The NFL just announced the punishment for the Patriots' and Bill Belichick's signal-taping shenanigans. Bill Belichick will be fined $500,000; the Patriots organization will be fined $250,000; and, shrewdly, the Patriots will lose their first-round draft pick in 2008 if they make the playoffs this year (if not, they lose their second and third-round picks). Quote Commissioner Goodell: "This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field." Goodell also stated that he considered suspending Belichick, but decided the fines and pick forfeitures would be "more significant and long-lasting."