Pats' whistle-blower wants legal protection

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 16, 2008 | by Associated Press

NEW YORK -- The lawyer for former New England Patriots employee Matt Walsh said his client is willing to turn over videotapes he made for the team if the NFL guarantees Walsh protection from lawsuits or other legal action.

Attorney Michael Levy said that to date, the NFL's initial proposals are not sufficient protection for Walsh, who is said to have taped the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough practice the day before they played the Patriots in the 2002 Super Bowl. The Patriots won 20- 17.

"Under our proposal, Mr. Walsh is only protected if he in good faith is truthful. And he will be," Levy told The Associated Press on Friday.

"The NFL's proposal is not full indemnification. It is highly conditional and still leaves Mr. Walsh vulnerable. I have asked the NFL to provide Mr. Walsh with the necessary legal protections so that he can come forward with the truth without fear of retaliation and litigation."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said he's offered Walsh a deal whereby "he has to tell the truth and he has to return anything he took improperly" in return for indemnity.

Walsh, now a golf pro in Maui, did video work for the Patriots when they won the first of their three Super Bowl after the 2001 season.

TITANS' SMITH JOINS 'SKINS: The Washington Redskins completed their coaching staff under new coach Jim Zorn, hiring Sherman Smith as offensive coordinator Friday. Smith comes from the Tennessee Titans, where he was the running backs coach since 1995 as well as an assistant head coach for the last two seasons.

MCGEE LAWSUIT DELAYED: Troubled sports financial adviser Craig Curry filed for bankruptcy a day before he and his lawyer faced potential court sanctions Friday in a lawsuit involving Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee. Curry, accused of bilking McGee out of more than $1 million, claimed only his home -- valued at $258,060 -- as a personal asset, while stating he owed more than $764,300, according to documents submitted to U.S. bankruptcy court in Houston on Thursday. The filing postponed a hearing at Harris County District Court in Houston on Friday, when Judge William R. Burke Jr. was scheduled to determine whether to strike Curry's pleading in the lawsuit, potentially opening the way for a judgment in McGee's favor.

FRANCHISE TAG FOR HAYNESWORTH: The agent for Albert Haynesworth said the Tennessee Titans will designate the defensive tackle as the team's franchise player by Thursday's deadline. Agent Chad Speck said he talked with general manager Mike Reinfeldt on Friday and both sides are working on a long-term contract.