Aaron Rodgers admits to over-inflating footballs (1 Viewer)

[General Tso]

BOOM!

http://vid809.photobucket.com/albums/zz11/mascho030916/Football%20Central/ScreenCaptureProject295.mp4

Rodgers - "I like to push the limit to how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do and see if the officials take air out of it."

Ironically, prior to the Patriots / Green Bay game this year Aaron Rodgers gave an intervieI like to push the limit to how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do and see if the officials take air out of it.'w where he flat out stated that he likes the ball over-inflated beyond what the League allows, and that he and the Packers knowingly over-inflate the balls beyond regulation in the hopes that officials don't catch it.

The way this story is going, I wouldn't be surprised if we start hearing about other instances of breaking this rule around the League. Will be interesting to hear if there is as much outrage directed at Rodgers and the Packers over this. Apparently when Rodgers made the comment it drew laughter from those present.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

 

[TDorBust]

Did you listen to it? Says he likes to push the limit and even go over it and see if the officials take any air out of the balls.

Also that is 2nd hand knowledge as at this point I don't remember the Packers being investigated for over-inflating the ball? Also I have no clue but does the cold weather make it so its not overinflated? Much like car tires the pressure drops when its out in the cold, possibly this was what Rodgers referenced.

Again where were the Packers investigated for anything like the Patriots have done?

 

[msudaisy26]

Can't be true, only the Patriots cheat!

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

if they could actually beat anybody in a playoff game maybe there'd be more complaints

 

[General Tso]

Kudos to my boys at SOSH for finding it. They tweeted it around and it's hitting the news wires now. Already at ESPN and apparently they have already mentioned it on the air as a developing news story. Pretty sad that NBC and Jim Nance didn't advance the story on their own. Gonna be great hearing them back-track.

This is priceless. Be careful when you start throwing stones people.

 

[TDorBust]

Kudos to my boys at SOSH for finding it. They tweeted it around and it's hitting the news wires now. Already at ESPN and apparently they have already mentioned it on the air as a developing news story. Pretty sad that NBC and Jim Nance didn't advance the story on their own. Gonna be great hearing them back-track.

This is priceless. Be careful when you start throwing stones people.

One team has been investigated by the league the other hasn't.... Not sure what the issue is here?

One is hear-say and the other is still being actively investigated with physical evidence...

I wasn't throwing stones at the Patriots over this but its like the person found guilty for speeding talking about their friend who said they onetime liked to go over the speed limit.

 

[Freelove]

This'll be a tough pill to swallow for all those Packer fans who were upset about the Patriots getting away with one against them.

Wait...no.

Well, they'll probably still be upset knowing they can't catch the Patriots in total world titles any time soon.

Wait...

Well at least Patsy fans can rest easy knowing they've gathered the hardware more recently than the Pack has...

 

[General Tso]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

 

[TDorBust]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

No I am saying where is the tape of Rodgers specifically stating they cheat? Did he say he wanted the balls inflated as much as possible? Probably but did he state they over-inflate on purpose to basically cheat? That is hear-say and based on someone trying to make idle chat during the game.

Also from the comment it sounds like the officials check the ball prior to the game to make sure everything is good and the Packers push right to the limit to see how much air they can get in the ball. When did the Patriots deflate the ball, during the game possibly?

I am not condoning cheating but at the same time the Patriots ARE being actively investigate while the Packers are not.

In the end I will call out the Packers just like the Patriots if they are truly cheating but at the current moment not one word from the NFL has been about the Packers and over inflating balls. I also haven't been throwing the Patriots under the bus yet with this as to my knowledge it still hasn't been proven to be true. I did poke fun at the Patriots to someone I know about the Patriots being at it again but that was not in a serious discussion.

PS - this had nothing to do with them winning the game, I think this is a bigger story for more because of all the Spy Gate stuff that was around in the past and that no one will ever know exactly what happened there.

 

[Niles Standish]

Kudos to my boys at SOSH for finding it. They tweeted it around and it's hitting the news wires now. Already at ESPN and apparently they have already mentioned it on the air as a developing news story. Pretty sad that NBC and Jim Nance didn't advance the story on their own. Gonna be great hearing them back-track.

This is priceless. Be careful when you start throwing stones people.

One team has been investigated by the league the other hasn't.... Not sure what the issue is here?

One is hear-say and the other is still being actively investigated with physical evidence...

I wasn't throwing stones at the Patriots over this but its like the person found guilty for speeding talking about their friend who said they onetime liked to go over the speed limit.

Terrible analogy. First the Patriots didn't tell the story. It was the commentator. Second the Patriots haven't been found guilty of anything yet. They might be guilty, we'll hopefully know pretty soon.

 

[msudaisy26]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

No I am saying where is the tape of Rodgers specifically stating they cheat? Did he say he wanted the balls inflated as much as possible? Probably but did he state they over-inflate on purpose to basically cheat? That is hear-say and based on someone trying to make idle chat during the game.

Also from the comment it sounds like the officials check the ball prior to the game to make sure everything is good and the Packers push right to the limit to see how much air they can get in the ball. When did the Patriots deflate the ball, during the game possibly?

I am not condoning cheating but at the same time the Patriots ARE being actively investigate while the Packers are not.

In the end I will call out the Packers just like the Patriots if they are truly cheating but at the current moment not one word from the NFL has been about the Packers and over inflating balls. I also haven't been throwing the Patriots under the bus yet with this as to my knowledge it still hasn't been proven to be true. I did poke fun at the Patriots to someone I know about the Patriots being at it again but that was not in a serious discussion.

PS - this had nothing to do with them winning the game, I think this is a bigger story for more because of all the Spy Gate stuff that was around in the past and that no one will ever know exactly what happened there.

No one even knows if they are being investigated. This could be just one reporter trying to make a story out of a common practice in the NFL. Do you know if the NFL takes a game ball from each team each week and checks it? I don't. Remember the league took at least 1 ball from each team.

 

[General Tso]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

No I am saying where is the tape of Rodgers specifically stating they cheat? Did he say he wanted the balls inflated as much as possible? Probably but did he state they over-inflate on purpose to basically cheat? That is hear-say and based on someone trying to make idle chat during the game.Also from the comment it sounds like the officials check the ball prior to the game to make sure everything is good and the Packers push right to the limit to see how much air they can get in the ball. When did the Patriots deflate the ball, during the game possibly?

I am not condoning cheating but at the same time the Patriots ARE being actively investigate while the Packers are not.

In the end I will call out the Packers just like the Patriots if they are truly cheating but at the current moment not one word from the NFL has been about the Packers and over inflating balls. I also haven't been throwing the Patriots under the bus yet with this as to my knowledge it still hasn't been proven to be true. I did poke fun at the Patriots to someone I know about the Patriots being at it again but that was not in a serious discussion.

Since when did we start allowing the "innocent until proven guilty" standard in here? As far as I'm concerned the only REAL evidence of cheating any of us have actually been exposed to is Rodgers' own admission of it. Here's what he said, according to Phil Simms on national tv:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- With all the talk about deflated footballs, an exchange on the CBS broadcast of the New England Patriots' road game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 30 seems timely to pass along.

Early in the third quarter, Jim Nantz and Phil Simms had the following discussion on the broadcast:

Nantz: We talked to [Aaron] Rodgers about 'How do you like your footballs?' Because, you know, you can rub them up before the game. [Phil], you really kind of created that for everybody else in the league.

Simms: I dont know if I did, because the quarterbacks got tired of them complaining. But he said something [that] was unique: 'I like to push the limit to how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do and see if the officials take air out of it.' Because he thinks its easier for him to grip. He likes them tight. Of course, hes got very big hands and you can tell that by watching him play.

Nantz: Youve never heard of a guy really desiring a football to be fat and overinflated before, have you?

Simms: Everybody wants it smaller and soft, so they can dig their fingers into. Hes such a feel thrower. You can tell. The one touchdown he threw down the field to the tight end is such feel; then he flicks it. That shows you he just has great control of it, with his fingers and hand.

Nantz: He said, 'God gave me big hands and a strong grip.'

Simms: You know, the officials do check those footballs and sometimes maybe even get lucky and put an extra half pound of air in there to help Aaron Rodgers out.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

At least the Packers former TE only had sex with an underage girl, and didn't kill multiple people (allegedly).

 

[Freelove]

Point is, there's no reason for any sour grapes -- and thus ironic comeuppance -- to be levied in the direction of Packer fans, who didn't give a #### about deflategate.

And there's no reason for anyone else to be pointing gotcha fingers at a GB team who's got much bigger choking fish to fry just now.

Doesn't so much seem a cautionary tale for throwing stones in glass houses, as it does typical whiny Patsy fans hoping that, "But he did it too!" is a more convincing argument now than it was during 3rd grade recess.

 

[Neofight]

Hearing Phil Simms talk about how Aaron Rodgers likes 'em tight is something I don't want to hear again.

Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if Rodgers was pranking the old gimp.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Rodgers got the announcers to tell the world that he has big hands, good advertising for a single guy.

 

[Neofight]

Rodgers got the announcers to tell the world that he has big hands, good advertising for a single guy.

Munny

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

If I could have a national T.V. audience including millions of women hear I had "big hands", I'd love it.

 

[General Tso]

Point is, there's no reason for any sour grapes -- and thus ironic comeuppance -- to be levied in the direction of Packer fans, who didn't give a #### about deflategate.

And there's no reason for anyone else to be pointing gotcha fingers at a GB team who's got much bigger choking fish to fry just now.

Doesn't so much seem a cautionary tale for throwing stones in glass houses, as it does typical whiny Patsy fans hoping that, "But he did it too!" is a more convincing argument now than it was during 3rd grade recess.

I wasn't singling out the Packers or their fans, but since you editorialized I'd like to point out that Packer fans should thank their lucky stars for deflategate. Otherwise everyone would be focused on the greatest collapse in NFL history.

That old thing about throwing stones again...

 

[Bucky86]

Who doesn't like them a little tighter?

 

[ROCKET]

I'm sure the next rules violation will be their cleats were 1/8" longer than the rule allows. You know better traction is a big advantage.. This is becoming a joke.

 

[General Tso]

Do you think Fred Wilpon is going to call for the Packers' playoff win against the Cowboys to be vacated? He was pretty adamant about it yesterday, even without any proof against the Patriots. He must be apoplectic over this.

 

[Chaz McNulty]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

What GB did is fine, what NE allegedly did is cheating.

Rodgers didn't go in and inflate the balls after the referee inspected and weighed them. Isn't NE being accuesed of tampering with the balls after the referee's inspection. If you can't see the difference...

 

[steveski]

Must have been a Seahawks ball that Bostick was trying to catch. He wasn't used to catching a ball with that little pressure.

 

[General Tso]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

What GB did is fine, what NE allegedly did is cheating.Rodgers didn't go in and inflate the balls after the referee inspected and weighed them. Isn't NE being accuesed of tampering with the balls after the referee's inspection. If you can't see the difference...

We don't know that at all. Rodgers didn't specify when exactly they would tamper with the balls. Could be before the referee inspection or it could be on the sidelines. I'm sure the NFL's investigation will get to the bottom of it.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

What GB did is fine, what NE allegedly did is cheating.Rodgers didn't go in and inflate the balls after the referee inspected and weighed them. Isn't NE being accuesed of tampering with the balls after the referee's inspection. If you can't see the difference...

We don't know that at all. Rodgers didn't specify when exactly they would tamper with the balls. Could be before the referee inspection or it could be on the sidelines. I'm sure the NFL's investigation will get to the bottom of it.

So Aaron Rodgers is a cheater? I think I see the future:

http://www.fantasyfootballoverdose.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Aaron-Rodgers-Patriots.jpg

 

[Chaz McNulty]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

What GB did is fine, what NE allegedly did is cheating.Rodgers didn't go in and inflate the balls after the referee inspected and weighed them. Isn't NE being accuesed of tampering with the balls after the referee's inspection. If you can't see the difference...

We don't know that at all. Rodgers didn't specify when exactly they would tamper with the balls. Could be before the referee inspection or it could be on the sidelines. I'm sure the NFL's investigation will get to the bottom of it.

From what he said it sounds pre-inspection to me. From what I gather from the procedure, they would only weigh them and take air out of them on the initial inspection.

Rodgers - "I like to push the limit to how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do and see if the officials take air out of it."

I honestly think that if NE was tampering with the balls post-inspection and the league can prove this, that they should nail them to the wall. It is so underhanded. I realize you might only get a negligible advantage, but it's really greasy in my books.

 

[General Tso]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

What GB did is fine, what NE allegedly did is cheating.Rodgers didn't go in and inflate the balls after the referee inspected and weighed them. Isn't NE being accuesed of tampering with the balls after the referee's inspection. If you can't see the difference...

We don't know that at all. Rodgers didn't specify when exactly they would tamper with the balls. Could be before the referee inspection or it could be on the sidelines. I'm sure the NFL's investigation will get to the bottom of it.

From what he said it sounds pre-inspection to me. From what I gather from the procedure, they would only weigh them and take air out of them on the initial inspection.

Rodgers - "I like to push the limit to how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do and see if the officials take air out of it."

I honestly think that if NE was tampering with the balls post-inspection and the league can prove this, that they should nail them to the wall. It is so underhanded. I realize you might only get a negligible advantage, but it's really greasy in my books.

I find it interesting that your accusation against the Patriots is that they tampered with balls post inspection. I thought the accusation from the Colts was that they were using under-inflated balls.Also, curious why you wouldn't call it cheating if Rodgers and the Packers over-inflated the balls pre-inspection. They clearly know what the pressure thresholds are beforehand.

 

[BroadwayG]

I believe the referee is responsible for verification of football integrity, not the quarterback.

Now if they had a bicycle pump on the sideline to tamper with the referee approved balls, that would be a no no

 

[Chaz McNulty]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

What GB did is fine, what NE allegedly did is cheating.Rodgers didn't go in and inflate the balls after the referee inspected and weighed them. Isn't NE being accuesed of tampering with the balls after the referee's inspection. If you can't see the difference...

We don't know that at all. Rodgers didn't specify when exactly they would tamper with the balls. Could be before the referee inspection or it could be on the sidelines. I'm sure the NFL's investigation will get to the bottom of it.

From what he said it sounds pre-inspection to me. From what I gather from the procedure, they would only weigh them and take air out of them on the initial inspection.

Rodgers - "I like to push the limit to how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do and see if the officials take air out of it."

I honestly think that if NE was tampering with the balls post-inspection and the league can prove this, that they should nail them to the wall. It is so underhanded. I realize you might only get a negligible advantage, but it's really greasy in my books.

I find it interesting that your accusation against the Patriots is that they tampered with balls post inspection. I thought the accusation from the Colts was that they were using under-inflated balls.Also, curious why you wouldn't call it cheating if Rodgers and the Packers over-inflated the balls pre-inspection. They clearly know what the pressure thresholds are beforehand.

One is pushing the envelope. One is outright cheating.

 

[TDorBust]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

What GB did is fine, what NE allegedly did is cheating.Rodgers didn't go in and inflate the balls after the referee inspected and weighed them. Isn't NE being accuesed of tampering with the balls after the referee's inspection. If you can't see the difference...

We don't know that at all. Rodgers didn't specify when exactly they would tamper with the balls. Could be before the referee inspection or it could be on the sidelines. I'm sure the NFL's investigation will get to the bottom of it.

From what he said it sounds pre-inspection to me. From what I gather from the procedure, they would only weigh them and take air out of them on the initial inspection.

Rodgers - "I like to push the limit to how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do and see if the officials take air out of it."

I honestly think that if NE was tampering with the balls post-inspection and the league can prove this, that they should nail them to the wall. It is so underhanded. I realize you might only get a negligible advantage, but it's really greasy in my books.

I find it interesting that your accusation against the Patriots is that they tampered with balls post inspection. I thought the accusation from the Colts was that they were using under-inflated balls.Also, curious why you wouldn't call it cheating if Rodgers and the Packers over-inflated the balls pre-inspection. They clearly know what the pressure thresholds are beforehand.

BECAUSE THERE IS AN INSPECTION!

Do you not understand what that means? That means they look to inflate the balls as much as possible (and possibly are fine with them being a touch over inflated) as the Referees will look at the balls and weight them to verify its within the league mandates.

Someone brought up the Phil Simms comments about over inflating balls. Last time I checked there was not a bike pump on the sidelines where you could pump the ball up but you sure as hell could easily deflate the ball on the sideline if you were so inclined.

Again I have no clue what the patriots did but to try to throw the Packers under the bus for something the Patriots potentially did is crazy. Again you don't have anything directly from Rodgers and your expecting Phil Simms to interpret what Rodgers said and then make something interesting out of it with keeping to the general concept of what Rodgers said.

Could it be possible that Rodgers also clarified they look to inflate as much as possible and push the envelope because if the balls are over inflated the referees will catch it if its too much? Where as the argument I think with the Patriots is that they knowingly deflated the ball after inspection because if its before hand then that's the referee issue not the Patriots. (also assume the NFL wouldn't fine them or anything if the ball deflation happened prior to inspection)

 

[msudaisy26]

Anyone else read the above post and have the highest pitched Erkel voice you could think of?

But there is an INSPECTION GUYS, DO YOU NOT KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS? AN INSPECTION.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Rodgers admitted properly producing the balls for official inspection. That is following the rules. Precisely what the allegations are against the Patriots I do not currently understand since the rules do have safeguards in place to assure the refs certify the integrity of the balls. The team's initial inflation level when the balls are submitted is not an issue. This is only an issue if the balls, then properly in league and officials hands, are somehow tampered with after production. I have yet to hear a cogent explanation for how that might have happened. I have yet to hear allegations with enough specificity to make an issue here. Maybe someone who is not a troll could get back to us with the theory of how the Patriots got the certified balls to then be under-inflated?

BTW, if the Patriots were somehow able to tamper with the certified balls the penalty should be harsh, but until there is some evidence that they did so absent one kind of soft ball found during the game this matter is ridiculous, in my estimation.

As for the league, well even allowing the story of an inquiry to get out is highly irresponsible, unless they have very substantial evidence. Reputations are at stake, and reputations suffer even from allegations. reputations are nearly impossible to repair when allegations prove unsubstantiated, so they should tread with great caution. I am unclear that has been done in this matter.

 

[Insein]

He's got Big Balls

 

[Bigboy10182000]

If this was Brady saying this the thread would be at least 7 pages long already.

 

[Joe Summer]

He just wanted to pump -- clap -- them up.

 

[FUBAR]

so the Patriots allegedly deflate balls to get an unfair advantage; while the Packers might over-inflate? Is there a benefit of doing so?

Admittedly, I did wonder if the ball was over-inflated on Bostick's botched return.

 

[msudaisy26]

so the Patriots allegedly deflate balls to get an unfair advantage; while the Packers might over-inflate? Is there a benefit of doing so?

Admittedly, I did wonder if the ball was over-inflated on Bostick's botched return.

I believe a kicking ball is different than a game ball. How it is different I have no idea.

 

[Anarchy99]

BTW, if the Patriots were somehow able to tamper with the certified balls the penalty should be harsh, but until there is some evidence that they did so absent one kind of soft ball found during the game this matter is ridiculous, in my estimation.

They mentioned on ESPN that the penalty for over or under inflating footballs was a $25,000 fine as outlined in the NFL operations manual.

 

[grateful zed]

i can see this costing draft pick(s).

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

so the Patriots allegedly deflate balls to get an unfair advantage; while the Packers might over-inflate? Is there a benefit of doing so?

Admittedly, I did wonder if the ball was over-inflated on Bostick's botched return.

I believe a kicking ball is different than a game ball. How it is different I have no idea.

I'm assuming it's the same ball, but it just hasn't been all rubbed up like the throwing balls

 

[MattFancy]

so the Patriots allegedly deflate balls to get an unfair advantage; while the Packers might over-inflate? Is there a benefit of doing so?

Admittedly, I did wonder if the ball was over-inflated on Bostick's botched return.

So who should we be mad at?

 

[Insein]

Re-lax

 

[LAUNCH]

I don't get why either is a big deal. I always thought it was stupid they couldn't do anything with balls before the Superbowl. This is a quarterback driven league and as long as they use the regulation ball they should be encouraged to prepare the ball how they want it.

 

[Road Warriors]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

What GB did is fine, what NE allegedly did is cheating.

Rodgers didn't go in and inflate the balls after the referee inspected and weighed them. Isn't NE being accuesed of tampering with the balls after the referee's inspection. If you can't see the difference...

Although that is the inference from the way the "story" has been presented, I haven't seen anything indicating that the Patriots tampered with the footballs post-inspection.

As far as I can tell from the very little information out there, the intercepted ball "felt a little soft" to the Colts LB, who told the coach, who told the GM who called the league.

Suppose, the Pats provided balls with the lowest limit 12.5 psi at room temp, and the psi dropped a bit when brought out in the colder temps. Nothing illegal here at all.

Or, it's the Patriots, and any accusation must be true, or if not true, then they're probably doing something else, or...

 

[MattFancy]

I don't get why either is a big deal. I always thought it was stupid they couldn't do anything with balls before the Superbowl. This is a quarterback driven league and as long as they use the regulation ball they should be encouraged to prepare the ball how they want it.

Agreed. And if the NFL really wanted to stop this, they easily could by ensuring both teams used the same ball the whole game.

 

[FUBAR]

Re-lax

http://maikwiedenbach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/frankie-say-relax.jpg

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

BTW, if the Patriots were somehow able to tamper with the certified balls the penalty should be harsh, but until there is some evidence that they did so absent one kind of soft ball found during the game this matter is ridiculous, in my estimation.

They mentioned on ESPN that the penalty for over or under inflating footballs was a $25,000 fine as outlined in the NFL operations manual.

Total, or per ball? Also, is that upon submittal of the balls to the refs to encourage cooperation on the rule, or sometime after? I guess I want to know if that stated penalty is for negligent or intentional submission of the balls for inspection, or whether it covers post-inspection tampering.

 

[parrot]

So let me get this straight - it's ok to cheat and break the rules, and admit to it, as long as you're not being investigated? Is that how it works?

Just wondering, does this mean Rodgers needs an asterisk on his MVP Award? Should he even get the award? What about draft picks being lost for the Packers? Wins being vacated?

What GB did is fine, what NE allegedly did is cheating.

Rodgers didn't go in and inflate the balls after the referee inspected and weighed them. Isn't NE being accuesed of tampering with the balls after the referee's inspection. If you can't see the difference...

Although that is the inference from the way the "story" has been presented, I haven't seen anything indicating that the Patriots tampered with the footballs post-inspection.

As far as I can tell from the very little information out there, the intercepted ball "felt a little soft" to the Colts LB, who told the coach, who told the GM who called the league.

Suppose, the Pats provided balls with the lowest limit 12.5 psi at room temp, and the psi dropped a bit when brought out in the colder temps. Nothing illegal here at all.

Or, it's the Patriots, and any accusation must be true, or if not true, then they're probably doing something else, or...

Also, wouldn't the leather getting saturated allow it to expand marginally, and potentially affect the internal pressure, right along with the temperature?

It's interesting that a linebacker with 8 interceptions in a 9 year career was better able to tell the pressure in a ball better than a playoffs officiating crew, who have the job of inspecting the balls prior to the game. Someone with a suspicious bent might think that maybe this accusation was premeditated by the Colts if they got their hands on a ball.