NEW YORK -- The NFL has received and destroyed all materials it
requested from the New England Patriots concerning videotaping of
opponents' sidelines, and a league spokesman said the team was
unlikely to face any further sanctions.


An NFL statement Thursday said the team was in compliance with a
request for tapes and other documents.


"The Patriots have fully cooperated and complied with the requirements
of the commissioner's decision," the statement said. "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 videotaping and audio communication will
continue to be closely monitored and strictly enforced with all 32
teams."


Last week, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 by NFL
commissioner Roger Goodell and the team was fined $250,000 for
violating a league rule that prohibits clubs from using a video camera
on the sidelines for any purpose -- including recording signals
relayed to opposing players on the field. New England also must
forfeit a first-round draft pick next year if it makes the playoffs or
a second- and third-rounder if it doesn't.


Asked if there could be additional penalties, NFL spokesman Greg
Aiello told the Boston Herald: "I don't expect anything further."


A spokesman for the Patriots, Stacey James, said the team was
satisfied the case was closed and was focused on Sunday's game against
the Buffalo Bills.


A video camera aimed at Jets coaches was confiscated from a Patriots
employee during the first quarter of the team's 38-14 win Sept. 9 over
the New York Jets. Jets' coach Eric Mangini has had a cool
relationship with Belichick since leaving as Patriots defensive
coordinator after the 2005 season.


When asked if the Patriots' defensive players also used microphones or
other recording devices in their shoulder pads to pick up Jets
audibles, Aiello said: "We have no evidence to support that claim."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

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Umm...what organization destroys evidence? This is absolutely asinine
and ridiculous. Only people who are part of a conspiracy do anything
remotely similar to such nonsense.

Goodell and Kraft must be in bed together or are part of some secret
club.

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