Two days before the NFL draft, Phillip Merling stood on Clemson's practice field amid two dozen eager NFL observers, including Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who could change his life forever.

Yet, the Clemson defensive end, who has been injured for much of the offseason, said he wasn't nervous.

"I did what I had to do to come into this moment," Merling said Thursday.

Merling went through a smooth 25-minute workout, displaying the speed and agility that led him to give up his final year at Clemson for the NFL. He has been projected as a first-round pick.

Merling was unable to show off for NFL teams previously because of a sports hernia. He only began full workouts the past week and wanted to put aside any doubt about his health before draft day.

"I'm hard on myself," a winded Merling said when the workout was done. "I think I did well. I think I showed them I'm not hurt anymore."

Merling did not run a 40-yard dash or do any weightlifting. Instead, he did exercises that tested his midsection and groin area.

The group of onlookers included Ed Orgeron, defensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints, and representatives from the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.

The largest contingent came from the Redskins, who have the 21st pick in the opening round. The group was headed up by their very interested owner, quarterback Jason Campbell and new coach Jim Zorn.

Merling, at 6-foot-4, 276 pounds, led the Tigers with seven sacks and 17 tackles for loss. He was Clemson's top tackler among the defensive line with 78.

Goodell preparing to meet with Spygate's WalshNEW YORK | Roger Goodell is fully prepared to crack down again on the New England Patriots if his meeting with Matt Walsh uncovers a tape made of the St. Louis Rams' final walkthrough practice before the 2002 Super Bowl.

"Taping a walkthrough is much different from what I punished them for," the NFL commissioner said Thursday at a meeting of a group representing the Associated Press Sports Editors.

After more than two months of negotiations, lawyers for the league and Walsh, the former New England employee, finally reached agreement Wednesday on terms that will allow him to talk Goodell. They include an agreement by the Patriots not to sue Walsh and to pay his legal expenses and his airfare to New York from Hawaii, where he is now a golf pro.

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