week, it doesn't matter if you have two or three guys on him, he's going to find a way to beat you. ... And the other person I think could have a big game is Wes Welker. I think if the Chargers try to take away the run, then you could see a lot of dink-and-dunk to Wes Welker over the middle, short routes, and maybe Kevin Faulk as well in that situation."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments 2

Fallout Friday

Hey all --

In the latest chapter of the Story That Has No End, Bill Belichick addressed the media this morning and deflected question after question about the sanctions handed down by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, if his team and his own legacy have been tainted, and why he did it in the first place if he stood to gain no advantage in the Jets game.

The best question came from colleague Jim Donaldson, who asked Belichick if he can pay his $500,000 fine in installments or if it has to be a lump-sum payment. The coach did smile a bit when he heard the question.

Every query -- even Jimmy's -- was met with one of a few answers: "It's doesn't matter, it's already happened"; "We've moved on to San Diego"; "All my energy is on the Chargers"; "It's behind us and we're moving on."

In the locker room, several players avoid questions by stationing themselves at the games table -- Asante Samuel, Eugene Wilson, Billy Yates, Rosevelt Colvin, Matt Light, Dan Koppen, Russ Hochstein and Logan Mankins were all engaged in either dominoes or backgammon -- while Donte Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney and Chad Jackson amused themselves playing tape basketball, shooting a ball made of medical tape into a large trash can about 16 feet away.

Practice squad receiver C.J. Jones likely had the best idea: he was stretched out on the floor in front of his locker taking a nap.

Defensive back Chad Scott, who suffered a season-ending knee injury on the first day of training camp, walked through the room shaking his teammates' hands and walking without a noticeable limp.

Practice access is at around 12:10 p.m., and we'll file a report shortly after.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments 0