07-Nov-2009 20:56pm
 
RealTime Fantasy Sports
Matt Walsh to meet with Goodell, Specter

By RACHEL COHEN - AP Sports Writer
    2008-05-13 10:29

NEW YORK (AP) - Former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh spent nearly 3 1/2 hours talking to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about Spygate on Tuesday, then headed to Washington to meet with Sen. Arlen Specter.

Walsh did not comment after leaving the NFL offices. He traveled from Hawaii to discuss his role in New England's videotaping of opposing coaches' playcalling signals.

``Out of respect for Sen. Specter, neither Mr. Walsh nor I will speak with the media prior to meeting with the Senator,'' said Walsh's lawyer, Michael Levy.

They then got into a car to begin their trip to Washington.

Goodell and Specter each planned to hold a news conference after meeting with Walsh. Specter, the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been critical of the NFL's handling of the investigation.

Before the start of Goodell's news conference, the league played for the media the tapes Walsh provided. The clips cut from shots of opposing coaches going through their signals.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, while the team was fined $250,000 and forced to forfeit its 2008 first-round draft choice. The investigation began after the NFL confiscated tapes from a New England employee who recorded the New York Jets' defensive signals from the sideline during the 2007 opener.

Last week, Walsh sent the NFL eight videotapes that showed the Patriots recording playcalling signals. The tapes included signals by coaches of five opponents in six games from 2000-02.

The league said the tapes were consistent with what it already knew.

Walsh worked for New England from 1997 to 2003. His name surfaced just before this year's Super Bowl, nearly five months after the Patriots were sanctioned.

After more than two months of negotiations, lawyers for the league and Walsh finally agreed April 23 to terms that would allow him to talk with Goodell. They include an agreement by the Patriots not to sue Walsh and to pay his legal expenses and his airfare to New York from Hawaii, where he is now a golf pro.

Goodell has said that the Patriots could be subject to further sanctions if new information about previously unknown infractions arises.

Specter, from Pennsylvania, met with Goodell in February after raising the possibility of congressional hearings if he wasn't satisfied with the commissioner's answers about the handling of the investigation.

Earlier that month, the Boston Herald reported that an unidentified Patriots employee illegally taped the Rams' final walkthrough before the 2002 Super Bowl, when New England, a two-touchdown underdog, upset St. Louis 20-17.

Levy said Walsh has never claimed to have a tape of the walkthrough and was not the source for the report.


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Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Ryan McBeanNov 7 05:33p

Denver Broncos DE Ryan McBean (knee) did not participate in practice Saturday, Nov. 7. He has been ruled out for Week 9.

Ryan HarrisNov 7 05:33p

Denver Broncos OT Ryan Harris (toe) did not participate in practice Saturday, Nov. 7. He has been ruled out for Week 9.

Alvin PearmanNov 7 05:03p

Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans RB Alvin Pearman is expected to be the team's punt and kick returner in Week 9.

Muhsin MuhammadNov 7 04:43p

Panthers.com reports Carolina Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad (knee) did not travel with the team for their Week 9 game.

Brad HooverNov 7 04:43p

Panthers.com reports Carolina Panthers FB Brad Hoover (ankle), FS Charles Godfrey (ankle) and TE Dante Rosario (knee) did not travel with the team for their Week 9 game.

Kendrick ClancyNov 7 04:33p

Adam Schefter, of ESPN.com, reports the New Orleans Saints have placed DT Kendrick Clancy (knee) on Injured Reserve, ending his 2009 season.

Travis KirschkeNov 7 04:23p

Mark Kaboly, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers DE Travis Kirschke (calf) and LB Lawrence Timmons (ankle) both said they will not be able to play in Week 9.

Jack WilliamsNov 7 12:03p

The Denver Broncos announced Saturday, Nov. 7, that they have waived CB Jack Williams.

Greg EllisNov 7 11:13a

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Jason FergusonNov 6 08:33p

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Jack WilliamsNov 6 07:03p

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Josh BarrettNov 6 06:53p

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Kevin SmithNov 6 06:53p

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions RB Kevin Smith (shoulder) practiced Friday, Nov. 6, and is expected to play in Week 9.

Jeremiah RatliffNov 6 06:43p

Dallas Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff (knee) and SS Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 6. They are listed as probable for Week 9 and will be able to play.

Demetric EvansNov 6 06:23p

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers DL Demetric Evans (shoulder) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and will not play in Week 9.

Takeo SpikesNov 6 06:23p

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder) practiced in full Friday, Nov. 6, and is expected to play in Week 9.

Reggie SmithNov 6 06:23p

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Reggie Smith (groin) practiced in full Friday, Nov. 6, and is probable for Week 9. He will be a game-time decision.

Kelvin HaydenNov 6 06:23p

Indianapolis Colts CB Kelvin Hayden (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He has been ruled out for Week 9.

Stephen SpachNov 6 06:03p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals TE Stephen Spach (ankle) practiced in full Friday, Nov. 6, and is probable for Week 9. He will be available, but might [ More ]

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Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans OT David Stewart (hamstring) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 26. He is listed as questionable for Week 9 and [ More ]

Nick FergusonNov 6 05:53p

Houston Texans DL Tim Bulman (ribs), LB Xavier Adibi (ankle), LB Kevin Bentley (shoulder) and SS Nick Ferguson (knee) are expected to play in the team's Week 9 game.

Benjamin WatsonNov 6 05:43p

New England Patriots TE Benjamin Watson (back) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 6. He is listed as questionable for Week 9 and will be a game-time decision.

Matt LightNov 6 05:33p

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Donald BrownNov 6 05:13p

Indianapolis Colts RB Donald Brown (shoulder) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and is questionable for Week 9.

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Indianapolis Colts WR Pierre Garcon (ankle) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and is questionable for Week 9.

Sinorice MossNov 6 05:13p

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants WR Sinorice Moss (foot) and WR Mario Manningham (shoulder) will be able to play in Week 9.

Chris CantyNov 6 05:13p

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants DT Chris Canty (calf) and LB Michael Boley (knee) are expected to play in Week 9.

Dominique BarberNov 6 05:13p

Houston Texans SS Dominique Barber (ankle) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and will not play in Week 9.

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