The NFL said in a statement last night that in the last week, lawyers for Walsh and the league have made "substantial progress toward an agreement that will allow Mr. Walsh to be interviewed."

Walsh, a golf pro in Hawaii, has been seeking protection from lawsuits and other legal action. Reports surfaced just before the Super Bowl that Walsh videotaped a walk-through practice of the St. Louis Rams before the 2002 title game. It was won by the Patriots, 20-17.

Walsh's lawyer, Michael N. Levy, confirmed last night that an agreement was near.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said Walsh was not interviewed as part of the league's investigation into "Spygate," which involved the league confiscating tapes from a Patriots employee who recorded the New York Jets' defensive signals from the sideline during the opening game of the 2007 season.

Six confiscated tapes and other documents pertaining to the Patriots' taping were subsequently destroyed by the league. Goodell has defended the destruction of the tapes.

As a result of that investigation, New England coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 and the team was fined $250,000 and forfeited its 2008 first-round draft choice.

Goodell has also met with U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.) who asked pointed questions about taping of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Eagles. The Patriots beat the Eagles in the 2005 Super Bowl and the Steelers in two AFC championship games.

Steelers. Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Harrison was arrested Saturday after hitting 29-year-old Beth Tibbott at her home in Ohio Township, Pa., according to a police affidavit.

Broncos. Denver added safeties Marquand Manuel and Marlon McCree.

Manuel played for Carolina last season; McCree started the last two seasons for San Diego.