Pats

[Cool Beans]

I would love to know what the pressure of the Colts balls were. Many teams use slightly under inflated balls in horrible rainy weather. Was a common practice even in High School. The ref checked them, saw they were low, didn't give a crap, since it's common place, and said play ball.

But seriously I bet the Colts balls were also low,,,,,,

[afterhours]

i can't see this ending well.

[DZ]

Can't wait for the rest of the story. Just the fact that there is even a rule about ball pressure in the NFL Rule book means that ball pressure deviation has always been a common practice over the years. I'm betting that at one time every team did it based on weather conditions/personal preference. It was probably a rule that no one really cared about and was probably not a big deal because each team uses their own balls. I was researching this a little and found that underinflated balls are harder to throw and catch, but easier to grip.

[Sea Flat]

I want to know how much they were deflated, in terms of psi. Have you ever felt the difference in 1 psi or 2 psi? Give me a break.

I can't wait to see how this all shakes out. I doubt Belichek knew anything about it. From what I understand the QB, backup QB and other staff are the ones that handle breaking in the balls, selecting balls, designating game balls vs. kicking balls etc.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by DZ

Can't wait for the rest of the story. Just the fact that there is even a rule about ball pressure in the NFL Rule book means that ball pressure deviation has always been a common practice over the years. I'm betting that at one time every team did it based on weather conditions/personal preference. It was probably a rule that no one really cared about and was probably not a big deal because each team uses their own balls. I was researching this a little and found that underinflated balls are harder to throw and catch, but easier to grip.

As I understand it, it goes back to the days of Al Davis in Oakland. He was "alleged" to provide dead balls to the visiting team. He was also accused of having balls partially filled with helium to assist his world class punter, Ray Guy, who is the only punter in the HoF (well, the only pure punter, anyway).

[JohnR]

Not condoning this but this is a systemwide issue, like the taping, that the Pats are getting called on. Most / some / many are doing it - the Pats got caught. There should be repercussions.

This is not betting on football outcomes, this is not putting bounties on other players to injure, or using performance enhancing drugs - this is lower level stuff. Like cheating in NASCAR. Or turning off the heat in the visitors locker room. Or manipulating the volume of stadium noise in Indy. I am not condoning what the Pat's are accused of but I am trying to de-sensationalize this a bit.

People are pointing to other situations where this has happened - not sure how true or not - but it is clear that the Refs should manage the game balls. What we are also doing is a lot of speculating. Hearing a lot of interviews and statements by other QBs seems this might be more common than some state.

The NFL has not stated what their findings are nor have they shown the entire process that took place. There are multiple places where this can change deliberately or not (though not likely) as well as the quality of the inspections / inspection processes.

At the end of the day this is a lot of spiel about a minor item. To think that the Patriots are the only team with a bag of tricks in use is a little foolish. Messing with the footballs may be a little common place too across many teams.

Again, not condoning their actions that may or may not (though unlikely) happened but a proper investigation needs to go all along.