Do you trust the NFL to keep our games fair this year?

Brewskies said:

I don't expect the NFL to expose itself any more negatively than it has so far. While public opinion is negative on Brady and the Pats it is also the same with the NFL this is just my opinion. Disinterest from young fans and grumbling from older fans is not a formula for success.

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I'd love to agree, but I really do not think interest has waned that much, even despite Disney's stock going down like it did a few weeks ago. It'll be business as usual once the real games start. Football will remain the most popular sport for a number of other reasons.

PatsBoy12 said:

I'd love to agree, but I really do not think interest has waned that much, even despite Disney's stock going down like it did a few weeks ago. It'll be business as usual once the real games start. Football will remain the most popular sport for a number of other reasons.

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You may be correct but IMO not in New England,. Fans want the NFL regulated . The fight of power of NFL vs the weak NFLPA

What I remember is the 2005 playoff game against Jake Plummers Broncos.... There were a bunch of questionable PI calls that gave them the ball on the 1 yard line. Jake Plummer himself, was laughing his arse off. It could be seen plainly on TV that he knew what was going on... all he had to do was hum it as far downfield as he could, catchable or not, and he would be given a 1st and goal.
Why do this? this would have been the Pats going to and potentially winning a 3rd straight superbowl.. never done, and supposedly impossible in the salary cap era.

You might also notice how they seemed to stop us from going undefeated in the salary cap era as well.

It was plain to see that the fix was in for both of our Giants superbowls... heck I think it was fixed to that point to make sure the Giants made it to the Superbowl... niether the 07 or 11 teams had any business in the playoffs, let alone the superbowl.

Nope

Speaking of trust in the league, the league demanded of recently retired SF LB a drug test. He did not trust the NFL to lie about the test and had it also sent to an independent lab. Smart guy.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/08/chris-borland-concussions-early-retirement

I expect it to be fair but we wont get any calls what so ever.

Brewskies said:

You may be correct but IMO not in New England,. Fans want the NFL regulated . The fight of power of NFL vs the weak NFLPA

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I definitely respect your thought, but I cannot agree. In this age of fantasy football (and that's just one example), the interest in the game is higher that it's ever been. I think in this part of the world we are all heated because we're fans of the man of an unprecedented thing in the league. We're upset. But the rest of the world couldn't care less about this other than to enjoy that it's the Patriots.

I mean all guys at the office are talking about right now is their drafts and how excited they are that football is coming back. We were talking about football coming back in June, for crying out loud. LOL I think you're upset, and rightfully so, but projecting it like it's everyone. Dude, the average fan does not care as much as you think. In a nutshell what I'm saying is I think you're right that fans care and don't want the league to fall apart at the seams, but I just think you may be a bit off in your estimation of just how much or how many fans care to the level you describe. The game has gotten too big, too popular and, good or bad, too interesting. You can't tell me these scandals don't keep the sport interesting to outsiders. My female assistant manager who once called a touchdown a goal right to my face (true sh*t) was ribbing me about Brady earlier on after this whole thing broke. That may or may not be intentional on the NFL's part, but it still exists. I'll stop. We'll just disagree somewhat on this one.

Bobsyouruncle said:

The NFL can manipulate games by suspending players and coaches, and removing draft picks for no reason.

Those things almost certainly have a larger effect on competitive fairness than manipulating a few refs (which I don't think happens). The NFL front office compromises the integrity of the game more than anyone else.

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Agree with your first paragraph. And the second as to direct ref manipulation. The NYJFL's approach is more subtle. It works through 'points of emphasis' selectively chosen for their effects, favorable and unfavorable, on certain teams; sort of like the Olympian gods reaching down and messing with Jason and the Argonauts in the classic Harryhausen vehicle.

What has the NFL dome in the last 10 years or so to make me feel they wouldn't bend a few rules against the Pats? That's right. Nothing!

patsinthesnow said:

2013. Never Forget.

First time ever calling a FG block penalty on Chris Jones. Jets re-kick. Patriots Lose.

Gronk mugged in the endzone. Ref throws flag. Flag picked up. Patriots lose.

14-2 and homefield advantage was stolen from us then. Why would I trust them now?

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Forgetting the missed pass interference against Hooman at Miami late in the 4th quarter by Danelle Ellerbe.

turkeyneck said:

Agree with your first paragraph. And the second as to direct ref manipulation. The NYJFL's approach is more subtle. It works through 'points of emphasis' selectively chosen for their effects, favorable and unfavorable, on certain teams; sort of like the Olympian gods reaching down and messing with Jason and the Argonauts in the classic Harryhausen vehicle.

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The Points of Emphasis is the key to how roger-dodger (...can...) influences key games. Even without any other manipulation he can use that to take away one team's best plays or players. Even two plays affected is enough to turn a closely matched contest like an sb or conf CG.

And, Sure everyone is watching, but what kind of outcry was raised when Jerome Boger had his ref scores tampered with to make him eligible to ref the SB, which he had no business being anywhere near except in the paid seats. And then miraculously they most lopsidedly-called SB in history goes against Seattle so Pitt can get their #5. That following the most lopsidedly-called AFCCG that ALMOST gave pay-me-a-ton a free pass. Still waiting for the 'outside-the-lines' investigation on those........(not holding breath, it's been years)

Roger and his cabal are under the microscope and have been playing the "integrity of the game" card... so not sure on the big stage they will pull any shenanigans.. but will release some well timed rumors to their junior ministers of propaganda throughout the season... "the Partriots locker room Towels were reported to be stiff by Rex Ryan".. "the sidelines heaters were only 111 degrees instead of 112 degrees as reported by Joe Philbin" .. or Todd Bowles complaining that the "sideline gatorade was not cold enough"

The Refs who can pull this off do not seem to have a "dog in this fight" as what do they really care or put their reputations on the line to make bad calls?? The Refs have not really been called on their incompetence in this matter... they should have been, but they seem to have been overlooked.

slam said:

Speaking of trust in the league, the league demanded of recently retired SF LB a drug test. He did not trust the NFL to lie about the test and had it also sent to an independent lab. Smart guy.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/08/chris-borland-concussions-early-retirement

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Following up on this, there was this juicy quote from the article:

It doesn’t help that he says he was given a crazy piece of advice by a former player at an NFL-sanctioned rookie event: The player, who Borland wouldn’t name, advised the rookies to have a fall guy, somebody to take the rap should they ever find legal trouble.

Think about that for a moment.

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Borland wouldn't name who was giving him this advice (I'd guessed Ray Lewis), but it's actually on the NFL.com video section. It's Chris Carter, starting around the 17 minute mark of the video.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-video...okies-learn-life-lessons-from-Sapp-and-Carter

So kids, when you and your crew are doing your highly illegal crap, make sure one of them will take the fall for you.

BTW, shouldn't Warren Sapp be the last person to give NFL rookies advice? Aaron Hernandez in a "Kids, don't do what I did" talk would be more appropriate.

PatsBoy12 said:

I definitely respect your thought, but I cannot agree. In this age of fantasy football (and that's just one example), the interest in the game is higher that it's ever been. I think in this part of the world we are all heated because we're fans of the man of an unprecedented thing in the league. We're upset. But the rest of the world couldn't care less about this other than to enjoy that it's the Patriots.

I mean all guys at the office are talking about right now is their drafts and how excited they are that football is coming back. We were talking about football coming back in June, for crying out loud. LOL I think you're upset, and rightfully so, but projecting it like it's everyone. Dude, the average fan does not care as much as you think. In a nutshell what I'm saying is I think you're right that fans care and don't want the league to fall apart at the seams, but I just think you may be a bit off in your estimation of just how much or how many fans care to the level you describe. The game has gotten too big, too popular and, good or bad, too interesting. You can't tell me these scandals don't keep the sport interesting to outsiders. My female assistant manager who once called a touchdown a goal right to my face (true sh*t) was ribbing me about Brady earlier on after this whole thing broke. That may or may not be intentional on the NFL's part, but it still exists. I'll stop. We'll just disagree somewhat on this one.

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When I dump the NYJFL, it won't matter that they don't care and are happy with their success. It will be for my own peace of mind. And who knows, I may end up finding another interest that I enjoy more. That was what happened when I dumped MLB.

1960Pats said:

When I dump the NYJFL, it won't matter that they don't care and are happy with their success. It will be for my own peace of mind. And who knows, I may end up finding another interest that I enjoy more. That was what happened when I dumped MLB.

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I hear you, man. Like I said, we're a bit more upset about things than most because it's our guy. I told one of my boys that Brady and the Patriots are the only reasons I cannot see myself boycotting the NFL completely. I already do not watch any of the major sports networks, I avoid any sites other than Patsfans, Patspulpit and Patriots.com. I just could not see myself not watching Brady, Collins, Edelman, BB, Josh McD and Patricia, Hightower, Ninko, Amendola, and oh, WE HAVE A GRONK. I just can't do it.

Its been unfair to Pats for years, with rule changes specifically made to counter Pats plays . Why should it be different on the field ?

Folks, it's already started. Look at that clown car of zebras we were given last night.

What's next, the crew with the woman on it, who is beholden to the NYJFL HQ for her livelihood,
and will do whatever, and I mean whatever, it takes to keep her historic and undeserved position?

Would anyone really be surprised if a ref like Walt Coleman is never assigned one of our games?

Past events have provided sufficient data to conclude an answer that has a high degree of certainty. The NFL has factually demonstrated they do not operate with fairness as the most important underlying ethic. Their most important underlying ethic is to get the outcome they want (look at Goodell's argument before the court: it is essentially it doesn't matter if it is fair or wrong, I get to decide whatever I decide). This and other incidents have proven they will disregard fairness in favor of PR.

So let's say Deflategate/Bountygate/other examples is Area A. Let's say on field-in season competition is Area B. Since we factually know they will act improperly in Area A to get whatever outcome they want, how can anyone believe that kind of behavior will not bleed to some degree into area B (and eventually into area C, D etc)? It is a normal progression for unfair, self serving, dictatorial powers to bleed/spill over into newer and expanding areas until external forces curtail it.
Do I think this means Gost will attempt a FG and the crossbars will move left or right by remote control? No. But anything at the discretion of Goodell/NFL office that will not raise too much attention will be their opportunity to 'chop chop' Brady/the Patriots as well as any player or team that gets into Goodell's cross hairs. Anyone who doesn't believe this is just not paying attention.

If the Patriots can will the SB despite Goodell's slimy oily office being against it with every fiber of their being, it will be one of the sweetest revenge scenarios possible.

pats4life12 said:

I expect it to be fair but we wont get any calls what so ever.

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I sense diametrical opposites in your position grasshopper.

I believe it will be subtle, there won't be huge "mistakes" like that Seattle TD vs Green Bay when the college refs were calling the games. The NFL will not risk a a huge scandal to be brought up, it will be like in soccer matches fixed by the mafia, the ref calls a questionable penalty. The player goes and misses the opportunity, the ref shrug his shoulders to the mobster and says I did my part.

We saw that in the last NFL official game, the SB, the NFL released all that crap in the week leading to the SB to affect the Patriots chances to win, they just forgot to warn Butler. Ok Seattle should not even be in position to make that play, the Patriots could have sealed the deal earlier in the game if Brady hadn't thrown that first interception and if the defense had played a little better at the end of first half, I know that. But there was interference, or at least an attempt to interfere in the outcome of the game.

That's as far as they can go, the NFL can manipulate a few things here and there, and the refs can call some questionable plays but if a team is able to overcome, there's nothing they can do to guarantee the fix. And of course in a billion dollar business there are refs willing to make a few calls that will favor him in some way.

Remember BB is asking for a rule change that allows every play to be reviewable, I think he wants to avoid those discrete calls that goes without notice in a Sunday with 10 or 12 games at the same time.