Deflate-Gate: Here We Go Again

[Observer]

I am sick of this ****. You guys are trying to turn this into a case of wrongdoing worse than the media are. I STRONGLY DOUBT that there is any scientific procedure to "properly inflate" the footballs before giving them to the ref. The ball guy probably pumps them up, feels them to his satisfaction as to how Brady likes it and tosses them in the bin. The ref comes, squeezes them and puts them in the bag. Done deal. I doubt anybody has a checklist or official record of exactly what psi the balls were measured at before each game. I would like the NFL to produce those. documents for EVERY regular season game this year. I would also like to see NIST - traceable calibration certificates of every pressure gauge that was used.
If that doesn't exist then what is this new procedure for the AFC championship game? Is the NFL arbitrarily going to change procedure just because someone asks? THAT is the biggest foul here. It is up to the refs to decide what is a suitable ball and change it if it isn't. Arbitrary testing of football pressure with God knows what one-off method is not in the set procedure and is quite simply outside of game rules.
If you are going to be surprised by deflategate, what's next? One team is going to say the other team is wearing shoes of the wrong lace length and the NFL will start an "investigation"? ESPN will go crazy over how shorter laces could result in better traction.
Opening the doors to arbitrary one-off procedure changes completely destroys league credibility to me. It is basically saying they do whatever they want whenever they want because there is really no procedure at all. It is all about complaint and arbitration apparently.

 

[Double TE]

Double TE is trying to ignore the world outside his house and the small community on this board.

It's understandable, but unrealistic.

Hmmmm....not quite. But people are laying out punishment before all the facts are out. Media especially trying to get the so called scoop.

My question is if properly checked by the refs how did the balls deflate? Someone did it right? Who and how when these balls are brought outside.

Read the ball boy story. I just posted the link.

 

[Triumph]

I know who did it!

Mangini used to be a ball boy didn't he?

 

[Observer]

People keep saying "properly checked before the game" as if that means anything. Is it in NFL standard procedure to record the psi of every football with a certified calibrated gauge at standard temperature before each game? What about the shape and size of the footballs? If teams furnish their own balls how is that controlled?
The reality is that there is no "properly inflated" to begin with so let's stop parroting that. It's really making my head hurt now seeing our own fans go crazy about it. I thought it was good for a laugh at the beginning but now it's really getting on my nerves.

 

[Double TE]

You laugh but the who and how and when actually are still to be answered. I want the damn truth. I can handle it.

 

[Double TE]

People keep saying "properly checked before the game" as if that means anything. Is it in NFL standard procedure to record the psi of every football with a certified calibrated gauge at standard temperature before each game? What about the shape and size of the footballs? If teams furnish their own balls how is that controlled?
The reality is that there is no "properly inflated" to begin with so let's stop parroting that. It's really making my head hurt now seeing our own fans go crazy about it. I thought it was good for a laugh at the beginning but now it's really getting on my nerves.

Agreed. The delta is almost impossible to gauge by pure feel.

 

[shmessy]

People keep saying "properly checked before the game" as if that means anything. Is it in NFL standard procedure to record the psi of every football with a certified calibrated gauge at standard temperature before each game? What about the shape and size of the footballs? If teams furnish their own balls how is that controlled?
The reality is that there is no "properly inflated" to begin with so let's stop parroting that. It's really making my head hurt now seeing our own fans go crazy about it. I thought it was good for a laugh at the beginning but now it's really getting on my nerves.

Now THIS is a post I can agree with. Good point.

Let's see what the protocol is. If the pregame is a 'feel test' then there is no way the Patriots can be in any real trouble.

Good on you for making a real argument with bite instead of many of the others here who are wishing it away.

 

[ausbacker]

The TIMING is everything, though, Ausbacker. And that is what you are ignoring.

The balls were PROTOCOL pregame - - both the Colts and the Patriots balls.

The Colts balls were still protocol at halftime. 11 of 12 Patriots balls weren't.

I hope there is a good reason.

I'm not ignoring anything. I've followed the whole debacle. What I am doing is waiting for official statements.

 

[luuked]

The 11 NE Patriots underinflated balls are not proof?

12 NE Patriots balls were properly inflated before the game but somehow 11 were approximately underinflated by 2 psi after the game.

God.. seriously no wonder the reading comprehension scores in this country are so low.

Just because there are 11 underinflated balls it doesn't mean that anyone did anything malicious. Without a witness or video evidence there will be no punishment. No matter how much some of the chicken littles and trolls wish for it.

 

[karguy85]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investi...-boys-perspective-preparing-footballs-n290801

This!!! I still blame the refs

It's beginning to look like its very possible that Tom and the ballboy worked all the balls in and Tom found one he really like that was under-inflated and told the ballboy that he liked it exactly like that. The ballboy then measured it with a pressure gauge and deflated the other balls to that exact PSI. He brought them to the refs who gave them the "squeeze" test and said they were good to go. The ballboy could have known Tom's preference for a while. If I'm a quarterback and there's never been a problem with the PSI of the balls before what do I care what the actual measurement is? Under this scenario, neither the coach nor the QB know they are submitting "illegal" balls.

Not saying this hypothetical is correct, but it does seem plausible. The problem is, Belichick and the Patriots are already seen as cheaters by most of the country so why not bring them down and make it about the Patriots rather than refs shirking their duties?

 

[OhExaulted1]

Harbaugh getting his revenge for Brady calling him out for not knowing the rulebook. This all stems from a butthurt Harbaugh.

 

[shmessy]

Harbaugh getting his revenge for Brady calling him out for not knowing the rulebook. This all stems from a butthurt Harbaugh.

Harbaugh DEFENDED the Pats yesterday.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...flated-john-harbaugh-said-20150121-story.html

There is even audio of his answer yesterday to it.

Look, I understand people here are emotional, but get your facts straight.

 

[moejr]

Once approved by the referee, the balls are then put into ball bags and are set on the sidelines for each team. The ball bags are not guarded or watched in any way. When an official calls for a new football, a team's designated ball boy will get a new football from the ball bag and give it to the official.

Now they're not watched?

The NFL is not going to implicate their refs as they are viewed as Gods in their eyes. They have to either exonerate us or they'll crucify us.

 

[Jackson 2]

Harbaugh DEFENDED the pats yesterday.

Get your facts straight.

Yes, shmessy, he did. But, I believe it was a smokescreen because there are other multiple reports that the Ravens tipped off the Colts before the game about under inflated footballs. Just me, but I don't believe a word that comes out of Harbaugh's mouth, or his brother's for that matter.

 

[shmessy]

Yes, shmessy, he did. But, I believe it was a smokescreen because there are other multiple reports that the Ravens tipped off the Colts before the game about under inflated footballs. Just me, but I don't believe a word that comes out of Harbaugh's mouth, or his brother's for that matter.

Please. It's been established already that the Colts informed the NFL about their concerns after the November 16th game.

C'mon, this is embarrassing.

Stop the delusion. The truth will set you free.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

You lost me a bit when you compared the example that I gave with a previous "vandalism" charge. I do not think that too many people view the Pats 2007 drama as anything comparable with vandalism.

Pats fans might not, but the media (which is all the NFL cares about) and the NFL do.

 

[mgcolby]

No loyalty in the NFL I guess. BB brings Mangina and Tanenbaum into the league and we know what happened in 2007. Then Ozzie gets a shot in the front office from you know who and then BB puts in a good word for John and helps him get a job....and now they file complaints against NE for something that is well known and accepted throughout the league. If not for friends....

 

[Jackson 2]

Please. It's been established already that the Colts informed the NFL after the November 14th game.

C'mon, this is embarrassing.

You got that right. Embarrassing is the perfect adjective to describe ALL of this.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Harbaugh DEFENDED the pats yesterday.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...flated-john-harbaugh-said-20150121-story.html

There is even audio of his answer yesterday to it.

Look, I understand people here are emotional, but firing out at everyone outside the house isn't rational. Get your facts straight.

http://www.wcvb.com/sports/ravens-players-say-balls-underinflated-in-last-weeks-game/30833934

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/21/7864957/patriots-deflated-kicking-balls-ravens-colts

 

[TXPat]

Harbaugh has shown that he will cry and blame others if he wants to. I think if he thought this was legitimate at all he would be crying about how his game was actually close and we cheated. I dont blame him for this at all. Different reports claim the complaint came from different teams at different times. A lot of people dont know what they're talking about and are reporting anyway.