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NFL might punish Davis for tampering charge

Raiders owner accused Patriots of dirty dealings with Moss before trade

Image: Al Davis AP
Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis speaks during a news conference after firing head coach Lane Kiffin on Sept. 30.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has warned the Oakland Raiders that they might be punished for owner Al Davis' public accusation that the New England Patriots tampered with Randy Moss before they acquired him from the Raiders, the National Football Post reported Wednesday.

The Post said Davis received a formal letter from Goodell. The commissioner earlier told NFL teams that tampering complaints must be made quickly, rather than the 18 months Davis waited to accuse the Patriots. The memo from Goodell also warned teams against making false accusations.

The Patriots got Moss from the Raiders in a trade in April, 2007.

The NFL's punishment for the Raiders could range from a fine of $250,000 or more to losing one or two draft picks.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has declined to address the tampering charge.

At his press conference to explain the firing of coach Lane Kiffin last week, Davis leveled the tampering charge as he blamed Kiffin for wanting to get rid of Moss.

"That guy in Green Bay thought (Moss) couldn't run any more. Even Denver, where they'll take anybody, turned him down," Davis said. "But what's his name knew he could run, he's a friend of Belichick's. (Ex-Raiders employee) Mike Lombardi.

"Mike sold what's his name, Belichick, on the idea that he could run. They tampered with him. I remember (Patriots owner) Bob Kraft saying that he had to look him in the eye and all that. They went down and worked him out, he could run. He's their team, of course, with the quarterback."

Moss enjoyed a record-setting first season with New England, hauling in 23 touchdown passes.

© 2011 NBC Sports.com

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