Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The New York Times quotes a former Patriots player as saying New England began its spying practices during the 2000 exhibition season, putting the information to use during the regular-season opener against Tampa Bay a short time later. The Patriots and Bucs played an exhibition game on Aug. 20, 2000. Tampa Bay then defeated New England, 21-16, during the season opener on Sept. 3.
The Times story does not say which game marked the first time New England videotaped signals against league rules. We already knew the Patriots began taping signals with Belichick's arrival in New England for the 2000 season, according to the NFL, so it was reasonable to assume these practices began during that same exhibition season.
Two weeks before that Aug. 20, 2000 game against Tampa Bay, the Patriots played Detroit. When the Patriots and Lions played months later during the regular season, the Lions won, 34-9.
The Patriots' record during division games that season suggests any advantage gained from taping signals wasn't enough to reverse outcomes. The Patriots lost both games against the Jets and Dolphins that season. They won the first meeting with the Colts, then lost the second meeting. They lost the first meeting with Buffalo, then won the second meeting.
