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New England Patriots (view source)
Revision as of 01:20, September 14, 2007
, 01:20, September 14, 2007started spygate and revesion of the pages format
==Team History==
==Team History==
[[Image:Threetimesuperbowlwinners.gif|thumb|240px|The Patriots have won three [[Super Bowls]] in the last six years.]]
[[Image:Threetimesuperbowlwinners.gif|thumb|300px|The Patriots have won three [[Super Bowls]] in the last six years.]]
In the Patriots history as a team they have experienced both sides of being an [[National Football League]] team - the losing - and the winning. In their early history as a team, the Patriots struggled just to get a winning record. Between the years 1960 and 1984 the team only made the playoffs four of those years; and only won one playoff game. The winds of fortunes seemed to be turning for the Patriots in 1985 though when for the first time in the teams history the Patriots won a AFC Championship Game and played in [[Super Bowl XX]] vs the [[Chicago Bears]]. The Patriots lost the game though and for the next eight years without a solid reliable quarterback, the team regressed into their pre-1985 form.
In the Patriots history as a team they have experienced both sides of being an [[National Football League]] team - the losing - and the winning. In their early history as a team, the Patriots struggled just to get a winning record. Between the years 1960 and 1984 the team only made the playoffs four of those years; and only won one playoff game. The winds of fortunes seemed to be turning for the Patriots in 1985 though when for the first time in the teams history the Patriots won a AFC Championship Game and played in [[Super Bowl XX]] vs the [[Chicago Bears]]. The Patriots lost the game though and for the next eight years without a solid reliable quarterback, the team regressed into their pre-1985 form.
In 1993, the Patriots drafted with the first pick of the [[1993 NFL Draft]], [[University of Washington]] star quarterback, [[Drew Bledsoe]]. With Bledsoe now leading the team, the Patriots improved significantly and in 1996 the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl ([[Super Bowl XXXI]] vs the [[Green Bay Packers]]). Once again the Patriots lost but they didn't fall apart as a team and they continued to be a playoff contender throughout the late 1990's.
In 1993, the Patriots drafted with the first pick of the [[1993 NFL Draft]], [[University of Washington]] star quarterback, [[Drew Bledsoe]]. With Bledsoe now leading the team, the Patriots improved significantly and in 1996 the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl ([[Super Bowl XXXI]] vs the [[Green Bay Packers]]). Once again the Patriots lost but they didn't fall apart as a team and they continued to be a playoff contender throughout the late 1990's.
In 2000, the history of the Patriots quietly changed forever when [[Bill Belichick]] was appointed as the head coach and the Patriots drafted [[University of Michigan]] quarterback [[Tom Brady]] in the 6th round of the NFL Draft. The following year, 2001, Tom Brady became the Patriots starting quarterback and led the Patriots to their first [[Super Bowl]] victory. Since 2001, the Patriots have been in the playoffs all but one year (2002, 9-7 record) and have won two more Super Bowls. The 2004-2005 Patriots teams also set a NFL record for most consecutive game won with 26 in a row.
In 2000, the history of the Patriots quietly changed forever when [[Bill Belichick]] was appointed as the head coach and the Patriots drafted [[University of Michigan]] quarterback [[Tom Brady]] in the 6th round of the NFL Draft. The following year, 2001, Tom Brady became the Patriots starting quarterback and led the Patriots to their first [[Super Bowl]] victory. Since 2001, the Patriots have been in the playoffs all but one year (2002, 9-7 record) and have won two more Super Bowls. The 2004-2005 Patriots teams also set a NFL record for most consecutive game won with 26 in a row.
==Taping 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://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d802456c2&template=with-video&confirm=true NFL.com, September 13, 2007, "Belichick speaks with Goodell, apologizes for videotape flap"]</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.
NFL commissioner [[Roger Goodell]] wrote in his ruling, "This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field. I specifically considered whether to impose a suspension on Coach Belichick. I have determined not to do so, largely because I believe that the discipline I 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>
== New England Patriots seasons record ==
== New England Patriots seasons record ==
[[Image:Pats2006RunningBacks.jpg|thumb|300px|The Patriots 2006 running backs unit.]]
[[Image:Patsteam1.gif|thumb|300px|Patriots offense coordinator [[Josh McDainels]] is one of the youngest coaches in the NFL.]]
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==References==
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== Related Sites ==
== External Links ==
* [http://www.patriots.com/homepage/ Patriots Official Website]
* [http://www.patriots.com/homepage/ Patriots Official Website]