[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by hq2

Well, let's get all this straightened out here. We've taken care of the physics; we all agree that about .5 psi would occur due to cold. How about the issue of legal responsibility? As far as I know, the regulations state that the balls are to be at a pressure of 12.5-13.5 psi AT THE TIME OF THE GAME, not two hours
before when the refs check them. That means that, REGARDLESS of whatever the Patriots did with the balls before the game, they are LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE
for ensuring that the balls are at the right pressure at the TIME OF THE GAME. This means that is UP TO THE PATRIOTS to check them AT THE TIME OF THE
GAME to make sure they are in compliance. If they are not, then they have to notify the officials and make appropriate re-inflation measures with the officials.

The Patriots have used their procedures for quite a while, and have had ample opportunities to check what they did prior to game time to see what corrections
needed to be made. The fact that 11 out of 12 balls were under-inflated indicates that they DID NOT perform any appropriate checking at game time. Consequently, while they may not have been deliberately deflated, nonetheless the team would still be guilty of negligence, EVEN IF EVERYTHING BELICHICK SAID IS TRUE. Does this make sense, folks?

Doesn't make sense, the officials don't give the balls back to the team until just before game time.