Comments (0) Read More

The Trade Deadline Approaches

Comments (0) Read More

Indians Add Jeff Weaver to Help Ease a Post-C.C....

Comments (0) Read More

> View All

Currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please refresh page or try again later.

Spygate Nears Moment of Truth

By IRA MILLER,

AOL

Posted: 2008-05-08 18:57:28

Filed Under: NFL

Sports Commentary

This will be either the highlight of the offseason or much ado about nothing, and I'm betting on the latter when Matt Walsh finally meets with NFL officials next week.

Latest NFL Photos

WESTHAMPTON, NY - JUNE 23: NFL wide receiver David Tyree of the New York Giants attends the 4th annual Hamptons Golf Classic at the Hampton Hills Golf and Country Club June 23, 2008 in Westhampton, New York. (Photo by Rick Odell/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Carolina Panthers' Dwayne Jarrett catches a pass during the team's football minicamp in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, June 5, 2008. Jarrett pleaded guilty to driving while impaired on Monday June 23, 2008, minutes before he was scheduled to go on trial in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, a Georgia native, signs a shirt during his youth football clinic Friday, June 20, 2008, in College Park, Ga., during which more than 250 youngsters were coached in drills by 12 NFL football players. (AP Photo/John Amis)

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, right, and Minnesota Vikings' Kendrick Allen playfully pit their strength against each other during Grant's youth football clinic Friday, June 20, 2008, in College Park, Ga., in which more than 250 children were coached in drills by 12 NFL players. (AP Photo/John Amis)

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, in black, an NFL football player and Georgia native, watches Jay Galloway, 14, run a drill during a football clinic Friday, June 20, 2008, in College Park, Ga. Twelve NFL football players coached more than 250 youngsters in football drills at Grant's camp. (AP Photo/John Amis)

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, in black shirt, joined by other NFL football players, rear, gets a sea of responses as he asks a question of attendees during a youth football clinic Friday, June 20, 2008, in College Park, Ga. More than 250 youngsters received coaching from 12 NFL players. (AP Photo/John Amis)

This 2007 season handout provided by the NFL shows Arizona Cardinals football player J.J. Arrington. Arrington was among five people arrested after a fight at a nightclub in Rocky Mount, N.C., early Wednesday June 18, 2008. (AP photo/NFL) ** NO SALES**

NFL quarterback Eli Manning attends the Whitney Art Party and auction at Skylight on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

NFL quarterback Eli Manning and wife Abigal McGrew attend the Whitney Art Party and auction at Skylight on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

NEW YORK - JUNE 16: NFL Hall of Famer Boomer Esiason throws a football at the 7th annual Samsung Four Seasons of Hope gala on June 16, 2008 at Cipriani, Wall Street in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

Getty Images

You remember Matt Walsh. He's the former Patriots' staffer who supposedly has all sorts of dirty laundry to air about Bill Belichick's attempts to mimic George Lucas.

In fact, I can't help but feel that if Walsh really had much to add to what we already know about Belichick's videotaping, it would have come out by now. Nonetheless, the case has remained alive, and now we're just a few days away from Walsh's scheduled meeting with the league.

The key allegation, of course, is that Walsh supposedly has information the Patriots taped the St. Louis Rams' final walkthrough before the Super Bowl following the 2001 season, in which New England scored one of the biggest upsets in NFL history.

Belichick has denied it, and no evidence has surfaced to contradict him.

Nonetheless, the NFL agreed to pay Walsh's expenses to travel from Hawaii to New York for the meeting, and agreed to indemnify him for any legal expenses as a result of what he says. Still, none of which means he has anything really significant to say, but commissioner Roger Goodell wants to hear him out.

So what might Walsh have to say? Hypothetically, of course and please remember this stuff has not been alleged, that these are all only guesses, and wild guesses, at that.

5. Walsh could say that Belichick's taping of opponent signals was much more extensive than already known. No matter. Belichick and the Patriots already have been disciplined for this transgression and it's acknowledged Belichick has been taping the opposition's defensive signals since 2000, anyway.

4. Or he could allege that the Patriots used players in practice they were not supposed to use. Well, if this is the case, it could get Belichick in more hot water, because certain categories of players, such as those on injured reserve, are not permitted to practice. It would be damaging to the Patriots if Walsh has practice tapes showing such violations.

3. Or maybe Walsh will claim the Patriots have practice tapes of opponents, other than the Rams' Super Bowl walkthrough. There have been suggestions of disguising cameramen to get them into other team practices. Now, we'd be getting into an area of real subterfuge.

2. The big one, of course, is if Walsh actually has proof the Patriots taped that Rams' walkthrough the day before the Super Bowl. The game-before walkthrough is typically when teams rehearse plays they are going to use in the game. Belichick has denied ever taping another team's practice, but he curiously added, "certainly not that one," referring to the Super Bowl walkthrough.

1. And maybe, just maybe, Walsh has nothing at all.

Whatever the case, he and that senator from Pennsylvania certainly have kept us all anxious for months to see just where this Spygate stuff is leading. It would be nice if the league could get it wrapped up before we head into another season.

Ira Miller is an award-winning sportswriter who has covered the NFL for three decades and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. He is the national columnist for The Sports Xchange and his blog can be viewed at www.mysportspage.com.

2008-05-07 10:01:17

Must Read?

86 %

14 %

0 VOTES

Recent Comments

Post Your Own

1 - 10 of 140

140 comments

chefbriano 09:13:30 AM May 16 2008

Report This!

what has parcells done with out belechik? not a damn thing !no winning teams ,nothing

dad6164 07:01:29 PM May 15 2008

Report This!

Bill B. doesn't care they just invested in high tech listening devices this year?

dad6164 07:57:24 AM May 15 2008

Report This!

(eldo) it probably was not a good idea painting the jets hand signals in the locker room before the jets game? Or having the jets plays on Bills B. spreadsheet during the game?

dad6164 07:54:19 AM May 15 2008

Report This!

Lets not forget he turned the Giants around and brought the cowboys back from being dead too?

chefbriano 09:42:01 PM May 14 2008

Report This!

bottomnotes you are proof that morons walk this earth freely

eldofamily 06:55:56 PM May 14 2008

Report This!

Dad Fins will probably be good again in 2 years Parcells has done it every where he want. Including turning around a pathetic NE team...Thats right he started it all for NE

eldofamily 06:54:23 PM May 14 2008

Report This!

If there had been a tape of the walk thru I would agree with the garbage about the Pats and any punishment would have been justified. The taping stuff is not a big deal..I still don't get it. All of them are doing it, and if you think your team is not you know nothing about sports. The Pats took one for the team with this one. That is why all the other owners gave the Pats owner a standing ovation at the league meetings. Patriots took all the heat and did not spill the beans on all the other teams and let everyones skeleton's out of the closet. They were all grateful for that and do not want everyones laundry out there. So think of that while you're hating on Pats. They just got caugh at what everyone is doing

bottomnotes 04:15:06 PM May 14 2008

Report This!

GOD BLESS SPECTOR !

jtlfalcon 11:12:44 AM May 14 2008

Report This!

Dad, LOL LOL, good answer, man. Seriously though, IMO, Dolphins will be a very good team again in a few years. A few key moves and with Parcells help, they will rebuild.

dad6164 10:42:07 PM May 13 2008

Report This!

We held NE scoreless in the second half this year.

1 - 10 of 140

140 comments