NEW YORK — In the aftermath of the discipline levied against the New England Patriots for taping opponents defensive signals, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is seeking a sweeping crackdown on spying for next season.

It would include harsher penalties on teams and employees caught spying; unannounced inspections of locker rooms and coaches' areas in press boxes; and a lower threshold for imposing discipline on those who violate the rule.

The changes, first disclosed in today's editions of the Washington Post, are contained in a memo obtained by The Associated Press. It was sent to the league's rule-making competition committee, which will consider them and make recommendations to the owners at the league meeting starting March 30 in Palm Beach, Fla.

"I think there are a number of steps that should be taken in advance of the start of the 2008 season to improve and strengthen the enforcement procedures designed to preserve the competitive integrity of the game," Goodell wrote in the memo.

It is a direct outgrowth from "Spygate," which resulted in severe fines against coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, and the forfeiture of New England's first-round draft choice after the confiscation of tapes during the opening game of the season against the New York Jets.

The tapes and other evidence were subsequently destroyed, leading to further outcry, including a meeting between Goodell and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who expressed his displeasure at disclosures that the Patriots' spying may have gone back to 2000.

Among other things, Goodell asks for a lower standard of proof to allow him to impose discipline and the power to impose harsh measures against violators.

"Too often," he wrote, "competitive violations have gone unpunished because conclusive proof of the violation was lacking. I believe we should reconsider the standard of proof to be applied in such cases, and make it easier for a competitive violation to be established.

"And where a violation is shown, I intend to impose more stringent penalties on both the club and the responsible individual(s). I will also be prepared to make greater use of draft choice forfeiture in appropriate cases. I believe this will have the effect of deterring violations and making people more willing to report violations on a timely basis."

Enforcement would include spot checks of team offices, including locker rooms, coaches' booths and in-stadium communication systems and equipment as well as "enhanced monitoring of team practices."

"Many of these checks will be virtually unannounced and clubs would be expected fully to cooperate with this effort," Goodell wrote.

On another matter, Goodell said he supports the use of radios for defensive players to get signals from the sideline, which now are limited only to offense.

The measure came up at last year's meetings but was not approved because coaches and team officials were concerned that too many players might have to be wired because in many cases, a player with a radio in his helmet might be out of the game on some plays. On offense, only the quarterbacks have radios in their helmets.