Wow.
Commissioner Roger Goodell is consistent. After suspending Titans corner Pacman Jones for an entire season because of several off-field arrests and then suspending Michael Vick indefinitely while awaiting his sentence as support of dog fighting, Bill Belichick was next on his docket.
According to the New England Patriots, Belichick, himself was fined $500,000 for his part in the team’s “illegal” filming of the N.Y. Jets defensive coaches last Sunday. The Patriots franchise was also fined $250,000.
Maybe worst of all, Goodell ruled the team would lose their first round pick in 2008. If they didn’t make the playoffs, which appears to be an impossibility, the Pats would lose a second and third round pick in 2008.
It really is a stunner. But national sentiment was leaning heavily toward the commissioner coming down hard on Belichick and the Patriots, which many players and some coaches questioning the advantage the Patriots may have had over previous years.
This is big news.
The only saving grace is the Patriots also own the first round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2008, which also may have weighed into the commissioner’s decision.
A statement from Belichick is expected to be released tonight.
