Popular Science Magazine Says Even a 2 PSi Low Ball Gives No Advantage

A buddy of mine just sent this over to me. Looks like Popular Science just published it about 5 hours ago.

http://www.popsci.com/simulations-reveal-patriots-deflated-footballs-made-little-difference

shmessy said:

A buddy of mine just sent this over to me. Looks like Popular Science just published it about 5 hours ago.

http://www.popsci.com/simulations-reveal-patriots-deflated-footballs-made-little-difference

Click to expand...

Boy, we really need to find better ways to cheat.

But the legendary MARK BRUNELL says that he could throw the ball so much better with the slight deflation! Damn science, I'm believing Brunell (so he doesn't cry again).

blackglass3 said:

But the legendary MARK BRUNELL says that he could throw the ball so much better with the slight deflation! Damn science, I'm believing Brunell (so he doesn't cry again).

Click to expand...

Ha. Mark "I couldn't beat Drew Bledsoe" Brunell... lol.

That's a great article. It basically uses an analysis by a company that specializes in computer simulations. to show that there is almost no difference between a 10.5 psi ball and a 12.5 psi ball. The guy cited in the article is a Steelers fan who is rooting for the Seahawks.

http://www.popsci.com/simulations-reveal-patriots-deflated-footballs-made-little-difference


About the grip:

"The 10.5 psi ball caves in by an extra 0.02 inches, or about a millimeter. Christiansen says that’s not enough to make a significant difference in the quarterback’s grip."

About the pass:

"They found that the 10.5 and 12.5 psi balls had the same shape, air flow, and aerodynamics. So either way, the onus is on the quarterback to make sure the ball flies right."

About the catch:

"Is a 10.5 psi ball soft enough that it doesn’t bounce out of the receiver's hands? In a word: No. Modeling how a receiver would catch the ball again showed a deformation of just 0.02 inches again—not enough to make a difference, according to Christiansen."