Saints cleared of wire-tapping

LOUISIANA STATE Police investigators have found no evidence that the Saints or general manager Mickey Loomis rigged Superdome wiring so opposing coaches' radio communications could be intercepted.

"This has been an intensive investigation, and after numerous interviews we have determined that there is no evidence that state laws have been violated," State Police Col. Mike Edmonson said Monday after meeting with Saints owner Tom Benson in New Orleans to brief him on the status of the probe.

State police investigators have been working in conjunction with the FBI since the eavesdropping allegations surfaced in news reports in April.

"We found no corroborating evidence that Mickey Loomis or anybody in the Saints was engaged in wiretapping or eavesdropping," Edmonson said.

Edmonson said it was only fair to hold a news conference about the status of the State Police probe because he had talked about it when his investigators first began looking into the allegations.

Edmonson said he cannot comment on the status of related federal probes. He also noted that State Police will reopen their investigations if new allegations surface.

"This is based on what we know today. If any new allegations would come up we would certainly pursue that," Edmonson said. "This is not anything to do with the FBI or the U.S. Attorney's office. We find out whether or not there's any evidence to show criminal wrongdoing and base it on state law."

Loomis and the Saints have emphatically denied the allegations, and the Saints have hired the firm of former FBI director Louis Freeh to do its own investigation.

When informed of Edmonson's comments, Loomis said he did not have anything to add at this time.

*  Colts linebacker Pat Angerer could miss 6 weeks after fracturing a foot during the preseason opener. Angerer will need surgery and should be back at some point this season. Backup linebacker Scott Lutrus was not as fortunate. He will have season-ending surgery after suffering a torn ACL in one of his knees.

*  The St. Louis Rams are dropping plans to play home games in London in 2013 and 2014, citing a need to focus on negotiations on their lease and ease fan discontent. The Rams said that they will play the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 28 while withdrawing their commitment for home games in London the following two seasons.

*  Guard T.J. Lang has agreed to a 4-year contract extension with the Green Bay Packers. Lang, a fourth-round pick out of Eastern Michigan in the 2009 NFL draft, became a full-time starter last season and is considered a key cog in one of the NFL's most productive offenses.

* Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley's court hearing on charges including driving under the influence and attempting to elude police has been pushed back to Sept. 26. Fairley earlier had a hearing on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge in Mobile (Ala.) Municipal Court continued until Nov. 27.

* Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has been taken off the physically unable to perform list by the New York Giants and can start practicing with the team.

In other news, the Giants are going to wait until the fall to decide whether to keep the University at Albany as their preseason training camp site. Giants co-owner John Mara said that the franchise would discuss returning for a 17th season in the next couple of months and reach a decision in the fall.