Bill Belichick will meet with the media today at 9:30 a.m

[RayClay]

They've got this down. Brady comes in now and says he likes the balls as soft as possible so they deflate them to the legal minimum. Then he gazes sincerely at the media while demonstrating with his fingers how he likes to caress the balls before going on the field, bats his eyes at the assemblage, flashes those baby blues and says, "I don't know how the rest of that air got out, I really don't."

The press goes to clean up, controversy over.

 

[mgteich]

Anyone who thinks that Belichick threw Brady under the bus doesn't realize that Brady knew everything Belichick was saying and will expand on it. I don't think anything Belichick said was a lie, everything both he and Brady say today went through Stacy James and discussed extensively internally.

I agree that these all these remarks were carefully prepared. Brady and ownership certainly were not surprised by anything Belichick said. In fact, it seems clear to everyone that the comments were not "normal" Belichick. Every analysis that I have heard indicates that this is Belichick's longest uninterrupted statement on any matter. This just wasn't Belichick's style.

that being the case, Belichick could have said many things. He could have said that, as coach, that he is responsible for everything that goes on. He could have said that he is investigating and he will find out exactly what happened and discipline folks appropriately (last time a cameraman was fired). But Belichick did none of these. He used his prepared comments to make a Sergeant Schultz replay to the situation "I know nothing". Further, he basically said that it Brady who would know about everything to with the football.

Some characterize this as throwing Brady under the bus. In any case, Belichick absolved himself of all controversy (similar to what happened at the college level when this issue came up).

 

[signbabybrady]

They've got this down. Brady comes in now and says he likes the balls as soft as possible so they deflate them to the legal minimum. Then he gazes sincerely at the media while demonstrating with his fingers how he likes to caress the balls before going on the field, bats his eyes at the assemblage, flashes those baby blues and says, "I don't know how the rest of that air got out, I really don't."

The press goes to clean up, controversy over.

Yup they hate BB but love Tom the vitriol won't be the same.

 

[1960Pats]

Did you not stop by the deflate gate thread? It was a **** show to say the least.

I started to read through the thread, but decided against it. It gave me a chance to check out some actual football posts. Ken had a great one on the read option that I got to read in total peace and quiet.

There wasn't much that came out from this story that wasn't crap.

 

[SacPete1]

I thought it was interesting that Bill talked about his history of how he deals with footballs during practice, to talk to any current or former player about discussions or lack there of regarding air pressure.

For me at least it takes the emphasis off him being some mythical evil wizard as the media likes to portray and onto something more tangible and really more reflective of his own dealings with footballs. He didn't emphasize his team's practices with footballs but rather isolated his involvement, knowledge and motive which is very unusual given how he preaches about team. At the same time, this was smart since so many out there want to believe he himself is responsible. Hey, if you want it to be about me, let's talk about me.

His statement now places a much greater interest in Tom Brady's press conference and the degree to which he speaks on the topic. Tom generally provides a fair bit of description in his answers but he's also very thoughtful in his responses.

I do think like Bill's presser, a prepared statement anticipating the obvious questions would be a good idea (his personal preferences for the quality of the ball, his involvement with the selection and preparation of the balls, his involvement or inspection of the balls after the refs have inspected and delivered them back to the sideline).

Also the fact that it is being moved up to 4:00 from tomorrow leads me to guess that the NFL will announce something this evening.

 

[Tunescribe]

When that women reporter asked why all this negative BS follows BB he should have said "Haters gonna hate" (Drops mic, backs up, walks away)

A couple of those questions REALLY pissed me off. "Why does this trouble seem to follow you?" "Your character off the field has been called into question," etc. I would've jumped over the podium and strangled those jerks.

 

[Bella*chick]

BB is pissed.

As well he should be. At the very least HE is not going to take any punishment or any blame lying down on this one. And he shouldn't. I know the narrative on him is that he is so meticulous nothing ever gets missed and he obviously knows everything about everything but come on. He has to delegate a ton of things as HC or he would simply drown in minutiae. I 100% believe him when he says he learned more about ball inflation procedures in the last two days than he ever had before. He is an Xs and Os coach, not some wannabe scientist.

 

[Rob0729]

I agree that these all these remarks were carefully prepared. Brady and ownership certainly were not surprised by anything Belichick said. In fact, it seems clear to everyone that the comments were not "normal" Belichick. Every analysis that I have heard indicates that this is Belichick's longest uninterrupted statement on any matter. This just wasn't Belichick's style.

that being the case, Belichick could have said many things. He could have said that, as coach, that he is responsible for everything that goes on. He could have said that he is investigating and he will find out exactly what happened and discipline folks appropriately (last time a cameraman was fired). But Belichick did none of these. He used his prepared comments to make a Sergeant Schultz replay to the situation "I know nothing". Further, he basically said that it Brady who would know about everything to with the football.

Some characterize this as throwing Brady under the bus. In any case, Belichick absolved himself of all controversy (similar to what happened at the college level when this issue came up).

They may have had to since the league may be gunning for Belichick specifically. And if he took any responsibility publicly it would give Goodell the in to give him the hammer personally.

 

[Gronk]

I was gonna say "good job by BB" but that is kind of a duh, of course. I think the simplest answer to this scandal is probably the truth - they deflate them to the low end that's how Tom likes 'em, and sometimes air comes out. "I don't have a pressure gauge in the huddle", something along those lines. That might come off smug, but whatevs. The rules state that the Referee is the judge of the ball during the game. If they keep putting in down, we keep snapping it and throwing it. Done.

I think Bill needs to hold a few pressers with Key & Peele's Obama Anger Translator Luther behind him.

 

[Patriots1364life]

I just cant see how the nfl can find evidence to punish us assuming the balls where around 12.5.

 

[QB12]

Brady: He likes his footballs on the lower range of legal. If they fell below that, and by how much, he doesn't know. He has since learned that "backup" footballs, approved by the refs, were used in the second half, during which the team skunked the Colts, 28-0.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

My spidy sense is the the NFL is looking for a way to get out from under this (and quickly). What it sounding more and more like is that the ref did their typical "sharmen sqeeze" of the balls before the game and gave them the okey-doke (like usual). It wasn't till the Colts made a stink about it that it became an issue. One thing is for certain.... As big of a d*ck as Goodell is, he is a "protect the brand" commish and there is NO WAY they will admit that the refs effed up.

My guess is that TB will come out and say that "yeah, I like my balls a little soft {ladies cooing}, and make sure the ballboys inflate them to 12.5 at game start. I had no idea that they might deflate to under "minimum" as the game goes on. I'm not a physicist, I'm the fricken Quarterback". Sorry for all the confusion.

NFL comes out that they have no evidence of subterfuge in the slight deflection found that couldn't be atributed to weather or stresses place onto them by game conditions (for which their is no precedence). Follows up with a stern letter to teams not to mess with the balls.

Controversy over... outside of the haters that will continue to pile on like they always do.

 

[Uncle Rico]

So .. no one there asked about any other aspect of the upcoming Super Bowl.

 

[QB12]

Patriot in NY: Agree completely. Couldn't have said it better. That Brady's presser has been moved up from yesterday to today means the investigation is done, and the hay is in the barn. BB's statement that he will make sure going forward that balls are properly inflated confirms this.

 

[Tunescribe]

So .. no one there asked about any other aspect of the upcoming Super Bowl.

Yeah, that was amazing.

 

[Bella*chick]

Brady should make some reference to that fact that he played so much better with the second half balls. Who the heck wants to increase their chances of tossing an INT.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

This is another texbook example of why the Patriots are such an example of success.

Re: the 'go ask Tom how he likes his footballs' bit....to me that is just another textbook example of how things are done differently here. Be accountable to your teammate, be accountable for your actions. If Brady likes the football a certain way then he can explain to you all why that is the case.

More instances of accountability leads to less instances of responsibility....IMHO...

 

[Uncle Rico]

Brady should make some reference to that fact that he played so much better with the second half balls. Who the heck wants to increase their chances of tossing an INT.

Hah ... "Yeah, I was wondering what the heck happened with that damn interception. Can't believe they gave me an underinflated ball. Totally explains it."

Do it Tom.

 

[Wax Frog]

Follows up with a stern letter to teams not to submit frivolous complaints.

I can dream, right?

 

[Ring 6]

Lets not present this like BB is a genius for concocting a good way to trick the NFL and the media.
He is simply telling the truth.