Senator Confused By NFL's Decision To Destroy Tapes

Specter said he did not understand Goodell's explanation.

"When he gives the reason for destroying the tapes [to] not have them available for a competitive advantage for someone else makes no sense," Specter said at his news conference. "They were under lock and key at the NFL. When matters of public interest are destroyed, it raises some obvious questions."

Patriots owner Robert Kraft did not discuss the subject when asked about it following Goodell's speech, saying only, "I try to speak about things I know something about."

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson said Goodell's decision to destroy the tapes "was a judgment that he made, that's obviously his decision," Johnson said. Johnson also said he is not angry about the taping and considered the issue "resolved."

Goodell also said he is considering finding new ways to seed teams for the playoffs in hopes of eliminating late-season games in which playoff-bound teams rest their important players. One solution, he said, is to have the teams with the best records be seeded the highest regardless of where they finished in the division standings.

He also said several owners remained concerned about the current bargaining agreement, which can be reopened later in the year. They continue to believe the 60 percent of revenues they have given to players is too high and are worried about escalating stadium operations costs.

Goodell also indicated the league may examine the way the pool for rookie salaries is arranged, saying it isn't fair that older, more experienced players with proven track records often make less than first-round draft picks just coming into the league.