[Diofan]

Trouble Brewing for the Pats!

BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - The NFL has determined that the New England Patriots violated league rules Sunday by videotaping defensive signals by the coaching staff of the New York Jets, according to a report on ESPN.com.

Citing sources, ESPN reported that the NFL has visual evidence to confirm the suspicions after league security officials confiscated a camera and videotape from a Patriots employee.

According to the report, Commissioner Roger Goodell is considering "severe" sanctions, which include the possibility of penalizing New England multiple draft picks because the team has been suspected of previous videotaping violations.

The Boston Herald, citing sources, reported that it's the fourth time in the past year that the Patriots have been caught illegally stealing signals from an opponent.

Sources told the Herald that the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers were among the teams who have caught the Patriots filming their signals.

"There's a league-wide perception that this is something they do," the Herald quoted one rival executive.

The Patriots reportedly will have a chance to defend themselves against the accusations by the end of the week.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told ESPN.com on Tuesday that no official decision has been made and that the Patriots have not been notified.

It doesn't stop there....

NEW YORK (AP) -- New England coach Bill Belichick was fined the NFL maximum of $500,000 Thursday and the Patriots were ordered to pay $250,000 for videotaping an opponent's offensive and defensive signals.

Commissioner Roger Goodell also ordered the team to give up next year's first-round draft choice if it reaches the playoffs and second- and third-round picks if it doesn't.

"This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field," Goodell said in a letter to the Patriots.