The New England Patriots stand to lose a first-round draft pick, and head coach Bill Belichick is a half-million dollars lighter in the wallet today after National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell levied his punishment for the team’s illicit use of a video camera in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

Last night, the league announced that Goodell had decided to fine Belichick $500,000, and to fine the team $250,000. In addition, if New England makes the playoffs this year, it will lose its first-round draft pick in 2008; if it does not make the postseason, it must forfeit its second- and third-round picks next year.

The half-million-dollar fine imposed on Belichick is the maximum allowed under league bylaws for violating NFL policy. Goodell decided against suspending Belichick, which was one of the sanctions he was reportedly contemplating.

In a letter to the Patriots, Goodell wrote, “This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid long-standing rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field.”

In a statement issued last night, Belichick said:

“I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight’s ruling. Once again, I apologize to the Kraft family and every person directly or indirectly associated with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused. I also apologize to Patriots fans and would like to thank them for their support during the past few days and throughout my career.

“As the Commissioner acknowledged, our use of sideline video had no impact on the outcome of last week’s game. We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress.

“Part of my job as head coach is to ensure that our football operations are conducted in compliance of the league rules and all accepted interpretations of them. My interpretation of a rule in the Constitution and Bylaws was incorrect.

Early in Sunday’s season-opening game at the Meadowlands, Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella, standing on the New England sideline, was caught directing a video camera toward the Jets’ coaching staff on the opposite side of the field. The video could potentially be used to decipher defensive signals and therefore aid the Pats’ offense.

NFL security confiscated the camera and its tape before the end of the first quarter and placed them in a sealed box; New England went on to win the game convincingly, 38-14.

A New York Post story claimed that Jets head coach Eric Mangini, who spent nearly a decade as a Belichick assistant, tipped off the league’s security office about the camera.

In his review, Goodell determined that the Pats’ use of the camera had no effect on the result of the contest because it had been seized so early in the game. New England had one first-quarter touchdown, a 12-play drive that lasted more than 5½ minutes.

With the Patriots picked by many to win this season’s Super Bowl, the loss of a first-round pick in next April’s draft is seen as very likely. The team currently has two first-round selections.

Though Goodell believes that Patriots ownership was not aware of Belichick’s use of the video camera, he fined the team because “Coach Belichick not only serves as the head coach but also has substantial control over all aspects of New England’s football operations. His actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club.”

The commissioner ruled out suspending Belichick.

“I have determined not to [suspend Belichick], largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension,” wrote Goodell.

Trying to gain an edge by figuring out a team’s calls and signs is part of football; that’s why so many coaches are seen during games with a clipboard or folder covering their mouths.

But using on-field technology outside of a Polaroid camera (used overhead to capture formations) is forbidden by the league; in fact, coaches and general managers were sent a memo by NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson just days before the season began that reiterated the rule.

The memo, dated Sept. 6, read in part: “Videotaping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent’s offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches’ booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game.”

In a brief statement issued just before his Wednesday morning news conference, Belichick acknowledged that he had spoken via telephone with Goodell about “a videotaping procedure during Sunday’s game and my interpretation of the rule.” Asked several times on Wednesday and yesterday to clarify what his interpretation of the rule was, Belichick refused.

Whatever explanation he provided to Goodell was not sufficient. The commissioner, who has been on the job little more than a year, has quickly gained a reputation for being hard-nosed and demanding that players and those in authority respect the game and the league.

New England plays its home opener Sunday night against the San Diego Chargers.

smanza@projo.com