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Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Former FBI director Robert Mueller said his investigation found no evidence that the NFL saw the elevator video of Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee before the tape was released in September. Muellers report did, however, say the league should have conducted a more thorough investigation of the incident before issuing the initial two-game suspension to Rice, who was then suspended indefinitely after the video inside the elevator showed the former Baltimore Ravens running back punching Janay Palmer and knocking her unconscious. Rice, who was released by the Ravens after the additional video came to light and just before the league announced its extended suspension, won an appeal of the extensive penalty but did not play during the 2014 season. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was widely criticized for his handling of the case, which stemmed from Rices assault of Palmer -- now his wife -- in the elevator of an Atlantic City casino in February. Goodell said the league never saw the video of the actual punch until it was released by TMZ.com in September, but a report from the Associated Press said a law enforcement official said he sent a copy of the video to an NFL executive in April, two months after the incident and five months before the initial suspension was issued. The AP story said a woman at the NFLs office confirmed receipt of the video in an April 9 phone call, prompting the league to give Mueller authority to conduct an independent investigation. According to Muellers report, he and his colleagues interviewed more than 200 NFL employees and contractors, including every female employee, contractor or vendor whose electronic badge recorded that she was in the leagues main office on that day. Digital forensics experts searched computers and mobile phones of the leagues senior executives, including Goodell, for any evidence of the in-elevator video. Investigators also reviewed millions of documents, e-mails, text messages and electronic data logs during the four-month inquiry. In summarizing the process, Mueller concluded: We found no evidence that anyone at the NFL had or saw the in-elevator video before it was publicly shown. We also found no evidence that a woman at the NFL acknowledged receipt of that video in a voicemail message on April 9, 2014. We concluded there was substantial information about the incident -- even without the in-elevator video -- indicating the need for a more thorough investigation. The NFL should have done more with the information it had, and should have taken additional steps to obtain all available information about the Feb. 15 incident. Muellers report said the NFL has done well to change its personal conduct policy in the wake the incident, but added that the league needs to be more assertive in its investigations and rely less on the legal system. The investigators identified a weakness -- as they call it -- in the leagues long-standing practice of deferring to the criminal justice system when matters like this arise, said New York Giants president John Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II in a statement after Muellers report was issued. Mr. Mueller concludes that the league should have conducted a more substantial independent investigation of this matter and he has made six recommendations. This morning, we spoke to commissioner Goodell about these recommendations. We want to review them and understand them in greater detail. We look forward to moving forward on this. Goodells credibility came under scrutiny during the process, but the owners statement following Muellers report backed the commissioners actions. It is clear to us that commissioner Goodell was forthright in the statements he made to the owners about this matter, and we have every confidence that Roger Goodell is the right person to lead the league as we move forward, Mara and Rooney said. The Rice case spurred the NFL into stronger penalties for domestic violence. Cheap Lions Jerseys . The Raptors (15-15) posted six road victories last month and have won seven of their last nine games overall. Toronto visits the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Wholesale Lions Jerseys . You can watch coverage on TSN, TSN2 and CTV beginning today at 3pm et/Noon pt. The championships will feature approximately 250 of Canadas best figure skaters in senior, junior and novice as they vie for spots on the national team, international assignments and will act as the final step in the 2014 Olympic qualification process. http://www.cheaplionsjerseyselite.com/ .com) - Jeff Teague finished with a game-high 26 points and eight assists as the Atlanta Hawks held off the Utah Jazz, 98-92, on Friday.TORONTO -- Jerry DAmigo has watched the Toronto Maple Leafs seven-game losing streak from the nearby Marlies of the AHL. In a hockey market like this, its impossible to avoid hearing all about it. Now DAmigo will likely be thrust into the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night to try to do his part -- however small it might be -- to end the skid and save the Leafs playoff hopes. "Im not trying to solve the whole thing here," DAmigo said. "Im just going to put in my best effort and give the guys some energy here. Hopefully (raise) them up a little bit." Unless DAmigo manages to score or create a big goal, itll take much more than a fourth-line energy guy to make the Leafs rise up and find a consistent level of play that has been lacking of late, even against a banged-up opponent. If theres any time to find that extra gear, its against a Red Wings team the Leafs are tied with at 80 points. "Obviously weve been fighting it of late," winger Mason Raymond said. "But this is a team we are battling with for a playoff spot. Theyve been doing well of late so we have quite the test ahead of us." Figuring 92 points as a legitimate target to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, a loss to the Red Wings at Air Canada Centre would just about force the Leafs to win out in their final six games. A victory and some help from the Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Wasshington Capitals puts Toronto right back into it.dddddddddddd Coach Randy Carlyle knows this is a difficult spot but doesnt find it difficult to remain positive when speaking with his players. "This isnt a fun place to be right now, Ill tell you that, and theres pressure being applied in different areas, but the No. 1 thing that we have to do is we have to focus on self-improvement by a certain amount, and that will help the team grow," Carlyle said. The Red Wings havent been in a tailspin like the Leafs, but theyve been in the thick of this playoff race long enough to know what to expect Saturday night. "They need a win and we need a win and thats been the case each night weve played probably for 20 games," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "So were used to the environment were in. It should be a lot of fun here tonight. They need a win and we need a win, its just that simple." NOTES -- Jonathan Bernier is expected to be in goal for the Leafs, which would mark the first time this season he starts on back-to-back days. Jimmy Howard starts for Detroit. ... Toronto is 6-9 in the second half of back-to-back games, including losses in the last two of those situations. ... Defenceman Paul Ranger (neck) is "an option" for the Leafs, according to Carlyle. If Ranger plays, it could mean going back to 11 forwards and seven defencemen, though it was not clear which forward would come out of the lineup. ' ' '