Sports: Deflate-Gate

[TAX GUY]

Interesting time line on the chain of events... (from a local sports blog site)


NEW YORK —Sources tell SportsCenter 5′s Mike Lynch that D’Qwell Jackson, of the Indianapolis Colts, intercepted a pass before the end of the first half of the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots Sunday night and told his equipment manager that the ball felt under-inflated, leading to the so-called ‘deflategate’ controversy. According to sources, the equipment manager then informed the Colts’ head coach, Chuck Pagano, who then informed the team’s general manager, Ryan Grigson. Grigson then called the National Football League’s director of field operations, who then called the locker room and spoke with the officials on the field at halftime. During the first play coming back from halftime, there was a delay to the game while official changed the football being used on the field. Sources told Lynch that several footballs were taken out of play during the game Sunday night, but that’s not unusual and there have been times in previous games that officials have changed footballs during play due to factors such as air temperature changed that cause the ball to over or under inflate. The NFL said it is now investigating the Patriots because of the complaint that was made. “We are looking into it,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in an email to The Associated Press on Monday. “We do not have anything further to add at this point.”







Fantastic. So, if I’m reading this correctly, and I’m not intelligent so I may not be, then the improper balls were discovered in the 2nd quarter then the officials were notified at halftime and the ball was changed out at the first play of the third. Let’s see how that worked out…

 

[gwynne]

You're working too hard today. Here's an amusing read when you're ready for a break

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/bondy-tricks-bill-belichick-super-bowl-article-1.2085172

 

[okeydokey]

I think this is a case for sore loserdome.

 

[TAX GUY]

You're working too hard today. Here's an amusing read when you're ready for a break

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/bondy-tricks-bill-belichick-super-bowl-article-1.2085172

Two of my favorites:

“I AM SPARTACUS”: Rob Gronkowski reports to referee, “I am ineligible.” Julian Edelman screams, “I am not eligible.” Seven other Pats repeat the same thing, almost, except it’s not the same thing. They are saying, “No, I am eligible,” or, “No, I am not ineligible.” Confused Seahawks leave three eligible receivers wide open.

MADAME TUSSAUD: There is no specific NFL rule prohibiting the use of wax figures on the field. During timeout, Pats quietly carry out three life-like figures of Tom Brady, placing them randomly in the backfield. Here’s the catch: the real Brady is one of these figures, stone-still and wearing glossy makeup. He takes snap on right side of odd formation and runs for touchdown.

 

[JanaDee]

The NFL found that 11 of the 12 balls used by the Patriots were underinflated by 2 lbs each.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Deflated balls did not affect how the Patriots defense kept the Colts from scoring. Obviously. That game was not going to play out differently. Even if the balls helped with, say, one or two touchdowns.

That doesn't justify the actions of Patriots.

And it does bring into question whether the Ravens would have been able to win in the Divisional round if those balls were also underinflated, since that game was 35 - 31.

The balls were supposed to be between 12.5 and 13.5 and psi. They were 10.5 psi. And were altered after inspection.

Cheating is cheating.

As for what Aaron Rodgers has said, as long as the Packer balls aren't greater than 13.5 psi and/or altered after inspection, it's not a fair comparison.

 

[skylizard]

Cheating is cheating.

Exactly. It's crappy that they even did that. I don't care what team you are. A cheater is a cheater.

 

[Patch'sD]

Cheating is Cheating, Seems to be a normal Standard Operating Procedures for the Patriots.

 

[disney4us2002]

I'm not sure I agree that the outcome would've been the same. I believe that the Patriots are the better team but how many interceptions did Luck throw in that game because the conditions sucked and his properly inflated footballs sailed with the wind and his receivers couldn't hold onto them. Perhaps if the Colts' footballs were also underinflated by 2lbs then Luck would've had a better grip and his receivers would've made more catches.

In the end there is NO way to know what might have been and no fine will sufficiently matter because the Patriots will still be going to the Superbowl.

If the Patriots are so good and so confident why do they cheat? They ruin the integrity of the game and just create bad feelings all around. Once a cheater, always a cheater I guess.

 

[TAX GUY]

I don't see how this proves they gained any additional advantage. It's thought to allow a better grip and catching ability, but doesn't prove it to be the case. How is it different to wide receivers wearing those gloves? A quarter back wearing gloves? A running back wearing those arm sleeves? Different cleats for turf/grass?

Also, were the Colts balls tested too? What about the Ravens balls the week before (related to the previous comment about IF the Patriots balls were deflated for that game too)? Are all teams balls constantly tested during and after the games? As with the case or Aaron Rogers, he already admitted to over inflating, as that's his preference. ALL QB's and teams alter their game balls to suit the preferences of their QB's.

As a Pats fan (obviously), I'm disappointed about the findings however, there is no way this is cheating nor does it prove there is any advantage/disadvantage for inflating or deflating the balls. For many fans out there, even if the Pats played naked with the other teams equipment, they'll still say they somehow gained an unfair advantage.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Wait, so let me make sure I understand the point the OP was making...the under inflated balls were discovered, and removed from play, and the Patriots still won, and in fact did better after being caught...so his point is...the cheating doesn't matter since they won anyway after their advantage was taken away?

That's like saying, "oh, don't worry about punishing the guy that stole my credit card number, I already cancelled my card, so he can't use it."

 

[TAX GUY]

Wait, so let me make sure I understand the point the OP was making...the under inflated balls were discovered, and removed from play, and the Patriots still won, and in fact did better after being caught...so his point is...the cheating doesn't matter since they won anyway after their advantage was taken away?

That's like saying, "oh, don't worry about punishing the guy that stole my credit card number, I already cancelled my card, so he can't use it."

Yeah, that's exactly the same.

 

[Minnesota!]

Exactly. It's crappy that they even did that. I don't care what team you are. A cheater is a cheater.

YEP!! Win on your own merits...not because you altered ANYTHING.

 

[HeatherC]

I am a PATS fan. However, I agree...cheating is cheating. I am having a hard time, however, believing this was out and out cheating. There is a procedure in place to have the balls checked before the game starts. Then the players AND the refs handle the ball throughout the game. IF a ball was under inflated, I honestly believe it would have been handled on the field DURING the game.

No mention was made of it by any refs handling the ball during the game. I just know that when the kids are playing football in the yard, if the ball is not inflated, they notice it immediately and start complaining about it.

I would then believe that PROFESSIONALS who handle footballs for a living would have had some clue BEFORE the PATS won the game.

 

[Dan Murfman]

I don't see how this proves they gained any additional advantage. It's thought to allow a better grip and catching ability, but doesn't prove it to be the case. How is it different to wide receivers wearing those gloves? A quarter back wearing gloves? A running back wearing those arm sleeves? Different cleats for turf/grass?

Also, were the Colts balls tested too? What about the Ravens balls the week before (related to the previous comment about IF the Patriots balls were deflated for that game too)? Are all teams balls constantly tested during and after the games? As with the case or Aaron Rogers, he already admitted to over inflating, as that's his preference. ALL QB's and teams alter their game balls to suit the preferences of their QB's.

As a Pats fan (obviously), I'm disappointed about the findings however, there is no way this is cheating nor does it prove there is any advantage/disadvantage for inflating or deflating the balls. For many fans out there, even if the Pats played naked with the other teams equipment, they'll still say they somehow gained an unfair advantage.

I really thought this was no big deal but it is if the balls were tested and then they deflated them after the ref approved then it is a big deal. The difference is Rodgers has the footballs inflated before the refs inspect and hopes they get through. But he doesn't re inflate them after inspection.

 

[undertheradar]

I don't see how this proves they gained any additional advantage. It's thought to allow a better grip and catching ability, but doesn't prove it to be the case. How is it different to wide receivers wearing those gloves? A quarter back wearing gloves? A running back wearing those arm sleeves? Different cleats for turf/grass?

Also, were the Colts balls tested too? What about the Ravens balls the week before (related to the previous comment about IF the Patriots balls were deflated for that game too)? Are all teams balls constantly tested during and after the games? As with the case or Aaron Rogers, he already admitted to over inflating, as that's his preference. ALL QB's and teams alter their game balls to suit the preferences of their QB's.

As a Pats fan (obviously), I'm disappointed about the findings however, there is no way this is cheating nor does it prove there is any advantage/disadvantage for inflating or deflating the balls. For many fans out there, even if the Pats played naked with the other teams equipment, they'll still say they somehow gained an unfair advantage.

The fact that the Patriots were caught says much about the organization's lack of character. Between the 2 head coaches in the upcoming Super Bowl, both have been caught cheating. Not exactly the best representation for a league that is supposedly trying to clean the perceived public image.

Any position player can tell you that an underinflated ball is much easier to hold onto as opposed to a fully inflated ball.

Looks like the NFL will have to add more sideline officials, whose sole responsibility will be controlling access to game balls.

 

[JanaDee]

I am a PATS fan. However, I agree...cheating is cheating. I am having a hard time, however, believing this was out and out cheating. There is a procedure in place to have the balls checked before the game starts. Then the players AND the refs handle the ball throughout the game. IF a ball was under inflated, I honestly believe it would have been handled on the field DURING the game.

No mention was made of it by any refs handling the ball during the game. I just know that when the kids are playing football in the yard, if the ball is not inflated, they notice it immediately and start complaining about it.

I would then believe that PROFESSIONALS who handle footballs for a living would have had some clue BEFORE the PATS won the game.

An interception by a Colts player is what brought attention to it (a Pats ball). Each team uses their own balls, they don't use the same.

 

[topolino]

I don't see how this proves they gained any additional advantage. It's thought to allow a better grip and catching ability, but doesn't prove it to be the case. How is it different to wide receivers wearing those gloves? A quarter back wearing gloves? A running back wearing those arm sleeves? Different cleats for turf/grass?

Also, were the Colts balls tested too? What about the Ravens balls the week before (related to the previous comment about IF the Patriots balls were deflated for that game too)? Are all teams balls constantly tested during and after the games? As with the case or Aaron Rogers, he already admitted to over inflating, as that's his preference. ALL QB's and teams alter their game balls to suit the preferences of their QB's.

As a Pats fan (obviously), I'm disappointed about the findings however, there is no way this is cheating nor does it prove there is any advantage/disadvantage for inflating or deflating the balls. For many fans out there, even if the Pats played naked with the other teams equipment, they'll still say they somehow gained an unfair advantage.

No way this is cheating? There is a rule against it and they intentionally broke it but it's not cheating? Whether or not it had an effect on the outcome of the game is insignificant; a rule was broken in either case. A previous poster already pointed this out to you, but you chose to ridicule his or her comparison.

 

[TAX GUY]

I really thought this was no big deal but it is if the balls were tested and then they deflated them after the ref approved then it is a big deal. The difference is Rodgers has the footballs inflated before the refs inspect and hopes they get through. But he doesn't re inflate them after inspection.

That's the thing, IF they were inspected before game time. Even then, who can say they were inflated to the 12.5-13.5 psi and then deflated? IF they were inspected pregame, and they were already under inflated, then what? Any different from the Rogers statement and claim?

The fact that the Patriots were caught says much about the organization's lack of character. Between the 2 head coaches in the upcoming Super Bowl, both have been caught cheating. Not exactly the best representation for a league that is supposedly trying to clean the perceived public image.

Any position player can tell you that an underinflated ball is much easier to hold onto as opposed to a fully inflated ball.

Looks like the NFL will have to add more sideline officials, whose sole responsibility will be controlling access to game balls.

I agree that many players will say they prefer a softer ball. Some will say a harder ball. They all their own preferences and non of which proves to have any advantage over another.

 

[HeatherC]

JanaDee...I get that, but so many more people handled the balls and he was the only player who mentioned or noticed it. Really....I hate cheaters! I guess I am just having a hard time thinking ALL of these so called PROFESSIONALS let this go until AFTER the game.