Sep

14

NFL Fines Belichick $500k - Detroit Lions victimized by New England

Posted by Kevin Mack

September 14, 2007 |

NFL Fines Belichick $500,000

Bill Belichick was fined an NFL maximum $500,000 and the New England Patriots Bill Belichickorganization was assessed an additional fine of $250,000. The Patriots also were ordered by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to forfeit a Number 1 Draft Pick in the 2008 NFL Draft if the Patriots make the NFL Playoffs this season. If the Patriots fail to make the NFL Playoffs this year they will lose a 2nd and a 3rd round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. The fines and loss of the Draft Picks are a result of the Patriots ‘Spying’ on opponent’s defensive signals.


Belichick has of course apologized to fans, the owners of the Patriots and everyone involved with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment his actions caused. He also was quoted with the following on Thursday after the fines were announced:

“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.”

Source: ESPN Story

Lions Victimized by Patriots spying?

During the 2006 NFL Season the Lions traveled to Foxboro to take on the Patriots in a regular season game. The Pats prevailed over the Lions 28-21 in a surprisingly close game. Paul Zimmerman in his Dr. Z Inside the NFL column for Sports Illustrated reported that Lions Coach Rod Marinelli phoned the Lions coaches in the press box during the game and asked:

“There’s a camera pointed right at our defensive coach making his calls. Is that allowed?”

Shortly afterward according to the SI story a Lions employee informed the NFL and the videotaping was stopped. The story goes on to discuss the offensive coaches headsets malfunctioning during 2 subsequent drives in which the Lions were moving the ball well against the Patriots. Marinelli was further quoted in the story:

“You don’t really know for sure,” Marinelli said. “I mean you don’t know whether he might be doing something for NFL Films or a coaches’ show or whatever.”

Source: Dr Z. Inside the NFL

Wow, it now seems clear to your ‘Lion Eyes’ blogger that the 3 time NFL Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots had to ‘Cheat’ to squeak by the Lions in a New England Home game last season. A season the saw the Lions forge a 3-13 win loss record. Can you believe it? Seems like the Pats wouldn’t have to resort to this type of espionage against the Lions.

Blackout Deadline Extended

The Lions received a 24 hour extension to the NFL Blackout Deadline on Thursday by the league. The game must be sold out by 4:05 pm on Friday to be Televised locally in the Detroit area on Sunday.  Approximately 2,000 tickets remain to be sold to reach a sell out.

Roster Changes

Wide Receiver Brandon Middleton, who was released on Wednesday when Running Back Aveion Cason was resigned, was signed to the Practice squad after clearing NFL waivers. To be able to fit Middleton on the 8 player Practice squad, the Lions released Cornerback A.J. Davis who was drafted in the 4th round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

As always any Detroit Lions comments are welcome and encouraged.

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Comments

3 Comments so far

  1. admin on September 14, 2007 11:15 am

    wow, another strike against the Pats, I think this may be just the tip of the iceberg….

  2. Terry on September 14, 2007 11:30 am

    Wow. Cheating is everywhere!

  3. Michael Keating on September 14, 2007 4:30 pm

    admin and Terry, thanks for the comments. I know I was surprised when I saw this story by Dr. Z. I do remember thinking when this game finished last season, that the Lions played the Pats pretty close so they are not as bad as their record. Turns out that maybe the Pats are not as good as their record.

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