Case might not be closed

FOXBOROUGH - In an interview with NBC's Bob Costas before last night's Patriots-Chargers game, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he has asked the Patriots to turn over any and all videotapes and notes made from video recordings similar to those New England was punished for shooting against the New York Jets in a 38-14 victory Sept. 9.

Goodell said he was confident the team would do so and that if it did not or if the Patriots were found to have further violated the NFL constitution and bylaws he would revisit the discipline he meted out against the franchise and coach Bill Belichick.

"I still reserve the right if there are issues I have not been made aware of or not consistent with what I've been told, I could revisit my decision," said Goodell.

The NFL fined Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000 and docked the team a draft choice or choices - a first-round pick if it makes the playoffs and second- and third-round picks if it doesn't - after Goodell ruled the team had violated league policy by taping Jets coaches relaying signals.

Goodell would not respond directly to an NBC report about the Jets calling for a second investigation into the Patriots' actions in Week 1, noting there was a second camera and that they believe a defensive lineman was wired to pick up quarterback audibles.

"We are going to be monitoring all 32 clubs, the Patriots included," Goodell said. "We have heard a lot of rumors about certain things that have been done with audio, the quarterback-to-coach communication, and we want to make sure that they're all playing by the same rules.

"So we'll monitor all 32 and that's part of why the message was so strong here and unprecedented. The first-round draft choice is not something clubs are going to take a chance on [losing]. This is supposed to deter people from behaving this way, and I'm confident that is going to the case."

A league source indicated that any such investigation - specific to the Patriots - wasn't specifically requested by the Jets.

Goodell also defended the penalties he levied against the Patriots and Belichick, explaining why he didn't suspend the coach as part of the sanctions.

"I didn't think it was appropriate here," he said. "My job is to make sure that all 32 teams operate on a level playing field. That's what I tried to do with this penalty. We've never taken a first-round draft choice in a discipline matter, and it's terribly impactful to a franchise. It will send a message to all 32 clubs that you are going to play by the rules. I think that's an important message."

Goodell said he didn't think Patriots CEO/chairman Robert Kraft was aware of the rules violations, but he did say it was a team violation. "This was something happening in the football department and many people in the football department were involved with it. That's why it's a team-related issue here," said Goodell.

Speaking with NBC at halftime of last night's game, Kraft said he had no knowledge of his team's illegal videotaping procedures but assured "it won't happen again in the future."

"It was really disappointing, especially after such a great game. What made it particularly disheartening is that in our group of companies, we hold people to very high standards," Kraft told NBC. "This isn't what we're about. I've discussed that with Coach Belichick."

Asked what Belichick was trying to accomplish with the videotaping procedures, Kraft did not elaborate.

Kraft, who originally thought Goodell's punishment was too harsh, has since changed his stance.

"I must tell you, I was quite upset and perturbed when I saw the penalty, because I didn't think the incident deserved this kind of punishment. And then over the last couple of days, I've been thinking about it and cooled down, and realized that he wasn't just sending a message to the New England Patriots, he was sending it to all 32 teams. In the end, Commissioner Goodell is the custodian of this game, and the integrity of this game rests on his shoulders. He's sending a message to all teams and I support that, and I think so do the fans who emotionally get charged by us."

In his original statement, Belichick had intimated he misinterpreted the rules. Asked how it was possible that Belichick could have done so, Goodell replied: "I think Bill should speak for himself. I don't agree with his interpretation. I think we are sending a very strong message that we don't agree with it. He is facing a tremendous amount of public scrutiny, criticism publicly, and I think it's warranted based on the evaluation he made of the constitution and bylaws."

The NFL since has sent memos to all 32 clubs, re-emphasizing the league's position regarding videotape procedures and electronic surveillance. "It's nothing new," league spokesman Greg Aiello said. "We just want to remind people how the rules work."

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.