• The NFL Commissioner spoke for 45 minutes to a packed house of media members on a wide variety of league-related subjects. Several media members focused on the recent inquiry by Arlen Specter into the Patriots Cheating situation. He began his news conference by stating that he would, "...like to thank the attending media, the two teams, and the community in Scottsdale/Glendale Arizona for their hospitality this week.."

SUBJECTS COVERED:

• On the US Senator Arlen Specter inquiry:
  • "I don't think the "spy gate" incident taints the Patriots accomplishment this year... what they did this season was done within the rules in my view...I am more than willing to meet with the senator and the reasons why I destroyed the tapes and there was no purpose for them...I think it was the appropriate thing to do." Follow up question: "what we found, was totally consistent with what the team told us... it's not 'exciting' stuff, and we felt it was handled appropriately...we sent a message about the penalties for this...I think it had a limited affect."
• On the Pacman Jones Incident:
  • "...I don't think I've dealt with harder than anyone else...it's on Adam to make changes in his conduct...I did speak with the woman who is married to the man injured during that incident in Las Vegas...she indicated that the NFL was not responsible and we offered any assistance with regards to charitable assistance...but then a lawsuit came from that, and so I need to refer those questions to our legal team."
• On re-seeding all 12 teams in the playoffs, and the potential for combining the conferences for playoff seeding:
  • "...I think our focus would be to look at the seeding process within the conferences...the short-term focus will be on potentially looking at rewarding teams with better records, regardless of division champion or wild card status...but certainly as we take a long-term view of things, the possibility of combining both conferences in one 12-team field is something we will evaluate..."
• On another game in Mexico City:
  • "Our experience was great in 2005 down there... we think there is also tremendous fan interest in Mexico... we would love to be back in Mexico for the 2009 season."
• On relocation/expansion into Canada:
  • "...we know there is tremendous fan interest in our game in Canada, and we're not actively looking at expansion right now... not just Canadian expansion, but expansion as a league is off the table right now."
• On the G-3 Stadium Financing Plan:
  • "...program is not in effect and its important to continue to have the league assist in providing funding to keep the facilities being built and maintained..."
• On personal conduct by the players:
  • "I think the league is making progress as a whole...I don't think it's going to solve all of our problems...we saw a 20% reduction in incidents and a significant reduction among rookies...none of this would have been successful with out the help and leadership of the NFLPA...we're constantly evaluating our policy...and we are addressing the 'targeting of players' such as the Sean Taylor case, which was the 'lowlight' of the season for me...our security department is working with further educating the players about dealing with this issue." Follow-up was asked about education and changing the perception: "...our players are doing wonderful things both on and off the field...I'm extremely proud of what they do in the community...NFL Charities just gave $1 million to 85 players for various foundations and charitable works...the players support the need to further educate the few players that aren't in line to step in line and improve the image of our league..."
• On the history of the game and the need for today's players to embrace the history of the game:
  • "I think its a great idea suggested by both Michael Irvin and Gale Sayers... Michael suggested to me last summer... to have the rookie meetings at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton to promote the players further embracing the history of our game...we're looking at alternatives...I think it's a great idea..."
• On Media Day and its 'circus atmosphere':
  • "...we have so much more interest in the game and the celebrity aspect of it...we have to find a good balance for the media..."
• On retired players and qualifying for disability funds:
  • "We have made changes to remove some of the red tape and simplify the process...we're working with the NFLPA on this...any delay is unfortunate and the players that helped build this game deserve access to this."
• On the growing concerns over retired players and brain injuries:
  • "...we've been very clear about concussions as a medical issue and take a conservative approach...trying to benefit the players safety...we've had a committee dealing with this issue...I think we will continue to focus on this more about the long-term affects of concussions."
• On NFL Network negotiations with cable companies:
  • "...no new negotiations with Comcast or the others in the dispute are scheduled...we want to give our fans more football and we think the network deserves to be accessible to our fans on a broader basis..."
• On teams that have clinched playoff births resting players down the stretch of the season:
  • "...the incentive should be for teams to win as many games as possible...looking into the possibility of re-seeding teams in the future...competition committee needs to look at it...still the Giants and Patriots showed the spirit of competition."
• On international play:
  • "...we had an overwhelming response from many of the teams to want to play overseas... we don't want to impact negatively on a team, and that's why we want it to continue to be a "volunteer" basis..."
• On HGH testing:
  • "...we're working with scientists and the USOC and others to facilitate a proper testing process for this...I don't think there's a large number of players using HGH, and I don't have any data to suggest otherwise... we will continue to be the "Gold Standard" of drug testing in sports..."
• On the collective bargaining agreement and a potential labor situation:
  • "...a number of owners are concerned with the current labor deal and we will do that directly with the union and be able to come to a resolution for the continued viability of the game... our business and the costs have drastically changed, with stadium operations, capital improvements, and they need to be recognized in this labor agreement...and that's part of the give-and-take of the negotiation process..."
• On parity in the league in a year with an undefeated team:
  • "...the margin of victory is small, and I think the margin of competition is very small and every team goes year-by-year with a chance to win."
• On the announcement of Buffalo Bills home games in Toronto:
  • "...we've agreed for Toronto to host 1 regular season in each of the next 5 years, and I think this well help further enhance the regionalism of the team and market themselves...there is a tremendous interest for the Bills in Canada...as far as the CFL, we have a very strong relationship with them...they are comfortable with the arrangements we are making and we want to build that relationship further."
• On the potential for an NFL franchise in Los Angeles in the near future:
  • "...we think LA is a great place to have an NFL franchise and trying to find a right to find a way to make it work best for where we can succeed and the community can succeed... we know we have great fans in the Southern California market...we have to find the right solution there..."
• On the regular game scheduled for London in 2008:
  • "We were very pleased by the reception we received in the UK this year for the Giants and Dolphins game, and we're coming back.. the New Orleans Saints will play the San Diego Chargers on October 26, 2008 at Wembley Stadium...this is a great opportunity to promote our sport on an international spotlight"
• On illegal contact penalty:
  • "I don't think there's any change about lessening the severity of the penalty but rather more consistency of the officiating of the game."

• New England Patriots head coach took questions from national and international media members for 20 minutes. Dressed in a suit-and-tie (not his famous cut-off hoodie sweatshirt), he answered questions on a variety of subjects:
• On his quarterback Tom Brady:
  • "Tom Brady is one of the most steady, dependable and well-prepared players I've ever coached. He is very competitive and he's a pleasure to coach because of his intensity and preparation level..."
• On coaching his team and the various ways to motivate players"
  • "My priority in dealing with the players on my team deal with what's best for the team"
• On his relationship with owner Bob Kraft:
  • "We go back to 1996 when I worked on the defense when Bill (Parcells) was there... I appreciate his confidence and we've had a great working relationship over the years..."
• On the officials assigned:
  • "We had Mike Carey in the last game against the Giants...you wind up having every officiating crew throughout the year...they do a great job of being professional...sure they make mistakes sometimes just like we coaches do and players do...these guys deserve to be here, but I'm much more concerned about our players, and if I have a concern I'll throw my flag..."
• He was a long-time assistant coach with the Giants, and he was asked if he had a message for Giants fans:
  • "When I was with the Giants, the fans are very supportive and I always respect them and that organization. But I'm on the side this week..."
• On the prospects of going 19-0:
  • "...it's a huge game because it's our "next" game."
• Approaching this 2nd meeting with the Giants: "Each game take on its own personality...we hope we can hold them to less than 35 points...there will be some change-ups on our part, but also on their part as well...so every game will be different."
• On his rocky relationship with his former boss, Bill Parcells:
  • "Things have been up-and-down over the years between us... but I've spent time with Bill recently and we shared a lot of success together... I'm greatful for the opportunities he gave me... and I totally respect his football knowledge and a talent evaluator, but now he's back in our division and I look forward to competing with him again, it'll be a challenge."
• Ignoring the baited question about a planned parade in New York for the Giants on Tuesday, he stated:
  • "This game is just about the game now and not about what's happening outside of the game..."
• About Giants Tom Coughlin, with whom he served under Parcells with the Giants for 3 years together:
  • "We try to do what's best for our football team... you want to put your players in a position to execute and do what you need them to do to be successful, and those are similarities between us."
• When asked if he's been able to address everything he wanted with the media this week, he quipped:
  • "You guys (the media) have covered just about everything this week... you guys are on top of things this week..."
• He was asked about the Giants as an opponent:
  • "The Giants to everything well...very physical team...good tackling team...they're ability to play mistake-free football during the playoffs....those things make them tough to beat."
• When asked about trying to keep the players energized, he indicated:
  • "...the players have been very consistent in terms of putting the team first."
• He also indicated that the Giants:
  • "...are a great team and will be a "unique challenge" to defeat them."

• New York Giants head coach took questions from national and international media members for 20 minutes. Seeming very relaxed and joking with reporters, he answered questions on a variety of subjects:
• On what his last message before kickoff will be:
  • "It's a two week process getting through getting this team prepared...and there are many things about delivering messages at the right time, but what I'll say to them in those last moments are really private thoughts..."
• On special teams play and his firery reaction to kicker Lawrence Tynes missing two critical field goals in the NFC Championship Game:
  • "It was tough love...how's the weather out there I asked him when he came off after missing the kick, 'cause it was really cold over here (him and reporters laughing)...look, the competitive aspect comes out every once in a while, but I was also very supportive with him in letting him know that we would need him and that I had confidence in sending him back out there again."
• On winning this coming Sunday:
  • "This is what you play all year for and it would be remembered for a lifetime...we think we have a great chance to win, we're going to put it all out on the field."
• On his relationship with Michael Strahan:
  • "first and foremost he's a great football player...he loves to compete, he loves to play...he is a good teammate, you can tell he has the respect of everyone in the room...my relationship has always been a good one in terms of sharing information with him and I think he saw that I wanted to win and he's been a guy that is a great source of strength for our team and our defensive players take their lead from him. Having him on my 'Leadership Counsel' this year has really allowed to further develop the relationship between us..."
• On being the underdogs every game in the playoffs and in this game:
  • "...the main theme that comes out is having something to prove...we feel like we always have something to prove and we feel like we have the ability to rise to that challenge. In terms of the experience level, our veteran players have really led by example with the young players..."
• On being a member of the Bill Parcells staff that included Bill Belichick
  • : "It was an outstanding collection of football coaches that brought great knowledge and passion...everyone was doing everything that we could to help our team win...it was a great learning experience for all of us and we all went forward from that experience far better than when we entered"
• On former Giants owner, the late Wellington Mara:
  • "I have nothing but the most profound respect and admiration of who he was and who he conducted himself in both victory and defeat...and his son John continues to run the organization with the same level of class and wealth of information."
• On the game played earlier this season in London:
  • "It actually has helped us prepare for this week because of all of the media and the practice times and meeting times...the adjustments we made that week I think will help us...the worldwide interest and being there was a positive for us."
• 60 Minutes correspondent and well-documented Giants fan Andy Rooney made him and the attending media chuckle with a question about the redundancy of questions during Super Bowl week.
• On Plaxico Burress and his injuries:
  • "It's a day-to-day thing with him...he does have the ankle that has been an issue all year long...he had some swelling last week but it has reduced a lot...what's he been able to do this year with very little practice time but he's been able to watch a lot of tape, study hard, and perform in the games in a remarkable way... that fact that recently he's been able to practice for a limited number of snaps per week has allowed him to be more effective with Eli Manning..."
• On coaching in Jacksonville compared to New York and the lessons he's learned from those experiences:
  • "...decision I made last year of doing a better job of communicating with the players, the media and our organization...I've extended myself to what I call our 'Leadership Counsel' about my intentions, what we were going to do and why...you learn from situations and that is what we've tried to do...I remember the good times in Jacksonville."
• "We've had our traditional Wednesday and Thursday practices, and we look forward to today's regular Friday practice, so we're on schedule, and despite the obvious distractions, we've had a solid week of practice... I've asked the players that between 12:30-6PM each day, when we're out on the practice and in the meetings, to give their most concentrated efforts, and they have. The continuing of a regular schedule of practice has given us a chance to "coach them up" as we do every week.

• Mike Haynes, NFL VP of Player & Employee Development, and Connie Payton, wife of the late Walter Payton, are announcing the 4 finalists:
  • Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins
  • Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Brian Waters of the Kansas City Chiefs
  • Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys
• The winner will be announced just prior to the Super Bowl National Anthem on Super Bowl Sunday by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell