The State of the NFL Looks Vaguely Better : Tagliabue: Commissioner’s address lacks specifics, but indicates that all is well.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s annual state-of-the-league news conference Friday gave him a chance to be as unspecific as he could be on as many subjects as possible.

And, standing at a hotel podium for 40 minutes, he seized the opportunity.

Tagliabue told several hundred reporters that the league has a drug problem.

But as they transferred that message to their notebooks, he stressed that the problem is minor.

“Steroid-free is an ideal world that no sport will get to,” he said, expressing his confidence that the NFL’s “testing program is reliable (and a) deterrent.”

Asked how many NFL players had recently tested positive for steroids, cocaine and other drugs, he said:

“There were some positive tests of prohibited substances in 1992. . . . It is the relatively small number that gives cause for mild optimism.”

Addressing the use of the human growth hormone, he said: “It is not a major area of abuse. (The problem is) isolated, not endemic.”

Of instant replay officiating, Tagliabue confirmed the findings of most coaches and owners as expressed for months.

“The (NFL) probably will not have instant replay next season,” he said, adding that he will recommend as much.

“The officiating was (well done) last season. The clubs feel that way.”

Asked about the cost of NFL tickets, Tagliabue, overlooking baseball, said: “Our ticket prices are the most modest of any major sport.”

He noted that the prices of NBA, theater and rock-concert tickets are much higher than pro football’s.

Tagliabue on other topics:

--Labor peace: “The agreement (with NFL players) was a product of 18 months of . . . compromise. (It ensures) stability until the end of the century.”

--Expansion: “Every owner is committed to expansion (and a 1995) timetable target.”

--New-franchise fees: “That will be addressed (at the) May (meeting) or (in) March.”

--The San Francisco 49ers’ locker room, which was closed to reporters in violation of league policy during the week of the Dallas game: “I have sent them what could be (described as) a stiff letter.”

--The new TV contract: “Our objective in 1993 will be to work closely with the five networks.”

--Pay-per-view TV: “Not during the term of the present contract.”

--World League: “Our goal is to bring it back (this year) after a one-year hiatus.”

--Exhibition games in Mexico: “They are high on the (NFL) list of international issues.”

--The Canadian Football League invasion of Sacramento and San Antonio: “We are pleased to see that kind of expansion.”

--NFL expansion to Canada someday: “We’ve always known that Canada is there.”

--Dave Wannstedt’s signing with the Chicago Bears while coaching Dallas’ Super Bowl defense: “There would be concern if there were any indication that the Bears were getting a competitive advantage. The fact is that (Wannstedt) dealt with (the New York Giants) among others.”

--The Darryl Talley fight this week: “I haven’t been involved in the so-called Darryl Talley incident.”

--Injuries: “We are always (concerned). Equipment improvement is always (under consideration). It’s a contact sport. There (is an) irreducible number of injuries.”