Sports: Deflate-Gate

[Dan Murfman]

Tom Brady press conference at 4 PM today.

 

[Patch'sD]

Belechek just through everyone under the bus except himself. He just did a 15 minute Sargent Shultz "I know Nothing"

 

[Dan Murfman]

Mort believes from twitter


Chris Mortensen

✔ @mortreport
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This may not be popular but did I believe Bill Belichick? Yes.

 

[undertheradar]

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.

A team is responsible for the sideline. Thus, the Patriots are responsible. Those questionable footballs didn't happen by coincidence, so someone within the Patriots has to know what took place.

 

[Geoff_M]

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.

Interesting article, but I also know that the when there's more on the line (i.e. regular season game vs. a conference championship) officiating crews tend to pay more attention to detail. I don't think we can apply the guy's "general observations" to any specific game, let alone one of that magnitude.

I also don't buy the "it would be impossible" statement in the story. It might be impossible to do so in a manner that absolutely no one might notice, but the only thing that would matter is if some one sees it being done that would care that it was being done and/or understands what is being done.

 

[sunshinehighway]

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.

Its funny you bring up that pine tar incident because I was thinking about it in relation to this.

If I remember correctly the reaction by many players, coaches, managers was more like "eh, pitchers do it but he was just too blantant about it". It wasn't like " omg, the integrity of the game is compromised. He's a horrible cheater".

 

[declansdad]

A team is responsible for the sideline. Thus, the Patriots are responsible. Those questionable footballs didn't happen by coincidence, so someone within the Patriots has to know what took place.

There are many people on the sideline that a team is not responsible for. Until it is proven that the Pats were responsible for whoever or however this happened, you can't treat the two incidents the same.

 

[undertheradar]

Odd how a coach who is manipulating the eligibility rules on offense claims not to know the rules about game ball inflation. Somebody doesn't appear to be telling the truth.

 

[declansdad]

Interesting article, but I also know that the when there's more on the line (i.e. regular season game vs. a conference championship) officiating crews tend to pay more attention to detail. I don't think we can apply the guy's "general observations" to any specific game, let alone one of that magnitude.

I also don't buy the "it would be impossible" statement in the story. It might be impossible to do so in a manner that absolutely no one might notice, but the only thing that would matter is if some one sees it being done that would care that it was being done and/or understands what is being done.

I agree, I just thought it was an interesting read given what happened.

 

[undertheradar]

There are many people on the sideline that a team is not responsible for. Until it is proven that the Pats were responsible for whoever or however this happened, you can't treat the two incidents the same.

You understand that the sidelines are restricted and that everyone on the sideline must have credentials? Yes, the Patriots are responsible for the sideline. That is why you see police and security around those fields.

 

[Dan Murfman]

ESPNBoston from twitter:

@AdamSchefter says @SportsCenter that from what he has been told, Bill Belichick has no knowledge of deflated footballs. Also told NFL is having hard time finding evidence in this case.

 

[Geoff_M]

Bill is shocked:

I know it's unfair, but I gotta do it!

 

[declansdad]

Odd how a coach who is manipulating the eligibility rules on offense claims not to know the rules about game ball inflation. Somebody doesn't appear to be telling the truth.

It seems that many reporters covering the story believe him.

 

[JanaDee]

There are many people on the sideline that a team is not responsible for. Until it is proven that the Pats were responsible for whoever or however this happened, you can't treat the two incidents the same.

Any and all teams are responsible for what happens on their sidelines. There is a reason the average person can't just stroll onto the sideline.

 

[TAX GUY]

Odd how a coach who is manipulating the eligibility rules on offense claims not to know the rules about game ball inflation. Somebody doesn't appear to be telling the truth.

Perhaps you should watch his press conference again, or read what he said. Just a suggestion.

 

[declansdad]

You understand that the sidelines are restricted and that everyone on the sideline must have credentials? Yes, the Patriots are responsible for the sideline. That is why you see police and security around those fields.

NFL staff, media, tv reporters, camera operators, sound technicians, photographers.....all of these people are credentialed but not the responsibility of the Patriots.

 

[MickeySP]

Not only do most people think this is a case of sore loser, heck even at least one Indy player is admitting it didn't matter .

Excerpt from MSN post:

Both punter Pat McAfee and cornerback Darius Butler made light of the situation, but their teammate Dwayne Allen had a more serious take.

The tight end said the 45-7 beatdown happened because the Pats were the better team, not because some footballs might not have been inflated properly.

"...not a story," Allen wrote on Twitter."They could have played with soap for balls and beat us. Simply the better team. We have to continue to build!"

So, that’s enough to put the deflated football controversy to rest, right? Hey, we tried.

Not to mention officials allegedly removed the underweight footballs at halftime when the Pats led 17-7. Tom Brady and Co. then torched the Colts for 21 points in the third quarter en route to their dominating win.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...ed-with-soap-for-balls-and-beat-us/ar-AA8rrZ6

 

[LBIJim]

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.

Right....it's a big deal because it's the Patriots. Even before this incident, they had already lost the benefit of the doubt and earned the mistrust of many people.

If "everybody" does stuff like this, the Patriots sure must suck at it since they got caught.

I honestly don't care about this game. But I'm reading this tread just because it's fascinating to hear the discussions trying to justify potential cheating.

The discussion here is pretty tame. You should read the comments below most internet articles on the subject. The Patriot boot-lickers there are hilarious in their denial and justification.


My guess: some low-level equipment assistant will be paid off handsomely to take the fall. He was just being over zealous in "helping." And the team will pay a fine. No big deal in Foxboro. Just the cost of doing business.

 

[undertheradar]

Perhaps you should watch his press conference again, or read what he said. Just a suggestion.

Why? He was fined heavily for cheating and lying before. As the head coach, he is responsible for the actions of everyone on that sideline. Even though there was the game ball issue at the start of the second half, he claims that he didn't know anything about a game ball issue until Monday. Millions of viewers saw the second half delay, where was he that he didn't see it? Goes back to honesty.

 

[Geoff_M]

NFL staff, media, tv reporters, camera operators, sound technicians, photographers.....all of these people are credentialed but not the responsibility of the Patriots.

Any and all teams are responsible for what happens on their sidelines. There is a reason the average person can't just stroll onto the sideline.

I can assure you that police and security guard each team's bench area non-stop from the time the gates open until after the final whistle blows and the teams leave the field. No outsider is going to be able to enter a NFL bench area and monkey with team equipment and escape notice... though I do confess that I was able to cut across the bench area and "steal" a cup of Gatorade at half-time! During the game, credentialed non-team members MUST stay out of the bench areas and behind the dashed line that define the area.