PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : Reading Between Tagliabue’s Lines

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue squirmed and sweated and said very little Friday morning in his annual state-of-the-league address.

Faced with relocation, lawsuits and disenchanted fans, he chose to sidestep virtually every tough question.

A sampling, with translations:

On the move of the Cleveland Browns: “We want the fans to know that we care, and that we will not abandon them.”

Translated: The league is in negotiations with Cleveland to help build a new stadium to attract another team. But the Cleveland Browns are history, baby.

On the move of other teams: “We recognize tradition, we recognize loyalty, to a degree that is unprecedented in sports. But we have to allow our teams to move forward in stadiums that keep that tradition in the right way.”

Translated: Your team will not leave town as long as your stadium is keeping your owner rich. The league recognizes that the only tradition understood by owners is greed.

On instant replay: “A majority of teams are in favor of it. But we need three-fourths. So I don’t see any change.”

Translated: That great call made by officials on the final play of the AFC championship game outweighs the several bad big-game calls that have been made this season.

On the state of the league: “Every decade provides concerns that the sky is falling. Usually, it’s not.”

Translated: Get off my back and let me enjoy Sunday’s game, will ya?

On further expansion: “I think we will have expansion . . . but I don’t see it in this decade.”

Translated: How ‘bout those Los Angeles Seahawks?

Opening summary: “We are at a crossroads in our relationship with ourselves and our fans.”

Translated: We have as much idea about the future of this league as the man in the moon.