* The 18-game schedule, which only the owners seem to want. Between the Patriots and Packers there are some 27 players on IR. How has the league convinced itself that an 18-game schedule won't result in a watered-down product and war of attrition?
It's a good question and I can assure you it's something that we're looking at very carefully, in conjunction with the NFLPA and experts from all fields. Player safety is very important to our league, and our commitment to it has been demonstrated over and over this year, so you can be sure all these factors will be taken into account when the owners meet to discuss the subject.
* Why has the league not taken punitive action against the Jets for last week's tripgate incident? And, are you at all concerned that failure to do so only reinforces the public's view of you being soft on the Jets in general?
This is an ongoing matter being handled by the league, so that I won't comment other than to say we're investigating it fully. [He is almost certain not to bite on the "soft on the Jets" point, but if he does, it will be quick: "If punishment is warranted, we will act accordingly, as we have repeatedly done when the circumstances warrant."
* Since the spygate incident, many NFL coaches, both current and former, have come out and said that what the Patriots did was nothing unusual and in fact, practiced widely. In retrospect, wouldn't you consider the fines and loss of a draft choice something akin to killing a mosquito with a sledgehammer?
No. They were serious infractions that were dealt with appropriately and I would do the same thing over again. The club accepted responsibility.