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Ted Wells: Patriots' investigation to take 'several more weeks'

Nate Davis
USA TODAY Sports
Underinflated Super Bowl XLIX footballs.

Any notion that the NFL's investigation into the New England Patriots' usage of underinflated footballs during the AFC Championship Game might be done prior to the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIX can pretty much be put to rest.

Ted Wells, who was appointed by the league to assist with the ongoing probe, released a statement Monday — prior to the Patriots' arrival in Arizona, site of Sunday's Super Bowl — saying he doesn't expect the matter to be resolved for "several more weeks."

Furthermore, Wells essentially gave the Patriots an organizational pass from talking about the matter this week even though it is clearly the frontburner issue as the buildup to the big game begins in earnest.

"We are in the process of conducting a thorough investigation on the issue of the footballs used in the AFC Championship. This work began last week, stretched through the weekend, and is proceeding expeditiously this week notwithstanding the Super Bowl," said Wells, a prominent lawyer who also investigated the Miami Dolphins' locker room bullying scandal during the 2013 season.

"We are following customary investigative procedures and no one should draw any conclusions about the sequence of interviews or any other steps, all of which are part of the process of doing a thorough and fair investigation. I expect the investigation to take at least several more weeks.

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"In the interim, it would be best if everyone involved or potentially involved in this matter avoids public comment concerning the matter until the investigation is concluded. The results will be shared publicly."

It's now been a week since the Patriots first began fielding questions about "Deflategate." ESPN first reported 11 of the 12 balls New England used in the first half of the AFC title rout of the Indianapolis Colts fell below the league-mandated threshold of 12.5 pounds per square inch.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has disavowed any knowledge of how the balls were tampered with on multiple occasions, including an impromptu press conference Saturday. Tom Brady said last Thursday that he was also mystified by the illegal balls even as retired quarterbacks like Troy Aikman, Mark Brunell and Kurt Warner expressed doubt about Brady's explanation.

The league announced Friday that Wells, NFL executive vice president Jeff Pash and an investigative firm specializing in forensic evidence were heading its investigation and that "nearly 40 interviews" had already been conducted, though Brady had yet to be contacted at that point.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft pledged his franchise's complete cooperation, saying: "Competitive balance and the integrity of the game are the foundation of what makes our league so special and I have the utmost respect for those principles. Our organization will continue to cooperate throughout the league's investigation."

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Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

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