Patriots being investigated after Colts game (4 Viewers)

[Baloney Sandwich]

Seems like a pretty big leap to assume the Tom those two mention in the texts is Brady.

 

[yellowdog]

CHEATERS!!!!

 

[massraider]

Seems like a pretty big leap to assume the Tom those two mention in the texts is Brady.

Tom is code for Atmospheric Conditions

 

[moleculo]

As part of the investigation, scientific consultants were engaged to assist the

investigative team. These consultants included Exponent, one of the leading scientific and

engineering consulting firms in the country, and Dr. Daniel R. Marlow, the Evans Crawford

1911 Professor of Physics at Princeton University and former Chairman of the Princeton

University Physics Department, who served as a special scientific consultant, coordinated with

Exponent on its testing and analytical work, and advised the investigative team.

Among the issues discussed with our expert consultants was the magnitude of the

reduction in air pressure of the Patriots footballs and the apparent greater drop in air pressure of

the Patriots balls as compared to the Colts balls when tested at halftime. All of the game balls

tested at halftime measured at lower pressure levels as compared to the pressure levels measured

prior to the game. Our consultants confirmed that a reduction in air pressure is a natural result of

footballs moving from a relatively warm environment such as a locker room to a colder

environment such as a playing field. According to our scientific consultants, however, the

reduction in pressure of the Patriots game balls cannot be explained completely by basic

scientific principles, such as the Ideal Gas Law, based on the circumstances and conditions likely

to have been present on the day of the AFC Championship Game.

In addition, the average pressure drop of the Patriots game balls exceeded the average pressure drop of the Colts balls by

0.45 to 1.02 psi, depending on various possible assumptions regarding the gauges used, and

assuming an initial pressure of 12.5 psi for the Patriots balls and 13.0 psi for the Colts balls.

We asked Exponent to evaluate, among other things, the data collected at halftime

and consider whether the data provided a basis to reach any conclusions about the likelihood that

Patriots personnel had or had not tampered with the game balls. In particular, we asked

Exponent to consider the reliability of the gauges used by the game officials, the potential impact

of game-day use and other physical factors that might reasonably be expected to affect the

internal air pressure of footballs, and the potential impact of environmental factors that were

present on the day of the AFC Championship Game.

As part of its evaluation and assessment

Exponent: (1) conducted a thorough statistical analysis of the data recorded at halftime of the

AFC Championship Game; (2) conducted a comprehensive examination, both physical and

statistical, of the gauges used to measure the air pressure of the footballs pre-game and at

halftime and (3) evaluated the effects that various usage, physical and environmental factors

present on game day would have had on the measured pressure of a football.

According to Exponent, regardless of the assumptions made with respect to the

gauges used pre-game and at halftime, the measurements recorded for the Patriots game balls at

halftime cannot be entirely explained by the Ideal Gas Law (or variations thereof) when applied

to the most likely game conditions and circumstances. Exponent also concluded that the

difference in the magnitude of the reduction in air pressure between the Patriots and Colts

footballs based on the halftime measurements is statistically significant. Dr. Marlow agreed with

Exponent‟s conclusions.

In addition, Exponent found that the gauges used on the day of the AFC

Championship Game appear to have worked reliably and consistently. Exponent further

concluded that the difference in the pressure drops between the teams was not caused by a

malfunction of either gauge or by “human factors” (i.e., variability caused by the particular

individual who used the gauge). Based on extensive testing, Exponent determined that the

gauges would have read consistently and with good repeatability when used in the range of

temperatures to which they were exposed in the Officials Locker Room and when used to

measure a range of pressures that includes those measured on game day.

Based on tests designed to evaluate the impact of a variety of physical factors on

the air pressure of footballs, Exponent ruled out as factors that impacted the pressure levels

measured at halftime variations in the way a football is used (i.e., the amount of impact a football

has sustained) and differences in ball preparation—including the vigorous rubbing described by

Coach Belichick during his January 24, 2015 press conference. Among other things, Exponent

also ruled out as factors that impact air pressure levels the repeated insertion of an inflation

needle or gauge, the natural leak rate of properly functioning footballs and the relative humidity

of the air in the rooms in which the footballs were inflated. None of the physical factors tested

by Exponent, at the levels applicable on the day of the AFC Championship Game, were found to

contribute in any material way to changes in the internal pressure of footballs or to the difference

in the observed pressure drops between the Patriots and Colts balls when measured at halftime.

Exponent also conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the impact of

environmental conditions on the air pressure of footballs. Among other things, these

experiments attempted to replicate the likely conditions and circumstances on game day and the

results recorded by the game officials at halftime. In these experiments, the Colts footballs and

the Colts halftime measurements were used as a “control” group because there was no plausible

basis on which to believe there had been tampering with the Colts balls. According to Exponent,

the environmental conditions with the most significant impact on the pressure measurements

recorded at halftime were the temperature in the Officials Locker Room when the game balls

were tested prior to the game and at halftime, the temperature on the field during the first half of

the game, the amount of time elapsed between when the game balls were brought back to the

Officials Locker Room at halftime and when they were tested, and whether the game balls were

wet or dry when they were tested at halftime. Based on these experiments, Exponent concluded

that the average pressures recorded for the Patriots game balls during halftime of the AFC

Championship Game were lower than the lowest average pressures attained by the simulations.

In other words, when tests were run using the most likely game-day conditions and

circumstances, the Patriots halftime measurements could not be replicated, and the pressures

observed for the Patriots footballs by Exponent during its experiments were all higher.

Finally, Exponent was asked to investigate how quickly an individual can

partially deflate thirteen footballs in a ball bag using a sports ball inflation needle, if that

individual is reasonably experienced in performing that task. Based on a series of simulations,

Exponent determined that the air pressure in thirteen footballs could be readily released using a

needle in well under one minute and forty seconds.

Our scientific consultants informed us that the data alone did not provide a basis

for them to determine with absolute certainty whether there was or was not tampering, as the

analysis of such data is ultimately dependent upon assumptions and information that is uncertain.

Based on the testing and analysis, however, Exponent concluded that, within the range of likely

game conditions and circumstances studied, they could identify no set of credible environmental

or physical factors that completely accounts for the Patriots halftime measurements or for the

additional loss in air pressure exhibited by the Patriots game balls, as compared to the loss in air

pressure exhibited by the Colts game balls. Dr. Marlow agreed with this and all of Exponent‟s

conclusions. This absence of a credible scientific explanation for the Patriots halftime

measurements tends to support a finding that human intervention may account for the additional

loss of pressure exhibited by the Patriots balls.

 

[Tango]

Pg 132, they found no evidence to support claims that the K-Balls were ever tampered with. So the Ravens thing was bull####.

I think its odd that they believe the K-Balls were not tampered with, which essentially allows for the only contributor to the feel of the K-Balls for the games in question to be the weather. But completely discredit the atmospheric conditions for the game balls.

Ok, but "tampering" doesnt seem to be the issue there, p.45:

The message from Sullivan also included an express request that the Colts be permitted during the AFC
Championship Game to use kicking balls that Sullivan would break in. The email referenced as the basis for the
request information said to come from the Baltimore Ravens that Ravens players had not been provided with
Ravens-prepared kicking balls during the divisional playoff game. As discussed in Section IX, it was ultimately
agreed that the Patriots would use kicking balls prepared by Jastremski and the Colts would use kicking balls
prepared by Sullivan.

Teams don't prepare kicking balls, the officials do.

The Ravens claim was that the K-Balls were soft, and thus didn't travel as far.

This is the report. I'm not sure how we could just disregard it and replace it with our own term ("soft"); perhaps there is a source of the Ravens using that term? I cant find one.

The Ravens complaint is summarized above, quoted from the report and it's not about tampering.

 

[SacramentoBob]

As part of the investigation, scientific consultants were engaged to assist the

investigative team. These consultants included Exponent, one of the leading scientific and

engineering consulting firms in the country, and Dr. Daniel R. Marlow, the Evans Crawford

1911 Professor of Physics at Princeton University and former Chairman of the Princeton

University Physics Department, who served as a special scientific consultant, coordinated with

Exponent on its testing and analytical work, and advised the investigative team.

Among the issues discussed with our expert consultants was the magnitude of the

reduction in air pressure of the Patriots footballs and the apparent greater drop in air pressure of

the Patriots balls as compared to the Colts balls when tested at halftime. All of the game balls

tested at halftime measured at lower pressure levels as compared to the pressure levels measured

prior to the game. Our consultants confirmed that a reduction in air pressure is a natural result of

footballs moving from a relatively warm environment such as a locker room to a colder

environment such as a playing field. According to our scientific consultants, however, the

reduction in pressure of the Patriots game balls cannot be explained completely by basic

scientific principles, such as the Ideal Gas Law, based on the circumstances and conditions likely

to have been present on the day of the AFC Championship Game.

In addition, the average pressure drop of the Patriots game balls exceeded the average pressure drop of the Colts balls by

0.45 to 1.02 psi, depending on various possible assumptions regarding the gauges used, and

assuming an initial pressure of 12.5 psi for the Patriots balls and 13.0 psi for the Colts balls.

We asked Exponent to evaluate, among other things, the data collected at halftime

and consider whether the data provided a basis to reach any conclusions about the likelihood that

Patriots personnel had or had not tampered with the game balls. In particular, we asked

Exponent to consider the reliability of the gauges used by the game officials, the potential impact

of game-day use and other physical factors that might reasonably be expected to affect the

internal air pressure of footballs, and the potential impact of environmental factors that were

present on the day of the AFC Championship Game.

As part of its evaluation and assessment

Exponent: (1) conducted a thorough statistical analysis of the data recorded at halftime of the

AFC Championship Game; (2) conducted a comprehensive examination, both physical and

statistical, of the gauges used to measure the air pressure of the footballs pre-game and at

halftime and (3) evaluated the effects that various usage, physical and environmental factors

present on game day would have had on the measured pressure of a football.

According to Exponent, regardless of the assumptions made with respect to the

gauges used pre-game and at halftime, the measurements recorded for the Patriots game balls at

halftime cannot be entirely explained by the Ideal Gas Law (or variations thereof) when applied

to the most likely game conditions and circumstances. Exponent also concluded that the

difference in the magnitude of the reduction in air pressure between the Patriots and Colts

footballs based on the halftime measurements is statistically significant. Dr. Marlow agreed with

Exponent‟s conclusions.

In addition, Exponent found that the gauges used on the day of the AFC

Championship Game appear to have worked reliably and consistently. Exponent further

concluded that the difference in the pressure drops between the teams was not caused by a

malfunction of either gauge or by “human factors” (i.e., variability caused by the particular

individual who used the gauge). Based on extensive testing, Exponent determined that the

gauges would have read consistently and with good repeatability when used in the range of

temperatures to which they were exposed in the Officials Locker Room and when used to

measure a range of pressures that includes those measured on game day.

Based on tests designed to evaluate the impact of a variety of physical factors on

the air pressure of footballs, Exponent ruled out as factors that impacted the pressure levels

measured at halftime variations in the way a football is used (i.e., the amount of impact a football

has sustained) and differences in ball preparation—including the vigorous rubbing described by

Coach Belichick during his January 24, 2015 press conference. Among other things, Exponent

also ruled out as factors that impact air pressure levels the repeated insertion of an inflation

needle or gauge, the natural leak rate of properly functioning footballs and the relative humidity

of the air in the rooms in which the footballs were inflated. None of the physical factors tested

by Exponent, at the levels applicable on the day of the AFC Championship Game, were found to

contribute in any material way to changes in the internal pressure of footballs or to the difference

in the observed pressure drops between the Patriots and Colts balls when measured at halftime.

Exponent also conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the impact of

environmental conditions on the air pressure of footballs. Among other things, these

experiments attempted to replicate the likely conditions and circumstances on game day and the

results recorded by the game officials at halftime. In these experiments, the Colts footballs and

the Colts halftime measurements were used as a “control” group because there was no plausible

basis on which to believe there had been tampering with the Colts balls. According to Exponent,

the environmental conditions with the most significant impact on the pressure measurements

recorded at halftime were the temperature in the Officials Locker Room when the game balls

were tested prior to the game and at halftime, the temperature on the field during the first half of

the game, the amount of time elapsed between when the game balls were brought back to the

Officials Locker Room at halftime and when they were tested, and whether the game balls were

wet or dry when they were tested at halftime. Based on these experiments, Exponent concluded

that the average pressures recorded for the Patriots game balls during halftime of the AFC

Championship Game were lower than the lowest average pressures attained by the simulations.

In other words, when tests were run using the most likely game-day conditions and

circumstances, the Patriots halftime measurements could not be replicated, and the pressures

observed for the Patriots footballs by Exponent during its experiments were all higher.

Finally, Exponent was asked to investigate how quickly an individual can

partially deflate thirteen footballs in a ball bag using a sports ball inflation needle, if that

individual is reasonably experienced in performing that task. Based on a series of simulations,

Exponent determined that the air pressure in thirteen footballs could be readily released using a

needle in well under one minute and forty seconds.

Our scientific consultants informed us that the data alone did not provide a basis

for them to determine with absolute certainty whether there was or was not tampering, as the

analysis of such data is ultimately dependent upon assumptions and information that is uncertain.

Based on the testing and analysis, however, Exponent concluded that, within the range of likely

game conditions and circumstances studied, they could identify no set of credible environmental

or physical factors that completely accounts for the Patriots halftime measurements or for the

additional loss in air pressure exhibited by the Patriots game balls, as compared to the loss in air

pressure exhibited by the Colts game balls. Dr. Marlow agreed with this and all of Exponent‟s

conclusions. This absence of a credible scientific explanation for the Patriots halftime

measurements tends to support a finding that human intervention may account for the additional

loss of pressure exhibited by the Patriots balls.

Fake science, just like global warming and gravity.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

CHEATERS!!!!

4-Time Super Bowl Champion Cheaters

 

[johnnycakes]

My Link.

 

[The General]

Oh man. Do not have time to read because of work. Will later for sure. Can't tell if the little I read is schtick or not but if it was what a ####### liar Brady is.

 

[johnnycakes]

Oh man. Do not have time to read because of work. Will later for sure. Can't tell if the little I read is schtick or not but if it was what a ####### liar Brady is.

Team player, General... Team player.

 

[shader]

Oh man. Do not have time to read because of work. Will later for sure. Can't tell if the little I read is schtick or not but if it was what a ####### liar Brady is.

who cares seriously. I'm shutting off twitter for a week if this boring story gets any traction. Seriously can't imagine a more worthless way to spend a week. They spent four months analyzing this, and all they say is "he probably knew about it". Great job NFL.

Thus why Roger Goodell gets booed everytime he steps in front of a podium.

 

[Run It Up]

Oh man. Do not have time to read because of work. Will later for sure. Can't tell if the little I read is schtick or not but if it was what a ####### liar Brady is.

You're gonna be disappointed if you're expecting any dialogue from Brady.

 

[Steelers4Life]

Oh man. Do not have time to read because of work. Will later for sure. Can't tell if the little I read is schtick or not but if it was what a ####### liar Brady is.

It's not schtick....

Brady comes off REALLY bad and the two guys don't seem to like him very much at all. The text messages are hilarious.

Someone else referenced the part where Brady lied to the public about the 50,000 yard ball that's on display - he actually gave the real ball to the "Deflator"

 

[moleculo]

crap - Dr Marlow is from Princeton, which is in New Jersey. Therefore, he is a Jets fan and must be discredited.

Exponent Consulting has offices in NYC as well. They must also be on the take.

I bet they all got together with this Kensil fella and concocted this witch-hunt.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

tl;dr:

****

 

[Green and Gold]

Yep, Brady not looking to good here. He likely deserves a suspension.

 

[Steelers4Life]

Oh man. Do not have time to read because of work. Will later for sure. Can't tell if the little I read is schtick or not but if it was what a ####### liar Brady is.

who cares seriously. I'm shutting off twitter for a week if this boring story gets any traction. Seriously can't imagine a more worthless way to spend a week. They spent four months analyzing this, and all they say is "he probably knew about it". Great job NFL.

Thus why Roger Goodell gets booed everytime he steps in front of a podium.

If you read the texts and the evidence they describe in the report, which I'd assume you haven't, Tom Brady "probably" did it just like Aaron Hernandez "probably" killed Odin Lloyd.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Here's hoping Tom is suspended for the opening game next season

 

[Anarchy99]

So if they suspend Brady, will they suspend Rodgers? He admitted to intentionally over inflating footballs.

 

[johnnycakes]

Here's hoping Tom is suspended for the opening game next season

I hope they fine him $1 million. That'll teach him

 

[shader]

Oh man. Do not have time to read because of work. Will later for sure. Can't tell if the little I read is schtick or not but if it was what a ####### liar Brady is.

who cares seriously. I'm shutting off twitter for a week if this boring story gets any traction. Seriously can't imagine a more worthless way to spend a week. They spent four months analyzing this, and all they say is "he probably knew about it". Great job NFL.

Thus why Roger Goodell gets booed everytime he steps in front of a podium.

If you read the texts and the evidence they describe in the report, which I'd assume you haven't, Tom Brady "probably" did it just like Aaron Hernandez "probably" killed Odin Lloyd.

All I see is a bunch of whining about Brady and threats to pump his balls up really thick. Sounds like he was very anal about his footballs. So what? I've seen videos of Eli manning and others going through tremendous routines to get the balls perfect.

 

[Run It Up]

So if they suspend Brady, will they suspend Rodgers? He admitted to intentionally over inflating footballs.

No they also won't fine the Vikings or Bengals for heating balls in full view of cameras on live television.

 

[KellysHeroes]

can we file a class action suit?

 

[Run It Up]

In sum, the data did not provide a basis for us to determine with absolute certainty whether there was or was not tampering as the analysis of such data ultimately is dependent upon assumptions and information that is not certain. However, based on all of the information provided to us, particularly regarding the timing and sequencing of the measurements conducted by the game officials at halftime, and on our testing and analyses, we conclude that within the range of game characteristics most likely to have occurred on Game Day, we have identified no set of credible environmental or physical factors that completely accounts for the additional loss in air pressure exhibited by the Patriots game balls as compared to the loss in air pressure exhibited by the Colts game balls measured during halftime of the AFC Championship Game.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Here's hoping Tom is suspended for the opening game next season

Actually the Patriots should be forced to forfeit that game.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

So if they suspend Brady, will they suspend Rodgers? He admitted to intentionally over inflating footballs.

And then properly presenting them to game officials for testing and adjustment, and then not being involved in post official's inspection tampering so not at all the same thing, just a sad attempt to deflect attention from a true cheat.

 

[werdnoynek]

Poor Brady.

 

[Bucky86]

What happens to everyone betting on Pats games last season? Could there be a lawsuit?

 

[randall146]

I'm 71 pages in. Looks pretty bad

 

[Tango]

Yep, Brady not looking to good here. He likely deserves a suspension.

and in my view...as usual... it's more about the cover-up than the crime.

During the Costas interview he was honest, did not deny anything and appeared guilty...but at least didnt lie. After that interview everything changed and he started denying-denying-denying. That's the most serious crime here IMHO.

 

[Run It Up]

I don't think the League is gonna give an apology to Robert Kraft.

 

[massraider]

So if they suspend Brady, will they suspend Rodgers? He admitted to intentionally over inflating footballs.

No they also won't fine the Vikings or Bengals for heating balls in full view of cameras on live television.

Is there an investigation into those teams?

 

[netnalp]

Will it keep him out of the HoF?

 

[rick6668]

I'm 71 pages in. Looks pretty bad

Just wait til 74-82

 

[Joe Summer]

So if they suspend Brady, will they suspend Rodgers? He admitted to intentionally over inflating footballs.

Sure, as soon as the NFL comes up with a Packers game ball that was overinflated.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

No other team has been punished because, as far as we know, no other team has screwed with the balls after the refs had approved them.

And for damn sure no other team has done it systematically enough or often enough that other teams caught on to the point that they warned the refs before the game even started about balls being deflated during a game in which the balls were in fact deflated.

HTH

 

[netnalp]

NFL needs to do spoiler alert for those reading the report

 

[squistion]

Looks like all those salty haters were wrong.

 

[Shutout]

Let's see-Patriots open up against the Steelers to kickoff the NFL season and Bell and Blount are already suspended.

Yeah..NO WAY BRADY GETS SUSPENDED.

 

[Run It Up]

So since everyone who isn't a Patriots fan has already decided years ago, compared to other recent forms of cheating what kind of punishment should they expect?

Falcons lose a 2016 5th rounder, $350k for pumping crowd noise in
Browns fined $250k, GM Ray Farmer suspended 4 games

Jets fined $100k for tampering with Darrelle Revis

Patriots equipment managers, probably did something against the rules, ???

Tom Brady might have had general knowledge of those possible things, ???

 

[Anarchy99]

I don't have time to read the report now. Is there anything that specifically indicates the Pats deflated football post pre game inspection? For example, Brady could have said he likes footballs on the under inflated side and they gave footballs to the refs that were under inflated for pregame inspection. Other than suggesting they could have done something afterwards, does the report state what was done, where, when, and by whom? It sounds like they are saying they don't know what they did but they probably did something.

 

[Run It Up]

No other team has been punished because, as far as we know, no other team has screwed with the balls after the refs had approved them.

And for damn sure no other team has done it systematically enough or often enough that other teams caught on to the point that they warned the refs before the game even started about balls being deflated during a game in which the balls were in fact deflated.

HTH

Except the Vikings and Bengals, two of the three cases we mentioned...

 

[massraider]

Those text messages are awesome.

And all the proof anyone needs.

 

[Tango]

So since everyone who isn't a Patriots fan has already decided years ago, compared to other recent forms of cheating what kind of punishment should they expect?

Falcons lose a 2016 5th rounder, $350k for pumping crowd noise in

Browns fined $250k, GM Ray Farmer suspended 4 games

Jets fined $100k for tampering with Darrelle Revis

Patriots equipment managers, probably did something against the rules, ???

Tom Brady might have had general knowledge of those possible things, ???

Throw the Saints in this mix too....

 

[GroveDiesel]

The Patriots should absolutely have an asterisk on the title this year, and Brady should be suspended.

I doubt the NFL has the ball to do either.

 

[dickey moe]

Here's hoping Tom is suspended for the opening game next season

No sex from Jizzell for one month.

 

[SacramentoBob]

So basically the Pats homers are hanging on the fact that there's not enough evidence to get a criminal conviction (which is irrelevant) but the evidence clearly shows that they did it, knew about it and lied.

 

[Bucky86]

The Patriots should absolutely have an asterisk on the title this year, and Brady should be suspended.

I doubt the NFL has the ball to do either.

The multi-millionaire will get fined 100k.

 

[Tango]

So since everyone who isn't a Patriots fan has already decided years ago, compared to other recent forms of cheating what kind of punishment should they expect?

Falcons lose a 2016 5th rounder, $350k for pumping crowd noise in

Browns fined $250k, GM Ray Farmer suspended 4 games

Jets fined $100k for tampering with Darrelle Revis

Patriots equipment managers, probably did something against the rules, ???

Tom Brady might have had general knowledge of those possible things, ???

Throw the Saints in this mix too....

With the Saints we had no confession from Payton, but was not only accused of being a rule-breaker, but was told that it was more important that he lied about it/covered it up....just like Brady.

So a year suspension? Hope not. That would be too severe for this cover up.

 

[Pots]

The NFL gains nothing from coming down hard on the Patriots. A 'Black Socks-esque' scandal and punishment would be as big a black eye on the Shield as it would the Patriots. The NFL gains everything from sweeping this under the rug and hoping the media forgets about it (which it likely will). The only way it would backfire is if the media pressed the issue throughout the off season, because the media determines what large portions of the demographic should care about, and thus, what the NFL should care about to maintain their profits.