More trouble for Belichick, Pats?

More trouble for Belichick, Pats?

For all practical purposes, the issue of "Spygate" has been put to rest. But the after affects of the entire incident may bring down more heat on Bill Belichick and his New England Patiots.

Ross Tucker, former NFL offensive lineman has come forward to back up allegations Matt Walsh made when he spoke to commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this month. Walsh said there was tape of a player on Inured Reserve practicing with the Pats, another clear violation of NFL rules.

Tucker initially made the allegations on SI.com and repeated them on ESPN.

When Tucker questioned the move at the time, he was told, "Everyone does it."

But Tucker said he had not seen any of the three teams he had played for previously employ the tactic.

This is not breaking news to Goodell or the NFL. The commissioner addressed the issue in his statement on May 13 after talking with Matt Walsh.

According to Goodell, "He (Walsh) indicated that there was a tape at one point in time of a player inappropriately practicing.  He was a player that was on injured reserve.  He practiced, I believe, back in 2001.  He identified the player. We're verifying that.  So that is something that we have been looking into."

But before thinking the axe will finally fall on Belichick, take additional comments from Goodell after the Walsh meeting into consideration.

Goodell said, "I would tell you up front, though, that the way we normally handle those matters, those are a matter of a team fine, if they are verified, and then they are handled on that basis.  I would expect that if we were to verify it, that I would consider it part of the fine that I implemented against the Patriots, close to $750,000 between the Patriots and Bill Belichick, and I would not take any further action on that."

From where we stand, Goodell cannot lump the new violations in as part of the original 'Spygate" fines since he admitted he was unaware of them until he spoke with Matt Walsh.

Using players on injured reserve is an entirely different violation that illegal videotaping.

Goodell has said he wants to, "Make sure that the integrity of the game is respected by all 32 teams and ensure the public that teams are playing in a fair and level playing field."

Now he has his chance to do both by not sweeping this one under the carpet.

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