The NFL is investigating the New England Patriots for what seems to be a miscommunication during Week 14 in the press box in Cleveland on Sunday, according to multiple reports. The league is looking into whether a scout illegally video taped the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline.
The Patriots had a scout in the Browns’ facility to view New England’s upcoming opponent, the Bengals. That scout was featured on the Patriots’ digital documentary series, “Do Your Job,” which chronicles the day-to-day life and responsibilities of their many employees in the scouting department, video department or equipment managers. A Bengals scout noticed the Patriots scout video taping in the press box, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The NFL then obtained that video. However, they will likely find the scout was video taping himself — and not the Bengals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor was asked about the incident on Monday during a press conference.
“I’m aware that there was an incident, but I know the league’s investigating it, so I’ve got no comment,” Taylor said. “I don’t have anything to say about it. … I’ve got no comment.”
The truth is that the days where videotaping can actually provide a competitive advantage are over. In the days of sideline signaling in the early 2000s, video of hand-signals could provide a huge advantage — like in the days of Spygate. Coordinators now relay their plays with headsets while covering their mouths with the play sheet. Video of a team’s sideline might only reveal a team’s signals for hurry-up offense.
