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May 13, 2008 11:37 am US/Eastern
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Matt Walsh Meets With NFL Commissioner
Walsh was video assistant for Patriots between 1997 and 2003
Provided more tapes of Patriots taping games, including 2002 AFC Championship game
NEW YORK (CBS4.com) ―
Today, former New England Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss the Patriots videotaping of opposing teams playcalling signals. The Patriots have already been fined $250,000 and lost a draft pick over "spygate."
Video evidence showed the Patriots taping the Pittsburgh Steelers coaches giving signals to their players during the 2002 AFC Championship Game, in direct violation of NFL rules. However, the NFL is expected to do nothing more to the Patriots, because last year's fine and loss of draft pick was given out to cover the totality of the Patriots rule-breaking.
The controversy began when the New York Jets accused the Patriots of videotaping defensive signals in order to gain an advantage in the 2007 season opener between the two teams. The NFL confiscated tapes from the Patriots and opened an investigation that ended up with Patriots being caught cheating. After giving out punishment during the regular season, Commissioner Goodell destroyed all evidence related to "spygate."
But, on the eve of last season's Super Bowl, the Boston Herald reported there might be more to "spygate," than people already knew, and it all centered around Matt Walsh.
At one point, he was believed to have videotape evidence of the St. Louis Rams' final walkthrough practice before the 2002 Super Bowl against the Patriots. The NFL announced no such tape existed after striking a deal to talk with Walsh in late-April.
The league received eight tapes from Walsh that showed the Patriots recording playcalling signals on both offense and defense between 2000 and 2002. NFL officials say the taped information was consistent with what it already knew about the Patriots spying on opposing coaches.
Senator Specter has been critical of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's handling of the entire "spygate," situation. He has threatened congressional hearings if he is not satisfied with the commissioner's investigation.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)