http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm It was Tannenbaum, according to this rumor. TANNENBAUM THE TRUE SPY SCANDAL INSTIGATOR? At a time when Jets coach Eric Mangini is getting plenty of criticism in league circles for blowing the whistle on the Patriots' use of video cameras to capture signals from opponents' defensive coaches, some league insiders are talking about the role of Jets G.M. Mike Tannenbaum in the Bill Belichick brouhaha. As one well-connected league source told us, the thinking is that Jets video director Steve Scarnecchia alerted Tannenbaum to the fact that Pats employee Matt Estrella was videotaping defensive signals. Tannenbaum, as the theory goes, then called NFL Security. The source also told us Tannenbaum was later seen chewing out Estrella in one of the tunnels beneath the stadium, in the presence of NFL Security. We don't know whether any of this is accurate, but if it is it makes sense. Scarnecchia is a former employee of the Patriots' video department (his dad, by the way, is the Pats' offensive line coach and assistant head coach). Steve Scarnecchia, like Mangini, likely had prior knowledge of the practices. So maybe, just maybe, Mangini isn't guilty of squealing -- and maybe he's being unfairly painted in league and media circles as a rat. Of course, this doesn't explain why the initial reports of the Pats' video practices didn't surface until the season after Mangini left the team. But it potentially fits with the notion that Mangini didn't intend for the Patriots to get caught. But what of the fact that Mangini allowed multiple coaches to communicate defensive signals in plain view of the Pats' sideline, almost creating the impression that the Jets were inviting the Pats to ? It could be Mangini realizes that videotaping defensive signals for use in future games is virtually useless. It also could be that Mangini is smart enough to change the defensive signals before every game against the Patriots.
Nice post. I'd like to believe this was the case at hand. The picture has already been painted though. Mangini became a victim of the circumstance because of his history with that orginization...
Uh, that's just conjecture... i doubt we'll really know "the thinking is that Jets video director Steve Scarnecchia alerted Tannenbaum to the fact that Pats employee Matt Estrella was videotaping defensive signals. Tannenbaum, as the theory goes, then called NFL Security."
PFT is really starting to piss me off, what a trash source. It's like the National Enquirer of sports.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/ September 20, 2007 NFL update Here is an update on the NFL's investigation into the Patriots videotaping procedures: "The Patriots have fully cooperated and complied with the requirements of the commissioner?s decision," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello relayed via email. "All tapes, documents and other records relating to this matter were turned over to the league office and destroyed, and the Patriots have certified in writing that no copies or other records exist. League policies on in-game video taping and audio communication will continue to be closely monitored and strictly enforced with all 32 teams." Aiello was also asked about allegations that the Patriots illegally placed a microphone on a defensive player to pick up the audibles of opposing quarterbacks. A report on NBC during the Patriots-Chargers game indicated that the Jets believed the Patriots had illegally placed a microphone on a defensive player. "We have no evidence to support that claim," Aiello said.
Does it even matter? They are guilty of cheating and were caught. If others are cheating they will hopefully get caught too. For sure the NFL will have a 0 tolerance policy towards it and all the good old boys can say whatever they want.
So wait, is that saying they turned over more illegal films? Why else were they destroyed? This isn't over yet it would appear. Are they trying to sweep it under the rug? Again, why else were they destroyed? Is Goodall being threatened by the owners to make it go away or lose his job? Some investigative reporter is going to jump all over that new release and tear it to shreds. It's an abomination. Stay tuned....
Exactly! I don't care if it was Brigitte Moynahan or Fireman Ed that alerted security. But that's the way this country works, people feel sorry for the perp and blame the victim...
Who cares if it was Mangini or Tanenbaum. Doesn't make any of them wrong for reporting the Patriots for cheating.
Seriously!!! I don't understand why people are so hung up on this crap. I think it takes more balls to tell the truth than to lie. I'm starting to think some people are really stupid because of this. All this code of silence crap. It's the NFL not the MOB...
The only people I see who are extremely concerned about the details of who 'ratted' are Pats fans and sports writers who are Pats fans. They cheated and got caught, the rest is window dressing.
Some people need to learn the definition of the term "rat". Mangini or Tannebaum or anybody else associated with the Jets informing the league that the Patriots are cheating would not be rats. A Patriots employee informing the league that the Patriots are cheating would be a rat.
nothing to "stay tuned" for, case is closed. all the evidence was destroyed and it doesn't seem like the NFL is going to pursue the radio discrepancies any further. belichick wins again.
Yay! Here we go again! If anyone - and I mean anyone on our staff blew the whistle, I couldn't be happier. And you NE Fans should actually commend the action as a war game. As if BSlob would beg out and pick daisies in the same position. He got his from his student. And he would have done the same because that's what he's made of.
Wow! a microphone on a defensive player to capture audibles? are you kidding me. All that talent and that sinister BTFK has to cheat to make them productive.
Or as in Baseball one of those signal callers is the real deal the rest are used to throw off the other team.
