Belichick wants to put incident behind him

New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick continued to dodge questions Friday about the controversial videotaping incident that cost him $500,000 and in all likelihood a first-round draft pick in 2008 for violating the NFL policy.

Facing a larger-than-usual media contingent in Foxborough, Mass., Belichick repeatedly said the episode was behind him and he was putting all his energy and focus toward preparing for Sunday night’s game against the San Diego Chargers. He said that in his opening remarks and repeated it nine times during the seven-minute interview.

Yet all 29 questions pertained to last Sunday when Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella, standing on the sideline, videotaped the Jets coaches signaling calls.

Belichick would not admit that he made a mistake.

In the four-paragraph statement that he issued Thursday night, Belichick said he misinterpreted the rule about videotaping. But he wouldn’t explain his interpretation Friday.

From the Hartford Courant

Suspended running back Ricky Williams is eligible to seek reinstatement by the NFL after Oct. 1 and will do so, his attorney said Friday.

Williams has played only 12 NFL games since 2003. His current suspension began in April 2006 after he violated the league’s drug policy for the fourth time, and a positive test for marijuana this April delayed his return. It’s uncertain how quickly the 30-year-old Williams might be cleared to return -- or where he would play. He remains under contract with Miami, but first-year Dolphins Coach Cam Cameron has given no indication he would want Williams.

Eli Manning took some snaps with the New York Giants’ first unit for the first time all week, but the team is still cautious about the quarterback’s injured throwing shoulder.

Manning split time with Jared Lorenzen, who will make his first NFL start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers if Manning is unable to play. Lorenzen played the final series of last Sunday’s 45-35 loss at Dallas.

Seattle running back Shaun Alexander was able to practice with the first-team offense and the Seahawks announced that he will play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals despite a sprained left wrist he suffered during last week’s victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He will wear a soft, padded cast.

The NFL fined Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth $5,000 for a hard tackle during last Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. He was fined for unnecessary roughness after slamming Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew to the ground. Haynesworth was called for a 15-yard penalty.