Goodell makes cheating message loud and clear with latest memo

Here's what I take from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's latest memo regarding cheating in pro football: Trust nobody.

Roger Goodell is making sure people are listening this time around. (Getty Images)

It doesn't sound as if Goodell does. Otherwise, he wouldn't have felt compelled to issue another statement on the subject, this time urging specific precautions and threatening stiffer penalties to prevent Spygate II.

I can't say I blame the guy.

The last time we heard from the league on this subject it warned teams before last season of the illegality of "videotaping of any type" from the sidelines ... and it took the New England Patriots exactly three days to get caught.

Bad enough they did it in Goodell's backyard. But they also did it with one of their former assistants, Eric Mangini, on the New York Jets' sideline.

I'm not sure whether that was hubris or stupidity, but I do know it's a signal that either A) some people in this league can't read or B) some people in this league aren't playing by the rules.

Either way, it's not good for the NFL.

So Goodell dashes off another memo, this time suggesting stronger actions to prevent a replay of last year's cheating episode. Only this time he proposes unannounced searches of team locker rooms, press boxes and in-game video equipment.

Furthermore, he pledges more severe sanctions for those who might be thinking about pulling a Bill Belichick.

"We have already taken some positive and significant actions this past season," Goodell wrote, "but we must go further to ensure fair competition amongst our 32 teams and maintain public confidence in our game."

Translation: Sorry, guys, but you can't be trusted.

If they could, Goodell wouldn't have to keep reminding them what's illegal. I mean, if you trust your clubs, their coaches and their owners you don't talk about going "further to ensure fair competition" ... right? And you certainly don't throw the words "integrity of the game" in there unless you think something might be going on.

At the league's annual scouting combine two weeks ago members of the competition committee told reporters they were satisfied with the NFL's investigation of Spygate and considered the inquiry closed.