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

Maybe the rule should be that whatever Tom Brady wants the minimum to be can be the minimum.

 

That would mean the NFL severely jeopardized the integrity of the game as well then, and to a far worse degree.

The story about the CB turned out to be a hoax. What do we really know? The whole thing is mostly conjecture at this point, and yet it's being ramped up into a witch hunt. Since no one has a clue as to what really happened then it's fair game to assume the refs may have screwed the pooch during their inspection process. Imagine that story? For the NFL to knowingly throw the Patriots into the cross-hairs when the fault was all their own? Food for thought.

 

That's basically the only way you can make some people happy. The Pats obviously cheated to gain an advantage that they didn't even need. Cheaters cheat, it's what they do.

 

Because that is what they're doing...?

I don't know what "another level" means to you.

Clearly that "other level" wasn't noticeable to many football players for what has probably been several years.

Well yeah, like I said, if you can break the rule by adjusting for QB comfort/feel, then it seems like it's pretty narrow. If you can still throw and catch the ball effectively, then I don't really have a problem with that inflation level.

The kicking game is the X factor here, I suppose. Not sure how those balls are handled and who handles them. Clearly an overinflated ball would travel further than an underinflated one, right?

It's the NFL's job to pull the balls out of play, because that's the rule. And Aikman's opinion is a bit of a non-starter. His opinion has pretty much nothing to do with whether or not the rule is too strict.

Like I said, the fact that the Patriots deliberately broke the rules to give themselves a competitive advantage, again, is why this is a huge deal to me.

Quoteh the Aikman:

I said earlier that because I felt the rule was dumb, that I have a hard time wanting the Patriots punished. I retract that statement. The two don't really have anything to do with each other.

The fact that the rule exists, regardless of how dumb/too strict it is, means that the Patriots gave themselves an unfair advantage by breaking it. So... as repeat offenders... throw the book at em.

 

You'd be wise not to conflate the issues, justtxyank

 

Well, since there's only 32 starting QBs in the league, plus the fact he plays in one of the coldest climates, it's very possible his preference just happens to be the lowest PSI out of everybody.

Not sure why you're painting me to be some Brady protector here.

Regardless of how I feel about the rule, he broke it, and broke it deliberately and repeatedly. Hell, throw him out of the league. I give no craps.

 

I think the Saints deserve the greater punishment, because you are talking about destroying a players health and career. There's a certain inhumanity to that. As far as unfairplay, yes, that too is piss poor. But when I scale the crimes side by side, it's far less to be deflating footballs than it is to injure players. I think you take a #1 draft pick and that stings plenty and if you can find the guy in admission you suspend for 'em for 5 games.

 

I wonder if the NFL has ever thought about adjusting the acceptable PSI range on the footballs based on what the temperature at the stadium is?

Seems like such a policy might mitigate this issue in the future.

 

How would it mitigate the issue of having a franchise that is a chronic cheater? Changing rules won't change that BB is always breaking rules. The only way to fix that problem is to make a rule that anything BB does is legal.

 

That's not really what it's meant to mitigate.

To mitigate that, you'd probably have to change commissioners.

 

Well that's what the problem is. Honestly the best way to fix that problem is by actually punishing them this time instead of giving them a slap on the wrist. That said, we both know that won't happen and we both know the Pats will be back cheating in one way or the other in no time.

 

Haha, Christ
Sal Pal, ladies and gentlemen
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RgMXjvEjWaY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

uhm .. . . mmmkay

Rocket River

 

[rQUOTEr]NFL Statement

Our office has been conducting an investigation as to whether the footballs used in last Sunday’s AFC Championship Game complied with the specifications that are set forth in the playing rules. The investigation began based on information that suggested that the game balls used by the New England Patriots were not properly inflated to levels required by the playing rules, specifically Playing Rule 2, Section 1, which requires that the ball be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch. Prior to the game, the game officials inspect the footballs to be used by each team and confirm that this standard is satisfied, which was done before last Sunday’s game.

The investigation is being led jointly by NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash and Ted Wells of the law firm of Paul Weiss. Mr. Wells and his firm bring additional expertise and a valuable independent perspective. The investigation began promptly on Sunday night. Over the past several days, nearly40 interviews have been conducted, including of Patriots personnel, game officials, and third parties with relevant information and expertise. We have obtained and are continuing to obtain additional information, including video and other electronic information and physical evidence. We have retained Renaissance Associates, an investigatory firm with sophisticated forensic expertise to assist in reviewing electronic and video information.

The playing rules are intended to protect the fairness and integrity of our games. We take seriously claims that those rules have been violated and will fully investigate this matter without compromise or delay. The investigation is ongoing, will be thorough and objective, and is being pursued expeditiously. In the coming days, we expect to conduct numerous additional interviews, examine video and other forensic evidence, as well as relevant physical evidence. While the evidence thus far supports the conclusion that footballs that were under-inflated were used by the Patriots in the first half, the footballs were properly inflated for the second half and confirmed at the conclusion of the game to have remained properly inflated. The goals of the investigation will be to determine the explanation for why footballs used in the game were not in compliance with the playing rules and specifically whether any noncompliance was the result of deliberate action. We have not made any judgments on these points and will not do so until we have concluded our investigation and considered all of the relevant evidence.

Upon being advised of the investigation, the Patriots promptly pledged their full cooperation and have made their personnel and other information available to us upon request. Our investigation will seek information from any and all relevant sources and we expect full cooperation from other clubs as well. As we develop more information and are in a position to reach conclusions, we will share them publicly.[/rquoter]

 

FWIW, women are an extremely forgiving demographic.

Sal is clearly desperate to say something nobody else has said.

 

For armchair experiments, this is actually kind of interesting...

How serious is deflate-gate? Yahoo Sports does its own ball-deflating test

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...sports-equipment-investigation-155529889.html

 

I read that a few days ago. It made me want to try it.

 

NFL will announce today that New England QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be suspended for Super Bowl XLIX

 

In my career I went with a slightly hardened nerf over the new spongy nerf for throwing. But I Think the spongy nerf was better for kicking.

 

If that's true, not vs the colts just in general the common process, this is the nfl's fault.

Either they want standardized balls for everyone or they don't. If they do, then provide & control the balls for everyone. If not, & we're that casual about the eyeball/feel inspection, and it's no big deal trying to sneak an over or under inflated ball by them in the first place like we knowGreen Bay does, this doesn't seem like a big deal to me. Getting to where I'm almost skeptical it's being pumped up just create more interest, but the Super Bowl on its own doesn't need any more interest generated even among non fans who already watch.