NEW YORK – The NFL is looking into claims a New England Patriots employee was videotaping signals by Jets coaches on New York’s sideline during the season opener. The investigation was first reported by ESPN.com, which said that NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots employee during New England’s 38-14 victory Sunday. The employee was accused of aiming his camera at the Jets’ defensive coaches, who were sending signals out to the players, sources told the Web site. “The rule is that no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches’ booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game,” the league said in a statement from spokesman Greg Aiello. “Clubs have specifically been reminded in the past that the videotaping of an opponent’s offensive or defensive signals on the sidelines is prohibited. (LINK)

You know, I like this story. I like the whole idea of it. I like the concept of high-tech espionage invading the world of professional sports. I’ve never played a professional sport, but I know that the game that takes place on the field/court is just one aspect of the game. I know that coaches watch extensive amounts of footage of their upcoming opponents. Lawrence Taylor once claimed that he had sent hookers to his opponents’ hotel rooms prior to big games. These are things that take place off the field, but can give a team a significant advantage during a game and affect the outcome.

I’d always assumed NFL teams were watching each other’s sidelines. Why wouldn’t they? Football is more than just a battle of brute strength; if it were, there would just be one play (“Run it up the middle again!”) In reality, football is like a chess game. It’s about calling the right play at the right time when the wrong defender is covering the wrong guy. It’s a mental battle, and in a mental battle I say use every tool at your disposal.

Next year I want to read about NFL teams hiring hackers to break into opponents’ computers and steal their playbook data.