Difference between revisions of "New England Patriots"

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===Past Alleged Patriots Spying Incidents===
 
===Past Alleged Patriots Spying Incidents===
After the incident became public, some NFL players and coaches stated that they believed that the Patriots may have used the same type of taping methods vs their teams. The only confirmed time that it actually happened however was on November 19, 2006, in a game between the New England Patriots and  [[Green Bay Packers]]. The Packers claimed that during the game they had caught the same Patriots video assistant as in the Jets game, Matt Estrella, video taping the Packers coaches making defensive signals from the Patriots sideline<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3012989 ESPN, Chris Mortensen, September 10, 2007, "Sources: Camera confiscated after claims of Pats spying on Jets"]</ref>. Packers security staff removed Estrella and his camera from the sideline  but did not did not file a complaint over the taping because according to a Green Bay official, “everyone does it<ref>[http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1031230 Boston Herald, John Tomase, September 13, 2007, "Foes questioning Pats’ past"]</ref>.”
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After the incident became public, some NFL players and coaches stated that they believed that the Patriots may have used the same type of taping methods vs their teams. The only confirmed time that it actually happened however was on November 19, 2006, in a game between the New England Patriots and  [[Green Bay Packers]]. The Packers claimed that during the game they had caught the same Patriots video assistant as in the Jets game, Matt Estrella, video taping the Packers coaches making defensive signals from the Patriots sideline<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3012989 ESPN, Chris Mortensen, September 10, 2007, "Sources: Camera confiscated after claims of Pats spying on Jets"]</ref>. Packers security staff removed Estrella and his camera from the sideline  but did not did not file a complaint over the taping because according to a Green Bay official, "everyone does it".<ref>[http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1031230 Boston Herald, John Tomase, September 13, 2007, "Foes questioning Pats’ past"]</ref>
  
 
[[Pittsburgh Steelers]] wide receiver, [[Hines Ward]], stated that he believed that the Patriots may have used the NFL violating taping methods  vs the Steelers in the 2002 and 2004 AFC Championship games. Ward said regarding the 2002 Championship game, "They knew a lot of our calls. There’s no question some of their players were calling out some of our stuff."<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8024a850&template=with-video&confirm=true Associated Press, September 12, 2007, "Steelers' Ward suspected Patriots spying"]</ref>
 
[[Pittsburgh Steelers]] wide receiver, [[Hines Ward]], stated that he believed that the Patriots may have used the NFL violating taping methods  vs the Steelers in the 2002 and 2004 AFC Championship games. Ward said regarding the 2002 Championship game, "They knew a lot of our calls. There’s no question some of their players were calling out some of our stuff."<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8024a850&template=with-video&confirm=true Associated Press, September 12, 2007, "Steelers' Ward suspected Patriots spying"]</ref>

Revision as of 21:31, November 25, 2007

The New England players at the 2005 Patriots Training Camp.

The New England Patriots are a National Football League franchise team. The Patriots, also known to their fans as the "Pats", are based in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Since they are located in the eastern region of the United States the Patriots belong to the Eastern Division of American Football Conference (AFC). Originally known as the Boston Patriots the franchise changed its name in 1971 to the New England Patriots to better reflect its representation of the entire New England region.

The Patriots have gone to five Super Bowls and have won three. Their first Super Bowl trip was in 1985 against the Chicago Bears, which they lost 42 - 10. In 1995 the Patriots made their second Super Bowl trip but fell short against the Green Bay Packers in a 35 - 21 loss. The Patriots' 2001 season ended in the teams first Super Bowl triumph when they defeated the heavily favored St. Louis Rams in a dramatic 21-17 victory. In 2003 and 2004, the Patriots once again were NFL Champions with Super Bowl victory's over the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Team

New England Patriots Roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Coaches

Players on the Patriots Injury Reserve List (IR)

Practice Squad


Rookies in italics

Team History

File:Threetimesuperbowlwinners.gif
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 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.

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[1]. 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[2]. 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."[3]

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[4].

Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 for his role in the sideline spying incident.

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."[5]

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[6].

Past Alleged Patriots Spying Incidents

After the incident became public, some NFL players and coaches stated that they believed that the Patriots may have used the same type of taping methods vs their teams. The only confirmed time that it actually happened however was on November 19, 2006, in a game between the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. The Packers claimed that during the game they had caught the same Patriots video assistant as in the Jets game, Matt Estrella, video taping the Packers coaches making defensive signals from the Patriots sideline[7]. Packers security staff removed Estrella and his camera from the sideline but did not did not file a complaint over the taping because according to a Green Bay official, "everyone does it".[8]

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Hines Ward, stated that he believed that the Patriots may have used the NFL violating taping methods vs the Steelers in the 2002 and 2004 AFC Championship games. Ward said regarding the 2002 Championship game, "They knew a lot of our calls. There’s no question some of their players were calling out some of our stuff."[9]

New York Giants defensive end, Michael Strahan said that the incident had tainted the Patriots three Super Bowl victory's[10] while Indianapolis Colts head coach, Tony Dungy compared the Patriots spying to Barry Bonds alleged use of steroids[11].

New England Patriots seasons record

File:Pats2006RunningBacks.jpg
The Patriots 2006 running backs unit.
File:Patsteam1.gif
Patriots offense coordinator Josh McDainels is one of the youngest coaches in the NFL.
Year Wins Loss's Ties Playoffs Notes
1960 5 9 The Boston Patriots become one of eight teams to join the American Football League (AFL).
1961 9 4 1
1962 9 4 1
1963 7 6 1 1-1 Patriots got beat in the AFL Championship game vs the San Diego Chargers 51-10.
1964 10 3 1
1965 4 8 2
1966 8 4 2 Patriots running back Jim Nance rushes for 1,458 yards.
1967 3 10 1
1968 4 10 0
1969 4 10 0
1970 2 12 0 Team moves from playing at Fenway Park to Boston College's Alumni Stadium.
1971 6 8 0 Team moves to Foxboro and changes its name from Boston Patriots to the New England Patriots.
1972 3 11 0
1973 5 9 0
1974 7 7 0
1975 3 11 0 Steve Grogan becomes the starting quarterback for the Patriots.
1976 11 3 0 Patriots cornerback Mike Haynes wins the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
1977 9 5 0
1978 11 5 0 0-1 Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley paralyzed in a preseason game vs the Oakland Raiders.
1979 9 7 0
1980 10 6 0
1981 2 14 0
1982 5 4 0 Season was cut short by players strike
1983 8 8 0
1984 9 7 0 Raymond Berry named as the Patriots coach.
1985 11 5 0 3-1 Lost in Super Bowl XX vs the Chicago Bears.
1986 11 5 0 0-1 Patriots Hall of Fame guard John Hannah retires.
1987 8 7 0 Victor Kiam buys the team from original owner Billy Sullivan.
1988 9 7 0
1989 5 11 0 Head coach Raymond Berry fired.
1990 1 15 0 Worst season in Patriots history.
1991 6 10 0 60 year old Dick MacPherson becomes head coach.
1992 2 14 0 Businessman James Orthwein become the sole owner of the Patriots.
1993 5 11 0 Quarterback Drew Bledsoe is drafted by the Patriots
1994 10 6 0 0-1 Robert Kraft buys the Patriots
1995 6 10 0 Patriots third round pick Curtis Martin wins Offensive Rookie of the Year.
1996 11 5 0 2-1 Lost Super Bowl XXXI vs the Green Bay Packers
1997 10 6 0 1-1 Patriots lose 7-6 in the Division Round of the playoffs vs the Pittsburgh Steelers
1998 9 7 0 0-1 Patriots draft University of Georgia running back Robert Edwards.
1999 8 8 0 Pete Carroll's last year as Patriots head coach
2000 5 11 First season with Bill Belichick as head coach
2001 11 5 0 3-0 Beat the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI
2002 9 7 0 Could have made the playoffs with a New York Jets loss, First season in Gillette Stadium
2003 14 2 0 3-0 Won Super Bowl XXXVIII vs the Carolina Panthers
2004 14 2 0 3-0 Beat Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX
2005 11 5 0 1-1 Backup quarterback Doug Flutie dropped kicks an

extra point in the last game season of the regular season

2006 12 4 0 2-1 First 12-4 record in Patriots history

References

External Links

Patriots News Websites

Source Material