Patriots accused of spying on Jets' signals

The NFL is looking into claims a New England Patriots employee was videotaping signals by Jets coaches on New York's sideline during the season opener, according to ESPN.com.

ESPN.com reported Monday that NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots employee during New England's 38-14 victory Sunday. The employee was accused of aiming his camera at the Jets' defensive coaches, who were sending signals out to the players, sources told the Web site.

The league was also investigating radio frequency issues that occurred during the game, the sources told ESPN.com. According to the report, the camera and tape were forwarded to the league offices.

The story was first reported on the Web site of Jets Confidential, which said the Jets chief of security alerted NFL security about the issue during the game.

The NFL had no comment, and neither did the teams. Teams are not allowed to videotape on the field during games.

"With anything along those lines, those are all league-related matters, and anything that deals with an issue like this or anything on a team-by-team basis, those all go to the league," coach Eric Mangini said in his news conference Monday.

When asked if the Jets had in fact notified the league, he said: "It's all a league matter."

PACE OUT FOR SEASON: Seven-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Pace tore the labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder against Carolina and will be sidelined for the rest of the season. An MRI exam Monday revealed the damage to Pace, the first overall pick of the 1997 draft.

The injury is Pace's second season-ender in two games, after tearing his left triceps last November. Coach Scott Linehan said this one could be career-threatening.

Team physician Matt Matava estimated a six-month rehab period while calling it a "correctable injury."

RAIDERS, RUSSELL "CLOSER": Oakland Raiders officials met with representatives for holdout quarterback JaMarcus Russell for the third time in four days Monday, leading coach Lane Kiffin to say the contract dispute with the No. 1 overall draft pick could be resolved quickly.

The two sides met Friday and Saturday in the Bay Area before taking a day off for Oakland's season opener Sunday against the Detroit Lions. There were more meetings held Monday and a deal could be finalized soon. Before the weekend, the two sides had met only once in person since the start of training camp.