| Height: 6-4
Weight: 225
Born: Aug 3, 1977, San Mateo, CA | |
| Newsbreakers |
December 29, 2008
New England Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli is very interested in the Cleveland Browns GM opening, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns have been granted permission to interview him. He has been with the Patriots since 2000.
Our View:Pioli was with the Browns back in 1994 when they finished 11-5, and his return could return them to that status in the near future.
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December 28, 2008
Quarterback Tom Brady is "well behind schedule" in the rehab of his left knee, NBCSports.com reports. He tore his ACL and MCL in Week 1 and underwent surgery on October 6. Brady had problems with an infection and went through six weeks of antibiotic and surgical treatment. A source informs NBCSports.com that Brady's ACL and MCL remain "loose," and the passer may need additional surgery to deal with all the scar tissue.
Our View:We assume Brady went down on his right knee when he proposed to Gisele Bundchen recently. If his recovery takes longer than expected, the Patriots could have a tough decision to make regarding potential free agent Matt Cassel.
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December 26, 2008
Tom Brady proposed to his girlfriend Gisele Bundchen on Christmas eve while aboard a private plane heading to Boston and she said yes, according to TMZ.com.
Our View:Well, looks like you boys missed your chance. Most of you were in the same country as her, and didn't even have the nerve to ask for her number. Despite the surgically repaired knee, it appears to have been a very productive season for Tom. Another ring appears to be on its way.
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December 21, 2008
CBS Sports analyst Charley Casserly leaned on some of his contacts and discovered that quarterback Tom Brady's rebuilt left knee no longer is infected, putting him on schedule to be ready for the start of 2009, according to ESPN. "Good news for the New England Patriots and Tom Brady," Casserly said. "He's off antibiotics. The infection he had when he had the repair of his knee is gone. Therefore he's back on his rehab schedule and should be ready for training camp and the season next year."
Our View:Good news for Brady and the Patriots' organization, though the latter has some interesting financial decisions to make, given the emergence of Matt Cassel this season.
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December 21, 2008
Patriots' coach Bill Belichick wants cameras on the goal-line after last week's controversial touchdown scored by Santonio Holmes in the Steelers' win over the Ravens, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View:Belichick has pitched the possibility of having permanent cameras at that spot on the field, similar to the baseline in tennis, but the NFL is yet to proceed due to the financial investment it would require.
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December 17, 2008
The Boston Globe reports that Tom Brady, in the usual Patriots way, would not offer any details on how his injured knee is coming along. "Belichick never wants us to talk about any of that. We're just going to root [for the team], the season is not over. I'm on injured reserve, so I can't do much for the team at this point, other than show my support," he said.
Our View:Brady was at a charity function for the team, but sidestepped all questions about his knee, which was rumored to have been infected after the original surgery to repair his ACL.
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December 1, 2008
The New England Patriots will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season at Wembley Stadium in England, according to Boston.com.
Our View:This will be the third straight year the NFL will stage a regular-season game in the British capital.
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November 11, 2008
Tom Brady remains on antibiotics since suffering a staph infection following surgery on his left knee, according to the Boston Globe. The patella tendon graft inserted to replace his torn ACL during surgery October 6 will likely be kept, and not replaced in a second operation. But in cases involving a septic joint, doctors wait until the patient completes the antibiotics treatment to see if the infection returns and whether a new graft is needed. Infection delays rehab, increases the risk of scar tissue buildup, and leaves the patient more susceptible to long-term pain and stiffness. Restoring range of motion is the most important aspect of initial post-op rehab from ACL reconstruction, and there is a limited window of opportunity to work on it. While Brady is trying to restore some range of motion, he is nowhere near the point where a patient without complications would typically be five weeks after surgery, doing squats, stability work, coordination drills, stationary bicycling, and stair-stepping.
Our View:Once his infection clears, Brady will start physical therapy from the first post-op phase. As Brady targets his return for next season, the next several months of rehab are critical. But with training camp starting in July, it is not necessary to rush.
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October 26, 2008
FOX Sports' John Czarnecki reports that there has been much misinformation about Tom Brady's MCL and ACL surgeries. The quarterback's infection is under control and his rehab may be only a few weeks behind.
Our View:This is good news for those that hung on to Tom in a keeper league. Hopefully he can return in top form next season.
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October 23, 2008
The Boston Globe reports that the Patriots released a statement on Thursday night in response to an ESPN report citing the team was upset for the Tom Brady's decision to have surgery in Los Angeles rather than with team doctors in Boston. The statement essentially calls ESPN's report false and backed Brady's decision 100 percent.
Our View:ESPN cited an unnamed team source and failed to mention the Patriot's statement released last Saturday expressing the complete organizational support for the quarterback.
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October 23, 2008
Tom Brady had surgery to repair his torn ACL, but has subsequently had three more procedures to clean out an infection, according to the Boston Herald. If the graft used to replace Brady's ACL is compromised, he would have to start from scratch with an entirely new reconstruction.
Our View:It apparently does not happen often that the entire surgery would have to be re-performed, but if this does happen with Brady, his timetable for return would be pushed back.
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October 19, 2008
Tom Brady commented on the status of his injured left knee, according to the Boston Globe. Brady said, "On October 6, I had surgery to repair my knee from the injury that took place four weeks earlier in our season opener. The surgery went well and my doctor described my knee as 'rock solid.' Unfortunately, in the week following the surgery, I developed an infection. The infection is very treatable and, through a course of antibiotics, it will be knocked out of my system. We were proactive with the infection and the doctors went in for a second procedure this past Wednesday to clean and to test the wound. The results of the tests have all been positive and we are very thankful. I am excited to begin rehabbing my knee and will continue preparing for 2009."
Our View:Barring a setback, he should be ready for the start of the 2009 campaign.
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October 17, 2008
The Boston Globe reports that Tom Brady underwent a second operation on his knee to clear out an infection.
Our View:Brady supposedly tore his ACL and MCL in the season opener against the Chiefs. He should be fully healed in time to participate in next summer's workouts.
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October 14, 2008
The Patriots could use help at quarterback, but are not expected to make any trades prior to today's deadline, according to the Boston Globe. Coach Bill Belichick said, "I don’t think so. I’d say there is a less than 1 percent chance of anything happening there."
Our View:The Patriots were Super Bowl contenders prior to losing Tom Brady for the season, but currently reside in second place in the AFC East with a 3-2 record.
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October 12, 2008
Owner Robert Kraft assured the media that quarterback Tom Brady's recent left knee surgery went well, the Boston Globe reports. "Thank goodness the surgery went well," Kraft says. "He'll be returning to Boston shortly and doing his rehab there. He's focusing on being as good as he can be next year. He's doing what he has to do. He really has a great attitude. I'm not sure I could be as up as he is." Brady tore his ACL and MCL in the season opener.
Our View:Even in rehab, Brady is painted as superhuman. He faces a long process, but he should be ready for at least the start of the 2009 training camp, if not well before that. With Randy Moss and Wes Welker signed for a while, Brady should regain much of his fantasy value prior to next season.
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October 8, 2008
Tom Brady underwent surgery to repair his injured left knee Monday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, according to the Boston Globe. Brady had chosen Neal ElAttrache, a well-known orthopedist specializing in sports medicine, shoulders, elbows, and knees, to perform the operation.
Our View:He will now begin rehab and is believed to need 6-8 months to recover. A source indicated that the surgery went well.
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September 30, 2008
Hobbled Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will have Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles perform the surgery on his torn MCL and ACL, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View:It is not sure when the surgery will take place, but is should be happening sometime quite soon. Brady should be okay to play next season.
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September 10, 2008
Since Tom Brady went down last Sunday everybody has speculated what was wrong with the knee. Reports are coming out of New England that Brady has tore both his MCL and ACL and will have surgery in a month or so, according to ESPN.com.
Our View:If there are no complications with the surgery Brady will require six to nine months of rehab.
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September 8, 2008
Tom Brady has officially been placed on IR due to his left knee injury (torn ACL and MCL), according to NFL.com.
Our View:Matt Cassel moves into the starting role at quarterback, and the team is looking for a backup, but coach Bill Belichick disputes the reports that they have brought in anyone for an audition yet.
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September 8, 2008
Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Tom Brady has torn his MCL as well as ACL in his left knee.
Our View:As you already likely have heard, Brady is out for the remainder of the 2008 campaign. Matt Cassel will take over as the starting quarterback, and the team is looking at a handful of free agents to serve as the primary backup, including Chris Simms and Tim Rattay.
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September 7, 2008
Yahoo Sports' Michael Silver is reporting that Tom Brady will miss the rest of the season to a torn ACL.
"It’s bad," a team source said. "We’re going to have to play without him." Even if the quarterback's ACL isn't torn, and the rumors that are running wild on the Internet are false, Matt Cassel will see several starts before Brady could return.
Our View:Cassel is an average quarterback that looked awful during the preseason. However, with the large number of talented weapons surrounding him, he will be a fantasy option in most formats.
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September 7, 2008
While we await testing on Tom Brady's left knee, the rumors are flying. "Everybody I talked to said it's a torn ACL," one Jets player tells NBCSports.com. "Players and coaches. When we came in here that's what people were saying, 'Brady's got a torn ACL.'"
Our View:So, since the Patriots always keep things behind closed doors, we should assume the Jets have inside info? We're not ready to buy into this season-ending news yet, even though the pictures of the hit don't look promising. Matt Cassel stands to start and gain a lot of fantasy value if Brady is indeed out for a while.
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September 7, 2008
Tom Brady was not available after Sunday's season opener, and head coach Bill Belichick did not provide much regarding the superstar's left knee. "I don't have an update on Tom," Belichick tells The Providence Journal. "They're looking at him, doing some tests on him."
Our View:What? Did you think Belichick would actually say anything? This is a nightmare for Patriots fans and fantasy owners.
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September 7, 2008
The Patriots have announced that quarterback Tom Brady will not return to action on Sunday against the Chiefs, the Boston Globe reports. Brady injured his left leg in the first quarter. Matt Cassel has taken his place.
Our View:We can only hope that we get some sort of true update in the coming days. Bill Belichick will probably dodge any questions that come up in the post-game.
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September 7, 2008
Tom Brady's return is considered questionable after he injured his left leg in the first quarter against the Chiefs. Matt Cassel has entered the game.
Our View:It's pretty rare for a return to be anything but questionable when a telecast updates an injury.
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September 7, 2008
Tom Brady had to be helped off the field in the first quarter Sunday with a knee injury.
Our View:We don't want to speculate on his status, but it looked bad enough that he probably won't return today. Check back for updates.
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September 7, 2008
As expected, quarterback Tom Brady (foot) is active for Week 1 against the Chiefs.
Our View:Brady wasn't even on the injury report, so fantasy owners shouldn't have had anything to worry about. We just wanted to confirm his status, though.
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September 4, 2008
Tom Brady was not listed on New England's practice participation or injury report on Thursday, according to the AP.
Our View:How much evidence do we need? Brady will be on the field starting Week 1 for the Pats.
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September 3, 2008
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he expects Tom Brady to be ready to go against the Chiefs in Week 1, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View:Brady was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, and barring any setbacks should be starting against the Chiefs week 1.
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September 1, 2008
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said he will be ready to play Week 1 and his injured right foot feels good, according to the AP. "I've been getting progressively better over the past couple of weeks. I'm excited. I'm excited to start the year," he said.
Our View:This is great news for fantasy owners, many of whom undoubtedly took the New England signal caller in the first round. Only seeing him in game action will affirm his health, but unless a setback occurs, plan on having him in the lineup.
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August 28, 2008
Tom Brady missed his fourth straight preseason game on Thursday because of his injured right foot, according to the Associated Press.
Our View:Brady insists that he will be ready to go for Week 1 against the Chiefs, and while we tend to believe him, his value is certainly trending down a bit at this stage though not to the point where he should be viewed as anything less than the top option that he is.
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August 27, 2008
Tom Brady had Patriots fans and fantasy owners alike nervous when it was reported that he was absent from practice on Tuesday. However, that absence could be explained by the fact that Brady was purchasing an $11 million piece of land in California, according to the Providence Journal.
Our View:Mystery solved. There were a pair of crutches left at Brady's locker Tuesday in an attempt at a hilarious joke, as the quarterback's injured foot has become an issue. However, in all likelihood, he will play Week 1.
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August 25, 2008
Tom Brady expects to be fine for Week 1 after dealing with a foot ailment, according to the Boston Globe. He said, "I'm feeling very good. I'm feeling very good. I was wishing I could play last week and it didn't happen. It will be the same thing this week. I'm hoping I'm out there and if I'm not, I'm not. I'm trying to get better as fast as I can, and in the ways I know how; it's been making improvements, there is no doubt about it."
Our View:He may miss the preseason finale against the Giants as a precaution, but he should be safe to pull off the board as the first quarterback in fantasy drafts.
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August 22, 2008
Tom Brady will not play in the team's preseason game on Friday against the Eagles, according to the Providence Journal.
Our View:Brady is still dealing with an undisclosed foot injury, but he did take part in some practices this week. He remains the top option at quarterback in fantasy leagues.
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August 21, 2008
Tom Brady returned to practice Wednesday but only took part in light stretching and light-throwing, and coach Bill Belichick said he was still day-to-day with his sore right foot, according to the Boston Globe. He didn't do much, but did not appear to be limited in his movements.
Our View:He may not play in the Patriots' next preseason game, but there is still time for him to get some reps in the preseason.
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August 20, 2008
Tom Brady was in full pads at Wednesday's practice, according to the Providence Journal. He sat out Tuesday's practice while nursing his ankle ailment.
Our View:He may not play in the Patriots' next preseason game, but should be ready to go in Week 1.
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August 18, 2008
Tom Brady told Boston radio station WEEI that the injury to his ankle is on the same side of the body, and same leg, but not the same injury as the one that hindered him during last season's Super Bowl, according to the Boston Globe. He also stated, "I spent some time this weekend getting treatment on it, and hoping that it responds quickly like it usually does. The key is not to go out there and aggravate anything when I'm not ready to go."
Our View:Brady isn't sure about his status for Friday's third preseason game against the Eagles.
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August 16, 2008
Tom Brady has not made the trip to Tampa and will miss the second preseason game on Sunday due to a sore foot, the Boston Globe reports. The report says it is not known which foot is problematic.
Our View:Brady could have his foot cut off, and Bill Belichick would find a way to cover up the procedure. We're assuming this foot injury is minor, and Brady's fantasy value remains very high.
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August 14, 2008
Tom Brady sat out Thursday's preseason opener against Baltimore, and he is eager to return to action, according to the Boston Globe. He is expected to play this Sunday against the Buccaneers and said, "It will be nice to be out there and play a little bit, and see if we can make improvements from last week."
Our View:Randy Moss and Wes Welker also may suit up for Sunday.
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August 3, 2008
Tom Brady appeared to injure his calf on a play at practice though he doesn't appear to have been seriously injured, according to the Boston Herald.
Our View:Brady limped around for a while, but eventually returned to the field after being looked at by trainers. He ran with the club at the end of practice, and therefore appears to be fine. We can see it now - Brady will be listed on the team's injury report all year with both a bad shoulder and bad calf.
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July 24, 2008
Tom Brady is on a "pitch count" and did not throw much during the opening practice of Patriots training camp according to the Boston Globe.
Our View:Matt Cassel and Matt Gutierrez worked with the receivers on down-field routes.
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June 27, 2008
Tom Brady has not been participating in many offseason workouts, according to Pro Football Weekly. The web site reports that he simply wanted a break after the long season, and he has been partaking in activities with girlfriend Gisele Bundchen in Europe and other locales.
Our View:Of all people, Brady can probably be excused for missing a few workouts. Especially to cavort around the world with a Victoria's Secret model. His absences aren't significant to the upcoming fantasy season, as he remains the top QB on the board.
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June 27, 2008
Tom Brady has been named the best player in the NFL, according to Sportsline.com writer Pete Prisco, in his annual list of the top 50 players in the league.
Our View:This is no real surprise for the guy who threw 50 touchdown passes last season. He is easily the top quarterback for the upcoming fantasy football season.
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June 26, 2008
The NFL has announced Training Camp reporting dates for each of the 32 teams in the league, and you can view the information by clicking on this link at NFL.com. The Washington Redskins are the first team to report to training camp, with their rookies and veterans expected at Ashburn, Va. on July 19.
Our View:That leaves you with 24 shopping days until the hitting starts.
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June 17, 2008
Senator Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who threatened a congressional inquiry into the way the National Football League handled its "Spygate" investigation of the New England Patriots' videotaping practices, said he wouldn’t seek hearings on the matter, according to ESPN.
Our View:Specter said he didn't seek a hearing on Spygate before the Judiciary Committee because they already have too much work on their plate. It appears this issue has finally been put to bed.
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June 7, 2008
Updating an earlier report, Tom Brady's ankle is indeed better, but it still hasn't allowed him to return to lifting weights and he is also unable to jump, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View:While this doesn't appear to be anything serious, it is a bit more information than we were given earlier when reports made it seem like he was completely healthy. Just how much this will effect him will not be known until we see him trying to elude a 275 linebacker that is hot on his heels.
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June 7, 2008
Tom Brady's ankle injury that he sustained in last season's playoffs is not an issue, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View:Brady is moving his feet with ease, and is planting fine with no problems, namely on deep passes. Brady remains a safe fantasy pick for 2008.
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May 13, 2008
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has announced that former Patriots' video employee Matt Walsh has provided him with no new evidence of cheating by the team, beyond the information that already has been known and disclosed regarding the taping of coaching signals, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Goodell said that Walsh states there is no evidence of any videotape of the Rams’ walk-through prior to Super Bowl XXXVI. Walsh told Goodell that Walsh didn’t tape it, that he was not aware of anyone who might have taped it, that he hasn’t seen it, and that he knows of no one who taped it. Walsh also said that he was in the Superdome at the time of the walk-through, that he was going about his required busines, and that he was on the sidelines in Patriots gear while the Rams were practicing. Goodell said that Walsh also is aware of no other violations of league rules of policies by New England. Goodell ruled out evidence of bugging of locker rooms, manipulation of communications systems, augmenting of crowd noises, and placing microphones on players to pick up opponents’ audibles or signals by the Patriots. Walsh supplied only two new pieces of information, that the Pats used a player on injured reserve during a practice in 2001, and that Walsh was involved in the scalping of eight to ten Super Bowl tickets. As to the former, Goodell claimed that the penalty for using a player in practice who is on IR is subject to a fine. But Goodell commented that there will be no additional penalty, given the $750,000 in fines previously imposed on the team.
Our View:Walsh told Goodell that he wasn’t looking for publicity, and that when Walsh hinted that there was more evidence of cheating to the New York Times, Walsh was under the impression that it wasn’t well known that the practice dated back to the 2000 season.
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May 9, 2008
From Day 1 of the Spygate saga in September, the controversy over New England's illicit videotaping practices has centered on the Patriots' efforts to steal their opponents' defensive signals. But the tapes delivered via FedEx to NFL headquarters in New York on Thursday morning also include evidence of an effort by New England to steal offensive signals, which would broaden the extent of the team's surveillance operation, according to ESPN. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and staff members began viewing the eight tapes within hours of their long-awaited delivery, in anticipation of next Tuesday's scheduled interview with former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh. "We don't know [about attempts to steal offensive signals] yet because we haven't looked at the tapes," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday before the league had completed its review of the new evidence. "All we have is the list supplied last night [by Walsh's attorney]. One of them is labeled 'OFF signals.' None of the others are listed that way. Let us look at the tapes and we'll have more to say about that.”
Our View:The Patriots declined the opportunity to comment on Thursday. Stacey James, the Patriots' vice president for media relations, said Wednesday he expected the team would wait to issue a statement until after Walsh meets with Goodell.
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April 25, 2008
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is fully prepared to crack down again on the New England Patriots if his meeting with Matt Walsh uncovers a tape made of the St. Louis Rams' final walkthrough practice before the 2002 Super Bowl, according to ESPN. "Taping a walkthrough is much different from what I punished them for," Goodell said.
Our View:The commissioner has no idea what Walsh, who spent six years as a New England employee, has to offer than what the league already knows: Belichick had been taping defensive signals since first becoming Patriots coach in 2000. He noted, however, that the league, which destroyed the tapes from the Jets game after reviewing them, had spoken to 50 people in connection with the case and that Walsh was the only one who asked for legal protection.
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April 23, 2008
An agreement has been completed between the NFL and Matt Walsh that will allow Mr. Walsh, a former videotape operator with the New England Patriots, to share with the NFL information about activities occurring during his employment with the club from 1997-2003, according to NFL.com. Commissioner Roger Goodell will meet with Mr. Walsh in the commissioner’s office on Tuesday, May 13, the earliest date that Mr. Walsh, who lives in Hawaii, will be available on the East Coast.
Our View:The agreement also requires Mr. Walsh to return any tapes and other items in his possession that belong to the Patriots. In return, the NFL and the Patriots have promised not to sue Mr. Walsh. They also will indemnify him for any expenses, including legal fees that he incurs in connection with the interview.
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April 23, 2008
Lawyers for the NFL and former New England video assistant Matt Walsh are close to a deal in which information and materials pertaining to past videotaping practices would be handed over to the league, according to FOX Sports. A report in February alleged the Patriots’ might have had access to tapes of a walkthrough by the St. Louis Rams on the day before their Super Bowl loss to New England in 2002. Head coach Bill Belichick has emphatically denied ever seeing footage of an opponent's practice or ordering a practice taped.
Our View:Walsh has agreed to talk to the league but the date of the meeting is uncertain. It is believed Walsh has been negotiating for complete indemnification. A source with knowledge of the negotiations expects the NFL to announce the agreement today.
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April 4, 2008
Several of the nation's cable operators keep insisting on making the NFL Network available only on a pay-extra sports tier, but NFL Network president Steve Bornstein said this week the league never will accept that, according to the Miami Herald. “We'd shut it down before we ever did that kind of deal. We're all about mass distribution and wide availability of our product. And there's no reason we want to make this an elitist product,” Bornstein said. Comcast, which services much of South Florida, has already moved the NFL Network to a tier, charging an extra $5 per month without the NFL's permission - the matter is now in court.
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April 4, 2008
There is a feeling from people in the know that former New England employee Matt Walsh lacks the evidence that some think he has on his former team, according to NFL.com. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, in his strongest comments to date, even went as far as to challenge Walsh to step forward with any evidence that he has implied he has. “I don't like anyone putting out accusations about the league or any of our clubs like that,” Goodell said. “If he has said that he has evidence, I would like to see that. I've said from the beginning of this incident that if there's new information that comes to the public or to me, I have the right to reopen this issue and I will. But the reality is that we haven't gotten any new facts here for seven months.” The commissioner and the owners obviously want to see this public relations nightmare resolved, but for now the topic will not go away.
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April 2, 2008
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is getting impatient with the stalemate between the NFL and Matt Walsh, the former New England Patriots employee who implies he has tapes he made of opposing teams that the league has yet to see, according to ESPN. "If it's just taping team's signals, we know about that," Goodell said Wednesday as he wrapped up the league meetings. "At some point I will run out of patience." Lawyers for the league and the Patriots have been negotiating with Walsh's attorney to get him to tell them what he knows. Walsh is seeking protection from any action the league or the Patriots might take once he reveals his information about the team's taping of opponents.
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April 2, 2008
In what was described as a heartfelt speech, Robert Kraft apologized at the owners meeting in Palm Beach for the Patriots' illegal videotaping procedures that have cast a cloud over the NFL, according to FanNation. Kraft spoke of how the actions did not represent what his family was about, and how that affected him because nothing is more important to him than his family's name. Kraft assured those in attendance he would make sure illegal videotaping would never happen again. After Kraft's remarks, Patriots coach Bill Belichick then addressed the room and explained his actions, while also detailing how the team's football operation has been improved so that no such incidents would happen again.
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April 2, 2008
NFL owners concluded their annual meeting by tabling the re-seeding idea for the playoffs, according to ESPN. Without the necessary 24 votes to pass a re-seeding plan to give wild-card teams the chance to host playoff games, the Competition Committee tabled the concept to a later meeting, most likely in May.
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April 1, 2008
Bill Belichick emphatically swears there are no new revelations to come regarding Spygate, according to ESPN. "I think they've addressed everything they possibly can address," the New England Patriots coach said Tuesday morning, disclosing he had been re-interviewed after the Super Bowl about allegations that former team employee Matt Walsh had illegal tapes. "I've addressed so many questions so many times from so many people I don't know what else the league could ask." Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that the NFL had spoken again with Belichick and other Patriots employees after last January's Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants. The league continues to negotiate an agreement with Walsh, who claims to have evidence that would further implicate the New England organization.
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April 1, 2008
Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is ''making progress'' in arranging a conversation with former New England Patriots’ employee Matt Walsh, who reportedly might have information on allegations that New England taped St. Louis' walk-through before a Super Bowl game, according to the Miami Herald. ''I'm a little frustrated by it,'' Goodell said. ``Matt Walsh is free to speak with anybody. We've met with over 50 people. He's the only one who has conditions.'' New England owner Robert Kraft has said the allegations are unfounded, and that his organization would be exonerated in the end.
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March 31, 2008
Hobbled in the Super Bowl XLII by a high ankle sprain, Tom Brady checked out fine recently and hasn’t had any troubles with the bothersome right ankle, according to the Boston Herald. Brady won’t be restricted for the offseason workout program or mini-camps.
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March 27, 2008
The NFL ownership group will focus on ethics at their annual spring meetings scheduled to begin next week in Palm Beach, Fla., according to FOX Sports. The owners want to institute a five-to-seven day period before the start of free agency during which agents could contact teams about prospective free agents. No signings or contact with players would be allowed, but it would avoid what most league officials concede is widespread illegal negotiation before free agency starts. Earlier this week, San Francisco forfeited its fifth-round draft choice this year for "tampering" with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs.
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March 10, 2008
If Mike Walsh videotaped the St. Louis Rams in their final practice prior to the 2002 Super Bowl, then the New England Patriots will say he must have done it of his own volition, according to the Boston Globe. Shortly after the Patriots added Spygate to the American lexicon last September by violating NFL rules against videotaping an opponent's signals, Walsh, a video assistant dismissed by the team in 2003, reached out to one of the few former coworkers who would take his call. He left little doubt about his intentions. "He sounded like a loose cannon," said the coworker, who asked not to be identified to avoid entangling his new employer in the controversy. "He was very bitter about how things ended with the Patriots and he seemed like he was keen on using whatever he had to get back at them by going public and really trying to damage the team." From all appearances it looks like New England is going to play the vindictive ex-employee card.
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March 9, 2008
Matt Walsh, the former New England Patriots employee holding tapes of illegal spying by head coach Bill Belichick and his staff, is reported close to an agreement with the NFL, according to Slam Sports.
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.
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March 7, 2008
Commissioner Roger Goodell wants the National Football League to conduct surprise inspections of locker rooms, press boxes and in-game communications equipment, and to lower the standard of proof needed for him to impose penalties for cheating, according to FOX Sports. "As the Commissioner and Competition Committee, we must take every appropriate step to safeguard the integrity of the NFL," Goodell wrote. "We have already taken some positive and significant actions this past season, but we must go further to ensure fair competition amongst our 32 teams and maintain public confidence in our game." Goodell wants the new rules in place next season "to preserve the competitive integrity of the game" and "maintain public confidence" in the sport, according to a memo he sent it to the NFL competition committee. It is Goodell's strongest response to the controversy stemming from the New England Patriots videotaping scandal.
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February 21, 2008
The Patriots hired Dom Capers for the role of special assistant for the secondary according to a report on the AP, a year after Capers was the Dolphins defensive coordinator. The team also signed Nick Caserio to be the director of player personnel and they brought in Bill O'Brien to serve as wide receivers coach.
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February 18, 2008
Following up our earlier report on the Spygate allegations, here is a long quote from Pats HC Bill Belichick about the whole event on ESPN. "In my entire coaching career, I've never seen another team's practice film prior to playing that team," Belichick said. "I have never authorized, or heard of, or even seen in any way, shape, or form any other team's walk-through. We don't even film our own. We don't even want to see ourselves do anything, that's the pace that it's at. Regardless, I've never been a part of that." If proof surfaces in the future that the Pats are guilty, this statement will mark Belichick as an outright liar, so we hope for his sake that he is telling the truth here and not pulling a Marion Jones.
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February 18, 2008
Patriots coach Bill Belichick and team VP of player personnel, Scott Pioli, broke their silence regarding taping procedures, according to the Boston Globe. The two suggested that the improper conduct, and SpyGate's continuing saga, was because of former employee Matt Walsh's indiscretions. Belichick told the Globe he "couldn't pick Matt Walsh out of a lineup" and Pioli noted that part of the reason for Walsh's firing was because of him secretly tape-recording conversations.
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February 16, 2008
The AP Wire reports that the lawyer for former New England Patriots employee Matt Walsh is assisting his client -- who is in search of protection and guarantees against expected lawsuits concerning SpyGate. Walsh is willing to turn over tapes in his possession that contain footage of the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough practice the day before they played the Patriots in the 2002 Super Bowl with conditions.
Walsh is reportedly looking for the NFL to guarantee him protection from lawsuits or other legal action.
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February 15, 2008
A lawsuit filed Friday by a group of former St. Louis Rams player seeks millions of dollars in damages, according to the Canadian Press. The suit originates from the alleged taping of Rams practices by the New England Patriots prior to the 2002 Super Bowl.
The $100-million suit, filed on behalf of former Rams player Willie Gary, was submitted in a New Orleans U.S. District Court. The suit names the Patriots, team owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick.
The Patriots have yet to comment.
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February 10, 2008
Even with all the telephone calls he's been avoiding in the last week, since his name came up in the NFL's Spygate affair, Matt Walsh isn't complaining. Walsh currently resides in Hawaii and when asked about his involvement with the Patriots and their video taping sessions he was mum. The former Patriots video assistant sat in a chair overlooking the Kaanapali Resort with an easy smile on his face, according to ESPN, with only "no" answers to offer.
Walsh is a former assistant coach for the New England Patriots who performed some videotaping duties for the team. A few days before the Super Bowl, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) asked why Walsh was not interviewed during the NFL's investigation into Spygate.
Asked Saturday whether he'd been contacted by Specter's office or by the NFL, Walsh smiled and said, "I really can't answer that.''
Nor would Walsh say if he was under a gag order from his attorneys, even though that seems obvious. On Wednesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned that his staff was talking with Walsh's representatives, trying to gauge whether Walsh had any new information to offer and if Walsh was free to talk to the league.
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February 9, 2008
Tom Brady's slated to receive a base salary of $5 million with a $3 million roster bonus next season, according to ProFootballTalk.com. However, the contract will lay a hefty $14.62 million salary-cap hit on the Pats. Brady really wants to keep soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Randy Moss with the team and may have to do some restructuring of his own contract -- or work out a new one -- in order to make that happen.
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February 7, 2008
Tom Brady as spotted walking alone in Soho - and limping again according to the Boston Herald. While Eli Manning was being showered with tickertape Tuesday, record producer Chris Ivery, a Cambridge homey and the hubby of Everett gal and “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo, told the Herald’s resident fashionista Jill Radsken Wednesday that he spotted No. 12 in NYC the other day and that “he walked with a limp.” The report noted that Ivery, a diehard Pats fan, theorized that the Pats quarterback - who was famously caught on camera wearing a walking cast the week before Super Bowl XLII - was playing hurt on Super Sunday.
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February 4, 2008
Tom Brady will not participate in this weekend's Pro Bowl because of the sprained ankle he battled through in Sunday's Super Bowl loss to the Giants, according to the AP. Brady will be replaced in the game by Cleveland's Derek Anderson. There was zero chance that Brady was going to play in this meaningless game. He has supermodels to date.
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February 1, 2008
Tom Brady is listed, like always, as probable due to his shoulder, according to the Boston Globe. That's probably the least relevant story of the week, this side of the marriage proposal he received during media day. What is relevant is that his mild high ankle sprain is not listed on the report. He's taken part in full practices the past two days and is set to for the Super Bowl.
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January 31, 2008
Tom Brady (ankle) had a full practice Thursday for the second straight day, according to the Boston Globe. It looks like he'll be fine for the big game Sunday.
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January 27, 2008
Tom Brady doesn't anticipate his ankle injury being an issue for the Super Bowl. "It's feeling good," Brady said to the AP. "I'll be ready to go. I think we need three great days of practice, which I hope to be participating in. I hope. It's a couple of days away. But I'm feeling better."
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January 27, 2008
When the Patriots boarded their flight Sunday that took them to Arizona, Tom Brady was without the walking boot that he was spotted with last week, and he had no limp, according to the AP. The quarterback is dealing with what's believed to be a mild high-ankle sprain and didn't practice last week, but it shouldn't hinder the two-time Super Bowl MVP for next weekend's big game.
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January 26, 2008
Tom Brady didn't practice at all on Thursday and missed at least the first 15 minutes of Friday's session, which were viewed by the media, according to the Boston Globe. He's recovering from what's believed to be a mild high-ankle sprain. The Pats are playing it safely with their superstar, but there have been no indications that he's in danger of missing the Super Bowl. At least it gives us something to talk about during the two-week wait.
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January 22, 2008
Tom Brady was photographed by the New York Post on Monday wearing a walking boot on his right foot as he visited girlfriend Gisele Bundchen in New York. Brady dismissed the issue during his weekly radio show on sports radio WEEI, however. According to the Boston Globe, Brady was asked about his foot and responded, "There are always kind of bumps and bruises. I'll be ready for the Super Bowl. I'm not missing this one. I'd have to be on a stretcher to miss this one. There will just be some treatment this week and like I said, games like this you get a little nicked up but it's nothing serious."
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January 12, 2008
Tom Brady had his way in Saturday's win over Jacksonville, completing 26-of-28 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Brady was successful despite Randy Moss (one catch) being marked closely by the Jaguars.
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January 6, 2008
Tom Brady rolled to his first MVP Award Saturday, receiving 49 of the 50 first-place votes from the Associated Press. Brett Favre received the other vote.
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