NFL Spygate Saga Heats Up

Ex-Patriots Employee Said To Have Alleged Spy Tapes Nears Agreement To Talk With League

(AP)  Matt Walsh, the former New England Patriots employee said to have tapes of illegal spying by the team, is close to an agreement to turn over information to the NFL.

The NFL said in a statement Sunday night that in the last week, lawyers for Walsh and the league have made "substantial progress toward an agreement that will allow Mr. Walsh to be interviewed."

"Both sides are optimistic that any remaining issues can be addressed successfully and they are committed to reaching a full agreement as promptly as possible," the statement added.

Walsh, a golf pro in Hawaii, has been seeking protection from lawsuits and other legal action, whether by the Patriots or other parties. The two sides have been negotiating for almost a month after reports surfaced just before the Super Bowl that Walsh videotaped a walkthrough practice of the St. Louis Rams before the 2002 title game. It was won by the Patriots 20-17 over the Rams, who were favored by more than two touchdowns.

Walsh's lawyer, Michael N. Levy of the Washington firm of McKee Nelson, confirmed Sunday night that an agreement was near.

"I have consistently asked the NFL to provide appropriate legal protections for Mr. Walsh," Levy said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

"In recent discussions I have had with the league's lawyer, we have made substantial progress toward this end, and I am hopeful that we will be able to craft an agreement with the necessary legal protections so Mr. Walsh can come forward with the truth."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said Walsh was not interviewed as part of the league's investigation into "Spygate," which involved the league confiscating tapes from a Patriots employee who recorded the New York Jets' defensive signals from the sideline during the opening game of the 2007 season.

Six confiscated tapes and other documents pertaining to the Patriots' taping were subsequently destroyed by the league. Goodell has defended the destruction of the tapes.

As a result of that investigation, New England coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 and the team was fined $250,000 and forfeited its 2008 first-round draft choice. That pick would have been 31st overall, but New England still has the seventh overall pick, obtained in a trade with San Francisco last year.

Goodell has also met with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who asked pointed questions about taping of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. The Patriots beat the Eagles in the 2005 Super Bowl and the Steelers in two AFC championship games.

"As commissioner Goodell has repeatedly emphasized, `Nobody wants to hear from Matt Walsh more than the National Football League,' NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Sunday night.

In addition to the negotiations over Walsh's testimony, Willie Gary, who played in that game for the Rams, filed suit in New Orleans last month accusing the Patriots of fraud, unfair trade practices and engaging in a "pattern of racketeering." Three fans joined in the suit.

Specter subsequently said that his interest might be covered by that suit.

"I think now that the lawsuits have been started, that I got the ball rolling, and the plaintiffs' lawyers are picking it up," he said.

[pzabbie]

It''s no longer a sport. It''s simply an income source. A "profit deal", to quote Navin Johnson.

[excoachken]

I wonder what the reaction will be when/if they are able to show that Brady knew the cheating was going on and just "played along" with it? Just how much of his "uncanny ability to read a defense" could have been based upon cheat sheet information, sent in through his headphones from Bellicheat on the sidelines. "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when.........."

[rushlimpdrug]

Too bad he didn''t get footage of Janet Jackson''s rehersal.

[timdgrim]

New team name: New England Cheatriots!

[maggg1]

Hey all, not to belittle the serious nature of this situation, taping other teams is common knowledge and the team that wrote the book was the Steelers of the 70''s. If you watch some of the old "inside the NFL" shows, they have the Steelers, Dolphins, Bears being quoted as saying that "We watch footage of their "the opposing" team practice to find weaknesses" This is not new, this has been done for decades. What is real now is that everyone wants to blame a coach that really is good, whether you like the Patriots or not.

The creditability of the League is more important than one person. Belichick should be fired.

[bobnjersey]

when is congress going to investigate? everything else can wait ... we need to get to the bottom of this now!

[macusweil]

Cheating has no place in sports.

Those caught cheating should get lifetime ban. Just like Bonds and Clemens in baseball these NE clowns should forever be denied induction to Canton OH.

So happy the GIANTS ended their perfect crime.

[jersupporter]

Goodell has also met with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who asked pointed questions about taping of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. The Patriots beat the Eagles in the 2005 Super Bowl and the Steelers in two AFC championship games.
I guess Specter does not care about cheating, just how his state teams were cheated? LOL
Perhaps the citizens of PA can videotape how much of their money is being wasted on stuff like this. Simply irresponsible. Congress should all be let go immediately and take Bush Cheney with you.

[rushlimpdrug]

Pleeze congress investigate, meanwhile I''ll be watching Wheel of Fortune.
Vanna''s cute.

[jersupporter]

Willie Gary, who played in that game for the Rams... BREAKING News... There are tapes of Mr Gary and Mr Specter in an airport bathroom toe-tapping each other. Perhaps the Patriots have that on tape? Specter is a fraud and is just upset that he could not get a reacha round from Larry Craig.

[maggg1]

You can''t possibly want our CONGRESS that we pay their salaries to investigate a sports game!

Tell me that is not what you meant, because I think our congress should be more focused on the really important matters. Jobs, War, Veterans, Recession, World !!!

[excoachken]

To maggg1: So everybody is a dirty as Bellicheat. Well, why is Goodell so interested in this set of films. Do you think he is "out to get" your Billy? Why not consider that maybe his record and that of the Patriots is tainted. Sorry, but I think there''s something rotten in----Baahston, and apparently Goodell agrees.

[fairandbal]

You can''''t possibly want our CONGRESS that we pay their salaries to investigate a sports game!

Tell me that is not what you meant, because I think our congress should be more focused on the really important matters. Jobs, War, Veterans, Recession, World !!!

Posted by maggg1 at 01:26 PM : Mar 10, 2008


Although it should be lower priority, Congress does have a need to get involved in this because it has granted special anti-trust excemptions to these pro sports leagues. if these leagues are given huge power in snuffing out rivals, then they do have a duty to make sure their product is clean. WHICH they appear to have no interest in doing unless congress DOES get involved (see the drug issue in baseball).

[maggg1]

hey guys, I am from OK and I love football, so don''t tell me I am from BAAAston, I am only trying to say that our world is in alot of bad shape and we should be worrying about more important things right now rather than whether a coach looked at some film

[spy-vs-spy_]

NFL Spygate Saga Heats Up. This sounds like God vs. self?

[spy-vs-spy_]

NFL Spygate Saga Heats Up. This sounds like God vs. self?

[spy-vs-spy_]

NFL Spygate Saga Heats Up. This sounds like God vs. self?

[perfect_love]

NFL Spygate Saga Heats Up. Yes we can have victory over self through Christ! Spygate may not make it but God can!