SpyGate is history. Or is it?
Jets assistant coach Brian Daboll, a former Patriots assistant who apparently quizzed ex-Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh on what he witnessed at the Rams’ pre-Super Bowl walk-through in February, 2002, will be interviewed for a second time by league officials, it was learned this afternoon.
Daboll was interviewed several months ago by the league, as was Jets coach Eric Mangini, another former Pats assistant, but Daboll’s name emerged prominently after commissioner Roger Goodell’s press conference today in Manhattan.
Daboll, then a defensive assistant for the Patriots, tried to pick Walsh’s brain on what he witnessed during the walk-through, league counsel Gregg Levy said. Walsh told Daboll that he noticed RB Marshall Faulk was being used as a kick returner, Levy said. Daboll also asked Walsh about offensive formations, particularly how the tight ends were being used. That conversation lasted less than 10 minutes, and Daboll and Walsh were the only two people in the room, Levy said.
Daboll apparently didn’t relate that to the league in his first interview. Walsh revealed it today in his three-hour meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell.
“What Matt Walsh told us today was inconsistent with our prior understanding,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail. “Brian Daboll did not tell us that.”
Daboll, through the Jets, released a statement.
“I have cooperated with the league’s investigation and was completely truthful and forthcoming,” said Daboll, the Jets’ QB coach and a close friend of Mangini. “The league has requested to speak with me again. In light of this request, I will not comment further other than to say that I have been and will continue to be completely truthful, cooperative and forthcoming with the league.”
Even if Walsh did give information to Daboll, he apparently didn’t violate any rules. Goodell said there will be no further sanctions against the Patriots. Walsh told Goodell that he wasn’t instructed to spy on the walk-through, and that he was in the stadium only to prepare sideline equipment for the game.
