Patriots being investigated after Colts game (7 Viewers)

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Would be super interesting if the fumble rate reverted back to something normal now that they aren't playing with deflated footballs anymore. What would it be worth to cut your fumble rate in half for eight years?

 

[[icon]]

The NFL needs to go after the ball boy. That is where the truth lies. Goodell isn't going to just accept what Hoodie and Brady says in a news conference. Nothing changes the fact that 11 of 12 footballs were deflated. The NFL has to get to the bottom of why that happened. Question the ball boy and get the truth.

SERIOUS BUSINESS! WE GUANTANAMO BOUND YA'LL!

Nope, just a couple of draft picks, reduction in salary cap $$$, and perhaps a suspension or two will suffice.

Prepare to be sorely disappointed.

 

[Touchdown Syndrome]

Brady getting eviscerated by every analyst on ESPN.

This will be a cloud over what should be a great Super Bowl. Another headache for Goodell.

 

[TheAristocrat]

Nothing Brady or Belicheck could have said would have calmed this "issue." I love that the pundits are all getting up on their high horses and riding. Its cute.

On to Seattle.

 

[Bad_Mo]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm pretty sure the equipment manager wouldn't do something as stupid as affect the pressure in the balls unless Tom Brady authorizes. I know I wouldn't. That would be an ignorant thing to do.

Yeah, but you are not an equipment guy, right?

It is plausible that the equipment guys know what he likes...and they have done this routinely without him asking or BB being involved.

 

[Deamon]

So Brady spends all this time making sure the footballs are perfect and doesn't notice that they're underinflated during the game? Does anyone actually believe this?

In fairness, when 260 pound lb's are coming at you, I doubt you stop to think about what the weight of the football is.

I've played a lot of basketball in my life. Many times we will choose a ball. Once the ball is chosen, how much do I really think about that ball during the game? None. Maybe when I'm shooting around or warming up, but once the game starts, all that is out the window.

Exactly. Often we'd go through a lot of game balls to find which one we thought bounced the best, felt the best, etc. But once the game is on, not ONCE do you think about the specs of the ball.

 

[cstu]

Brunell: "Wow. This is a huge advantage because of the grip. In cold, wet conditions it's an advantage, for receivers too. I could throw this ball 10 yard further. "

Louis Riddick's comments make me wonder what the PSI on the ball for the Giants was when Beckham made his amazing catch.

 

[shader]

So basically:

11 balls were apparently 2 lb's under-inflated at halftime, according to Chris Mortensen.

Belicheck knew nothing of it.

Brady knew nothing of it

The NFL has supposedly found no proof of anyone tampering with the balls

The NFL supposedly checked the ball before the game according to normal procedures

The NFL has not contacted Tom Brady

Sounds like another great job by the NFL in handling a potential controversy.

There's your loose end. I think the most likely scenario is that NFL brass is having some very uncomfortable conversations with all of their referees about whether this is actually a normal procedure at all... or just a technicality of the rules. Judging by that Bears video, these guys arent real well acquainted with the process... plus theyre getting dressed at the same time. Plus the rule itself basically infers that the teams pick out their own balls, doctor them up how they want, so why should the refs worry about the minutia of 'PSI' of all things? Give it a squeeze, make sure its not covered in stickum or something crazy, fine, good to go, its approved, back in the back, zip up my pants and out to the field.

I totally agree. If there was a secret video of the "football-checking process" before the Patriots-Colts playoff game, I'd bet 1,000 bucks against any taker that the video would clearly show that the refs don't measure the PSI of all the footballs.

Refs are part-time and are humans. Like anyone else at their job, they likely look for shortcuts, get bored with boring procedures. Nothing to me sounds more boring than standing there for half an hour measuring the PSI of 30-40 different footballs. I seriously doubt that happens.

Edit: Especially if the process happens outside. I wonder where it does happen?

 

[rick6668]

Do these idiots even understand that the weather is GOING to affect the ball pressure, it's only a question of how much?

Wonder why nobody thought of that?

Thought of what? That the weather is going to affect the balls? Many people have thought of that, but apparently all these reporters are completely unaware of it. Whether the numbers work out or not is still up for debate, but it's not debatable that the balls WOULD get softer. So there's no reason for them to act so incredulous that Brady wouldn't have noticed anything.

NEWSFLASH to Parrot and Yellowdog: All 12 Indy balls were pumped up to specification, so you can't play the weather card. Only the NE balls were deflated.

NE's bench is on the colder side of the stadium.

I'm sorry, I was all the way over here. I couldn't hear you. Did you say NE's bench is on the colder side of the stadium.? That's it?

Are we to believe that footballs will lose more pressure on NE's sideline than on the opponent's sideline?

Well, perhaps the laws of physics cease to exist on NE's sideline. Were these magic footballs? I mean, did you buy them from the same guy who sold Jack his beanstalk beans?

 

[Pipes]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm pretty sure the equipment manager wouldn't do something as stupid as affect the pressure in the balls unless Tom Brady authorizes. I know I wouldn't. That would be an ignorant thing to do.

While this is true I don't believe Brady necessarily knew they were under the league's minimum standards. But I have no doubt he's told the ball boys to deflate the balls as much as possible.

 

[jonessed]

So Brady spends all this time making sure the footballs are perfect and doesn't notice that they're underinflated during the game? Does anyone actually believe this?

Yes...he's concerned about laces, leather and grip...not squeezing it like a strongman trying to pop it.

Grip and the pressure in the ball are directly correlated.

 

[mbuehner]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm pretty sure the equipment manager wouldn't do something as stupid as affect the pressure in the balls unless Tom Brady authorizes. I know I wouldn't. That would be an ignorant thing to do.

You're assuming this was some kind of one time conspiracy, instead of just the regular practice of the equipment guys to get the ball 'Tom's Way'. He probably has no clue what the PSI he likes is, just that he likes it to feel a certain way, they set it up that way, he approves them, the refs never actually put a meter on the things anyway so close enough send em out. The same could likely be said in any game around the country on any given sunday.

 

[Flying Elvis]

The NFL investigation is rolling on and will be concluded quickly. 4 days now and apparently they haven't reached out to Brady, yet. Sounds like it will be just as thorough as the Ray Rice investigation.

On to Seattle.

 

[Bad_Mo]

How has this Ron guy gotten like 16 questions in and that poor lady still can't?

Because he'll ##### and complain that he got shut out based on his predominantly anti-Patriots agenda.

 

[PatsWillWin]

So basically:

11 balls were apparently 2 lb's under-inflated at halftime, according to Chris Mortensen.

Belicheck knew nothing of it.

Brady knew nothing of it

The NFL has supposedly found no proof of anyone tampering with the balls

The NFL supposedly checked the ball before the game according to normal procedures

The NFL has not contacted Tom Brady

Sounds like another great job by the NFL in handling a potential controversy.

There's your loose end. I think the most likely scenario is that NFL brass is having some very uncomfortable conversations with all of their referees about whether this is actually a normal procedure at all... or just a technicality of the rules. Judging by that Bears video, these guys arent real well acquainted with the process... plus theyre getting dressed at the same time. Plus the rule itself basically infers that the teams pick out their own balls, doctor them up how they want, so why should the refs worry about the minutia of 'PSI' of all things? Give it a squeeze, make sure its not covered in stickum or something crazy, fine, good to go, its approved, back in the back, zip up my pants and out to the field.

Yeah this is the crux of the issue to me.

If the checking process is a ref or two squeezing/looking at the balls to make sure nothing is blatantly off (glue on it or something crazy), then my guess is the Patriots (knowingly) submit balls on the lower side of PSI and they just get accepted by the refs.

If the checking process is a ref literally checking the pressure of each ball with a gauge, that's a different thing altogether because it implies that the Patriots submitted legal balls, then changed them at some point.

The first is no big deal (same thing Rodgers does, just on the higher side). The second is a big deal.

My guess is it's more like the first one - I doubt a ref sticks a gauge into 24 balls and literally checks the PSI. Obviously I could be wrong, but I've heard reports that it's more informal like that, or at the very least, it varies from ref to ref.

 

[The Flying Elvis]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm pretty sure the equipment manager wouldn't do something as stupid as affect the pressure in the balls unless Tom Brady authorizes. I know I wouldn't. That would be an ignorant thing to do.

You're assuming this was some kind of one time conspiracy, instead of just the regular practice of the equipment guys to get the ball 'Tom's Way'. He probably has no clue what the PSI he likes is, just that he likes it to feel a certain way, they set it up that way, he approves them, the refs never actually put a meter on the things anyway so close enough send em out. The same could likely be said in any game around the country on any given sunday.

This is a likely sounding scenario.

 

[parrot]

Do these idiots even understand that the weather is GOING to affect the ball pressure, it's only a question of how much?

Wonder why nobody thought of that?

Thought of what? That the weather is going to affect the balls? Many people have thought of that, but apparently all these reporters are completely unaware of it. Whether the numbers work out or not is still up for debate, but it's not debatable that the balls WOULD get softer. So there's no reason for them to act so incredulous that Brady wouldn't have noticed anything.

NEWSFLASH to Parrot and Yellowdog: All 12 Indy balls were pumped up to specification, so you can't play the weather card. Only the NE balls were deflated.

NE's bench is on the colder side of the stadium.

I'm sorry, I was all the way over here. I couldn't hear you. Did you say NE's bench is on the colder side of the stadium.? That's it?

Are we to believe that footballs will lose more pressure on NE's sideline than on the opponent's sideline?

Well, perhaps the laws of physics cease to exist on NE's sideline. Were these magic footballs? I mean, did you buy them from the same guy who sold Jack his beanstalk beans?

Do you think there was ANY chance that was sarcasm? Maybe?

 

[Flying Elvis]

Do these idiots even understand that the weather is GOING to affect the ball pressure, it's only a question of how much?

Wonder why nobody thought of that?

Thought of what? That the weather is going to affect the balls? Many people have thought of that, but apparently all these reporters are completely unaware of it. Whether the numbers work out or not is still up for debate, but it's not debatable that the balls WOULD get softer. So there's no reason for them to act so incredulous that Brady wouldn't have noticed anything.

NEWSFLASH to Parrot and Yellowdog: All 12 Indy balls were pumped up to specification, so you can't play the weather card. Only the NE balls were deflated.

NE's bench is on the colder side of the stadium.

I'm sorry, I was all the way over here. I couldn't hear you. Did you say NE's bench is on the colder side of the stadium.? That's it?

Are we to believe that footballs will lose more pressure on NE's sideline than on the opponent's sideline?

Well, perhaps the laws of physics cease to exist on NE's sideline. Were these magic footballs? I mean, did you buy them from the same guy who sold Jack his beanstalk beans?

Dead on balls accurate.

 

[Gandalf the Grey]

Man, this is an awkward thing to watch.

This interview makes me think more than ever that this is one of the dumbest controversies ever. Seems like such a meaningless, small issue, with very little evidence behind any of it.

Real surprising you would think that way. The evidence that matters is the fact that almost all of the team balls were significantly deflated while the Colts balls weren't. Are you saying that's a random occurrence?

In terms of the size or importance of the issue, the ex head of Refs that comments in games seems to think it's fairly significant (assuming the balls were purposely deflated, which doesn't seem to be in question):http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24983043/mike-pereira-on-patriots-deflategate-this-is-cheating

Yesterday on ESPN, Bill Polian commented on the significance and used the analogy of "misdemeanor" vs. "felony". He felt it was clearly "felony" level for NFL purposes.

Madden and Troy Aikman both felt there was no doubt this was on Brady.

You Pats fans keep minimizing all you want, this team keeps pushing at the margins of the rules to get every small advantage.

Does that mean I think anything significant will happen? I don't know, likely not. But the fact remains the balls were changed in opposition to the rules. No idea what kind of evidence is needed-Payton got suspended for a year despite no evidence of bounty knowledge. As Aikman pointed out, Goodell's said at the time if he didn't know he should have. Maybe they will rightfully hold the organization responsible without any direct admission or evidence at that level.

That is not a fact. Don't make stuff up to prove your point.

Yeah OK, let me rephrase. The pressure of 11 of 12 footballs was significantly less than mandated by league rules despite having been in compliance after being checked just a few hours earlier, while magically, the Colts footballs remained in compliance.

Normal people can draw the obvious conclusion. The conclusion of Pats Fans will of course be different.

Funny that would be what you focus on.

 

[JohnnyU]

Surely the NFL office will interview the NE ball boy. If they don't, then I'm calling cover-up, because if that kid tells the truth, we will get to the bottom of this.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

So basically:

11 balls were apparently 2 lb's under-inflated at halftime, according to Chris Mortensen.

Belicheck knew nothing of it.

Brady knew nothing of it

The NFL has supposedly found no proof of anyone tampering with the balls

The NFL supposedly checked the ball before the game according to normal procedures

The NFL has not contacted Tom Brady

Sounds like another great job by the NFL in handling a potential controversy.

There's your loose end. I think the most likely scenario is that NFL brass is having some very uncomfortable conversations with all of their referees about whether this is actually a normal procedure at all... or just a technicality of the rules. Judging by that Bears video, these guys arent real well acquainted with the gauges... plus theyre getting dressed at the same time. Plus the rule itself basically infers that the teams pick out their own balls, doctor them up how they want, so why should the refs worry about the minutia of 'PSI' of all things? Give it a squeeze, make sure its not covered in stickum or something crazy, fine, good to go, its approved, back in the back, zip up my pants and out to the field.

I could see it being something dumb like this. This is the NFL we're talking about here, and the officials no less.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Man, this is an awkward thing to watch.

This interview makes me think more than ever that this is one of the dumbest controversies ever. Seems like such a meaningless, small issue, with very little evidence behind any of it.

Real surprising you would think that way. The evidence that matters is the fact that almost all of the team balls were significantly deflated while the Colts balls weren't. Are you saying that's a random occurrence?

In terms of the size or importance of the issue, the ex head of Refs that comments in games seems to think it's fairly significant (assuming the balls were purposely deflated, which doesn't seem to be in question):http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24983043/mike-pereira-on-patriots-deflategate-this-is-cheating

Yesterday on ESPN, Bill Polian commented on the significance and used the analogy of "misdemeanor" vs. "felony". He felt it was clearly "felony" level for NFL purposes.

Madden and Troy Aikman both felt there was no doubt this was on Brady.

You Pats fans keep minimizing all you want, this team keeps pushing at the margins of the rules to get every small advantage.

Does that mean I think anything significant will happen? I don't know, likely not. But the fact remains the balls were changed in opposition to the rules. No idea what kind of evidence is needed-Payton got suspended for a year despite no evidence of bounty knowledge. As Aikman pointed out, Goodell's said at the time if he didn't know he should have. Maybe they will rightfully hold the organization responsible without any direct admission or evidence at that level.

That is not a fact. Don't make stuff up to prove your point.

Yeah OK, let me rephrase. The pressure of 11 of 12 footballs was significantly less than mandated by league rules despite having been in compliance after being checked just a few hours earlier, while magically, the Colts footballs remained in compliance.

Normal people can draw the obvious conclusion. The conclusion of Pats Fans will of course be different.

Funny that would be what you focus on.

There's the point we need to know.

 

[Bad_Mo]

Do these idiots even understand that the weather is GOING to affect the ball pressure, it's only a question of how much?

Wonder why nobody thought of that?

Thought of what? That the weather is going to affect the balls? Many people have thought of that, but apparently all these reporters are completely unaware of it. Whether the numbers work out or not is still up for debate, but it's not debatable that the balls WOULD get softer. So there's no reason for them to act so incredulous that Brady wouldn't have noticed anything.

NEWSFLASH to Parrot and Yellowdog: All 12 Indy balls were pumped up to specification, so you can't play the weather card. Only the NE balls were deflated.

NE's bench is on the colder side of the stadium.

I'm sorry, I was all the way over here. I couldn't hear you. Did you say NE's bench is on the colder side of the stadium.? That's it?

Are we to believe that footballs will lose more pressure on NE's sideline than on the opponent's sideline?

Well, perhaps the laws of physics cease to exist on NE's sideline. Were these magic footballs? I mean, did you buy them from the same guy who sold Jack his beanstalk beans?

 

[moleculo]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm pretty sure the equipment manager wouldn't do something as stupid as affect the pressure in the balls unless Tom Brady authorizes. I know I wouldn't. That would be an ignorant thing to do.

You're assuming this was some kind of one time conspiracy, instead of just the regular practice of the equipment guys to get the ball 'Tom's Way'. He probably has no clue what the PSI he likes is, just that he likes it to feel a certain way, they set it up that way, he approves them, the refs never actually put a meter on the things anyway so close enough send em out. The same could likely be said in any game around the country on any given sunday.

yup. That, and the Patriot Way is to cut whatever corners you can, cheat as much as you can get away with. If Tom likes his balls a little softer than the league mandates, go ahead and make the balls extra soft.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Surely the NFL office will interview the NE ball boy. If they don't, then I'm calling cover-up, because if that kid tells the truth, we will get to the bottom of this.

They haven't even contacted Brady yet. At this rate, they'll get to the equipment manager and the ball boy by maybe the 2nd round of the draft.

 

[mbuehner]

Man, this is an awkward thing to watch.

This interview makes me think more than ever that this is one of the dumbest controversies ever. Seems like such a meaningless, small issue, with very little evidence behind any of it.

Real surprising you would think that way. The evidence that matters is the fact that almost all of the team balls were significantly deflated while the Colts balls weren't. Are you saying that's a random occurrence?

In terms of the size or importance of the issue, the ex head of Refs that comments in games seems to think it's fairly significant (assuming the balls were purposely deflated, which doesn't seem to be in question):http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24983043/mike-pereira-on-patriots-deflategate-this-is-cheating

Yesterday on ESPN, Bill Polian commented on the significance and used the analogy of "misdemeanor" vs. "felony". He felt it was clearly "felony" level for NFL purposes.

Madden and Troy Aikman both felt there was no doubt this was on Brady.

You Pats fans keep minimizing all you want, this team keeps pushing at the margins of the rules to get every small advantage.

Does that mean I think anything significant will happen? I don't know, likely not. But the fact remains the balls were changed in opposition to the rules. No idea what kind of evidence is needed-Payton got suspended for a year despite no evidence of bounty knowledge. As Aikman pointed out, Goodell's said at the time if he didn't know he should have. Maybe they will rightfully hold the organization responsible without any direct admission or evidence at that level.

That is not a fact. Don't make stuff up to prove your point.

Yeah OK, let me rephrase. The pressure of 11 of 12 footballs was significantly less than mandated by league rules despite having been in compliance after being checked just a few hours earlier, while magically, the Colts footballs remained in compliance.

Normal people can draw the obvious conclusion. The conclusion of Pats Fans will of course be different.

Funny that would be what you focus on.

Objection, facts not in evidence.

 

[devouredbychaos]

Brunnel and Bettis are just as salty as the ridiculous Pats haters on here. I'm loving it too! I love seeing you guys get so upset and go off on these tangents, all over nothing

 

[shader]

So basically:

11 balls were apparently 2 lb's under-inflated at halftime, according to Chris Mortensen.

Belicheck knew nothing of it.

Brady knew nothing of it

The NFL has supposedly found no proof of anyone tampering with the balls

The NFL supposedly checked the ball before the game according to normal procedures

The NFL has not contacted Tom Brady

Sounds like another great job by the NFL in handling a potential controversy.

There's your loose end. I think the most likely scenario is that NFL brass is having some very uncomfortable conversations with all of their referees about whether this is actually a normal procedure at all... or just a technicality of the rules. Judging by that Bears video, these guys arent real well acquainted with the gauges... plus theyre getting dressed at the same time. Plus the rule itself basically infers that the teams pick out their own balls, doctor them up how they want, so why should the refs worry about the minutia of 'PSI' of all things? Give it a squeeze, make sure its not covered in stickum or something crazy, fine, good to go, its approved, back in the back, zip up my pants and out to the field.

I could see it being something dumb like this. This is the NFL we're talking about here, and the officials no less.

The replacement refs never would have let this happen

 

[randall146]

Brady is, as I and others have always maintained, is a first class cheater.

1) I don't believe you have always maintained Brady is a first-class cheater

2) Prior to deflate-gate I've never heard anyone claim Brady is a first-class cheater

3) I frankly doubt anyone else in the world has claimed, prior to deflate-gate, that Brady is a first-class cheater

 

[cstu]

This is not a huge deal. But the cover-up is going to be the huge deal. If Brady just said hey I like it on the lower side of the PSI, and it went a little to far. guess what end of story.

This is going to come back and hurt the Patriots more since they are covering it up.

Exactly right.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Brady's right, you guys. No one's dying here. People only die at the hands of the Patriots when you spill a drink on one of them at a club.

 

[PatsWillWin]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm pretty sure the equipment manager wouldn't do something as stupid as affect the pressure in the balls unless Tom Brady authorizes. I know I wouldn't. That would be an ignorant thing to do.

You're assuming this was some kind of one time conspiracy, instead of just the regular practice of the equipment guys to get the ball 'Tom's Way'. He probably has no clue what the PSI he likes is, just that he likes it to feel a certain way, they set it up that way, he approves them, the refs never actually put a meter on the things anyway so close enough send em out. The same could likely be said in any game around the country on any given sunday.

yup. That, and the Patriot Way is to cut whatever corners you can, cheat as much as you can get away with. If Tom likes his balls a little softer than the league mandates, go ahead and make the balls extra soft.

Yep, same thing as the Packers Way.

 

[JohnnyU]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm pretty sure the equipment manager wouldn't do something as stupid as affect the pressure in the balls unless Tom Brady authorizes. I know I wouldn't. That would be an ignorant thing to do.

You're assuming this was some kind of one time conspiracy, instead of just the regular practice of the equipment guys to get the ball 'Tom's Way'. He probably has no clue what the PSI he likes is, just that he likes it to feel a certain way, they set it up that way, he approves them, the refs never actually put a meter on the things anyway so close enough send em out. The same could likely be said in any game around the country on any given sunday.

yup. That, and the Patriot Way is to cut whatever corners you can, cheat as much as you can get away with. If Tom likes his balls a little softer than the league mandates, go ahead and make the balls extra soft.

Can you detail the "Patriot Way" for me?

 

[Johnny Rock]

Why don't both teams use the same balls?

 

[Bucky86]

Brunell: "Wow. This is a huge advantage because of the grip. In cold, wet conditions it's an advantage, for receivers too. I could throw this ball 10 yard further. "

Louis Riddick's comments make me wonder what the PSI on the ball for the Giants was when Beckham made his amazing catch.

Funny. Three guys that actually played professional football correctly picked the under inflated ball and unanimously agree that its a huge advantage to the offense, yet we still have a bunch of FBG's that probably never played a single snap at a competitive level disagreeing it actually matters.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

They just brought up an interesting point on Around the Horn about comparing it to pine tar or a corked bat in baseball. If someone uses a corked bat they're punished by the league. They don't have to have a video of them corking the bat, they don't test every bat before every game. Even if the refs overlooked the pre-game test, wouldn't the Pats similarly still be at fault for using balls that didn't meet specifications similarly to a baseball player being at fault for using a bat that doesn't meet specifications?

 

[Premier]

That Brady press conference was better than porn.

 

[moleculo]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm pretty sure the equipment manager wouldn't do something as stupid as affect the pressure in the balls unless Tom Brady authorizes. I know I wouldn't. That would be an ignorant thing to do.

You're assuming this was some kind of one time conspiracy, instead of just the regular practice of the equipment guys to get the ball 'Tom's Way'. He probably has no clue what the PSI he likes is, just that he likes it to feel a certain way, they set it up that way, he approves them, the refs never actually put a meter on the things anyway so close enough send em out. The same could likely be said in any game around the country on any given sunday.

yup. That, and the Patriot Way is to cut whatever corners you can, cheat as much as you can get away with. If Tom likes his balls a little softer than the league mandates, go ahead and make the balls extra soft.

Can you detail the "Patriot Way" for me?

not without italics.

 

[PatsWillWin]

I like how through 99% of the year, NFL refs are complete morons who can't even properly determine what a catch is, but now, they're engineers who methodically and meticulously measured each of the Patriots game balls with a precision rivaled only by that of Walter White in a meth lab.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

Brady's right, you guys. No one's dying here. People only die at the hands of the Patriots when you spill a drink on one of them at a club.

Allegedly

 

[ragnarok628]

Why don't both teams use the same balls?

QBs are very particular about the footballs they use. It is in the NFLs interest to let them get the footballs the way they like so they can perform better. The NFL does set the parameters within which the footballs may be altered by defining what is a legal, in-spec football.

 

[Bad_Mo]

Brady is, as I and others have always maintained, is a first class cheater.

1) I don't believe you have always maintained Brady is a first-class cheater

2) Prior to deflate-gate I've never heard anyone claim Brady is a first-class cheater

3) I frankly doubt anyone else in the world has claimed, prior to deflate-gate, that Brady is a first-class cheater

He rides in bandwagons.

 

[moleculo]

I like how through 99% of the year, NFL refs are complete morons who can't even properly determine what a catch is, but now, they're engineers who methodically and meticulously measured each of the Patriots game balls with a precision rivaled only by that of Walter White in a meth lab.

because it takes an engineering degree to put a needle in a hole and look at the number the needle points to on the gauge?

 

[mbuehner]

I speculate they have been underinflating balls since the NFL allowed teams to doctor them up after 2007. I base that on data in this blog (currently not up, server seems to be overwhelmed). Not a chance Brady would notice a difference.

I also speculate the decision to underinflate was made by an equipment manager, and Brady/Belichick would not be aware of this.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm pretty sure the equipment manager wouldn't do something as stupid as affect the pressure in the balls unless Tom Brady authorizes. I know I wouldn't. That would be an ignorant thing to do.

You're assuming this was some kind of one time conspiracy, instead of just the regular practice of the equipment guys to get the ball 'Tom's Way'. He probably has no clue what the PSI he likes is, just that he likes it to feel a certain way, they set it up that way, he approves them, the refs never actually put a meter on the things anyway so close enough send em out. The same could likely be said in any game around the country on any given sunday.

yup. That, and the Patriot Way is to cut whatever corners you can, cheat as much as you can get away with. If Tom likes his balls a little softer than the league mandates, go ahead and make the balls extra soft.

Yep, same thing as the Packers Way.

There's this assumption that ANYBODY takes the pressure on game balls, EVER. I think thats a questionable assumption. Do the Cowboys measure their balls before submitting them? Do the refs at the NFC title game? Does anyone take this technicality seriously? We dont know.

 

[The General]

Summary:

Brady said he picks the ones he likes and is done with it. The refs are supposed to check them with a device and ok them. They are then lower after the game. Some say this would help, some say whatever.

Brady and Bill say they didn't ask anybody to do anything to the balls.

So you either have a ref that didn't actually measure, a equipment guy did it on his own, or 11 deflated naturally.

Is that right? I've become the point person on this in my office!

 

[Ned]

I heard all of the meme generator site owners pooled their money together and paid off the Pat's ballboy in an ellaborate hoax to generate new site traffic.

 

[shader]

They just brought up an interesting point on Around the Horn about comparing it to pine tar or a corked bat in baseball. If someone uses a corked bat they're punished by the league. They don't have to have a video of them corking the bat, they don't test every bat before every game. Even if the refs overlooked the pre-game test, wouldn't the Pats similarly still be at fault for using balls that didn't meet specifications similarly to a baseball player being at fault for not using a bat that meets specifications?

A corked bat is specifically illegal. The fact that it is corked means it has been tampered with. A slightly deflated football is still a football. If they found footballs with lighter "inflatable bladders" or laces that weighed less, or something like that, the analogy would fit.

These are footballs, with a bit less air in them. Why the air is less? I guess that's the million dollar question that everyone will wonder for the next decade.

 

[mbuehner]

I like how through 99% of the year, NFL refs are complete morons who can't even properly determine what a catch is, but now, they're engineers who methodically and meticulously measured each of the Patriots game balls with a precision rivaled only by that of Walter White in a meth lab.

because it takes an engineering degree to put a needle in a hole and look at the number the needle points to on the gauge?

The refs in the Bears video didnt seem real proficient at it, the one guy kept letting out air and was surprised by it. Almost like they dont use the things 40 times a week or something...

 

[yellowdog]

Do these idiots even understand that the weather is GOING to affect the ball pressure, it's only a question of how much?

Wonder why nobody thought of that?

Thought of what? That the weather is going to affect the balls? Many people have thought of that, but apparently all these reporters are completely unaware of it. Whether the numbers work out or not is still up for debate, but it's not debatable that the balls WOULD get softer. So there's no reason for them to act so incredulous that Brady wouldn't have noticed anything.

NEWSFLASH to Parrot and Yellowdog: All 12 Indy balls were pumped up to specification, so you can't play the weather card. Only the NE balls were deflated.

I guess you missed the sarcasm in my post.

 

[Bad_Mo]

Summary:

Brady said he picks the ones he likes and is done with it. The refs are supposed to check them with a device and ok them. They are then lower after the game. Some say this would help, some say whatever.

Brady and Bill say they didn't ask anybody to do anything to the balls.

So you either have a ref that didn't actually measure, a equipment guy did it on his own, or 11 deflated naturally.

Is that right? I've become the point person on this in my office!

You may want to add a bullet about the realistic sanctions being thrown around...significant fine, loss of draft picks, BB fired, SB spot forfeited, etc.