MATT WALSH TO TALK, THEN WHAT?

By Scott Daniels, Esq., NFL Draft Bible

The NFL wants Spygate to be over.

Roger Goodell and the NFL's Competition Committee have expressly stated that their investigation is complete and the league can finally move forward.

But why? Why is Goodell practically ignoring the potentially powerful information Matt Walsh may have that might bolster the claims that Bill Belichick and the Patriots have been cheating for years?

Well if it wasn't for a determined United States Senator, Matt Walsh would be a non-issue. And regardless of his critics, Senator Arlen Specter is not letting down.

In what he claims is a pursuit of justice, Senator Specter is still actively pursuing Matt Walsh's claims and Goodell has reserved the right to open up his investigation and impose more penalties if need be. So, in light of the mass speculation surrounding Matt Walsh and his alleged information, here are some legal ramifications that are sure to pop up should Walsh divulge any information on Spygate.

More Punishment?

Bill Belichick and the Patriots organization have already begun their smear campaign on Matt Wash in an attempt to discredit him as much as possible. Walsh did come out of the wood works after the NFL's initial investigation and his credibility is certainly an issue.

However, if Walsh does have valid information that he can back up with legitimate physical evidence (an actual videotape), Goodell will be forced to take more action against Belichick and the Patriots. The Patriots will certainly argue that Walsh acted in a rogue capacity if he does produce a videotape and the NFL will have to dig deeper to determine the validity of the tape.

Simply put, if Walsh does produce a videotape, Spygate is not going away anytime soon. Belichick could face a suspension and the Patriots organization may have to cough up a lot more money for knowingly hindering a league investigation.

Arlen Specter's Continued Role

Senator Specter is adamant about uncovering a conspiracy. He has threatened to hold a congressional hearing to find out just how deep Spygate really goes. While a hearing on Capitol Hill is unlikely, Specter is refusing to let up in his quest for the truth.

But it is important to understand that Belichick and the Patriots did not break the law in any way. They broke NFL rules. Senator Specter's desired congressional hearing could only be held to determine if the NFL should be stripped of their antitrust exemption.

That said, Specter remains to be a significant player because he seems to be the only authority that wants more information on Spygate. In short, while the NFL retains it's antitrust exemption, government officials like Specter have a ground to stand on.

Future of Matt Walsh

At this point, the only thing keeping Walsh from speaking Goodell or Specter is an indemnification agreement from the NFL. Walsh's lawyer already shot down the NFL's first agreement saying that it left Walsh vulnerable to a possible lawsuit.

Because Walsh signed a confidentiality agreement with the Patriots upon leaving the organization, Walsh could be sued for divulging any information relating to his employment. An indemnification agreement would protect Walsh from any civil liabilities as a result of him talking.

Walsh's information could blow this entire investigation open, especially if he has video evidence. Rumors of a book deal have been circulating, but remember that an indemnification agreement by the NFL would only cover him with respect to his communications to the league about Spygate. Walsh could face a lawsuit if he tries to turn Spygate into a ploy for personal gain.

Recent Developments

A $100 million civil suit has been filed by a former Ram's player naming the Patriots, Belichick and owner Robert Kraft as defendants. The suit seeks damages as a direct result of wrongful taping alleged in the complaint.

Walsh's information could be the smoking gun we all have been waiting for. If a tape does exist, the Patriots are headed for serious trouble. A team that flirted with perfection just a few weeks ago may be tarnished for years to come.

NFL Conspiracy or a Senator's Hidden Agenda?

By Scott Daniels, Esq., NFL Draft Bible

Just when you thought "Spygate" has finally become a thing of the past, the New England Patriots and the NFL have been targeted yet again. This time, Arlen Specter, a Senator from Pennsylvania, has publicly questioned the motives of Roger Goodell and the NFL in their destruction of the videotapes they confiscated from the Patriots earlier in the year.

Conspiracy within the NFL or a cheap publicity stunt?

Senator Specter made headlines this week by questioning Goodell's intentions in handling the investigation surrounding Spygate. In fact, Specter wants to bring Goodell in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to explain why he destroyed the videotapes related to Spygate.

The notion of destroying evidence immediately translates into an inference of guilt. It leads one to believe that the NFL had something to hide in those tapes. And more importantly, it begs the question - Why did the actual videotapes from Spygate have to be destroyed?

But lets be real here people. We're talking about the NFL, not our nation's national security.

Although these tapes were effectively destroyed and the public will never know exactly what was on those tapes, I'm pretty sure the contents of those tapes would be relatively unimportant to members of the United States Senate.

So why is Senator Specter lambasting Commissioner Goodell and his decision to destroy the videotapes associated with Spygate?

Does he really care what was on those tapes? Doubtful.

Are Specter's constituents concerned about Mr. Goodell's actions? No chance.

Then why does Senator Specter care so much?

The answer is simple.

Senator Specter's number one political contributor is Comcast, a major cable company based out of Philadelphia. Comcast has been unsuccessful in persuading the NFL to allow the "Sunday Ticket" (coverage of every NFL game) and the NFL Network on Comcast's regular cable. Instead, the NFL has insisted on making their product a premium.

Specter has now threatened to strip the NFL of their "anti trust exemption," which permits the league to negotiate it's television contracts for the entire league as opposed to each team negotiating their television deals individually.

Interestingly enough, this is not the first time Specter has attacked the NFL on this issue.

In 2006, Specter publicly denounced the NFL's anti trust exemption and vowed to sponsor legislation that would effectively deprive the NFL from negotiating television contracts for every team.

Specter's public condemnation of Goodell and the NFL has nothing to do with Spygate. It has everything to do with Comcast's desires to get a piece of the billions of dollars the NFL is making off television contracts each year.

And as any shrewd politician would do, Spector chose to cry foul right before the NFL's biggest event. How convenient.