Add another chapter to the Jets-Patriots rivalry – this one titled “Espionage in East Rutherford.”
The Jets caught a Patriots employee filming the Jets’ defensive coaches as they signaled to players on the field during Sunday’s 38-14 New England victory. NFL security confiscated a video camera and the tape in it and forwarded them to the league. The incident was first reported by Scout.com’s Jets Confidential Web site.
Jets coach Eric Mangini referred questions about the incident to the NFL, whose representatives initially declined to comment on the matter, then released a statement.
“The rule is that no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game,” the statement, from spokesman Greg Aiello, read. “We are looking into whether the Patriots violated this rule.”
The Patriots, who declined to comment through a spokesman, could face disciplinary action if the allegations are proven. New England cornerback Ellis Hobbs said he did not believe his team had cheated.
“We put too many hours in as individuals and a team to have to go out and cheat,” he said. “If it’s true, obviously, we’re in the wrong. But I’m standing behind my team, my coaches. I don’t think we do that stuff.”
But this is not the first time Bill Belichick’s crew has been accused of something like this. Last year, Charley Casserly reported on NBC that the Pats had been accused of stealing signs.
The Packers also accused New England of filming their sideline after their game on Nov. 19 last year.
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The Patriots’ equipment manager should send the Jets defense a thank-you note. There is no need to wash Tom Brady‘s jersey this week. The Jets defenders had no sacks and never got near him as he threw for 297 yards on 22-of-28 passing.
“They max-protected a lot of times,” middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. “They kept the tight end in. They kept the running back in. Essentially you’re blitzing 7-on-7 or whatever you want to call it. Of course, [they] have good receivers like [Randy] Moss and Donte Stallworth and they get open.”
Defensive end Shaun Ellis said the Patriots deserve credit for keeping Brady safe.
“They just did a great job of blocking,” Ellis said. “They had a scheme blocking-wise for our three-man rush.”
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The Ravens, the Jets’ opponent this Sunday, feature players Vilma knows well from his days at the University of Miami: linebacker Ray Lewis and running back Willis McGahee.
Vilma and McGahee, who joined the Ravens in an offseason trade with the Bills, played together at Miami. Vilma followed in Lewis’ footsteps as a Hurricanes linebacker and the two often were compared.
“I’m always flattered to hear that,” Vilma said. “It’s different from my point of view where I was 10 years old, 11 years old watching him play and saying I want to be like him when I was at Miami. It’s weird when people say that. It’s just funny because you never envision yourself being in that mode or that role. You just play football.”
The Associated Press
contributed to this report.