NFL probing Patriots' possible use of deflated balls during AFC Championship

Sure it did. This bit of cheating was proven. Other things have been proven. How many things went on that we have no idea about. They have a culture over there called "I can get away with anything". It has and will continue to carry into lives outside of football. Look at what Aaron Hernandez did... he had it all going for him, but got carried away with gang life. Gangs are another group that believes they can always get away with it.

I'm not saying this entire world isn't filled with cover-ups, but just because it happens all around you doesn't make it okay. Cheating sucks. It sucks the life out of so many honest good people that do things the right way.

 

Well, I for one am glad there are still good wholesome teams that do things the right way out there like The Cowboys.

 

I can't believe people are defending the patriots. In a league where all teams have the right to pursuit a championship, where all teams share revenue, you can't have one team thinking they're above everything. This isn't the premiere league or la liga where the selected few can do whatever they want. They must be made an example to get in line.

Does it change the fact that the hoody can jedi mind trick his opposing coach into passing the ball? no. he is still one of the greatest football minds. does it change what we think of brady? no. he is one of the best to ever mann that position. take away his line and he is what you saw at the beginning of the season, but that's a different topic.

Patriots, if you're going to dish it, you have to be able to take the punishment.

 

I don't think too many folks are saying the Pats are innocent (I know I'm not), but rather that almost EVERY team does something or other that bends or even breaks the rules. And because of that, to rail about what cheaters they are is pretty disingenuous.

 

I don't think anyone thinks the Pats are innocent, but they are far from the the only organization that has been caught cheating, and are not even the worst offenders. Hell, the last Super Bowl winners prior to the Pats (Seahawks) were caught having illegal practices.... the Broncos and Niners cooked their books to get around the salary cap rules. The Jets and others have taped practices illegally.

Cheating a huge part of the NFL. Most really good teams have had some level of cheating involved. I am not saying it is great, but to single out the Pats is not proper in the larger perspective.

What team hasn't cheated.... at least as far as I can remember? The Texans.... yeah.

 

So if every team does it, why is the NFL targeting the Patriots?

 

Because of what has happened the last few years with all the off the field issues...... had the Seahawks been caught having illegal practices in the last year or so, and denied it, it would be a bigger deal...... same with the blatant salary cap violations by the Cowboys, Niners and Broncos.

It was a different league only a few years ago....... now, because of public scrutiny they are coming down harder on teams.

Aaron Rodgers says that he over inflates the footballs hoping the officials don't notice or check them. Is that cheating? Yes, he knows the PSI rules...... is it as bad as what the Pats did? No, the Pats took it a step further, apparently deflating them AFTER they are inspected...... still it highlights the mentality of teams and players. Hell, Richard Sherman was busted with PED's back in 2012...... you never hear about it, but you would if he played baseball or basketball.

I don't have an issue with the league suspending Brady or fining the Pats (although their own investigation says the owner and coaches were not aware of the issue). I think the league needs to punish cheating.... but I think the idea that this is a Patriots only problem is naive.

 

Patriots issue response: http://wellsreportcontext.com/

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Patriots say increased calls to equipment man were Tom Brady's way of showing support, getting ready for Super Bowl <a href="http://t.co/lF4IzMC5oK">http://t.co/lF4IzMC5oK</a></p>&mdash; ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/598873897468067840">May 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Patriots?src=hash">#Patriots</a> explanation for &quot;Deflator&quot; text is that's what McNally called himself as he tried to lose weight. Seriously <a href="http://t.co/HrthChSFp9">pic.twitter.com/HrthChSFp9</a></p>&mdash; Ben Volin (@BenVolin) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenVolin/status/598879647573667840">May 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Patriots?src=hash">#Patriots</a> explain the &quot;going to ESPN&quot; comments. It's really about shoes, you guys <a href="http://t.co/wvc7dhQ5hM">pic.twitter.com/wvc7dhQ5hM</a></p>&mdash; Ben Volin (@BenVolin) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenVolin/status/598881218814464000">May 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The bathroom explanation. Just a gentleman relieving himself <a href="http://t.co/dF5x7BUUla">pic.twitter.com/dF5x7BUUla</a></p>&mdash; Ben Volin (@BenVolin) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenVolin/status/598882019859439616">May 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Jastremski and McNally did nothing wrong as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pats?src=hash">#Pats</a> claim, then why did team suspend indefinitely without pay? Wrongful termination?</p>&mdash; Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/status/598883461634596865">May 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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i'm happy they play the colts after the suspension is over.

 

Patriots forgot to mention that the guy's bathroom excuse including him specifically saying he used a urinal. Unfortunately for the veracity of that defense, there was no urinal in the bathroom, only a stall. Oops.

Also agree, if he was suspended without pay by the Patriots despite them claiming he did nothing he wrong, he has an iron clad lawsuit lol. Um, my employer refuses to pay for committing a violation that they themselves deny that I made.

 

This is freaking ridiculous. These "explanations" by the Patriots makes me cringe.

What a terrible franchise.

 

I think these are fair points.

I'd like to see the NFL change and clean things up. Obviously there is cheating in the game from PEDs to various rules violations. I just want to see whoever gets caught get punished.

And that the Patriots are trotting out their "context" report with various and hilarious "explanations" just makes me want to see the team punished even more.

 

I'm want to start the deflator diet. What are the steps?

 

The Patriots statements about this have been flat out embarrassing.

 

Deadspin rolling with Ballghazi

http://deadspin.com/pats-ballghazi-defense-the-deflator-was-just-trying-1704476913

 

The Pats shouldn't have said anything about the whole "deflator" thing. Even if it was somehow true, everyone is going to focus on how bull**** that sounds and not focus on the actual science posted by the Nobel laureate.

 

I completely agree.

This reminds me of Roger Clemens.

Simply release a statement saying you don't agree, and won't comment any further on it.

The Vikings and Panthers doctored balls last season, they paid a fine and everyone forgot about it.

Brad Johnson candidly admitted he cheated in the Super Bowl paying the clubhouse attendants $7,500 to alter the balls and no one thinks the Bucs Super Bowl is tainted.

Brady and the Pats owner needs to do what Hoodie is doing and keep a low profile.

 

I don't think it's as easy for the Patriots, though. The court of opinion is all against them. No one cares about other teams cheating. The Jerry Rice admission was a story for what, like a day? The Falcons got busted for pumping up crowd noise and I just found out today about that. There have been numerous instances in the recent past of infractions commited by other teams that barely make headlines.

When it's the Patriots and Tom Brady, though, everyone is up in arms about it. Whether it be because of Spygate and this "culture of cheating" I don't know. But whether it's fair or not, it's clear everyone wants to harp on this issue which would otherwise be a non story if say the Jaguars did it.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Roger Goodell invokes his right under CBA to preside over Tom Brady appeal, per souce, as <a href="https://twitter.com/mikefreemanNFL">@mikefreemanNFL</a> first reported</p>&mdash; Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/status/599037816992063489">May 15, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Roger Goodell hearing Tom Brady appeal. Hired Ted Wells to investigate. Deferred punishment to Troy Vincent but approved it as justifiable</p>&mdash; Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/status/599038887797862400">May 15, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Thread should read NFL probing Patriots while the Patriots probe the rest of the NFL.