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This debate must start with one question: was there anything in the NFL rule that specifically stated that the penalty would be directed towards the team and the coach? Or is it understood throughout NFL history that all penalties are intended for both parties?

It seems to me that the coaches bear the brunt of this action. Wouldn't they have privately hired or requested the videographer to do the filming during the game? What does the NFL expect the team to do? Rise up and boycott the game? Drag the coach out? Report him to the NFL? I don't think so...the team is drilled over and over into "obeying the coach" in whatever is asked. They would have been powerless in this situation...they cannot even quit, can they, if under contract?

Unless the team has been goading the coaches to videotape signals, the players have suffered enough in practices and public humiliation. It tears apart team morale to know that they have a coach (or coaches) who are not honest and who think so little of their work on the field that they have to resort to cheating. It also implies that the coaches may not be fair in what they are demanding of the individual team players when on the field...how many are being pushed over the edge physically into what could damage them for life?

I think the coach or coaches responsible for directing the videographer are the ones who should not only be fined but perhaps suspended although one must consider, who in authority above them may have given the order to do such a thing? Investigate. In addition, the videographer should be charged unless he is under contract to the team and "has to obey" the coaches' orders. Perhaps penalizing him would send a message to stop all videographers from accepting future tempting offers from other coaches.

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