[Dylan]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

The fumble numbers since 06 is the nail in the coffin. Any former player can tell you the advantages of gripping that underinflated ball. It helps the passing game and ball security immensely. The Pats are complete frauds. But yeah Billy B just happened to will the team to holding on to the ball during that time Starting EXACTLY when the rule change began.

On Nov. 19, 2006, Doug Collins, the Green Bay Packers' security chief removed Patriots film guy Matt Estrella after Estrella was caught taping the Packers’ defensive signals.

As part of their probe into the allegations, the NFL required the Patriots to turn over all notes and tapes relating to the taping of opponents' defensive signals; the Patriots complied with the order and the NFL reviewed and then destroyed the materials.

This action was criticized on February 1, 2008 — two days before Super Bowl XLII — by U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, who requested to meet with Goodell. Specter requested the meeting despite the fact that Belichick had admitted to taping signals dating back to 2000 was reported by ESPN on September 14, 2007. After meeting with Goodell on February 13, 2008, Specter said that Goodell told him that Belichick had been engaged in the practice since he became head coach of the Patriots in 2000. Belichick said he believed he was operating within the rules as long as the tape was not used during the same game.

Nearly six months after the incident, the Boston Herald reported, citing an unnamed source, that the Patriots had also videotaped the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough practice prior to Super Bowl XXXVI in February 2002, an allegation denied by Belichick. Meanwhile, Matt Walsh, a Patriots video assistant in 2001 who was fired after the team's 2002 season, told the media the same week that he had information and materials regarding the Patriots' videotaping practices, but demanded an indemnity agreement before speaking with the NFL.

Google...