Sports: Deflate-Gate

[TAX GUY]

But one of the refs should have noticed then. You can't have it both ways.
It can't be both, the refs go by the book and would have noticed if the balls were low before the game and also. they handled these low balls throughout the first half and didn't notice.

I agree. I posted this earlier but its worth a repost in light of the past couple of comments.

http://youtu.be/wDJmM4X9IJg

 

[declansdad]

Where did you get that? I thought I read a Colt's defensive player noticed, notified the Colt's staff, who notified the owner, who notified the NFL, who notified the officials.

The player gave it to the equipment guy and said something was off, he checked it and started it up the chain.

Oh please. When you get to the level these guys are, they're pretty darn accurate.

NFL referees are some of the worst officials in pro sports. Every week there are issues with calls that are missed or called in an inconsistent manner.

 

[declansdad]

I agree. I posted this earlier but its worth a repost in light of the past couple of comments.

http://youtu.be/wDJmM4X9IJg

Thanks for that, interesting interview.

 

[sam_gordon]

But one of the refs should have noticed then. You can't have it both ways.
It can't be both, the refs go by the book and would have noticed if the balls were low before the game and also. they handled these low balls throughout the first half and didn't notice.

Personally, I don't know that someone is going to tell by feel a ball is 2psi low. I do believe someone actually using the ball in a game MIGHT be able to tell.

I'm *ASSUMING* the refs checked with a gauge before the game. We know the balls were checked with a gauge at halftime and found low. If the balls weren't checked with a gauge before the game, bad on the refs. However, if they were checked with a gauge before the game (and presumably within compliance), how did some of the balls (only 11) end up 2psi low by halftime?

 

[declansdad]

Personally, I don't know that someone is going to tell by feel a ball is 2psi low. I do believe someone actually using the ball in a game MIGHT be able to tell.

I'm *ASSUMING* the refs checked with a gauge before the game. We know the balls were checked with a gauge at halftime and found low. If the balls weren't checked with a gauge before the game, bad on the refs. However, if they were checked with a gauge before the game (and presumably within compliance), how did some of the balls (only 11) end up 2psi low by halftime?

Listen to the interview Tax Guy posted, that ref says the officials have a feel for the ball.

 

[pat fan]

NFL referees are some of the worst officials in pro sports. Every week there are issues with calls that are missed or called in an inconsistent manner.

Hallelujah!!!
Every game I watch I am driven crazy by the bad calls, missed calls, getting in the way, inconsistent calls....boggles my mind! And I'm not talking just pat's games, I'm talking ALL of them! You want a clear, level playing field from the ref's, and you do...not...get...it. They are B-A-D. I can't speak for any other sport as I only kind-sorta watch hockey, but the NFL zebra's are pretty bad.

 

[sam_gordon]

The player gave it to the equipment guy and said something was off, he checked it and started it up the chain.

Let me say, that seems strange to me... have you ever seen a player give a ball to an equipment guy after a play (aside from those where it's a record or first TD, or something like that)?

NFL referees are some of the worst officials in pro sports. Every week there are issues with calls that are missed or called in an inconsistent manner.

I never said they are perfect. But they're also making calls in real time, based on just the angle they're seeing a play.

 

[sam_gordon]

Listen to the interview Tax Guy posted, that ref says the officials have a feel for the ball.

He also said he didn't know if they'd notice a difference of 2psi. (I think his exact words were something like "if it was at 9 or 10psi").

 

[TAX GUY]

Let me say, that seems strange to me... have you ever seen a player give a ball to an equipment guy after a play (aside from those where it's a record or first TD, or something like that)?


I never said they are perfect. But they're also making calls in real time, based on just the angle they're seeing a play.

Sam, it was in the first post of this thread...

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.”

 

[TAX GUY]

He also said he didn't know if they'd notice a difference of 2psi. (I think his exact words were something like "if it was at 9 or 10psi").

Correct, and he also said if they press a thumb and it feels too soft (or not right), then they toss it to the side and get another.

 

[Dan Murfman]

I didn't really used to pay attention to football before. What was spygate and what did they do in that?

 

[TAX GUY]

I didn't really used to pay attention to football before. What was spygate and what did they do in that?

The Patriots were called out regarding recording other teams play calls and signals (taping from their side line, aiming a camera at the other coaches and side lines). It was proven and they were fined heavily (coach and organization).

That's way in the past though.... and we should all move on....and never speak of it again.

 

[declansdad]

Let me say, that seems strange to me... have you ever seen a player give a ball to an equipment guy after a play (aside from those where it's a record or first TD, or something like that)?


I never said they are perfect. But they're also making calls in real time, based on just the angle they're seeing a play.

Look it up, that's the way it was explained when this came out. Players give stuff to equipment guys all the time.

Real time or not, the NFL officials are not very good.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If a guy knows how to make Balls as bad as they can be and then makes them even worse, Wouldn't he know how to make them the best for his players. What did Belichik know and when did he know it.

"...wet, cold, sticky, slippery..."
Nothing in there at all about inflation level. All exeternal conditions.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

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.

Wrong. Sean Payton was suspended for lying, although nothing was proven. The investigation was a sham. Jonathan Vilma proved that, which is why his suspension was overturned.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Correct, and he also said if they press a thumb and it feels too soft (or not right), then they toss it to the side and get another.

They checked the balls throughout the game and switch them out as they get low, worn, whatever, right?

So why does Jackson feel the ball is low and give it to his equipment manager? Why wouldn't he just tell the refs?
The Colts complained about this previously and nothing was done. Honestly it really seems like a non rule, rule, one that's there but in general they let it go within reason.
This time the Colts get a ball as proof, and have an Indianapolis sports reporter tweet it out so it will get attention.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The Patriots were called out regarding recording other teams play calls and signals (taping from their side line, aiming a camera at the other coaches and side lines). It was proven and they were fined heavily (coach and organization).

That's way in the past though.... and we should all move on....and never speak of it again.

It's also believed they may have illegally taped the Rams practices prior to the 2001 Super Bowl - which of course came down to the final play of the game.

 

[Geoff_M]

Doesn't that presser background peg the "Irony Meter"???

 

[declansdad]

Wrong. Sean Payton was suspended for lying, although nothing was proven. The investigation was a sham. Jonathan Vilma proved that, which is why his suspension was overturned.

Actually it was proven but overturned because of the way it was handled.

From Tagliabue's decision:

"I affirm Commissioner Goodell's factual findings as to the four players. I conclude that Hargrove, Smith and Vilma -- but not Fujita -- engaged in 'conduct detrimental to the integrity of, and public confidence in, the game of professional football,' " the ruling said.

 

[TAX GUY]

Doesn't that presser background peg the "Irony Meter"???