by Natalie Faulk

Created on: September 12, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

For at least the second time in two seasons, the New England Patriots have been accused of high-tech cheating.

The first incident was reported in Green Bay after a Patriots employee was seen videotaping from the Packers' sideline, purportedly aiming his camera at the defensive coaches hand signals. The latest report involved this season's opener at the Meadowlands, where the same employee was witnessed by NFL security and Jets personnel videotaping the defensive coaches as they signaled to players on the field, ultimately leading to the confiscation of the camera and film. Evidence which, according to ESPN, proved without a doubt that the cameraman was recording defensive hand signals.

Interestingly, the Patriots amassed 431 yards of offense against the Jets. Coincidence?

To paraphrase NFL rules, "no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use on the field during the game." Furthermore, taping any signals is strictly prohibited.

It is not uncommon for coaches to study photos of both offensive and defensive alignments between possessions, and any good coach with a defensive background can easily adjust his team's blocking schemes. As knowledge is everything, deciphering the actual signals can provide the offense unlimited options to pick apart the defense. Bill Belichick is, without a doubt, one of the best in the league at strategizing. He has historically taken underachieving players and turning them into Pro Bowlers. In this case, his knowledge was overshadowed by his strategizing and looking for an edge; dishonest or not.

There are also eyebrows raised with regard to the Patriots' prohibited use of radio frequencies during the game as well. Currently, according to NFL rules, one offensive player typically the quarterback is permitted to receive radio communications from the coaching staff. Some experts and analysts believe that if the Patriots are proven to have cheated through illicit radio signal usage, team owners will be financially responsible for providing similarly "wired" helmets for the defense, resulting in a pretty high price tag. I can't imagine owners would be overjoyed with this prospect.

Possible sanctions that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could impose upon the Patriots may include loss of draft picks, fines, suspension of the head coach, and forfeiture of the week one game. If Goodell wishes to make an impact, as he has already warned teams in the past, he should, without a doubt, make an example out of the Patriots. In fact,

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