Changes

==Spying Incident==   

==Spying Incident==   

In the Patriots 2007 regular season opener vs the [[New York Jets]], a Patriots employee, video assistant Matt Estrella, was caught video taping [[New York Jets]] defensive signals during the first quarter of the game<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3012989 ESPN, Chris Mortensen, September 11, 2007, "Sources: Camera confiscated after claims of Pats spying on Jets"]</ref>. NFL security officials at the game confiscated Estrella's video camera and the video tape and sent it to the leagues headquarters to determine whether the Patriots were violating the NFL's videotaping policy<ref>[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/09/rules_in_focus.html Boston Globe, Mike Reiss, September 11, 2007, "Rules in focus"]</ref>. Days after the incident, Patriots head coach [[Bill Belichick]] apologized for the episode stating "I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected, most of all ownership, staff and players."<ref>[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/13/a_sorry_state/ Boston Globe, Mike Reiss, September 13, 2007, "A Sorry State, Belichick apologizes as probe continues"]</ref>  

In the Patriots 2007 regular season opener vs the [[New York Jets]], a Patriots employee, video assistant Matt Estrella, was caught video taping [[New York Jets]] defensive signals during the first quarter of the game.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3012989 ESPN, Chris Mortensen, September 11, 2007, "Sources: Camera confiscated after claims of Pats spying on Jets"]</ref> NFL security officials at the game confiscated Estrella's video camera and the video tape and sent it to the leagues headquarters to determine whether the Patriots were violating the NFL's videotaping policy.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/09/rules_in_focus.html Boston Globe, Mike Reiss, September 11, 2007, "Rules in focus"]</ref> Days after the incident, Patriots head coach [[Bill Belichick]] apologized for the episode stating "I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected, most of all ownership, staff and players."<ref>[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/13/a_sorry_state/ Boston Globe, Mike Reiss, September 13, 2007, "A Sorry State, Belichick apologizes as probe continues"]</ref>  

After a review of the video tape by the NFL's competition committee and commissioner [[Roger Goodell]], Bill Belichick was fined 500,000 dollars and the Patriots organization 250,000 dollars. The leagues verdict also stated the the Patriots would forfeit their 2008 NFL Draft first round pick if they made the playoffs in 2007, and if they failed to make the playoffs, their 2008 second and third round choices<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80251b7e&template=without-video&confirm=true NFL.com, September 13, 2007, "NFL fines Belichick, strips Patriots of draft pick"]</ref>.

After a review of the video tape by the NFL's competition committee and commissioner [[Roger Goodell]], Bill Belichick was fined 500,000 dollars and the Patriots organization 250,000 dollars. The leagues verdict also stated the the Patriots would forfeit their 2008 NFL Draft first round pick if they made the playoffs in 2007, and if they failed to make the playoffs, their 2008 second and third round choices.<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80251b7e&template=without-video&confirm=true NFL.com, September 13, 2007, "NFL fines Belichick, strips Patriots of draft pick"]</ref>

[[Image:Bill Belichick.JPG|210px|thumb|Patriots head coach, [[Bill Belichick]] was fined $500,000 for his role in the sideline spying incident.]]

[[Image:Bill Belichick.JPG|210px|thumb|Patriots head coach, [[Bill Belichick]] was fined $500,000 for his role in the sideline spying incident.]]

am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."<ref>[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/09/final_ruling.html Boston Globe, Mike Reiss, September 13, 2007, "Final Ruling"]</ref>   

am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."<ref>[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/09/final_ruling.html Boston Globe, Mike Reiss, September 13, 2007, "Final Ruling"]</ref>   

Belichick responded to the leagues verdict in a written statement that he accepted full responsibility for the incident and that he had been incorrect in his interpretation of the NFL's rules regarding sideline video taping<ref>[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/09/belichick_state_2.html Boston Globe, Mike Reiss, September 13, 2007, "Belichick statement"]</ref>.    

Belichick responded to the leagues verdict in a written statement that he accepted full responsibility for the incident and that he had been incorrect in his interpretation of the NFL's rules regarding sideline video taping.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/09/belichick_state_2.html Boston Globe, Mike Reiss, September 13, 2007, "Belichick statement"]</ref>   

===Past Alleged Patriots Spying Incidents===

===Past Alleged Patriots Spying Incidents===