Patriots Respond to ESPN's Report on Roger Goodell, Deflategate and Spygate

The New England Patriots offered a strong rebuke Tuesday following an ESPN report that covered a wide range of topics, including Deflategate, Spygate and the relationship between the organization and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe provided a statement from the Patriots, which firmly denied allegations of taping opponents' practices or walkthroughs. The team also denounced the propagation of "unfounded, unwarranted and, quite frankly, unbelievable allegations":

The Patriots clearly take offense to the fact these continued investigations are tarnishing the legacies of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady despite uncovering results they consider "myths, conjecture and rumors."

Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham previously highlighted the results of an examination from Outside the Lines and ESPN the Magazine.

The probe found the punishments handed out to both the Patriots organization—$1 million and two draft picks—and Brady, who had his four-game suspension vacated by a judge last week, were viewed around the league by some owners as a "makeup call" for Spygate.

ESPN's report suggests New England videotaped the play-call signals of opposing coaches in 40 games across an eight-year period starting in 2000. It also noted Goodell ordered league executives to destroy evidence from the Spygate investigation by crushing tapes and shredding papers.

ESPN's Herm Edwards said teams send scouts to watch coaches from the press box to figure out signals "every Sunday," per Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports.

Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson highlighted the report's claim the Patriots were using other means to spy on teams:

However, on the Dan Patrick Show on Sept. 9, former Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said "back then, everyone was trying to steal signals," according to Noah Coslov of Sirius XM NBA Radio. "We’d have people sweep the locker room for devices…it was with a number of teams…same thing on the sideline," Shanahan continued, per Coslov. 

Although the NFL lost its court case against Brady and the NFLPA, the ESPN investigation states Goodell is now more stable in his role as commissioner for taking on the Patriots. Previously, some owners remained frustrated over the lack of Spygate action.

Brady took a stand against the league throughout his Deflategate appeal and came out on the winning side. The Patriots are now seemingly prepared to continue to fight these storylines every step of the way, regardless of the source.

In the bigger picture, it's not ideal for one of the NFL's most successful franchises of the past couple of decades to remain at odds with the league. Yet, it sounds like going up against Robert Kraft and Co. actually won Goodell support from other corners of the ownership base.

This occurs just as the NFL prepares to open a new regular season Thursday night as the Patriots begin their title defense against the Pittsburgh Steelers.