By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Within seconds of each other, top NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport both tweeted that the Patriots are expected to be disciplined for illegally videotaping the Bengals’ sideline.
Now, the NFL has released a statement telling both of them that they’re engaging in “pure speculation.”
Schefter himself tweeted on Saturday that, essentially, his previous report on the Patriots was wrong. The NFL released a statement to him reading the following:
“The investigation is ongoing and there has been no discussion of any potential discipline. Any suggestion of potential discipline or a timeline on an announcement is pure speculation.”
Oct 27, 2019; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during the first quarter of the NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium. (Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports)
Well that’s literally what Schefter and Rapoport did, basically at the same time. So it’s a wonder who fed them their information, which likely came from an extremely well-placed source within either the NFL or the Patriots organization.
The initial report was that the Patriots are expected to be disciplined and a decision is coming within the next two weeks. Questions remain about the severity of their potential punishment and whether the league has found any connection between the video crew that violated the rules and the Patriots’ football operation.
But if you’re to believe the league – and it should be extremely difficult to do that at this point – Schefter and Rapoport are engaging in baseless speculation. The two best reporters in the game. Speculating.
It’s terrible news for anyone hoping that the league would pin this videotaping violation to Bill Belichick or anyone on the Patriots’ football staff. But potentially good news for the Patriots? Maybe? Who the hell knows anymore.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.