Stupid Fine for Stupid Rule levied against Stupid Pats

So, the NFL has fined the New England Patriots $250k and at least one draft pick next year (could be two if they don't make the playoffs), and additionally fined Bill Belichick $500k. All this for filming the signals called in for plays on the sidelines.

Now, I understand the concept that "rules are rules." Over the off-season a rule was introduced to address the allegations that the Pats were filming the plays called in, which allegedly gave them an unfair advantage. And they broke the rule. Fine.

But it's a stupid rule.

First, the entire field (and the coaches who can be seen from the field) is in public view. There's no reasonable expectation of privacy in any signals sent visually from the sidelines. Since a guy could just sit at the side of the field (or in the stands, with binoculars) and keep a hand-written chart of play signals and the plays run afterward, this is simply using technology to simplify a job.

Second, it's not like cameras on the field are unexpected. All NFL games are televised and all have all sorts of photographers (including team photographers and videographers) taking all sorts of shots all throughout. Is there any reason any team should believe that the coaches aren't being filmed, even if it's indirectly (i.e. caught in the periphery of a shot of the field of play)?

Third, how many other coaches were already doing this? The Jets coach used to be a Belichick employee; certainly he benefitted from (and probably endorsed) the same practice he's complaining about back when he was winning games and building his resume with the Patriots. I'm sure other teams have done the same.

If anything, it's an innovative approach. As long as radio isn't being intercepted (that would be an invasion of privacy), I'm for it. It's about adapting, overcoming, and improving as an organization.

Which is what I thought the NFL was about, as well. It's been seen as the big daddy of all American sport, in part because it's always working to improve the product. Why the sudden step back from innovation?

So, sure, fine the Patriots. Punish them for breaking a rule. But realize that it's a stupid fine for a stupid rule, and embrace change instead of fearing it.