Zolak - Patriots think the league has NOTHING

rlcarr said:

Well, it's not an unreasonable standard of proof. "Preponderance of the evidence" is the standard of proof in basically all legal proceedings other than criminal cases. So it's not some crazy thing the NFL has pulled out of its hat.

Click to expand...

It's a joke. The league becomes judge, jury and executioner based upon preponderance of the evidence.

League supplies the evidence
League claims the evidence is sufficient to exceed 50/50
League determines punishment

NEPats1 said:

Hope this isn't true

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/27/low-standard-of-proof-applies-to-deflategate/

Click to expand...

I've been getting the feeling it's a low burden of proof to punish the Pats. But now I'm feeling good with the numbers and the organizational fight to raise the burden of proof or get out.

This 'investigation' is going on for another 3 weeks, taking away from the biggest game of the year. If the Pats are punished on suspicion with disregard for the temperature/weather condition then this will go to appeal and the Pats will win. I want to know what the psi were of the footballs of both teams when they started with the room temperature. I want to know what the psi of the footballs was at halftime with the ambient temperature of wherever they were inflated. I want to know what the psi of the footballs were at the end of the game, with the temperature at the time they were last measured. I want to know the chain of custody of the footballs, including the delay from the Seahawks game.

The NFL better have the Pats dead to rights or back off.

NEPats1 said:

Hope this isn't true

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/27/low-standard-of-proof-applies-to-deflategate/

Click to expand...

Well for there to be a preponderance of the evidence there need to be a shred of evidence. What we know is that:

1) the balls were properly inflated (12.5 psi) and approved by the ref pregame.

2) due to the lower temps and rain we know that the balls MUST lose air pressure somewhere between 1.16 and 2 psi, which apparently they did.

So unless there is something else on tape there is NO EVIDENCE the PATS did ANYTHING wrong.

So what shred of evidence is there that the pats did ANYTHING wrong?

Bella*chick said:

A nominal fine might be all right but there is no way I'd accept the loss of a draft pick for some guy going to the can for 90 seconds.

Click to expand...

The only "right" is clearing the Patriots, apologizing, and investigating their own office and collusion. That said it won't happen and Goodell will in fact lose Kraft's support, which actually is a big deal. As I said before, if he backs Belichick and Brady and goes to the mattresses then I'm on board. F.ck the Haters. I can live with sanctions as long as both middle fingers are held high and proud in contempt what I can't abide by is acceptance of sanctions for wrongdoing, because they did nothing wrong.

turkeyneck said:

1. His sources are crap
2. If the Colts balls were inflated to the same psi as the Pats then either they were cold to begin with or the Colts tampered with them later. The physics is not optional, probable or any other thing than absolutely required by the natural universe

Click to expand...

Maybe the colts balls were colder from being hauled over from Indy in the bottom of a bus.

What I'm saying is a nominal fine from a standpoint of the balls were under specs. Obviously the only true right is a complete exoneration and apology.

NJPatsfan26 said:

So a legal loop hole to **** over the Pats


Smooth.

Click to expand...

The league has determined that the the Pats have conspired to dominate a league governed by a salary cap in defiance of "everyone gets a trophy". Furthermore they have openly worn Patriots uniforms and insignia with malice of forethought.

The Pats are hereby docked their entire crop of 2015 draft picks and must surrender a Lombardi trophy of their choosing to the New York Rats, whose feelings have been hurt by being unable to win jack squat since 1968 and the Pats are "always picking on them, make it stop".

Bella*chick said:

What I'm saying is a nominal fine from a standpoint of the balls were under specs. Obviously the only true right is a complete exoneration and apology.

Click to expand...

That would be penalizing the Pats for the normal functioning of the universe.

If Roger Göodel were writing the findings i would agree with all of the skepticism, however he isn't, therefore I don't think this is going down his way. The ball attendant is the only one with the opportunity to screw with the footballs, and all he did was take a piss. I don't believe Ted Wells is going to convict him on that and f.ck up his life that way. I believe that the Kraft's and Belichick were completely aware of the footage and his going to the bathroom, and they were confident enough in it to come out and go all in, and that's where we stand, can't wait for the report.

Bella*chick said:

What I'm saying is a nominal fine from a standpoint of the balls were under specs. Obviously the only true right is a complete exoneration and apology.

Click to expand...

A nominal fine is just as unacceptable as having Tom Brady apologize to the twit reporter who was trying to get him to.

That is a bad precedent and gives haters something to point to to support their contention of the Pats cheating.

The Gr8est said:

A nominal fine is just as unacceptable as having Tom Brady apologize to the twit reporter who was trying to get him to.

That is a bad precedent and gives haters something to point to to support their contention of the Pats cheating.

Click to expand...

Wouldn't it be great if we win the superbowl and then go 19 - 0 next season.


Oh how great that would be!!!

Bella*chick said:

What I'm saying is a nominal fine from a standpoint of the balls were under specs. Obviously the only true right is a complete exoneration and apology.

Click to expand...

Disagree. The teams give the balls to the refs and they are responsible for making sure they are up to spec. Once games start air pressure will variate and the teams have no say in where they are at. And if they were asking the ball attendants to continuously monitor them then we would see ball attendants inflating and deflating balls on a regular basis.

If they want officials to monitor game balls all game long a keep them in range then they should do so, otherwise they should shut the f.ck up.

Bella*chick said:

What I'm saying is a nominal fine from a standpoint of the balls were under specs. Obviously the only true right is a complete exoneration and apology.

Click to expand...

We basically agree and that's a likely ending , however it definitely create a new standard. The refs are responsible for psi but now teams would have to spend half the game doing science to make sure they are in compliance, and that is f.cked up.

I say leave it be. Refs make sure they meet the threshold and you play the game. There should never be an obligation by any team to maintain those specs at all times.

RelocatedPatFan said:

What's he said? I heard Skip has been the one trashing the Patriots.

Click to expand...

Stephen A. says he could careless if they deflated the balls or not, it's no big deal. He believes Belichick knows nothing of it but he still trashes Brady's credibility saying there's no way Brady knew "nothing" about the deflated balls. Meanwhile Skip is defending Brady and blaming Belichick saying Brady was so nervous and uncomfortable because he was "covering" for his coach. He doesn't believe Belichick knows "nothing" about Brady ball preference, after he said he makes the balls difficult in practice. Entertainment at its finest, but I'm a fool because I love me some 1st Take. It's the only reason I still watch ESPN, but I respectfully disagree with both of their takes. I'm waiting to see if Drew Brees has the audacity to question Brady on the show this Thursday.

If the NFL does not have a sworn testimony from a staff worker that implicates that the Patriots tampered with balls, I doubt Kraft will accept any punishment without a fight. His PC yesterday basically outlined that the league needs concrete proof or the decision will be appealed. This is why the league is taking their time. They do not want to rush the judgement a la Ray Rice and Bounty gate and have it blow up in their face down the road. I'm sure the Patriots know who this ball attendant is and have spoken to him before they left Foxboro. After seeing Kraft yesterday and Belichick on Saturday, I would be shocked if it's found they tried to cover something up.

Who was it that said the psi rule should be removed completely because that is what I believe really ought to happen. Everyone plays with whatever psi level they are comfortable with. The rule is foolish and outdated anyway.

Bella*chick said:

Who was it that said the psi rule should be removed completely because that is what I believe really ought to happen. Everyone plays with whatever psi level they are comfortable with. The rule is foolish and outdated anyway.

Click to expand...

Knowing how stupid the NFL is, I expect it to go the other way. Once Goodell and his cronies find jack, they will justify this ridiculous exercise by strengthening existing ball rules for the sake of the "integrity of the game." Never mind the irreparable damage he's done to the integrity of the game by undermining the very game itself in the act of completely overblowing the impact of PSI. 106 players and two dozen coaches just busted their asses off all year to get to this point - and people legitimately think an imperceptible difference in pressure in the ball is a factor in the outcome of games.

It might very well go in that direction butbi believe other teams will be pissed about it. If ball prep becomes really regulated then they are going to be affected too.

Bella*chick said:

It might very well go in that direction butbi believe other teams will be pissed about it. If ball prep becomes really regulated then they are going to be affected too.

Click to expand...

Fair point. But Goodell is clearly shoot first ask questions last, so this might go through appeals process first.

dm44 said:

I am the biggest Pats fan in the world - but honestly have to admit something is up.
No flat denials. No absolutes. Alot of word parsing.

We are hoping for best but something is up.

Click to expand...

What does the word 'unconditionally' mean to you?