Cheatriots

Why risk pumping players full of steroids when you can just steal your competitor's plays?

Because you will still get caught.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined the $500,000 Thursday and the team was ordered to pay $250,000 for stealing an opponent's defensive signals. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also ordered the team to give up next year's first-round draft choice if it reaches the playoffs or second-and third-round picks if it doesn't.

The videotaping came to light after a camera was confiscated from Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella while he was on the New York Jets' sideline during New England's 38-14 win last Sunday at Giants Stadium. The NFL said the camera was seized before the end of the first quarter and had no impact on the game.

The Patriots have been caught once before -- last November, during their 35-0 victory in Green Bay, the Packers caught Estrella shooting unauthorized video and told him to stop.

The Patriots were among the pre-season favorites for the Super Bowl. At 1-0, they still are.