April 2015 - New England Patriots Wiretap

28 NFL Teams Have Hired New Offensive Coordinator In Past Two Seasons

Jan 29, 2015 11:24 AM

The carousel for NFL coordinators is far quicker than that of head coaches.

Darrell Bevell and Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinators for the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, are two of the longest tenured in the NFL.

Bevell has been with the Seahawks for four seasons, making him the second-longest-tenured coordinator in the NFC behind Pete Carmichael of the New Orleans Saints.

McDaniels and Todd Haley have been with their teams for three seasons, making them the longest-tenured offensive coordinators in the AFC.

Every other NFL team has hired at least one new offensive coordinator within the past two offseasons.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, IQ, Misc Rumor

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Patriots' Hotel Fire Alarm Goes Off Again In Middle Of Night

Jan 29, 2015 11:06 AM

The fire alarm at the New England Patriots' hotel went off for the second time this week.

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass public relations director Stephanie Sanstead confirmed that the fire alarm went off for two minutes Thursday morning, but she denied it went off in the players' wing.

"We apologize to our guests," said Sanstead, who also confirmed that it was the second incident of the week. "We are taking this matter very seriously. We are reviewing everything."

"I slept right through it," Rob Gronkowski said of the first alarm on Tuesday. "I slept great last night. I'm glad I didn't hear it."

Tom Brady said Thursday he slept through the second alarm as well.

"I must be sleeping through it," Brady said. "I slept great."

ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots

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Tom Brady Battling Cold, Studying More Film Than Usual

Jan 28, 2015 6:07 PM

Tom Brady is battling a cold and has been watching more film than usual to help prepare.

"I've had it for four or five days. My kids got sick and my wife is pretty sick right now. I brought it unfortunately to Phoenix but I'll be fine. I'll be good. I'll be 100 percent. I'm not worried about it at all."

Brady is trying as many remedies as possible.

"It's been lingering, so I'm just trying to get some rest. A lot of garlic, old remedies, everything I can," Brady said. 

Brady has had more time to stay indoors to study film.

"I feel like I know these guys pretty well. I know how they play. I got a lot of respect for the way they play and they got good players and a great scheme and they got very good coaching."

 

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots

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Belichick: No Coach I Respect More Than Pete Carroll

Jan 28, 2015 11:34 AM

Bill Belichick gave big praise to Pete Carroll when asked about his relationship with his Super Bowl counterpart.

"Good. Great," Belichick said. "Not a coach in the NFL I respect more than Pete Carroll. He's a tremendous coach. He and I have kind of come up together in roughly the same era. We've both been defensive coordinators, we've both been head coaches.

"I have a ton of respect for what Pete does as a coach, how good of a fundamental teacher he is, the way his teams play. I've studied him from afar -- we've never worked together. Studied Pete from afar over a long period of time. I've learned a lot from what he does, and indirectly, I think he's made me a better coach. I have all the respect in the world for Pete and his staff."

Nick Shook/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, IQ

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Patriots' Hotel Fire Alarm Goes Off In Middle Of Night

Jan 27, 2015 12:31 PM

The fire alarm at the team hotel of the New England Patriots went off at 1:25 AM local time Tuesday morning.

The alarm was shut off shortly thereafter.

The Patriots' first practice of the week will be on Wednesday.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots

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NFL Zeroing In Deflategate Investigation On Locker Room Attendant

Jan 26, 2015 3:37 PM

The NFL has zeroed in on a locker room attendant of the New England Patriots who allegedly took balls from the locker room of the officials to another area on his way to the field.

Sources say the NFL has interviewed him and they also have video of him.

Jay Glazer/Fox Sports

Tags: New England Patriots, Suspension

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Belichick: Patriots Followed Every Rule

Jan 25, 2015 6:37 PM

Bill Belichick stated that the New England Patriots "followed every rule" in preparing their footballs for last Sunday's AFC Championship Game, offering several potential reasons behind the "Deflategate" controversy that has followed his team during the last week.

Belichick had an unscheduled press conference on Saturday one day after the NFL announced it has not drawn any conclusions yet on the underinflated footballs.

"I believe now 100 percent that I have personally and we as an organization have absolutely followed every rule to the letter," Belichick said.

ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Suspension

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Investigation Of Deflated Balls Led By Pash, Wells

Jan 23, 2015 2:10 PM

The NFL issued a statement Friday to provide an update on the league's investigation if the Patriots intentionally deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game against the Colts.

The league announced that the investigation is being led by NFL executive vice president Jeff Pash and Ted Wells, an attorney from the Paul Weiss law firm. Wells was tapped to conduct the league's investigation concerning allegations of workplace misconduct with the Miami Dolphins in November 2013.

The statement is below in full:

"Our office has been conducting an investigation as to whether the footballs used in last Sunday's AFC Championship Game complied with the specifications that are set forth in the playing rules. The investigation began based on information that suggested that the game balls used by the New England Patriots were not properly inflated to levels required by the playing rules, specifically Playing Rule 2, Section 1, which requires that the ball be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch. Prior to the game, the game officials inspect the footballs to be used by each team and confirm that this standard is satisfied, which was done before last Sunday'€™s game.

"The investigation is being led jointly by NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash and Ted Wells of the law firm of Paul Weiss. Mr. Wells and his firm bring additional expertise and a valuable independent perspective. The investigation began promptly on Sunday night. Over the past several days, nearly 40 interviews have been conducted, including of Patriots personnel, game officials, and third parties with relevant information and expertise. We have obtained and are continuing to obtain additional information, including video and other electronic information and physical evidence. We have retained Renaissance Associates, an investigatory firm with sophisticated forensic expertise to assist in reviewing electronic and video information.

"The playing rules are intended to protect the fairness and integrity of our games. We take seriously claims that those rules have been violated and will fully investigate this matter without compromise or delay. The investigation is ongoing, will be thorough and objective, and is being pursued expeditiously. In the coming days, we expect to conduct numerous additional interviews, examine video and other forensic evidence, as well as relevant physical evidence. While the evidence thus far supports the conclusion that footballs that were under-inflated were used by the Patriots in the first half, the footballs were properly inflated for the second half and confirmed at the conclusion of the game to have remained properly inflated. The goals of the investigation will be to determine the explanation for why footballs used in the game were not in compliance with the playing rules and specifically whether any noncompliance was the result of deliberate action. We have not made any judgments on these points and will not do so until we have concluded our investigation and considered all of the relevant evidence.

"Upon being advised of the investigation, the Patriots promptly pledged their full cooperation and have made their personnel and other information available to us upon request. Our investigation will seek information from any and all relevant sources and we expect full cooperation from other clubs as well. As we develop more information and are in a position to reach conclusions, we will share them publicly."

NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots, Suspension

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Tom Brady Claims He Didn't Alter Footballs

Jan 23, 2015 1:07 PM

Tom Brady claimed he was not involved with underinflated footballs and was stunned to hear of the news that they were illegal.

"I didn't alter the balls in any way," said Brady.

Brady admitted there's a usual process he goes through in getting used to using game day footballs, explaining it's like any other piece of equipment for him. 

"I feel like I have always played within the rules. I would never break the rules."

ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Suspension

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Bill Belichick 'Shocked' To Learn Of Deflated Footballs

Jan 23, 2015 1:07 PM

Bill Belichick denied having knowledge of deflated footballs during the AFC Championship Game.

"I was shocked to learn of the footballs on Monday. I had no knowledge until Monday morning," he said.

The NFL found that 11 of the New England Patriots' 12 balls were inflated significantly below the NFL's requirements.

"In my entire coaching career, I have never talked to any player or staff member about football air pressure," said Belichick.

Belichick said in the future he will have his players practice with footballs that over-inflated because of this controversy.

"No further comment on NFL investigation, and I've told you all I know from my perspective on the subject," he said, repeating several times, "I've told you everything I know."

 

ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Suspension

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NFL Investigation Finds Patriots' Footballs Two Pounds Under-Inflated
The Patriots say they will continue to cooperate with the NFL's probe.

Chris Mortensen/ESPN

NFL Investigating Whether Patriots Deflated Footballs
An underinflated football could be easier to grip and catch.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Super Bowl Line In Significant Flux After Seahawks Open At -2.5
The Super Bowl point spread has never kicked off at a pick 'em.

David Purdum/ESPN

Trent Richardson Doesn't Travel With Colts To New England
Trent Richardson was a healthy inactive last week against the Broncos.

Kevin Bowen/Colts.com

Patrick Chung Signs Three-Year Extension With Patriots
As part of the extension, Patrick Chung received a $2.4 million signing bonus.

Field Yates/ESPN

Brady: You Can't Compare Current Teams To Ravens, Patriots Of Old
Tom Brady doesn't believe you can compare the current rosters of the Patriots and Ravens since so many players are no longer with the teams.

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com

Watt, Gronkowski Headline All-Pro Team As Unanimous Selections
J.J. Watt received five defensive end votes and the other five for defensive tackle.

Barry Wilner/AP