ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos placed their video operations director on leave while the NFL investigates whether the team broke league rules by filming the San Francisco 49ers’ walkt hrough in London last month.
The Broncos confirmed a report in the Denver Post on Saturday, telling The Associated Press that Steve Scarnecchia is on a “personal leave of absence.”
Taping another team’s practice can result in severe penalties from the NFL.
Scarnecchia and Broncos Coach Josh McDaniels previously worked for the New England Patriots, who were found to have videotaped New York Jets coaches sending in signals during a game four years ago. The NFL bans such videotaping and issued $750,000 in fines against the Patriots and Coach Bill Belichick. The Patriots also were stripped of their 2008 firstround draft pick.
The league did not immediately reply to an e-mail from the AP. McDaniels wasn’t available for comment Saturday because media are not allowed to watch the team’s walkthroughs. The Broncos play the St. Louis Rams today at Invesco Field.
Scarnecchia worked for the Patriots between 2001-05. Mc-Daniels, who worked in New England from 2001-09, hired him in Denver shortly after he became the Broncos’ coach 22 months ago.
Scarnecchia hasn’t been at practices this week and the Post reported he didn’t make the trip to San Diego for their game Monday night.
The matter concerns practices at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 30, the day before the 49ers’ 24-16 victory over the Broncos. It was the only time the teams worked out on the same field while in London.
When McDaniels was hired to replace Mike Shanahan he was asked how the Patriots’ scandal, dubbed Spygate, might affect his head coaching candidacy and whether the issue was raised during his interviews with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and chief operating officer Joe Ellis.
If the new investigation results in punishment similar to what the Patriots received, the Broncos might lose a high draft pick that many see as the only silver lining to what looks like a fifth consecutive season without a playoff berth. Only four teams have a worse record than the Broncos’ 3-7 mark.
Sports, Pages 30 on 11/28/2010