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 The NFL investigation is being led by league vice president Jeff
Pash and outside attorney Ted Wells, who led the investigation into
the Miami Dolphins' bullying scandal in 2013.
After the Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl with a 45-7 rout of
the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, reports surfaced that the
Patriots purposely deflated footballs.
The investigation reportedly has found 11 of New England's 12
allotted game balls were underinflated.
The NFL said it had conducted nearly 40 interviews and is
"continuing to obtain additional information, including video and
other electronic information and physical evidence."
The NFL said, "The playing rules are intended to protect the
fairness and integrity of our games. We take seriously claims that
those rules have been violated and will fully investigate this
matter without compromise or delay. The investigation is ongoing,
will be thorough and objective, and is being pursued expeditiously."
 Patriots owner Robert Kraft also released a statement Friday, saying
he received a notice of the investigation on Monday and "instructed
our staff to be completely cooperative and transparent with the
league's investigators. During the three days they were here, we
provided access to every full- and part-time employee the league's
representatives requested to speak with and produced every
communication device that they requested to search."
"Competitive balance and the integrity of the game are the
foundation of what makes our league so special and I have the utmost
respect for those principles," Kraft said. "Our organization will
continue to cooperate throughout the league's investigation."
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Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, who caught the winning touchdown pass
in overtime in Seattle's 28-22 win over the Green Bay Packers,
became the fourth Seahawk to be fined out of that NFC Championship
Game.
The league penalized him the standard $5,512 for throwing the
football into the stands after the score.
From the AFC title game, New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince
Wilfork was fined $8,268 for a late hit.
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Seattle safety Earl Thomas was a limited participant in practice
Friday and listed as questionable for the Super Bowl, although he is
fully expected to play on Feb. 1 in Glendale, Arizona.
Thomas suffered a dislocated shoulder in the NFC title game and sat
out the first two practices of the week. But coach Pete Carroll said
Thomas is ready to play.
 Cornerback Richard Sherman, who suffered a sprained elbow, practiced
all week and was among six Seahawks listed as probable Friday.
For the Patriots, six players were listed as questionable: former
Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner (knee), linebacker Dont'a
Hightower (shoulder), defensive tackle Chris Jones (elbow), wide
receiver Brandon LaFell (shoulder/toe), Sealver Siliga (foot),
center Bryan Stork (knee).
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The Indianapolis Colts suspended running back Trent Richardson for
two games for "personal reasons," general manager Ryan Grigson
revealed.
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Coach Todd Bowles now has all of his top assistants in place as the
New York Jets announced the hiring of Kacy Rodgers as defensive
coordinator and Bobby April as special teams coordinator.
Rodgers and April join Chan Gailey, who was hired earlier to be
Bowles' offensive coordinator.
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The Denver Broncos hired Bill Kollar to be their defensive line
coach, reuniting Kollar with coach Gary Kubiak.
Kollar, a 26-year NFL coaching veteran, spent the last six seasons
with the Houston Texans, where he worked with Kubiak for much of
that time.
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The Baltimore Ravens announced that they intend to terminate the
contract of defensive tackle Terrence Cody after the Super Bowl --
even though Cody will be an unrestricted free agent in March -- and
the player's agent is blaming the NFL for creating "an atmosphere of
hysteria."
The Ravens did not say whether the decision had anything to do with
Cody being investigated for animal cruelty by Baltimore County
police, but Cody's agent, Peter Schaffer, reportedly thinks so.
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The NFLPA filed a grievance against the NFL over the new personal
conduct policy.
Owners unanimously approved the policy changes last month. Because
the policy was not collectively bargained, the players' union
requested its grievance be heard immediately.
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The Dallas Cowboys are expected to restructure quarterback Tony
Romo's contract this offseason in an effort to create more salary
cap space, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Romo signed a six-year, $108 million contract two years ago, with
$55 million guaranteed. The Cowboys hope to restructure his deal for
a second consecutive year, converting most of his $17 million base
salary into a bonus to prorate the cap hit over the remaining years.
(Editing by Gene Cherry)
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