Zac Taylor was almost entirely unwilling to discuss the NFL’s investigation into the New England Patriots’ video team taping the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline from the press box in Cleveland in Week 14. Taylor has been mum on the topic since news broke on Monday. He continued that trend on a conference call with New England media on Thursday.
But he provide one interesting tidbit. When asked if he had any regrets about the situation, Taylor said, “No.”
The Patriots explained in a statement that the scandal was a big misunderstanding. The Patriots.com video team was working on a feature on advance scouts, who travel to watch the team’s upcoming opponent. They interviewed the scout at the Bengals’ game last Sunday, and intended to detail his day-to-day life. But then when the game began, someone on the team began to tape the Cincinnati sideline, a clear violation of NFL rules. New England admitted to the wrongdoing, but said there was no ill intent with the footage. Such video could be used to steal the Bengals’ signs. Bill Belichick has made it clear the video was intended for the Patriots.com video series — and nothing else.
Taylor had little to share on Thursday. Here’s a transcript from questions about the videotaping scandal.
Q: What are your general thoughts on the videotaping situation with the Patriots?
ZT: I have no comment on that.
Q: Some reports have said that you are livid about the situation. Is that true?
ZT: I have no comment on that.
Q: How much do you and your coaching staff use hand signals during games?
ZT: I think, like any team, we communicate visually and verbally, depending on the environment we’re in.
Q: Do you believe the Patriots’ explanation for this situation?
ZT: I don’t have any comment on any of that stuff.
Q: Has anyone from the Patriots organization reached out to you to clear the air?
ZT: I don’t have any comment on any of that.
Q: Why do you believe it’s in your best interest not to have any comment at any point on this ongoing incident that’s affected your team?
ZT: Because this is a tough opponent right now, and we’re devoting all of our time to making sure we’re prepared. And so that’s where all of our focus has been on.
The Bengals will need all the help they can get on Sunday. They are 1-12 while the Patriots are 10-3. Maybe New England has suffered a few tough losses in recent weeks. But the Patriots seem poised for a bounce-back game, particularly after stewing over this scandal.
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