#ESPN Search EDITIONS: * USA * DEPORTES * + More + Asia + Australia + Brazil + United Kingdom CITIES: * BOSTON * CHICAGO * DALLAS * LOS ANGELES * NEW YORK ESPNNFL Playoffs 2007 Shop ____________________ Submit Click Here 880362 * Share * IFRAME: http://pro.tweetmeme.com/button.js?url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?id=3227245&style=compact Updated: February 2, 2008, 7:03 PM ET Report: Source claims Patriots taped Rams before Super Bowl * Email * Print * Comments ESPN.com news services [hu_080202nfl_scanalysis1v.jpg] How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? VIDEO PLAYLIST video * How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? * The Latest on the "Spygate" Scandal The Latest on the "Spygate" Scandal The Latest on the "Spygate" Scandal An unnamed source has claimed a New England Patriots employee secretly videotaped the St. Louis Rams' pregame walk-through the day before Super Bowl XXXVI, the Boston Herald reported Saturday. According to the report, an unnamed source close to the team during the 2001 season said that following the Patriots' walk-through at the Louisiana Superdome, a member of the team's video staff stayed behind and taped the Rams' walk-through -- a non-contact, no-pads practice at reduced speed in which a team goes through its plays. The cameraman was not asked to identify himself or produce a press pass and later rode the media shuttle back to the Patriots' hotel, the source told the Herald. It is not known what became of the tape, or whether the cameraman made the tape on his own initiative or at someone else's instruction, according to the report. Mike Martz, who was St. Louis' head coach during the Super Bowl game in question, spoke to ESPN.com investigative reporter Mike Fish about the allegations. "I hope that is not true," Martz said. "I have great respect for [Patriots head coach] Bill Belichick. It's hard to believe that is true. It's a serious allegation and I hope it is not true. "Obviously if there is enough substance to it the league should look into it.'' In responding to the report, Patriots media relations official Stacey James said, "The coaches have no knowledge of it," according to the Herald. The next day, the Patriots upset the favored Rams 20-17 for their first Super Bowl championship. New England will play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday in a bid to become the first NFL team to finish a season 19-0. Former Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, currently with the Arizona Cardinals, told Fish that if the league has heard those claims, he is surprised it has not spoken to former Patriots video department employee Matt Walsh. He said if Walsh or any other source has information, it should be investigated. Walsh, a former Patriots video assistant, has suggested to ESPN.com that he has information that could have exposed the Patriots prior to the NFL catching New England taping the New York Jets' defensive signals during the 2007 season opener. The Patriots were fined $750,000 and lost a first-round draft pick as punishment. "If I had a reason to want to go public, or tell a story, I could have done it before it even broke," Walsh told ESPN.com. "I could have said everything rather than having [Jets coach Eric] Mangini be the one to bring it out. "If they're doing a thorough investigation -- they didn't contact me. So draw your own conclusions. Maybe they felt they didn't need to. Maybe the league feels they got satisfactory answers from everything the Patriots sent them." Told of the newest allegation, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press on Saturday: "We were aware of the rumor months ago and looked into it. There was no evidence of it on the tapes or in the notes produced by the Patriots, and the Patriots told us it was not true." James reiterated that sentiment. "The suggestion that the New England Patriots recorded the St. Louis Rams' walk-through on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI is absolutely false," James said. "Any suggestion to the contrary is untrue." Rams spokesman Rick Smith, reading a statement from team president John Shaw, said, "At this point, we have no comment." Walsh, 31, now an assistant golf pro at the Ka'anapli Golf Resort in Lahaina, Hawaii, worked for the Patriots from 1996 until the winter of 2002-03, when he was fired. He has hinted to ESPN.com that he has information that could be damaging to both the league and the Patriots but has declined to make it available, saying it could be seen as stolen property. Walsh said he is fearful of potential legal action against him by either the league or the Patriots if he details what he knows. He refused to provide evidence of potential wrongdoing unless ESPN agreed to pay his legal fees related to his involvement in the story, as well as to an indemnity that would cover any damages found against him in court. ESPN denied his requests. On Friday, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said he had written NFL commissioner Roger Goodell seeking an explanation as to why evidence in the NFL's investigation of the Patriots videotaping was destroyed. "I am very concerned about the underlying facts on the taping, the reasons for the judgment on the limited penalties and, most of all, on the inexplicable destruction of the tapes," Specter wrote. Specter, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the matter could put the league's antitrust exemption at risk. In a phone interview with The New York Times, which first reported Specter's interest in the matter, he said the committee at some point will call Goodell to address the antitrust exemption as well as the destruction of the tapes. Goodell, in his previously scheduled news conference Friday from Phoenix, said, "I am more than willing to speak with the senator. There are very good explanations why the tapes were destroyed by our staff -- there was no purpose for them." There were six tapes, according to Goodell -- some from the 2007 preseason and the rest from 2006. He said he had them destroyed because he was confident the Patriots had turned over all of the tapes and notes the NFL had requested in its investigation. He also said they were destroyed in order to prevent leaks to the media -- as some footage from one of the tapes was leaked shortly after the story broke. "We wanted to take and destroy that information," Goodell said. "They may have collected it within the rules, but we couldn't determine that. So we felt that it should be destroyed." Belichick had little to add on the subject. "It's a league matter," he said Friday during his news conference. "I don't know anything about it." The Associated Press contributed to this report. ESPN Conversations + Be the First to Comment SPY GAMES [nfl_g_belichick_134.jpg] Former Patriots employee Matt Walsh met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Sen. Arlen Specter to discuss Patriots' illegal videotaping. Story More News • Belichick says he made 'mistake' • Herald reporter: Sources never saw tape • Walsh admits he knew it was wrong • Senator wants inquiry | Read it (pdf) • Fish: Would Congress investigate Pats? • Boston Herald apologizes for false report • Clayton: Five things we learned from Spygate • Walsh sends eight tapes to NFL • Fish: Pats stole offensive signs | Timeline • Clayton: Spygate will expire quietly • Former Pats employee sends tapes to league • Fish: NFL faces serious questions • Goodell to punish Pats, depending on evidence • Walsh, NFL to finally talk | Agreement • Goodell growing impatient with Walsh stalemate • Kraft, Belichick apologize to owners • Walsh still working on deal for testimony • Rams player, fans withdraw lawsuit • Spygate revelations might not be imminent • NFL, Walsh close to deal to turn over tapes • Report: Specter calls on Goodell to release letters • Report: Goodell proposes crackdown on cheating • Specter says Pats 'stonewalling' Spygate probe • Committee lauds Goodell's handling of Spygate • Goodell hoping deal to talk to Walsh close to done • Report: Belichick denies Pats taped Rams' drills • Walsh's attorney: NFL indemnity offer falls short • Specter prepared to extend Spygate investigation • Goodell has no regrets about destroying tapes • Source: Specter wants NFL indemnity for witness • Goodell, Specter to discuss Spygate Wednesday Commentary • Mortensen: What were Rams thinking? • Yasinskas: Spygate stench won't go away • Paolantonio: Goodell's Spygate responsibility • Clayton: Spygate closing with a whimper At The Pro Bowl News • Ex-Pats video assistant mum on Spygate probe At The Super Bowl News • Goodell willing to give Pats' Walsh indemnification • Goodell, Specter won't meet until after Pro Bowl • Vermeil doubts spying made difference for Pats • Goodell to meet with Sen. Specter about Spygate • Report: N.E. taped Rams before XXXVI • Fish: Ex-Ram Warner suspicious of Pats • Specter to Goodell: Let's talk • Fish: Possible 'Spygate' witness surfaces Commentary • Once burned, Goodell turns fireman • Munson: Congressional interest is serious business • Pasquarelli: Specter should stick with politics • Clayton: Spy saga won't distract Patriots • Hashmarks at Goodell's news conference Letters • Specter to Goodell (.pdf) • Goodell to Specter (.pdf) From September News • NFL has all materials from Pats in spying scandal • NFL reviews how tape leaked to Fox • Belichick to turn over materials in spying probe • Pats owner perturbed by Belichick's spy games • Goodell orders Pats to turn over all video • Sources: Patriots give Belichick extension • Wilson spies inconsistencies in Belichick case • NFL fines Belichick $500K, Pats $250K for spying • Bill Belichick's apology to Patriots community • Clayton Q&A: Patriots can survive this penalty • Two days later, Belichick still won't comment • Some Eagles question Pats' tactics in Super Bowl • Belichick issues apology amid accusations • Sources: Goodell determines Patriots broke rules Commentary • Clayton: NFL penalty for Belichick, Pats too light • Mosley: Pats lose first-rounder? Roger that • Scouts Inc.: What the Pats will miss in '08 draft • Chadiha: Legal spying widespread in NFL • Sando: What's legal, what's not in spy game • What they're saying: Players, coaches, pundits • Luksa: Spy stories once had comedic value • Bryant: Belichick deserves two-week banishment • Clayton: Goodell to treat breech seriously • Simmons: The camera doesn't lie • Simmons: Cheating not necessary to win opener Video ESPN Video • What should happen to the Pats? • Belichick deflects videotape-related questions • Former Patriot thinks team should be punished • Reactions from around the league Audio [listen.gif] • Mike Vrabel, Pats linebacker: Don't criticize the players Insider • Chris Mortensen: Situation might motivate the Patriots Insider • Keyshawn: It was 'scouting,' not cheating Insider • Salisbury: Story blown out of proportion Insider SportsNation • Vote: Was New England's punishment fair? • Mixed reader results on NFL spying IFRAME: http://sports.espn.go.com/Adserver?CallDown&AdTypes=InContent_Marketing; MORE NFL HEADLINES * Dolphins to talk to Childress about coaching O * Veteran LB Brooking: One more year left in me * Now, it's personal: Cromartie blasts Brady * Sources: Shurmur leading candidate for Browns * Sanchez practices fully, shoulder 'feeling good' Insider * Rumors: Coaching carousel rolls on * Millman: How to bet on NFL * Kiper: Luck fallout | Top rooks | Picks 1-10 * Joyner: SEA > CHI | Big Ben > Brady * 2011 draft: Big Board | Draft Tracker | Blog MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM * Schlabach: College football's Way-Too-Early 2011 Top 25 * Now, it's personal: Cromartie blasts Brady * Notre Dame WR Floyd returning for senior year * O'Neil: Gonzaga's Gray finds some answers on life-changing trip to Africa * Snyder says he's changed, Redskins fans' team Most Sent » TOP STORIES FROM ABC NEWS * U.S. Cities Stagger Under Cost of Clearing Record Snowfalls * One in 45 Homes Foreclosed in 2010 * Cracking Down on a Dangerous New High Advertisement 806924 * + SPORTS + NFL + MLB + NBA + NHL + College Football + College Basketball + Soccer + NASCAR * + MORE + Racing + Golf + Tennis + Boxing + MMA + Recruiting + Olympic Sports + Horse Racing * + FANTASY + Football + Baseball + Streak for the Cash + SPORTSNATION + Profiles + Groups + Chats * + VIDEO + Most Recent + Highlights + THE LIFE + Travel + Sports Passport + Arcade + Contests * + TOOLS + Contact Us + Member Services + myESPN + ESPN Alerts + News Wire + Corrections + Daily Line + RSS * + TV LISTINGS + RADIO + PODCENTER + INSIDER + ESPN THE MAGAZINE + SHOP + ESPN3.COM + espnW * MyESPN * NFL * MLB * NBA * NHL * NCAA FB * NCAA BB * NASCAR * SOCCER * GOLF * TENNIS * BOXING * MMA * MORE SPORTS * RADIO& MORE * PAGE 2& COMMENTARY * FANTASY& GAMES * WATCH * NFL Home * Scores * Schedule * Standings * Stats * Teams AFC East Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins NE Patriots New York Jets AFC West Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Oakland Raiders San Diego Chargers AFC North Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers AFC South Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans NFC East Dallas Cowboys New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Washington Redskins NFC West Arizona Cardinals San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks St. Louis Rams NFC North Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings NFC South Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Bucs * Players * 2011 draft * Injuries * Odds * Trans * Blog * Rumors * Resources Injury report Attendance Coaches 2010 draft picks Free Agents Insider Pick Center Insider Season Performances Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl winners Transactions Weekly Leaders Power Rankings 2010 Season Preview 2010 Hall of Fame Scouting Reports MN HQ Coach Ratings NFL Local Super Bowl XLIV '09 playoff results 2010 Key Dates 2010 home, away opponents * Tickets ESPN.com: Help | PR Media Kit | Advertise On ESPN.com | Sales Media Kit | Interest-Based Ads | Corrections | Contact Us | Site Map | Shop | Jobs at ESPN | Supplier Information ©2011 ESPN Internet Ventures. 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