CBS News has posted video of Bill Belichick's complete interview with Armen Keteyian on its web site. Here is a link to the full interview.

The plan here is to listen to the interview and check back shortly.

In advance of Bill Belichick's interview with Armen Keteyian on CBS Evening News tonight, the network has distributed a transcript from part of the interview.

More can be found on the web site of CBS News.

On Matt Walsh:
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS AGENDA IS, AGAIN, HE WAS FIRED FOR POOR JOB PERFORMANCE AND FOR AUDIO TAPING HIS SUPERIOR. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF CREDIBILITY. YOU KNOW HE'S TRIED TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE WE'RE BUDDIES, AND BELONG TO THE SAME BOOK CLUB AND ALL. THAT'S REALLY A LONG, LONG STRETCH."

"FOR HIM TO TALK ABOUT GAME PLANNING AND STATEGY AND PLAY CALLING AND HOW HE ADVISED COORDINATORS, IT'S EMBARRASING, IT'S ABSURD. HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF FOOTBALL. HE WAS OUR THIRD VIDEO ASSISTANT.'

On Matt Walsh saying he was told by superiors to avoid detection:
"I NEVER TOLD ANYBODY TO DO THAT. ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS WHAT THE FACTS ARE. YOU LOOK AT THE TAPE. YOU SEE HIM FILMING THE GAME. YOU TELL ME HOW DISCREET IT IS."

On videotaping signals after the league's 2006 memo:
"I MADE A MISTAKE. I WAS WRONG. I WAS WRONG."

ESPN.com's Mike Sando posts a blog entry on "Hashmarks" titled "Time to consider Pats as a football team, finally."

In the blog entry, the detailed Sando offers up an Excel file to download with the Patriots roster. He breaks down the roster in different ways, such as:

The following was sent by CBS News today:

New England Patriots football coach Bill Belichick addresses for the first time charges made by his team’s former videotaper that he knew the taping of opposing teams was wrong. Belichick appears in an exclusive interview conducted by Armen Keteyian tonight (6:30-7 p.m., ET) on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

Belichick spoke with Keteyian earlier today in Boston.

Former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker, who now writes for SI.com, pens a piece titled "Cheaters never win: The risk of breaking rules not worth reward."

The story, which can be seen here, notes that Tucker saw first-hand that a player on injured reserve was illegally practicing with the Patriots when Tucker was a member of the club.

Tucker explains how that benefitted the Patriots, with relaying some other stories from his playing career.

"Bending rules is a fact of life in the NFL," Tucker writes. "From ballboys allowing the opposing team's footballs to get soaked, to hotel employees scouring rooms for game plan sheets after a team heads to the stadium, there are several ways to get in on the act. Seemingly no organization, no matter how accomplished or destitute it may be, is immune from the win-at-all-costs mentality. Some teams cheat and never get caught. Others simply refrain from breaking the rules but bend them right to the breaking point."

Boston Herald reporter John Tomase pens a piece for Friday's editions explaining where the Feb. 2 story -- claiming that a member of the Patriots' video department taped the Rams' walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI -- went wrong.

The piece is 1,449-words and details the process that led the story going to print.

It ends this way:

"I take immense pride in what I do and the paper I work for. I truly believe it’s a privilege to serve as a link between the fans and their team.

On Feb. 2, I let you all down. Today I hope to begin the long road back."

Former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz released the following statement tonight, through the San Francisco 49ers, where he is serving as offensive coordinator:

"I had the opportunity to talk to Commissioner [Roger] Goodell yesterday and I was very satisfied with the NFL’s efforts to investigate the situation with Matt Walsh as it related to Super Bowl XXXVI. I’m very confident that there was no impropriety. I believed Bill Belichick when he said there wasn’t and I took that at face value.

"Let me make this clear – we lost to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl because we turned the ball over three times. If there was anything obtained from our walk-thru from a casual observer that happened to be present, then that was just part of those walk-thrus and that environment. What I’ve said all along and what my only concerns were if A): If the walk-thru was filmed or B): If it was purposely scouted for information. If so, then that is an issue that the league needs to pursue. I’m very satisfied that this was not the situation in this instance whatsoever.

"I was stunned at Matt Walsh’s allegation that he was on the sideline in New England Patriots apparel during our walk-thru. I find that insulting, disturbing and a slap in the face to both our team security and NFL security, who both do outstanding jobs. I promise you that if he was on the sideline, he was not in New England Patriots apparel because he would have been identified.

"This whole issue is based on statements made by Matt Walsh, and I think we have to understand that.

"I’m very grateful for Commissioner Goodell to take the time to talk to me about this. It’s time to put this situation behind us.”

The following is a statement from the NFL regarding the story that Matt Walsh told them about the Rams' walkthrough practice and speaking with former Patriots assistant Brian Daboll:

"Our security department re-interviewed Brian Daboll on Wednesday and he has no recollection of a conversation with Matt Walsh about the Rams’ walk-through practice.

"Even if such a conversation occurred, it would not be a violation of NFL rules. Matt Walsh was authorized to be in the stadium to perform his job duties along with other members of the Patriots’ video department, members of the Rams’ video department, and other people preparing for the Super Bowl.

"Mr. Walsh told the commissioner that he was wearing Patriots’ attire at the time and did not conduct himself in a clandestine manner. He said that he saw Rams employees while he was there and also was on the sidelines. He stated clearly to the commissioner that nobody from the Patriots requested or directed him to observe or report on the Rams’ walk-through."

The Patriots just released the following information:

Patriots fans who wish to purchase tickets to individual games in 2008 will have the opportunity to do so Friday, May 16 at 9 a.m.

The New England Patriots annually cap their season ticket sales, leaving a limited number in reserve for fans throughout New England who wish to attend just a couple of games each season. Those tickets will be released for sale through Ticketmaster. Visa will be the only form of payment accepted.

All ticket orders will be processed through Ticketmaster. Tickets will not be sold at the Gillette Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket orders can be completed online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone. Ticketmaster phone numbers vary by area code, please check your local listings. In the greater Boston area, call 617-931-2222.

Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) said yesterday that he feels there should be an independent investigation of the New England Patriots' videotaping procedures, similar to what took place in baseball with the Mitchell report.

The following are the thoughts of Massachusetts senator Edward Kennedy (D-Ma.) regarding the issue.

“With the war in Iraq raging on, gasoline prices closing in on $4 a gallon, and Americans losing their homes at record rates to foreclosure, the United States Senate should be focusing on the real problems that Americans are struggling with," Kennedy said through a spokesman in response to a question posed by a Globe reporter. "I’m looking forward to another great Patriots season where they can let their play on the field speak for itself.”

Kennedy and Specter sit together on the 19-member Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Patriots have signed WR Robert Ortiz to an undisclosed contract.

Ortiz (6-1, 188) first entered the NFL as a rookie free agent in 2006, with the Chargers. He also spent time with the Seahawks and in the Canadian Football League. In addition, he was a 13th-round selection in the All-American Football League draft.

The former San Diego State product was the subject of a recent piece in the San Diego Union-Tribune, which focused on how he wasn't giving up on his NFL dreams.

Ortiz is a longer shot to make the Patriots' roster, with the team stocked at receiver. Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Jabar Gafffney, Chad Jackson, Kelley Washington and Sam Aiken top the depth chart.

Patriots team president Jonathan Kraft was a guest on the "Dennis & Callahan" program this morning on sports radio WEEI in Boston.

Audio from the interview can be heard on WEEI's website. Some of the questions include:

Former Patriots employee Matt Walsh spoke with the New York Times on Wednesday morning in Washington D.C. The interview took place in the offices of Walsh's lawyer, Michael Levy.

Excerpts from the interview are now posted on the Times' website in Q&A form.

Former Patriots employee Matt Walsh spoke with HBO's "Real Sports" program, and the Associated Press picks up some of his comments in a report today.

Walsh spoke of how he was told to conceal his actions, an indication that the Patriots realized they were breaking the rules.

Walsh also touched on Bill Belichick's statement that he couldn't pick Walsh out of a lineup, and feels Belichick's explanation didn't sound as if he was taking responsibility for the actions.

The HBO "Real Sports" program airs Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

The NFL released the following statement today:

"We respectfully disagree with Senator Specter’s characterization of the investigation conducted by our office. We are following up after yesterday’s meeting with Matt Walsh."

Some additional sound bites from Arlen Specter’s press conference in Washington, in which he called for an independent investigation of the Patriots’ videotaping procedures, saying that the league’s investigation was not objective:

On why he’s investing time into the Patriots videotaping procedures in the NFL:
“The NFL has a very preferred status in our society. They have an anti-trust exemption. Without the anti-trust exemption, they wouldn’t be able to pool their revenues, and control the schedules. They are enormous role models for everybody. If you can cheat in the NFL, you can cheat in college, you cheat in high school, you can cheat on your grade-school math test. There is no limit as to what you can do. I think they owe the public a lot more candor and a lot more credibility.”

On what Specter feels is the key issue:
“The issue I want to get into is what happened [with the taping]? What was done? What happened in all these games? How many were there? There are a lot more games involved in this sequence, from 2000 to 2007, than we know about.”

On if Walsh said anything to him that would possibly implicate other teams:
“He said that once when he was filming a game, the Jets game, the guy next to him seemed to be doing the same thing he was doing. But he didn’t get too high and mighty about it, since he was doing the same thing. He said aside from that he knows of no other, nothing else.”

On if he found Walsh to be credible and why:
“Yeah. I’ve talked to a lot of witnesses in my day. He told a very coherent story. When it came to the big issue on the walkthrough, where he had already been derided in the press for not having disclosed earlier that he didn’t have [a tape], he was very modest about it. He was very modest in his entire approach. I think he’s a very fine young man, a college graduate, worked with the Patriots, and appeared to be very credible.”

On his ties with Comcast and if he has a response as to Comcast’s ongoing squabble with the NFL and NFL Network being a motivation for his involvement:
“I’ve read about it. They have been campaign contributors along with 50,000 other people. Last campaign cost $23 million. I don’t know what they contributed, but I’ve been at this line of work for a long time and no one has ever questioned my integrity.”

On his thoughts regarding the Boston Herald report that the Patriots filmed the St. Louis Rams walkthrough:
“It’s a ticklish issue. There is a lot out there. People say that Matt Walsh told them that he videotaped the walkthrough. Now he says he did not. But he does have some important things to say about the walkthrough. For example, he was there. He was questioned by his coach [assistant Brian Daboll] as to what happened. He commented on Marshall Faulk being a kick returner. …”

On if Walsh had given any indication that he was instructed to watch the Rams walkthrough:
“No, he did not.”

On if Specter feels it is significant that Walsh alleges that he passed along information after the fact:
“I think it’s significant that the coach [Brian Daboll] questioned him about it and pursued it, and was very interested in what Marshall Faulk did.”

WASHINGTON -- Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter called today for an independent investigation into the Patriots' illegal taping practices, citing what he called an obvious conflict between the interest of the NFL and the public interest.

"After a lot of consideration it's my judgment that there ought to be an impartial investigation, an outside investigation, like the [steroids] investigation that baseball had with former [Maine] Senator George Mitchell," said Specter at a Capitol Hill news conference.

Specter, who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, stopped short of saying the government would conduct an investigation if the NFL didn't do so, but didn't rule out Congressional hearings to look into the matter, if action wasn't taken.

Specter met with former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh for three hours yesterday in his Hart Senate Office Building office. He said that Walsh told him that a former offensive player for the Patriots told Walsh a few days before a Sept. 3, 2000 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Specter had said it was a Sept. 11, 2000 game) that the offensive player was called into a meeting with head coach Bill Belichick, then offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and Belichick confidant Ernie Adams. During the meeting it was explained to the player how the signal tapes would be used.

According to Specter's recount of what Walsh detailed to him, the offensive player, who was on the sidelines for the game, would memorize the signals then watch for the Tampa Bay defensive calls during the game. He would then pass the call along to Weis, who would give instructions to the quarterback on the field.

Specter's statement said that the offensive player told Walsh that it helped the Patriots anticipate 75 percent of the defensive plays being called.

The senator also said that Walsh, who worked for the Patriots from 1997 to 2003, told him that as a season-ticket holder he witnessed Steve Scarnecchia, the son of Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia and currently the New York Jets video director, taping games during the 2002, 2003 and 2004 seasons.

The games that Specter cited, according to his meeting with Walsh, were Sept. 9, 2002 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nov. 16, 2003, against the Dallas Cowboys and Sept. 25, 2005 against the Steelers -- all Patriots' wins.

(Specter's floor statement, which was later amended via email, originally said that Walsh had said the Patriots filmed during an Oct. 31, 2004 game with the Steelers, a 34-20 loss that ended New England's record 21-game win streak.)

According to Specter, Walsh didn't tell NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about witnessing those games because he was not asked.

Specter said he was also troubled by the fact that Walsh told him that Dan Goldberg, whom Walsh identified as a Patriots attorney, was present at his NFL interview and allowed to ask questions. Specter, a former Philadelphia district attorney, said such a practice "strains credulity."

"What is necessary is an objective investigation," said Specter. "This has not been objective."

Due to the high volume of comments on this blog, and with our policy that no comments are published before read by an editor or myself, I am unable to keep up with the flow of comments at this time.

Apologies, but just wanted to explain why comments weren't publishing at this time. I would imagine we will return to posting comments on a regular basis within the next 24 hours.

For now, one possibility to express opinions in on one of the messageboards on Boston.com.

Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft made a television appearance on "The Squawk Box" this morning on CNBC. The show is business-based and here is some of the Q&A, which can also be seen in video on CNBC's website:

With the Boston Herald coming out and saying their Feb. 2 story was not true, do you feel vindicated this morning?
"We do. I felt very good seeing this paper because we've worked very hard over the last decade and a half to establish a strong bond with our fans, where they could trust and believe in the integrity of the team. This story coming out the day before the Super Bowl, the biggest game in our history, going for a perfect season, was very damaging and put a cloud over us for the last three and a half months. I'm glad it's finally come to an end."

This is an issue that has hung over your franchise for more than 100 days. What do you think the residual damage has been to your brand, of the New England Patriots?
“I think the people who have partnered with us over the last 15 years, know that we put individual effort -- we subjugate that to the team, we work hard in our community, we want our sponsors to be able to emotionally attach themselves to us, and know they’re going to get a very high performance, a high-grade product. We’ve had a great relationship with all those people over this time period. This erroneous story coming out was really harmful. What bothers me more about this story is where it went throughout the country, where people don’t know us as well. Unfortunately now, they won’t see this retraction. But people who know us, know what we’re about.”

You raise a good point, because there are clearly always going to be people out there who are going to look at your franchise differently from this day forward. You’re aware of that?
“Well, I just hope that they see this [pointing to Wednesday’s editions of the Boston Herald, issuing an apology] and understand [the headline] ‘Our Mistake’ – that it was the Boston Herald. This set a furor. I was thinking about it – a lot of the leaders in your audience today have gone through similar experiences. In this age of 24-hour information, seven-days-a-week [media], a lot of things can happen and you can’t properly defend yourself. You just have to go about your job. One thing I will say, this coming together like this at the end, has made our organization stronger. We’ve been able to hold together. We’re excited about this upcoming year.”

You have a reputation around the NFL of being a hands-off owner, if you will, of letting the football guys do their jobs – Coach Belichick, letting him do his job, letting your front-office football people do their jobs. Do you think, in any respect, that came back to bite you through this whole scenario? Will you change the way you run this organization from here forward?
“I think we do stay involved in our organization, but we let good people do their jobs. One of the good things that has come out of this is that the rulebook for the NFL is many hundreds of pages, and we realize that it is beyond the scope of a coaching staff, or personnel people, to administer it properly. We’ve done a full audit of all our procedures. We now have organizational people, and our lawyers, helping the staff to be able to administer this. I think we’ve come out stronger because of that.”

How has this made you feel on a personal level, when you think all the way back to the Jets game in September?
“When you think about it, our people broke a rule the first week of the season. Since that time, there is no team in the history of sports that has been under more intense scrutiny. We were able, over the next 18 weeks of the season, to go 18-0. We were going toward a perfect season. Because of the scrutiny that was going on, no one has questioned what has happened during that period. We were fortunately able to get great ratings. I think the American public sees us as the best sports entertainment product in the country. That is our focus. We hope we can continue doing that next year. It’s just sorry that [the season] had to end on this sour note.”

Let me ask you about Matt Walsh. He met with Senator Arlen Specter yesterday and Senator Specter will hold a news conference. What do you expect to hear today? Do you expect there will be any additional fallout from his perspective?
“Senator Specter is a very distinguished senator, so I’m going to let [him] and his constituents speak for what his priorities should be for America. I know my priorities is that we want to make sure what’s going on for our fans, and actually all the fans of the NFL, that we continue to have the best sports entertainment product we can.”

The Boston Herald apologized to the Patriots in its Wednesday editions for its error on the videotaping story involving the team.

The apology, a three-paragraph story in the Sports section teased with huge headlines on the front and back pages, said:

On Feb. 2, 2008, the Boston Herald reported that a member of the New England Patriots' video staff taped the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI. While the Boston Herald based its Feb. 2, 2008 report on sources that it believed to be credible, we now know that this report was false, and that no tape of the walkthrough ever existed.

Prior to the publication of its Feb. 2, 2008, article, the Boston Herald neither possessed nor viewed a tape of the Rams' walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI, nor did we speak to anyone who had. We should not have published the allegation in the absence of firmer verification.

The Boston Herald regrets the damage done to the team by the publication of the allegation, and sincerely apologizes to its readers and to the New England Patriots' owners, players, employees, and fans for our error.

Kraft told the Associated Press: "I must compliment the Boston Herald for doing what is unprecedented in terms of recognizing their error in a major way. I'm really delighted with that, but I wish it never happened."

WASHINGTON -- Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter will address the media at noon tomorrow regarding his meeting today with Matt Walsh and Walsh's attorney, Michael N. Levy of McKee Nelson, according to a release emailed by the senator's press secretary.

The media session will take place in the Senate Radio/TV Gallery, which is room S-325 of the Capitol Building.

UPDATE (7:29 p.m.): Neither Levy nor Walsh is expected to be in attendance at the press conference.

WASHINGTON -- Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter met with former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh and his attorney, Michael N. Levy of McKee Nelson, for three hours today in his office, but delayed his press briefing on what Walsh and Levy told him until tomorrow.

Specter, who has been critical of the NFL's handling of the investigation into the Patriots' illegal videotaping practices, postponed a press conference that was originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today in room S-207 of the Capitol Building until tomorrow, delaying potential closure in the "Spygate" saga.

According to Specter's press secretary, Kate Kelly, the press conference will be held tomorrow at a yet-to-be-determined time and place.

None of the parties addressed the approximately dozen media members who were staked out outside Specter's office, SH-711, in the Senate Hart Office Building. Levy and Walsh, both of whom had entered through the office's front door at 2 p.m. Eastern time after arriving from New York, where they met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for three hours and 15 minutes this morning, slipped out an alternate door to avoid the press.

A little after 5 p.m. Walsh, Levy and the senator appeared in the waiting room of Specter's office, which is on the same floor as the office of presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, and allowed photographers to snap them shaking hands through the office's glass doors.

They then disappeared back into the office, without taking any questions. It is not known if Walsh or Levy is planning on attending Specter's press conference tomorrow.

The reason given to reporters for the postponement was because of the late arrival of Walsh in Washington D.C.

According to ESPN's Mike Fish, Specter and his staff were given access to the eight tapes that Walsh turned over to the NFL on May 8. Specter's staff reviewed the material on Friday, according to Fish's report. A need to review the material should not be part of why Specter delayed his press conference.

Colleague Christopher L. Gasper passes along the following information:

The press conference scheduled for today with Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter has been postponed until tomorrow.

The reason for the postponement is because of the late arrival of Walsh in Washington D.C., following a three-hour and 15-minute meeting with the NFL.

The press conference tomorrow will be at a time to be determined.

The Patriots released the following statement today:

"We want to address the allegation that the Patriots taped the Rams’ walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI. For the past three-and-a-half months, we have been defending ourselves against assumptions made based on an unsubstantiated report rather than on facts or evidence. Despite our adamant denials, the report ran on February 2, 2008, the day before Super Bowl XLII. That game was the second-most watched program in television history and it is unfortunate that today’s news will not also reach an audience of that size. We hope that with Matt Walsh's disclosures, everyone will finally believe what we have been saying all along and emphatically stated on the day of the initial report: 'The suggestion that the New England Patriots recorded the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 is absolutely false. Any suggestion to the contrary is untrue.'”

NEW YORK -- Here were some key points from Roger Goodell’s 28-minute press conference:

On Matt Walsh providing new information regarding the Patriots videotaping practices: “Today, we were able to confirm that all of the details of his [Matt Walsh’s] activities while he was a Patriots employee … the fundamental information that Matt provided was consistent with what we disciplined the Patriots for last fall and that essentially they were taping coaches signals against NFL policy.”

On a Feb. 2 Boston Herald report that a member of the Patriots video department had filmed the St. Louis Rams walkthrough: “We were also able to verify that there was no Rams walkthrough tape. No one asked him to tape the walkthrough. He’s not aware of anybody else who may have taped the walkthrough. He had not seen such a tape. He does not know of anybody who says there is a tape. He was in the building at the time of the walkthrough along with other Patriots video personnel. They were doing their job prior to the game. He in fact was even on the sidelines in his Patriots gear while the Rams were practicing. So it was clear that there was not an overt attack addressing access into the Rams walkthrough.”

On information Walsh had regarding other allegations levied against the Patriots: “He confirmed that he was aware of no other violations of league policy by the Patriots, or anybody associated with the Patriots. No bugging of locker rooms. There was no manipulation of communication systems. There was no crowd noise violations that he was aware of. No mic’ing of players to pick up opposing signals or audibles. We were able to confirm that the Patriots followed NFL policy, as far as he knew, other than the taping of coaching signals.”

On other information provided by Walsh: “Two new pieces of information that we did pick up that were of note – one is that he indicated there was a tape, at one point in time, of a player inappropriately practicing, he was a player on injured reserve. He practiced back in, I believe, 2001. He identified the player. We’re verifying that. That is something we have been looking into. I will tell you up front, though, the way we normally handle those matters, those are matters of a team fine if they are verified. I would expect that if we verify it, that I would consider that the fine I implemented of $750,000, between the Patriots and Bill Belichick, I would not take any further action on that. But we will be verifying that. The second was a non-competitive issue, which was the scalping, potentially, of Super Bowl tickets by players. He said that he was the one that sold the tickets. He said it was limited to four or five a season, over two seasons, so I think it was somewhere between 8 and 12. We are looking into that as well.”

On whether there will be further sanctions against the Patriots: "I don't anticipate it. As I said, I think the fundamental information provided today is consistent with what we knew last September, and that the discipline I took was unprecedented at that time, and I feel it was appropriate."

NEW YORK -- One follow-up from the conclusion of Roger Goodell's 28-minute press conference today:

After the press conference concluded, a league spokesman gathered the assembled media members with NFL outside counsel Gregg Levy.

Levy then said the following:

"[Matt] Walsh was asked during the interview today whether after the [Rams] walkthrough, anyone asked him about what he had seen. He said 'yes'. He saw Brian Daboll, who I understand is an assistant coach for the Patriots -- or was at the time -- and Daboll asked him what he saw. Walsh said two things -- one, he had seen Marshall Faulk in a formation to receive a kickoff or a punt, and he had been asked about offensive formations, particularly about the use of the tight end. My understanding is that is not consistent with what we had learned prior to the interview, during the course of the investigation. At this point, it's uncorroborated, but it's something the league is going to look into."

Levy was asked if that could lead the league to levy more penalties against the Patriots. A senior league spokesman stepped in and said the answer was no, as Roger Goodell had stated.

Levy explained that he felt the information was important to disclose.

"As I was walking the commissioner to the car, he said 'nobody asked me about that and it would be worthwhile to make sure people have that tidbit,'" Levy said.

Daboll is now an assistant coach with the New York Jets.

NEW YORK -- Video of signals taped by the Patriots has been shut off, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, with a bottle of water in hand, has arrived in The Astor Room here at The Intercontinental hotel.

Goodell opened by noting that the meeting with Matt Walsh lasted 3 hours, 15 minutes. Goodell then spoke about what he felt were the two top issues:

NEW YORK -- A spokesman from the NFL just announced that commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to arrive within 15 minutes.

(NFL Network screengrab)

NEW YORK -- Coaching signals from a Nov. 11, 2001 game against the Bills, and a Dec. 9, 2001 game against the Browns are now being shown.

These signals are similar to what was seen before. They include a shot of coaches giving signals from the sideline, a shot of the scoreboard/time clock, then an end-zone view of the play. The cycle continues throughout -- coaches signals, shot of the scoreboard/time clock, end-zone view of the play.

These are part of the tapes that Matt Walsh handed over to the NFL. The league is showing them to media members after having destroyed tapes handed over by the Patriots back in September.

NEW YORK -- In addition to signals shown on the tape of the Chargers game, the video shot by the Patriots also includes up-close shots of San Diego Charger cheerleaders.

This is from the Sept. 29, 2002 game against the Chargers.

NEW YORK -- Defensive signals from the AFC Championship Game Jan. 27, 2002 against the Steelers, and defensive signals from a Sept. 29, 2002 game against the Chargers, are now being shown.

The footage of the Steelers game was similar to what was seen in previous tapes in that it showed a coach giving signals, then a view of the play, and ultimately a shot of the scoreboard.

The footage of the Chargers game was slightly different in that it included just signals from coaches, then a shot of the scoreboard (there was no play shown). The Chargers footage also did not seem to be of the highest quality, with lines running through part of the picture.

NEW YORK -- Video of signals shot by the Patriots, of opposing coaches' signals, continues to be shown on the flat-screen TVs here at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Offensive signals from a game against the Dolphins on Oct. 7, 2001 are now being shown.

The video was shot from an end-zone angle and shows a coach giving signals (e.g. taking both hands and touching his shoulders). The video then cuts to an end-zone view of the play. After the play, the camera cuts back to the sideline to see the same coach giving signals. The video then cuts to an end-zone view of the play.

That cycle continued throughout the approximate five minutes of video shown of offensive signals.

To this point, media members have seen defensive signals from a game against the Dolphins in 2000, defensive signals from a game against the Dolphins on Oct. 7, 2001, and the offensive signals from Oct. 7, 2001 against the Dolphins.

NEW YORK -- As the media awaits the arrival of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at the Intercontinental Hotel, some video shot by the Patriots, of opposing coaching signals, is being shown on the flat-screen TVs in the room.

The current video shows a game against the Miami Dolphins from the 2000 season.

The shots show coaches signaling from the sideline, then an end-zone view of the play. After the play, the video cuts back to the sideline to the coaches. There is then a quick shot of the scoreboard which shows the time on the clock, and the down and distance of the next play.

That cycle continues throughout the video shown to this point -- coaches signals, the play, more coaches signals, a shot of the scoreboard.

NEW YORK -- At about 10:55 a.m., Matt Walsh and his lawyer, Michael Levy, exited the NFL's offices.

Walsh did not speak to reporters. Levy, standing on top of the steps in front of the league offices at 280 Park Ave., issued this statement:

"Mr. Walsh is pleased that he's had the opportunity to assist the National Football League in its investigation regarding the Patriots videotaping practices. As all of you know, Senator Specter has been waiting quite a while to speak with Mr. Walsh as well. Out of respect to Senator Specter, we're going to proceed immediately to his office in Washington, D.C. and we'll have no further comment to the media until after we have a chance to speak with Senator Specter. Thank you."

Levy and Walsh then walked to a black Town Car parked nearby and left the area.

NEW YORK -- Commissioner Roger Goodell and former Patriots employee Matt Walsh are still inside the league's offices at 280 Park Avenue. A gathering of about 50 media members is standing in the front of the building waiting for them to exit. Goodell will make his way across the street to the Intercontinental Hotel for a press conference. It is unlikely that Walsh will speak.

(Reuters Photo)

NEW YORK -- We're here in The Astor Room at Intercontinental (The Barclay New York) Hotel in midtown New York, where NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is scheduled to hold a press conference this morning after meeting with former Patriots employee Matt Walsh (pictured above).

There are two large flat-screen televisions set up in the front of the room, on which the NFL is prepared to show assembled media members footage of the videotapes Walsh has provided to the NFL. There are also two flat-screen televisions on the side of the room.

Television cameras are setting up in the back of the room. A podium with a microphone is set up in the front of the room -- between the two televisions -- where Goodell will speak. There are 68 chairs for media members set up in the room.

The plan will be to post an update following the conclusion of the briefing, which could start as early as the 9 o'clock hour.

Goodell and Walsh are currently meeting at NFL headquarters. Television cameras followed Walsh to the front of the NFL offices earlier this morning, as he entered prior to his 7:30 a.m. meeting with Goodell. Walsh did not say anything as he entered the league offices.

Walsh and his lawyer, Michael Levy, have been invited to attend this press conference.

The Patriots visited with free-agent running back Kevin Jones last week at Gillette Stadium, a league source confirmed tonight.

The speedy Jones, a first-round draft choice of the Lions in 2004, is recovering from a torn ACL. The Patriots had been high on Jones when he was coming out of Virginia Tech, and were prepared to scoop him up with the No. 32 overall selection in that draft, but the Lions swooped in with a trade and picked him at No. 31.

The Patriots are well stocked at running back, with Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, Heath Evans and Kyle Eckel atop the depth chart.

The NFL Network's Adam Schefter first reported on the Patriots' visit with Jones..

ESPN.com unveils its NFL power rankings today and the Patriots reside in the top spot.

Power rankings in May are always a bit tricky, but one aspect that is easy to appreciate here is some of the Excel breakdowns which show the teams that had the greatest disparity in votes, or the divisions with the most "power".

New Patriots LB Victor Hobson has somewhat flown under the radar since joining the club last month. Hobson, who is working out in the team's offseason program, was the subject of a story in last week's Boston Globe.

Here is a bit more from Hobson, in Q&A style, from that interview:

You end up with the New England Patriots after five years with the Jets. Explain how that went down.
“The whole free agency process, it played itself out. I was waiting around, working out, making sure I was in shape through that whole period, just being with my family, seeing which teams were interested, which teams were serious, and which ones were just trying to feel their way around. It ended up that New England, they called, I talked to Coach Belichick and Scott [Pioli] and when I took a visit here, I felt at home.”

What other options/places were on the radar?
“There were other teams. I really wasn’t for naming the other teams before, but Arizona, and different teams showed interest. But it was just a matter of where I was going to feel comfortable. Being that I’m still on the East Coast, and I’m from the East Coast – born and raised – New England seemed like the perfect fit.”

No visits to other clubs?
“I didn’t. There was a lot more discussion than anything. New England was my first visit, and only visit.”

What was it like as a player when it was Patriots week? Did you find it was different?
“Yeah, a lot more uptight. It was a big game. The media is going to make sure you know it, the coaches are going to make sure you know it, and you have to make sure you know it yourself. It’s a big game, you can’t take anything away from that. At the same time, it’s our job to go out and perform and play.”

What are some of your first impressions of being in New England?
"I’m still in the getting-to-know-everybody phase. People are still coming back in and out. It’s good. It’s definitely a family-type atmosphere with the players. Everybody seems to be close and really enjoys working with each other, which is great to see, and great to be around. I’m still feeling my way around. Each day, I’m getting more and more comfortable with the guys. It’s good. I definitely don’t have any complaints at all.”

Any initial thoughts on the Patriots' defense?
“It's an intricate system, where everybody has to know what everybody else is doing. It involves a lot of thinking, which means everyone on the field has to be smart, has to be vocal, and has to be able to trust the person next to them to be able to do their job. That’s part of the system I like. That creates that family type of atmosphere throughout the defense and throughout the team.”

You played outside linebacker the last two years in the Jets' 3-4 scheme. It sounds like you'll be working more at inside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme. Anyone specific that you’ve enjoyed watching on tape at inside linebacker?
“Going back into the past, guys like Teddy Johnson, he used to just crush the guards and whoever tried to block him. Watching [Tedy] Bruschi when I was younger, first coming into the league, watching the way he’s able to think on the field. People always say, he’s getting up there in age, but it’s not always about that. If you can think on the field, you’re able to continue playing and make plays like he has.”

How would you explain the difference between playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 and playing inside linebacker in the 3-4?
“There is a big difference. Given the system that I’ve been involved with the last couple years, the 3-4 system, outside and inside roles are very different. It’s just two different styles of play. On the outside, you’re going against an offensive tackle or tight end every play. So it’s almost like you’re a glorified defensive lineman. At the same time, you have to be able to pass rush, and defend the pass – sometimes you have to be able to drop and stand out there with a receiver. Outside linebacker is an interesting position in the system. The inside linebacker, from the outside looking in, they’re the guy that people look at and say ‘that’s just a linebacker, a typical linebacker – a guy who can go and hit the guard or blitz, or make this play.’”

From a big-picture standpoint, you’re entering your sixth year in the league and you’re on a one-year deal here. How do you balance the idea that you’re giving all you have to the Patriots, while also looking at the future?
“Given that it is a one-year deal, I think it’s a big opportunity for me to build and display what I’m able to do, and at the same time, an opportunity for the coaching staff here and management to see what I’m able to do, to actually analyze – ‘he can do this, he can do that, he can’t do that.’ I think it’s a great opportunity for us. It is going into my sixth year, and coming off last year, I don’t feel I was really as productive as I could have been at all actually. I’m looking forward to proving myself this year.”

Past games with the Jets here, what stands out to you? There have been some great ones in recent years.
“Very dynamic. You have to pay attention to detail. They’re good at what they do, and they do a lot of things. A lot of teams will be good at what they do, but they only do a couple things, so it’s easier to be good at those couple of things. When you take a team that is good at everything they do – and they’ve been together for a long time, it seems like they’ve been together forever – it’s hard to prepare for, it’s hard to play against.”

There was one game where both teams were shuttling guys in and out. It was like a chess match. …
“We had to. It’s almost like everybody has to be on top of everything. You have to pay attention to every little detail – ‘all right, this guy is going in, this guy is going out’ – otherwise you get left behind.”

You signed here, and then on draft day, the Patriots added three linebackers – one in the first round, one in the third round, one in the sixth round. What were your thoughts on that?
“I’m a very observant person, so even when I signed here, it was one of those things where it was a one-year deal, so I expected them to go and get a linebacker in the draft. From the business side of it, they would be doubted if they didn’t. You guys would be looking at them like ‘why didn’t you?’ You can only look at me and say ‘you can put him inside but he hasn’t proven himself.’ So there is a ‘what if?’ From a business standpoint, I understand that. Competition is good.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick made a surprise visit to USA Football's New England coaches' clinic at Gillette Stadium last weekend.

USA Football is making Belichick's nine-minute talk to coaches available on its web site. For those interested in hearing what Belichick had to say, the audio can be heard here.

Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports writes on Patriots left tackle Matt Light, noting that "in an era in which superstar players, overbearing head coaches and even former video assistants turned informants tend to take themselves too seriously, Light is a refreshingly unpretentious presence."

Silver then shares several stories of a recent meeting with Light, such as when Light filled the car of quarterback Tom Brady with packing peanuts.

The NFL has released some details of how Tuesday's meeting with former Patriots employee Matt Walsh will be handled from a media perspective.

Walsh is scheduled to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at the NFL's New York offices, beginning at 7:30 a.m. After the meeting, Goodell will address the media at the Intercontinental Hotel in New York. The time of Goodell's press conference is yet to be determined, as it will be dictated by the length of the Goodell/Walsh meeting. The earliest possible start time is 10 a.m.

Walsh and his attorney, Michael N. Levy, have been invited and are expected to attend the press conference.

A few jersey numbers for players who recently signed with the Patriots:

FOXBOROUGH – Here is part of today’s media Q&A session with Drew Bledsoe after he toured the team’s Hall of Fame construction

What were your thoughts going through there?
“It’s very impressive. I’ll be really excited to come back and check it out when it’s done. It will be fun to bring my family back. My kids will absolutely dig it.”

What have you been up to?
“I’ve been busy. Retirement is hard work. I need to go get a job so I can be less busy. I’m having a lot of fun. I have four young kids and have been able to spend a ton of time with them, and did a bunch of snow-skiing this winter. I have a little wine project going on out in Walla Walla [Washington] and have a few other endeavors too – a little coffee biz. We’re moving and shaking and it’s really fun. It’s been a great education. I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

Can you put it into perspective from when you first got here, what it was like, to now?
“I had a chance to sit down for lunch with Robert Kraft and then talked to Jonathan [Kraft] and Danny [Kraft] a little bit. It’s pretty funny to think about where we came from, and where we were when we started here. We had portable [toilets] out front, and it rained in the training room. We were getting a good chuckle that we would put on our pads and drive over to the old mental hospital for practice and drive back all dirty, sweaty and muddy. You look at that and compare it to where this is now, obviously setting a new benchmark for entertainment in the sports world. It’s pretty amazing.”

Do you take some pride in the fact you were, in some ways, responsible for the turnaround of the franchise?
“Yeah, I am proud of what we did when I was here. When I got here, and obviously there are a ton of facets to that, this was the fourth sports franchise in town and almost forgotten about. To see where it is now, and to know I was, at least in some small way a part of that transition, yeah it feels great, it really does.”

Any chance of you moving back? Your house [in Medfield] is for sale.
“Maybe he’ll actually make some money on it, because I sure didn’t [laughter] We’re settling out there in the Northwest, and loving life. We have the kids in school out there. They all ride their bikes to school each day, which is a great scenario. We’re having a great time, but it does feel good to come back here and visit.”

When was the last time you were here?
“The last time I was here, the last couple times, was when I was playing for Buffalo (2002-2004). Those aren’t really warm, fuzzy memories. Outside of that, it’s been quite a while. A lot has changed. The Big Dig is done. I didn’t think that would ever happen. It was cool to see that and kind of drive around and see some of the old spots. To be able to come down and see this is outstanding.”

What was it like last July and the reality set in that you weren’t playing?
“In July, it was awesome. That’s when everybody is going to training camp. I think every football player looks forward to the day when training camp starts and they don’t have to do that. That was different when the regular season started and the other games started being played. I did miss it, and I do miss it, and I always will miss playing ball. I think anybody who has ever played at whatever level misses it to a certain extent. It was a really big part of my life for a long time, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I do miss it, but at the same time, I don’t have any regrets about the decision. It was the right time to hang them up.”

There was no feeling about coming back during the season?
“No. There were some calls that came in, a couple of them where I took the all-important step of talking to my wife about the scenarios. I thought about it, spent some time on some of the different opportunities, and ultimately woke up the next morning and said ‘I’m done, I’m ready to be done.’ It’s a really good feeling to know that.”

What are some of your favorite Patriots memories?
“There are so many, it’s hard to pick a few. If I had to, there are a few games that would obviously stand out. The game against the Vikings in 94 that we won in overtime was a special one. The year before that, my rookie year, when we were so awful but we came back and won our last four games and beat the Dolphins and knocked them out of the playoffs. That was great, going way back. The Steelers game in the playoffs, here in the fog, and obviously that AFC Championship game when the lights went out. There are tons of great memories. The nice thing about being retired is they are the only ones I have to [think about], so I don’t have to re-live any of the other stuff now. It’s fun to come back. You certainly get nostalgic, particularly spending time with Willie [McGinest] and [Todd] Rucci, and I saw Tedy Bruschi for a while today. And [Scott] Zolak. There is some nostalgia, it’s all very good stuff.”

Have you followed the story about the team’s videotaping procedures? What are your thoughts?
“My take now is the same as it’s always been – every team in the league is trying to do everything they can to get ahead, and I’m sure most, if not all of them, are bending the rules in some way, shape or form. This just happened to be one that was very public and obviously the organization has been reprimanded for it. As a player here, I never did see anything other than what has already been reported."

FOXBOROUGH – It was a day of memories and reflections for former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who returned to town to tour the team’s ongoing Hall of Fame project along with other teammates from the 1990s.

Wearing blue jeans, a white dress shirt and navy sport coat – and the customary hard hat on any construction site – Bledsoe joked with former teammates Willie McGinest, Todd Rucci and Scott Zolak while touring the Hall.

One poignant memory was a 1994 game against the Minnesota Vikings – a 26-20 overtime win in which Bledsoe completed 45 throws on 70 attempts, totaling 426 passing yards. The Patriots had trailed 20-0 in the first half.

After the tour, Bledsoe touched on his return to town while surrounded by media members. He had lunch with the Kraft family, and they talked about how much things have changed.

“It’s pretty funny to think about where we came from, and where we were when we started here,” Bledsoe said. “We had portable [toilets] out front, and it rained in the training room. We were getting a good chuckle that we would put on our pads and drive over to the old mental hospital [in Wrentham] for practice and drive back all dirty, sweaty and muddy. You look at that and compare it to where this is now …”

Bledsoe said the last time he was in town was as a player, when he was with the Buffalo Bills (2002-2004).

“A lot has changed. The Big Dig is done,” he joked. “I didn’t think that would ever happen.”

Bledsoe said he is busier as ever in retirement, working in a variety of businesses – from coffee roasting to making wine.

McGinest, entering his 15th NFL season, reiterated what he told SI.com earlier in the week that this year is likely his last as a player. He enters his third season with the Cleveland Browns. Rucci is living in Pennsylvania and working in financial planning, while the personable Zolak has settled in Massachusetts and works in sports media.

Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) issued the following statement regarding the eight videotapes that Matt Walsh has turned over to the NFL:

“I think it is very unfortunate that the NFL has already started its ‘nothing new’ spin before watching the tapes or finding out what Mr. Matt Walsh has to say. Let’s see where the evidence leads.”

A few items from around the country that follow up on what Matt Walsh certified in writing that he will be providing to the NFL today:

Former Patriots employee Matt Walsh has certified in writing that he's turned over all videotapes in his possession to the NFL, and the St. Louis Rams walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI is not among them. Walsh certified in writing that he's turning over eight stolen tapes, from 2000-2002.

Here is our report on the story for the Boston Globe.

The Patriots have received a rookie pool allotment of $4.34 million.

That means the team can not go over that figure, in 2008 wages, in signing draft picks and rookie free agents. The figure is the 14th highest among NFL teams.

This ESPN.com article has more on the rookie pool and teams around the NFL.

A handful of Patriots players from the 1990s -- a group including Drew Bledsoe, Willie McGinest, Todd Rucci, Chris Slade and Scott Zolak -- are scheduled to be present at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.

According to the Patriots, "the players have been invited by the team to record stories from their playing days for a unique fan experience that will debut when The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon opens this summer."

The players will also receive a tour of the construction site at The Hall at Patriot Place. Previous recordings have included alumni groupings from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Media members will be on hand to chronicle the return of Bledsoe and Co., and the plan will be to post some updates here tomorrow in the late afternoon/early evening. The tour starts at approximately 4 p.m. ET.

JOE ANDRUZZI UPDATE: Former Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi talks with USA Today about how he's in total remission after being diagnosed with the most aggressive form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, on May 16, 2007. "It's been a rough year. But I'm just enjoying life and our (four) kids, coaching one of my son's T-ball games, going to their soccer games and my daughter's softball games," said Andruzzi, who resides in Massachusetts.

FERNANDO BRYANT TALKS PATRIOTS: Cornerback Fernando Bryant, who signed a one-year deal with the Patriots this offseason, shares some of his thoughts in Wednesday's editions of the Boston Globe. Entering his 10th season, Bryant welcomes what should be a fierce competition at cornerback. He's also happy to have signed with New England. "At this stage it’s all about winning a ring," Bryant siad. "Most people who come to this team, in year 9, 10 or 11, that’s what it’s about.”

WILLIE McGINEST: ONE MORE YEAR: Former Patriots outside linebacker Willie McGinest tells SI.com this will be his final season. "This will be it," he says in the piece. "This will be my 15th season. I've worked hard; I think I've done everything I set out to accomplish. The hard work, sacrifice, dedication -- I committed myself to doing it the right way and playing it the right way. I've been blessed to play with some of the best players in the world and play against some of the best in the world. I think 15 years going strong I've held my own."

Every Tuesday, questions from fans are answered as part of a Patriots mailbag on Boston.com. This week's mailbag has been published and it includes a variety of topics, including:

FOXBOROUGH -- Five questions with Georgia Tech linebacker Gary Guyton, who signed with the Patriots as a rookie free agent:

Football wise, how are you approaching your opportunity with the Patriots?
“It’s exciting. I’m just planning to be a sponge and learning from everybody there. They have a great defensive core that is filled with veterans. I’m young. To be coached up under Coach Belichick, Coach Pees, or Coach Patricia, it’s a great experience. One of my coaches is actually from that area, and he was telling me that these guys are really, really fierce about football, so be prepared to work your tail off. That is nothing new to me.”

What was the draft like for you? How disappointing was it to not be drafted?
“It was a little disappointing. It’s a long process and you hear this and that about where you may go, then when it doesn’t happen it’s kind of a shock. You just have to keep pushing off. It’s a situation where being a free agent isn’t all that bad because now I had a chance to pick where I wanted to go. I know the Patriots have a great legacy and I want to be a part of it.”

You had performed well in various tests at the Combine. How do you sum up performing that well and not being drafted, and if you could do something better now, what would it be?
“I felt like I was one of the top performers there. I still do believe I am a top performer now. I was nervous at first, but after a while, it was, ‘You know what you can do, so go show everyone’. It was a great experience. I’d do it the same way all over again. In terms of doing better, I’d like to run a 3.8 [laughter].”

How did it work with deciding to come to New England? It seems like you had a lot of choices, and almost ended up in San Francisco.
“I had quite a few [choices]. The decision came down to looking at my options and saying ‘OK, this is New England. This option and this chance doesn’t come too many times.’ At the end of the day, that was the bottom line for me.”

Have you been to New England before?
“No. Actually, the furthest north I’ve been is Minnesota. I’ve been looking forward to checking out the Boston area. I’m just hoping to stick around, make the team, and I’m ready to play. Right now, I just feel like I’m living a dream.”

Wes Welker's success in New England has helped receivers who are similar in stature earn a chance to make NFL rosters. At least that's the way two prospects see it.

San Diego State's Brett Swain, a seventh-round round draft choice of the Green Bay Packers, tells the Green Bay Press Gazette that "Wes Welker has done wonders for guys like me getting drafted and getting guys more looks."

Welker tied for the NFL lead with 112 receptions last season.

"Before Wes Welker (it was like), 'Who's that white kid from San Diego State?' Well, Wes Welker kind of put us on the map," Swain said.

Meanwhile, Cowboys rookie free agent Danny Amendola tells the Dallas Morning News that "Wes had a good deal with the Patriots, a situation where he could shine. He fit the mold in New England. And I need to get into a great situation like that."

The Patriots announced today that they signed second-year nose tackle Steve Fifita and waived rookie offensive tackle Josh Coffman and rookie defensive lineman Carlos Feliciano.

A bit from the press release:

Fifita, 25, played in 13 games with one start for the Miami Dolphins in his first NFL season in 2007. The 6-foot, 312-pound nose tackle was originally signed by the Dolphins as a rookie free agent out of the University of Utah on May 5, 2006. He was waived by Miami on Aug. 29, 2006 and spent the 2006 season out of football. Fifita re-signed with the Dolphins on Jan. 18, 2007 and was allocated to NFL Europa, where he played in 10 games with four starts for the Frankfurt Galaxy in the Spring of 2007. In his first NFL season in 2007, he recorded 11 tackles (seven solo) for Miami. He was waived by the Dolphins on April 29, 2008.

Coffman, 23, and Feliciano, 22, were signed by the Patriots as rookie free agents on May 2.

Bill Belichick previously explained how the team's draft-day trade with the Chargers -- in which the Patriots swapped a 2008 third-round pick for a 2009 second-round pick and 2008 fifth-round pick -- came up at the last minute.

It happened so fast, in fact, that the Patriots actually had Michigan LB Shawn Crable on the phone ready to select him at No. 69. But the team had to explain to Crable that something had come up unexpectedly.

Crable tells the story from his perspective.

"The first time they called me, I kept hanging up on them. [The phone number] was [showing up] restricted and I was trying to clear my line. They called my mom's house, then they called me back and said 'Why does it keep going to voicemail?' I thought they were a little mad at me. Then they said, 'we're going to call you back' and I thought I messed it up."

Crable figured that since he didn't initially answer the phone, the Patriots had decided not to draft him. He initially had his hopes raised after hearing Bill Belichick on the other end of the line.

"It was weird," he said. "I was thinking 'Hey, I got a call, I'm finally ready to go.' Then he was like 'Hold on, hold on, we're going to have to call you back.' I was just praying he was going to call me back."

What Crable later came to learn was that the Chargers had swooped in with the late trade offer. It turns out the Patriots were true to their word of calling him back, as they picked him with the 78th overall selection.

"It was worth the wait," Crable said.

Some links on the Patriots from close to home, and around the country:

Two players in for tryouts at the Patriots' rookie minicamp -- punter Mike Dragosavich and tight end Tyson DeVree -- have been signed to undisclosed contracts.

Dragosavich, who punted at North Dakota State, joins Chris Hanson and Scott Player on the roster at punter.

DeVree, who played at Colorado, joins Benjamin Watson, David Thomas, Stephen Spach, Marcus Pollard and Jonathan Stupar at tight end.

FOXBOROUGH -- Patriots coach Bill Belichick was a surprise guest today at USA Football's coaches camp at Gillette Stadium.

USA Football is the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels, and it hosts 40 single-day coaching schools annually. About 500 coaches are present today -- from Pop Warner to high school -- for a program run by Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett.

After Tippett introduced Belichick to the crowd, Belichick stepped to the podium and touched on his general coaching philosophy.

"One of the things we try to do this weekend [at rookie minicamp], and would highly recommend it to you and your programs based on my own personal experiences, we just really try to lay it out in terms of what we expect from the player," he said.

"People ask me 'What do you believe in and how do you try to coach your team?' That's what I would say it is. We try to tell the players exactly what we want them to do. Not 800 things to remember. But these are four things you need to do -- 'this is how we're going to approach this minicamp, this is how we're going to approach today's practice.' Tell them the four things that are most important to you, that you want to see at the end of the day, so when you call the team up at the end of the day or at night, you can say 'here are the four things we talked about in the morning and let's grade that. Let's see where we are today.'

"If they don't do what you tell them to do, I think you have every right to let them know about it, and to make them understand that's not going to be acceptable. Or more importantly, you can't win until those things are accomplished. That's also for when we go to a game-plan situation as well. So whoever our next opponent is, the first thing I'll do when I bring the team in is tell them 'Look, these are the things we have to do to win this game, or more importantly, if we do these things we're absolutely going to lose.'"

Belichick also made it a point to salute the work of those coaches in attendance. The coaches appeared to have come from various locations, as jackets were spotted with towns and cities such as Sharon, Chicopee, New Bedford, Everett and Methuen.

"More than anything, I just want to