Pats

[Sea Dangles]

I love the team,but it is a huge embarrassment for the organization to have this come out as the truth. Especially now.

[thefishingfreak]

Horrible! Bradley, and New England for that matter, looks up to this team as great leaders and true champions.


To quote MSN sports
*If the Patriots win the Super Bowl, the victory is now tainted and completely meaningless. If the Patriots lose the Super Bowl, they have been exposed for the frauds that they are and are completely incapable of winning without cheating, and justice has been done.*

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/...ive/ar-AA8pFf6

[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.

[PaulS]

Brady has said in the past that he likes underinflated (foot)balls. The Pats could have been forced to use a basketball and they still would have easily won. However, given their history it is an embarrassment as SeaDangles said.

[iamskippy]

Loving it....
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[nightfighter]

I am a disappointed Patriots fan. Not going to try to defend this one....
But, a few questions. Minimum PSI is 12.5 by rule. One pound less is approximately 8%. I would like to hold two footballs, one inflated to 12.5, the other at 11.5, to see how much of a noticeable difference there is. If my paycheck is 8% light, I am going to notice it...

How did the officials miss it? They handle the ball more than the QB. How is it that game balls are in possession of the team during the game, after the pre game inspection? If there is a chance to alter the ball for a competitive advantage, should it not be in the possession of some party without a vested interest? (ie. a rep/employee of the NFL)

The NFL has some serious work ahead of it to review their competitive controls, rules, and oversight. Not like they don't have the money....

A fish that measures 1/8 inch under is still a short......period.

[DZ]

I agree Nightfighter - I think this is taking awhile because the NFL is also questioning game officials.

[Rockfish9]

here we go again...I'm sure this stuff has been going on a long time...with every team in the NFL...not that it's right...the Ref's have a lot of explaining to do... they should have been able to tell the difference between the foot balls the Colt's were using and the balls the Pat's were using...if it REALLY makes a difference..or they simply didn't care because EVERY team sets them the way they want...again. Not condoning it or making excuses. The rules ARE the rules. They are there for a reason... whatever the finding.. there is no "happy ending" as far as I'm concerned...the whole thing is sad... on so many levels... Especially when the NFL is more worried about deflated balls than they are about drug use and domestic violence... or even players stomping on other fallen players... it ALMOST makes me want to watch soccer (not)...

signed: a deflated Pat's fan...

[MikeD]

If what I just read is true, 11 of 12 balls were 2 lbs low. I would imagine we can kiss a 1st round pick and about 2 million Pats/Belichick dollars goodbye. Media day is going to be more annoying than usual this year.

[Slipknot]

how convenient for only part of the investigation to come out. is the nfl the source? or someone at espn with a source? I heard that the Colts balls were all within the 12.5 and 13.5 range of psi.
The officials are given the balls 2 hours before the game and they check the psi, well did they add psi if needed? the balls go in the bag and are given to the ball boy 4 minutes before the game. I find it difficult to believe that with all the cameras these days that someone on the Patriots accessed the bag of balls during the game or the few minutes before and let air out, that is to be determined I guess. The investigators should review the all 22's.
Labeled as cheaters and the court of public opinion is really hurting this franchise. Now everything is in question all over again.

They should measure the field, check the goalposts, put in cameras everywhere to check up on the cheaters and on and on

it's pretty sad

this superbowl is now a lose lose situation, if they win, they cheated, if they lose, it's because they got caught cheating.
this distraction is going to make it so much more difficult to win this championship.

If they deflated them, it is so disappointing, there is no need for it especially considering what they have been punished for already

[Redsoxticket]

When measuring the pressure in a tire there are times when three measurements are needed. It is possible that the football gauge or needle was faulty at that time of measurement. Do the gauges get tested per US standards of measurements.
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[nightfighter]

Discussions of punishment are bringing up Sean Payton's one year suspension as a comp for BB, should he be found culpable, condoning, or directly involved.... Franchise, owner, and coach are now going to be judged as repeat offenders.
Time to turn off sport radio and TV for the next 12 days....

[buckman]

Inflate the balls to a league minimum 2 1/2 hours before the game time and it's 70° and then go outside and play with the balls at 40° they are going to be below the minimum. The officials are given a pump and they are supposed to maintain the pressure of the balls.
I wouldn't call it cheating I would call it shrewd.
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[dannyplug1]

In all honesty, I think its envy. With out a doubt the patriots are the best managed team on and off the field. And I say this as a person born in NYC and a life long giants fan. The cry babies in the NFL should work harder to become better, rather than seeking every little way to attack the patriots. Unfortunately, I think they probably did deflate the balls (footballs). It doesn't matter what other teams do according to the rules it is illegal. The patriots are smart and talented enough to win with out breaking the rules. Doing things like this just gives the sore sports like the raven coach who was out coached by not knowing the rules. As contrasted to the colts who didn't have the talent to compete with the patriots. As a giant fan I respect the patriots. Beside my wife is the biggest pats fan around and I dare not root against her boys. She screams yells she calls Tom Mr. Bunchen when he screws up, she gives our dogs cookies when they score touchdowns. She hates Phil Simms because she thinks he doesn't like the patriots. She swears better than a sailor, During a pats game she can use the F word as an adjective, noun, verb or action verb. She morphs into a different person. I will root for the belicheck bunch or risk bodily harm.

[5/0]

Innocent until proven guilty.
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[Slipknot]

Next years Colts vs Patriots game will be an even more beatdown, like 60 to nothing. And it is in Foxboro

[Nebe]

Just wait... Wait for it..... Wait for it.....

Viagra commercial with patriots coming soon.

You heard it here first. From nebestradomous
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[JoeG@Breezy]

Originally Posted by buckman

Inflate the balls to a league minimum 2 1/2 hours before the game time and it's 70° and then go outside and play with the balls at 40° they are going to be below the minimum. The officials are given a pump and they are supposed to maintain the pressure of the balls.
I wouldn't call it cheating I would call it shrewd.
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Hey, I'm a NY Giants fan and all the Jet fans down here are stirring on this one. But I think you nailed it and that was exactly my response when I first heard it. So BB gives a bunch of balls of different pressure to TB and the recievers and asks which they would prefer given the weather forecast. There is wiggle room in the spec and BB will always find it. It's on the NFL, not the Pats.

[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by 5/0

Innocent until proven guilty.
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Guilty
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[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by buckman

Inflate the balls to a league minimum 2 1/2 hours before the game time and it's 70° and then go outside and play with the balls at 40° they are going to be below the minimum. The officials are given a pump and they are supposed to maintain the pressure of the balls.
I wouldn't call it cheating I would call it shrewd.
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You are so reaching there is not enough elemental exposure to cause such an atrocity, that points already been brought up and deflated by experts...

Bottom line 11 out of 12 they cheated enough said. What a sh*t dynasty... i hope they pull the trip to the sbowl away from them.
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[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

Next years Colts vs Patriots game will be an even more beatdown, like 60 to nothing. And it is in Foxboro

Is that 60 PSI?
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[PRBuzz]

Could have won with SOAP for balls!

http://nesn.com/2015/01/colts-dwayne...s-and-beat-us/

[Raven]

I find it highly Ironic that this is the first time the footballs
were inspected and found to be missing air.
why now
....and on the last game that decides who goes to the S-B.
We didn't need to do this to win so it is HIGHLY suspicious. the timing.
IF the ref's signed off on the balls then the Pat's were in compliance.

[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.

[buckman]

Originally Posted by iamskippy

You are so reaching there is not enough elemental exposure to cause such an atrocity, that points already been brought up and deflated by experts...

Bottom line 11 out of 12 they cheated enough said. What a sh*t dynasty... i hope they pull the trip to the sbowl away from them.
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What happened in the second half ?
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[5/0]

Originally Posted by iamskippy

Guilty
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Haha It's OK,didn't know you are also judge and jury.haha
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