Sports: Deflate-Gate

[TAX GUY]

Only 11 out of 12 footballs were deflated? No doubt some ballboy in Foxboro has already been canned for slacking off on the job.

http://www.sportspickle.com/2015/01...-justice-whoever-failed-deflate-12th-football

 

[JanaDee]

http://www.sportspickle.com/2015/01/bill-belichick-vows-swift-justice-whoever-failed-deflate-12th-football

It's funny because it is true.

 

[goofy!]

The Broncos are benefitting from the Patriot scandal.

A local sportscaster reported last night that knowing he could deflate balls helped Peyton make his final decision to play one more season.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

There was a theory going around yesterday on local sports radio that the 12th ball was not deflated because that was the one used for punting.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do you really think the ref would not do his job on an NFC championship game, and even if they did not how would that lesson the cheating. Only their balls were filled that way.

No, you're not allowed to throw reason and common sense into a heated thread

 

[pat fan]

I doubt the balls are really checked well before the game.
Other QBs have said things about liking balls at different pressures.
It's probably one of those that's done but nobody calls each other out on it. Its only a big deal because its the Patriots.

Best statement I've heard yet.

(But not to say I would condone letting air out on purpose.)

 

[declansdad]

There was a theory going around yesterday on local sports radio that the 12th ball was not deflated because that was the one used for punting.

I believe balls used for kicking are kept separate and not part of the 12 balls used by each team's offence.

 

[TAX GUY]

There was a theory going around yesterday on local sports radio that the 12th ball was not deflated because that was the one used for punting.

What I heard was 11 of the 12 were on average 2 psi low and the 12th was also low, but by less (maybe 1 psi?)


The problem now is, there are too many "versions" and "stories" floating around that its hard to determine what is opinion and what is said by the league (or its representatives). Belichick interview is supposed to happen now (9:30 EST). Brady and Kraft I think tomorrow morning.... and the league is supposed to finish its investigation today or tomorrow. Until we hear from the league about their investigation, it's all just muttering.

 

[Hrhpd]

I doubt the balls are really checked well before the game.
Other QBs have said things about liking balls at different pressures.
It's probably one of those that's done but nobody calls each other out on it. Its only a big deal because its the Patriots.

Best statement I've heard yet.

It is definitely more plausible that the Refs did not do their job during an AFC Championship game and allowed 11 severely under inflated balls go unnoticed. But made sure the Colts balls were within standards. And the other teams are completely ok with this and they only report the Patriots for it. Definitely a more plausible statement.


Now I have coffee all over my monitor. Love that you have such a great sense of humor over your team cheating. It is just a game afterall.

 

[undertheradar]

Perhaps the NFL will treat this like the New Orleans Saints scandal and fine/suspend the coach/staff involved. Hard to directly link any specific players to deflating the game balls. As head coach , Bellichick is responsible for the sideline and should be suspended for the issue. This entire scenario brings league integrity to full media attention.

 

[Dan Murfman]

Belichick basically through Tom Brady under the bus

 

[undertheradar]

Funny how a game that was facing lower revenues due to reduced interest in the teams playing, suddenly has a scandal to generate inflated media coverage.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I believe balls used for kicking are kept separate and not part of the 12 balls used by each team's offence.

It occurred to me when I posted that this may be the case.

What I heard was 11 of the 12 were on average 2 psi low and the 12th was also low, but by less (maybe 1 psi?)

I just saw that, too.

 

[TAX GUY]

It is definitely more plausible that the Refs did not do their job during an AFC Championship game and allowed 11 severely under inflated balls go unnoticed. But made sure the Colts balls were within standards. And the other teams are completely ok with this and they only report the Patriots for it. Definitely a more plausible statement.


Now I have coffee all over my monitor

The Colts had the same concerns back in November when they played the Pats. Nothing was said then. They came into the championship game with the same concern and when they made the interception in the 2nd quarter, it "confirmed" their concern. At that point, they said something. As they should have if it was a concern.

It's VERY similar to the Red Sox/Yankees last season with the pine tar. Yankee pitcher had it on his hand but nothing was said. Next start for that pitcher and the Sox go into the game with the concern and feel, if he does it again, we're calling him on it. First time it happened it, shame on us, second time, shame on you. They did in fact complain to the ump in that game and the player was ejected.

So, 1st game against the Colts with low pressure balls and not say anything, shame on them. Push it and try for a second time and get called on it, shame on you.

 

[TAX GUY]

Perhaps the NFL will treat this like the New Orleans Saints scandal and fine/suspend the coach/staff involved. Hard to directly link any specific players to deflating the game balls. As head coach , Bellichick is responsible for the sideline and should be suspended for the issue. This entire scenario brings league integrity to full media attention.

Heard this comment on other sites. Absolutely insane to link the two. Saints encouraged personal injury to other players. The greater the injury, the more money? Not even close to the same.

 

[undertheradar]

Heard this comment on other sites. Absolutely insane to link the two. Saints encouraged personal injury to other players. The greater the injury, the more money? Not even close to the same.

Completely the same. Both teams cheated and both violated known rules.

 

[Geoff_M]

My feeling is the organization will be fined and the team will lose draft picks. If it's anything more than that, it will be appealed. Unless they prove who, what, where and how, they can only impose a "general" penalty.

Short of an outright confession or the finding of a "smoking needle", I think that is a likely outcome. I don't think we'll ever know if this was done from orders-on-high or if it was a "helpful" team equipment manager on the sidelines that wanted to give his QB the type of ball he know they like to use.

I also agree that it didn't impact the outcome of the game on Sunday, and I view it as more of a 1st degree misdemeanor instead of a felony. While I doubt that the Patriots were the first team to think of this advantage (the pressure limits rule and pre-game checking protocols aren't there by accident), I don't buy the "But everyone's likely doing it and people only are raising a fuss because it's the Patriots!" deflections.

 

[Missy1961]

Bill is shocked:

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story...gland-patriots-shocked-deflated-football-news

 

[declansdad]

Here's an article with a former ball boy's perspective

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investi...-boys-perspective-preparing-footballs-n290801

It is definitely more plausible that the Refs did not do their job during an AFC Championship game and allowed 11 severely under inflated balls go unnoticed. But made sure the Colts balls were within standards. And the other teams are completely ok with this and they only report the Patriots for it. Definitely a more plausible statement.

If you go by the article in the link above, that ball boy says the refs seldom used the gauge to test the balls before the game, they just went by feel. It also goes against the fact the NFL says the balls are only delivered to the field 10 to 15 minutes before kickoff.


Given the NFL leadership, it wouldn't surprise me if they really only checked the balls by feel and won't admit it.

 

[declansdad]

Completely the same. Both teams cheated and both violated known rules.

If they actually prove the Pats were responsible, I might agree with you. In the bounty scandal they did prove the Saints were encouraging this and that is why Sean Payton was suspended.