Twitter report: NFL investigation is more about NFL Officials, not Pats (updated)

Joker said:

My mistake then...I could swear you meant the "added element" of deflation in the first half.

'm not that hot on the added element which may/may not have allowed them to properly take advantage of last week

what is it that may have /may not have allowed them to take advantage?

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Let's try this again--

I was openly rooting for SEA to win on Sunday--that's how much I wanted to play them. As our game went into the 3rd quarter and we started to pull away, I felt super confident that this was definitely our game to lose next Sunday. In other words, I felt very, very confident that we'd beat the Seahawks.

Since then, the whole "under inflation story" has come out, and my fear is that it may have offered something of a distraction for the coaches/players last week. After all, one of the greatest things about the SB is that you get 2 weeks to prepare.

Bottom Line: since the story broke, I'm not quite as confident, since it adds something of an "unexpected" or (added) element to the equation that I felt so confident about in the beginning. I really liked our matchup with the Seahawks, even if many did not.

I think it can go 2 ways. It can offer even more motivation for us, or it can take away from the focus, but personally, I don't care for the unexpected added element. I was good with the matchup before this stupid story broke.

Thanx...I misunderstood. That's why I reacted in disbelief. I agree with your sentiment. I do not have any idea what to expect other than this looks like a blowout either way.

TheBostonStraggler said:

They won't turn the gun on themselves conspicuously or with honesty. I agree with that completely. But the proof of that happening will actually come, or not come, in the offseason. I'd be willing to bet a form is being worked on/considered that game officials will use to document pre game air pressure measurements. Certainly all informality will be completely gotten rid of. Don't they have to or, otherwise, isn't this significant cheating & competitive imbalance being taken very very unseriously by the NFL? I mean doesn't the NFL and it's officials care about the "integrity" of the game? Shame shame on them if they don't put stringent procedures of checking and documentation in place for measuring the air pressure

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I'm all for letting them add in their measures or whatever, as long as it doesn't make us the sacrificial lambs again.

I want a 100 percent exoneration, and won't be happy with anything but that.

As far as the refs and the competition committee etc--they can do whatever they wish. In all honesty, I think they could've already figured this out and came out with a very reasonable new protocol. No one would even think twice about it after about 48 hrs or so. That's what should've happened.

The only thing I'm debating Joker is whether or not the NFL is going to admit to their faults or mistakes, which I have a hard time envisioning. That's simply because I don't trust that slimeball Goodell.

I just have a feeling that there's no way they're going to paint themselves in a bad light as some have suggested, so that's really all that I respectfully disagree with. That said, I really can't even imagine how this is going to play out...but I'm a bit fearful of "the man" all the same

Peachhead said:

Dr. Freud, did you slip?

Well that's what we get for hundreds of pages about balls.

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See post #25 in this thread...

supafly said:

I agree that's how it should happen, although I'm not as certain that's how it's going to happen.

I don't trust Goodell for a second, and I just can't see them re-shifting the focus around on themselves, but let's hope that's how it happens.

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I agree with everything you said. However, the back story to the 'what was the exact reading to the pre game football air pressure check' is regarding NFL pushed BS punishment that results in draft pick loss or suspension (as was pushed by some).
To start with, fortunately I don't believe the Patriots take this one lying down.
So first question in front of an arbitrator: What were the measurements of the air pressure pre game?
First statement: tests conclusively prove weather and environmental factors change the air pressure.
Next question: with weather lowering the air pressure in the football to a range, can we deduct the range from your pre game air pressure measurement to determine if it then becomes an official football?
Next statement: oh that's right you don't know what it was pre game. I guess you then don't know if the range caused by environmental factors could be entirely responsible for this.

Maybe I misunderstand how the process should work (very possible). To me it seems obvious that the NFL would have little to stand on (assuming the draft pick loss can be appealed).

In all honesty, I think they could've already figured this out and came out with a very reasonable new protocol. No one would even think twice about it after about 48 hrs or so. That's what should've happened.

but..they didn't. They SHOULD have done months ago when the so called Indy "complaint" first surfaced. Of course , even I did not know Kensil was Goodell's handpicked henchman....a 20 year employee and associate of the New York Jets??? Picture speaks a thousand words...

supafly said:

I'm all for letting them add in their measures or whatever, as long as it doesn't make us the sacrificial lambs again.

I want a 100 percent exoneration, and won't be happy with anything but that.

As far as the refs and the competition committee etc--they can do whatever they wish. In all honesty, I think they could've already figured this out and came out with a very reasonable new protocol. No one would even think twice about it after about 48 hrs or so. That's what should've happened.

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On that one you got me. The NFL has proven their fondness for sacrificial lambs. I certainly believe they will throw the Patriots to the sharks if they think it's good for them/a move waiting to be ate up by the lemmings and masses. Any proof will mostly be unneeded.

Three days ago they could have sent every Patriot to the guillotine without backlash (I have actually had my head in a guillotine and the blade was dropped - it wasn't particularly fun). Fortunately the tide has ebbed and their selling of a punishment won't be so easily done. Enough lemmings appear to be ready to dissect a ruling by the NFL (unlike Spygate). The NFL lost its prime window for any significant sacrifice (unless some sort of smoking gun is found or some new outrage at the evil BB is drummed up).

I believe the NFL is doing the 'when there is no clear path the best path is to do nothing' (a butchered movie quote). While I believe changes to the process of checking the ball is likely coming, the Patriots aren't in that vulnerable position that allows them to be sacrificed. Further I think that window will continue to get even smaller and smaller (at least that's my take on it)

supafly said:

I'm all for letting them add in their measures or whatever, as long as it doesn't make us the sacrificial lambs again.

I want a 100 percent exoneration, and won't be happy with anything but that.

As far as the refs and the competition committee etc--they can do whatever they wish. In all honesty, I think they could've already figured this out and came out with a very reasonable new protocol. No one would even think twice about it after about 48 hrs or so. That's what should've happened.

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If we have to go to congress to get the truth from the NFL I am all for that. This stinking pile is leading right back to the NFL and Jets, Colts and Ravens perhaps per recent reports. This is being talked about as a setup in response to the Patriots complaint against the Jets and the fools in the NFL never factored in that the Patriots weren't deflating balls, that science was behind it. Is it possible they sprung their sting, saw the balls were below PSI, told Kravitz and went to the tapes for the smoking gun and said it would all be wrapped up in 2 days. Tape showed nothing, they are confused, find out about science and are crapping their pants. Of course they aren't talking to Brady. They know they screwed up royally. It is time for justice and if NFL won't come clean write to every senator and congressman about the corruption in the NFL here. Congress already is after the NFL for Ray Rice. The top 2 guys in the NFL need to go if this is proven true and major sanctions against other teams. No whitewash.

Dr Pain said:

If we have to go to congress to get the truth from the NFL I am all for that. This stinking pile is leading right back to the NFL and Jets, Colts and Ravens perhaps per recent reports. This is being talked about as a setup in response to the Patriots complaint against the Jets and the fools in the NFL never factored in that the Patriots weren't deflating balls, that science was behind it. Is it possible they sprung their sting, saw the balls were below PSI, told Kravitz and went to the tapes for the smoking gun and said it would all be wrapped up in 2 days. Tape showed nothing, they are confused, find out about science and are crapping their pants. Of course they aren't talking to Brady. They know they screwed up royally. It is time for justice and if NFL won't come clean write to every senator and congressman about the corruption in the NFL here. Congress already is after the NFL for Ray Rice. The top 2 guys in the NFL need to go if this is proven true and major sanctions against other teams. No whitewash.

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I don't know. I certainly agree that this is what should happen, but I'm not going to hold my breath...

For what it's worth--Brady said that he expects the NFL to interview him after the season is over, so I'm guessing that is something they've relayed to him.

supafly said:

I don't know. I certainly agree that this is what should happen, but I'm not going to hold my breath...

For what it's worth--Brady said that he expects the NFL to interview him after the season is over, so I'm guessing that is something they've relayed to him.

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So much for the whole 2-3 days for the investigation to be complete. A bunch of monkeys in charge at NFL HQ.

juny said:

So much for the whole 2-3 days for the investigation to be complete. A bunch of monkeys in charge at NFL HQ.

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They got caught in their own trap. This could get very ugly and cost Roger and others at the NFL their jobs. Start at 1:23 http://www.csnne.com/video_content_...-footballs-may-have-been-1-psi-below-standard

TheBostonStraggler said:

I believe the NFL is doing the 'when there is no clear path the best path is to do nothing' (a butchered movie quote). While I believe changes to the process of checking the ball is likely coming, the Patriots aren't in that vulnerable position that allows them to be sacrificed. Further I think that window will continue to get even smaller and smaller (at least that's my take on it)

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Supposedly, Brady was interviewed at halftime of the Pro Bowl, and he stated that he doesn't expect to be questioned until after the season is over, so I expect it to be awhile before we hear anything.

On a bit of a tangent but related in a way...I'm drafting a letter to my congressman here in R.I. asking that he demand a congressional investigation into the NFL and its corporate headquarters on Madison Ave. in NYC ...along with a demand for a forensic audit of NFL dealings since 2006.

I am also going to send a draft to the Justice Department, the IRS and any other arm of the government I think may have an interest in this cabal.

I'm going to have 500 copies made and mail out 5 a week until I get a response of some kind. And yes, I AM a big fan of the Shawshank Redemption library story.

Joker said:

On a bit of a tangent but related in a way...I'm drafting a letter to my congressman here in R.I. asking that he demand a congressional investigation into the NFL and its corporate headquarters on Madison Ave. in NYC ...along with a demand for a forensic audit of NFL dealings since 2006.

I am also going to send a draft to the Justice Department, the IRS and any other arm of the government I think may have an interest in this cabal.

I'm going to have 500 copies made and mail out 5 a week until I get a response of some kind. And yes, I AM a big fan of the Shawshank Redemption library story.

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http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/22/us/nfl-nonprofit-taxes/

Dr Pain said:

They got caught in their own trap. This could get very ugly and cost Roger and others at the NFL their jobs. ...

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Best quote: "Now he let's go when it's too late"

This is the same concept as the raccoon trap (Where the Red Fern Grows?) I believe.

supafly said:

Supposedly, Brady was interviewed at halftime of the Pro Bowl, and he stated that he doesn't expect to be questioned until after the season is over, so I expect it to be awhile before we hear anything.

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Allegation: the ball has been doctored to give the QB an unfair and significant cheating advantage.

Action: The NFL is performing a thorough investigation into this allegation.

Thorough Investigation: the NFL didn't once, not even for 10 minutes, speak with the QB who was allegedly receiving this cheating advantage, and who would be responsible for wanting the ball doctored.

Conclusion: Either the NFL loves casting the Patriots in the roll of the villain to generate SB TV ratings, they didn't want to do anything to distract the team prior to the SB (LOL), or they are just so slimy they can't get out of even their own slimy way.
Is there a fourth possible conclusion I am missing?

TheBostonStraggler said:

Allegation: the ball has been doctored to give the QB an unfair and significant cheating advantage.

Action: The NFL is performing a thorough investigation into this allegation.

Thorough Investigation: the NFL didn't once, not even for 10 minutes, speak with the QB who was allegedly receiving this cheating advantage, and who would be responsible for wanting the ball doctored.

Conclusion: Either the NFL loves casting the Patriots in the roll of the villain to generate SB TV ratings, they didn't want to do anything to distract the team prior to the SB (LOL), or they are just so slimy they can't get out of even their own slimy way.
Is there a fourth possible conclusion I am missing?

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I think you've hit them all, but I'd also throw in one more, and possibly the most important:

4) The possibility that this, once again, started off as something fairly small, then grew into something much larger---even out of control. If you remember in the beginning, Troy Vincent stated on Tues. that it would likely take "2 to 3 days" to wrap up the investigation. In the coming days, they went out and hired private law firms, forensic investigators, and ex-FBI officials who generally take 3 or 4 months to come to their findings.

If that's the case, they may have actually told Brady (or his agent) that they'll be questioning him when the week is up, knowing that it wouldn't make a difference this week anyway, and that this is going to be a long investigation. I'd have to imagine that one or more of Brady, his agent, Kraft, and/or Belichick may have openly voiced their displeasure with having to deal with that all of last week. I'm guessing that he didn't want to deal with it during the week of the SB as well.

You also have to assume that the player's association is in there somewhere as well, as Slater made a comment yesterday or the day before that stated that "the NFLPA doesn't want us to comment on that any further."

If the Colts were sure they were going to make a complaint about psi before game, then I would have expected that they would have insisted that balls were measured pre game with a gauge. I guess that doesn't mean for sure that the refs would also use gauge on Pats balls. I f it only came up after INT then anything goes pertaining to pregame gauge. Having said that I find it hard to believe that NFL pc would use the word inspect and not psi gauge if gauge was used.
Remember before all this started no one knew much about psi. So Colts witness gauge measurement at halftime and lets say Pats balls come in at 11.5..hmmm minus 13.5(not 12.5) is 2 psi hence 2 psi lower. Kravitz gets story then Mort and things and numbers get all mixed up.11-12 balls 2 psi under which Mort having read by now puts it at 10.5-11 psi.
And now NFL screws it up, whether its 10.5 or 11.5, they had no idea that psi goes down during game . Just that possible fact puts NFL in a bind, how can something be so important if you haven't done any research about the topic-psi and weather conditions. Just the fact that Refs insist that measurements must be taken inside means they had no idea.

Ps Harbaugh.... Ravens again caught not knowing the rules, as they complain that kicking balls were lower psi !!!! Harbaugh with mud on his face again, even if had nothing to do with his kickers saying it.

I am actually happy that NFL put this case in the hands of Pro investigators and lawyers. That means it will be handled by them as a real case and not NFL where you don't really need all the facts and proof. They will definitely go into the science of it, and go any direction the evidence leads them whether it be the Pats colts ravens jets. Bring it on !

supafly said:

I think you've hit them all, but I'd also throw in one more, and possibly the most important:

4) The possibility that this, once again, started off as something fairly small, then grew into something much larger---even out of control. If you remember in the beginning, Troy Vincent stated on Tues. that it would likely take "2 to 3 days" to wrap up the investigation. In the coming days, they went out and hired private law firms, forensic investigators, and ex-FBI officials who generally take 3 or 4 months to come to their findings.

If that's the case, they may have actually told Brady (or his agent) that they'll be questioning him when the week is up, knowing that it wouldn't make a difference this week anyway, and that this is going to be a long investigation. I'd have to imagine that one or more of Brady, his agent, Kraft, and/or Belichick may have openly voiced their displeasure with having to deal with that all of last week. I'm guessing that he didn't want to deal with it during the week of the SB as well.

You also have to assume that the player's association is in there somewhere as well, as Slater made a comment yesterday or the day before that stated that "the NFLPA doesn't want us to comment on that any further."

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Well stated. Yet here's my only issue with #4: A 'crime' is committed. A suspect with motive is identified. Do you A) Immediately talk to this primary suspect, one who is obligated to speak openly with you, to get his immediate, unrehearsed statements, or B) You wait for weeks to allow the suspect time to examine what's going on, consider his plausible story options, tailor and rehearse the most plausible statements to fit any evidence that may not look good for him.

If you can tell me that B is what a thorough investigation entails then I buy #4. Or maybe Barney Fife is leading the thorough investigation.