Raheem Morris Accuses Patriots Of Clapping, Mike Vrabel Coins Term For Latest Scandal

The Patriots hit nan Falcons 24-23 successful Week 9 and successful nan process whitethorn person ignited nan team's first ungraded of nan post-Bill Belichick era. From nan franchise that brought you the Tuck Rule, Spygate and Deflategate comes Clapgate.

The word was coined by coach Mike Vrabel during his regular quality connected WEEI's The Greg Hill Show connected Monday morning. Vrabel was responding to an accusation from Falcons coach Raheem Morris who said that New England had simulated Atlanta's threat by clapping, which straight led to a cardinal intentional grounding telephone precocious successful nan 4th quarter.

During his power appearance, Vrabel went done nan various ways that he claps connected nan sideline and really quarterbacks telephone for nan shot while clapping earlier calling it "Clapgate."

"They did a bully job, they simulated a snap," Morris said successful his property convention pursuing nan one-point loss. "The shot came early. Was snapped early was connected that threat wherever we sewage nan intentional grounding. Nice occupation by those guys. Great situational football. Great play."

"That was new. I didn’t spot that," said Vrabel. "I conscionable know, possibly that’s a testament to our fans. They sewage large and I could perceive nan power and truthful convey them for that. That’s a bully point. I didn’t spot thing and I’ll fto you guys spell investigate.”

The play that Morris was referring to was second-and-10 from nan Patriots' 48-yard line. The threat came retired earlier backmost Michael Penix Jr. was fresh and he conscionable threw it astatine nan feet of his lineman. After different incomplete walk connected third-and-20, nan Falcons punted nan shot away, ne'er to spot it again.

Here's video nan play successful mobility and don't worry, it doesn't clear up anything.

There is nary uncertainty that personification successful that stadium was clapping astatine that nonstop moment. Were they a player, a fan, a coach aliases anyone other associated pinch nan location team? Probably! Not that that intends location was thing nefarious going on.

All this really proves is that astatine 7-2 nan Patriots are bully capable to beryllium accused of cheating again. Expect group to beryllium watching—and listening—very intimately erstwhile they return connected nan Buccaneers this Sunday.

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