NFL commish plans no new punishments for 'Spygate'

NEW YORK: National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell brought down the curtain on the "Spygate" scandal here on Tuesday after meeting with former New England Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh.

Goodell spoke for more than three hours with Walsh about the Patriots' videotaping coaching signals of rival teams, a violation of NFL rules, but heard no new revelations and plans no further punishment for the Patriots.

"I don't anticipate it (taking further action)," Goodell said. "The fundamental information provided today is consistent with what we knew last September. The punishment was implemented and I think it was appropriate."

After the Patriots were caught videotaping coaches of the New York Jets in the 2007 season opener, they were fined $250,000 and stripped of their first-round selection in last month's NFL Draft.

Also, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 after six tapes from 2007, similar to those Walsh made from 2000 to 2002, were surrendered to Goodell by the Patriots in February.

"It was appropriate. It was unprecedented," Goodell said. "It sent a clear message to NFL clubs - play by the rules."

Walsh spoke about videotapes he made after having given the league eight tapes of signals by opposing coaches from six games in the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons. All were shown to reporters on Tuesday.

Walsh departed the NFL offices for a meeting in Washington with US Senator Arlen Specter, who has criticized the NFL's probe and the destruction of the 2007 tapes and could push for lawmakers to look into the matter.

"Matt Walsh is pleased that he has had the opportunity to assist the NFL in its investigation regarding the Patriots' videotaping practices," Walsh's lawyer Michael Levy said.

A planned news conference following the Walsh-Specter meeting was called off.

But barring a Congressional probe, the cheating scandal that has tainted the Patriots' three Super Bowl titles from 2002 through 2005 has run its course.

"I don't know where else I would turn," Goodell said. "I asked him that question and he said very clearly, 'I don't know anybody who would have more information'."

The Patriots shrugged off the "Spygate" scandal and completed an undefeated season, coming within seconds of an undefeated run to a Super Bowl triumph before losing to the New York Giants last February.

Goodell said no other clubs were implicated and that he does not think such video cheating is common in the NFL.

"I think it's very limited in its practice and its effect," Goodell said. "I think teams take steps to make sure that doesn't happen."

AFP

(China Daily 05/15/2008 page22)