Why? - The NFL's Handling of Deflategate vs. HGH Allegations

I know there are plenty of threads regarding the Peyton Manning story and the ongoing, insanely overblown and more than likely fabricated story we call "Deflategate", but this is regarding how the NFL has handled each.

I find it very odd that the NFL acted SO quickly to alleged ball deflation, and so insanely slow to actual cheating (HGH).

The Timing

• We just found out yesterday that the NFL is going to interview NFL players that were named in an undercover report.
• We found out one day after the AFC Championship Game that the NFL would be talking to Patriot's players/Tom Brady.

My Questions

1. Why was the NFL so quick to destroy the reputation of the best player in the league (Brady), and so slow to even remotely question another's (Manning)?
2. Was it really just anti-Patriot bias, or is there another reason?
3. If you believe it was anti-Patriot bias, then what benefit did the NFL think it would get by slamming New England with something that they knew was made up?
4. Also, do you believe the NFL knew it was made up at the time, or do you think they are just that uneducated/ignorant to scientific research (which we see with the concussion epidemic)?.

This is what you can answer to every questions/post about things like this:

A zealous want for parity (money), jealousy, and a desire to end a dynasty storyline that by their own words shouldn't be able to be done on today's NFL. At least by a team not of their choosing.

That's it and what it always has been. Nothing more, nothing less.

I think we can all agree that Goodell acts in the best interest of one thing: money. So he has to know where his bread is buttered. He'll promote what's good for business and try to bury what's bad for business. A supposed good guy doing something wrong (like Manning using HGH is really bad for business. A villain like the Pats "cheating" is good for business since the story has legs for days... no, years apparently.) People tune in to see the Pats trashed, and tune out if someone they love is questioned.

Most NFL fans want one thing, and that is for their team to have a chance to compete for a championship. That's why so much effort goes into promoting parity. Parity bring in eyeballs, which means more money. The Patriots as an organization are seen as a threat to this system of parity and it's easy to paint them as a villain. They're easy to hate. I don't think Goodell or the NFL itself hates the Pats. They just don't like how they are succeeding for so long in a system designed to protect against it, plus they know that most fans hate them, and they're capitalizing on that.

I personally don't believe that anyone thought the NFL would benefit from railroading the Pats. Personal agendas took over (NY/anti-Pats bias in FO, owners who wanted Kraft taken down, Goodell wanted to increase his own rep as the enforcer while simultaneously currying favor from the aforementioned owners and knowing Kraft would be too spineless to try to stop him) and the league would be fine, if not enhanced, at least in the short term. Everyone knew the NFL PR machine would keep the majority of the fanbase on their side, and even the fans who's team was getting shafted would "protest" by buying more merchandise, watching more NFL programming, etc.

I think there are a few reasons why this is a slow roll.

1) The owners do not want another star player smeared
2) PM never tested positive for HGH
3) The paper trail requires a ton of work to vet out
4) The league has their hands full w/ Brady, concussions, etc.
5) The owners do not have confidence in Goody and the league pursuing the right legal path forward.

There is zero ... zero ... doubt that the NFL knew there was no deflation within a few days, at the absolute latest.

All you have to do is read the emails from Stacey James regarding the false psi numbers to figure that out.

if you look at it logically, in terms of Team X commits Y penalty and receives Z punishment, the only conclusion you can get is that the league office is intentionally trying to handicap the patriots.

Chargers use stickum, refuses to cooperation with the league, get a $25k fine.

The vikings and panthers are shown heating up balls on the sideline DURING a game, VIDEO EVIDENCE! penalty polite letter telling them not to do that as its against the rules.

Jets owner during a live interview says he intends on offering a huge contract to revis before free agency, WHILE revis is under contract, penalty... uhh im sure they got some sort of penalty, right?

The falcons blasting noise through the sound system for MULTIPLE years, loss of $350,000

Patriots Play in cold weather, penalty loss of a first round pick, another pick, and a million dollars in fines, their QB suspended 4 games.

The jets recording plays on the sideline, no penalty

the patriots recording plays on the sideline, loss of a first round draft pick, and a million dollars in fines.


If you charted everything out you would see relatively straight lines, and any time the patriots have an infraction a MASSIVE spike in penalties, the only team that has had similar is the saints during bountygate.

Fixit said:

There is zero ... zero ... doubt that the NFL knew there was no deflation within a few days, at the absolute latest.

All you have to do is read the emails from Stacey James regarding the false psi numbers to figure that out.

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The narrative would have been so different if the Patriots had pushed back right from the get go. I still don't understand how the NFL was allowed to lie about PSI and the Patriots weren't allowed to give the correct data. I promised myself I wouldn't get too emotionally involved in this this offseason, but it so frustrating to see Goodell get away with what he has.

Follow the money. Article 46 will be a huge part of next CBA negotiation PEDs not so much.

IMO they gleefully jumped on it thinking there was some malfeasance and their hamfisted tests proved they were right. By the time they realized the science contradicts what they've found it was too late, they had gone too far and had to double down on what they did so they hired a sham of an outfit who could produce scientific proof that all men hate boobs if that's what you want because it would have been a PR disaster for them to say 'oops we were dumb.'

The old never attribute to malice what can be attributed to incompetence thing.

signbabybrady said:

Follow the money. Article 46 will be a huge part of next CBA negotiation PEDs not so much.

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if by huge part of the CBA you mean huge part of the reason football isn't happening, then i agree.

there is no way in the world the NFLPA agrees to another CBA where the CZar retains any sembelence of the amount of power he currently has. Roger really screwed the pooch.

chasa said:

if by huge part of the CBA you mean huge part of the reason football isn't happening, then i agree.

there is no way in the world the NFLPA agrees to another CBA where the CZar retains any sembelence of the amount of power he currently has. Roger really screwed the pooch.

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And I would rather see the players strike than allow Goodell's unrestrained power to continue. I was so psyched in 2011 when the players agreed to the CBA and we didn't miss any football. I was an idiot.

What you don't understand, you ignorant Pats fan, is that Brady didn't read the script. Peyton was supposed to be the face of the league and haul in a few trophies. Luck was next in line. Brady, the selfish bastard, had the gall to win another SB without my permission. That freaking 6th round pick. Who in the hell does he think he is? That disobedient bastard should have just accepted the punishment but nooooooooo he has to fight this all the way to the supreme court while costing the league an excess of 20 million bucks. That money was set aside for concussion research but because of one incredibly narcissistic, self centered, self entitled QB the rest of the players in the league will suffer. That's right. Not only is Brady a cheater he is also responsible for the lack of resources needed for concussion research. He will pay mind you. By the hair on my chinny chin Chen he will pay.


Sincerely,

Fraudger Gutdell

So many other choices that nned to be listed.

Goddell is a despot who, given perceived unlimited powers, went of the f'n rails. Where have I heard that one before>

But, you guys, PEDs are not comparable to equipment violations..... Except for the penalty. Then they should be the exact same, because, why Roger?

chasa said:

if by huge part of the CBA you mean huge part of the reason football isn't happening, then i agree.

there is no way in the world the NFLPA agrees to another CBA where the CZar retains any sembelence of the amount of power he currently has. Roger really screwed the pooch.

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Sort of I am convinced the whole Article 46 is just a bait and switch set up. Nail them on 46 for several years leading up to negotiations then concede that point but only if the owners get monetary reasons to do it.

there was aa investigation about air in a ball and millions were spent

Looking past the " it's the Patriots" angle...

The league is showing a pattern of showily overreacting to rules violations that don't affect the essence of the game (e.g. marijuana, ball inflation, camera placement, and -- uncomfortable as it is to say -- child abuse) while sweeping broader issues that do affect the essence of the game under the rug (e.g. performance-enhancing drugs, brain trauma, gambling). It lets them grandstand about integrity while pointing attention away from their real vulnerabilities.

IOW, maybe the difference in treatment of the two issues is precisely because PSI isn't important and HGH is.

patchick said:

Looking past the " it's the Patriots" angle...

The league is showing a pattern of showily overreacting to rules violations that don't affect the essence of the game (e.g. marijuana, ball inflation, camera placement, and -- uncomfortable as it is to say -- child abuse) while sweeping broader issues that do affect the essence of the game under the rug (e.g. performance-enhancing drugs, brain trauma, gambling). It lets them grandstand about integrity while pointing attention away from their real vulnerabilities.

IOW, maybe the difference in treatment of the two issues is precisely because PSI isn't important and HGH is.

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unfortunately that doesn't work.

case in point:

Sheldon richardson was caught speeding 143 miles per hour in a car, that smelt heavily of weed, with a child in the backseat.

This would fall under the "things that don't affect the game"

Richardson's penalty?

uhh i don't think he ever was actually penalized.

chasa said:

unfortunately that doesn't work.

case in point:

Sheldon richardson was caught speeding 143 miles per hour in a car, that smelt heavily of weed, with a child in the backseat.

This would fall under the "things that don't affect the game"

Richardson's penalty?

uhh i don't think he ever was actually penalized.

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I something on that this morning, on PFT I think. He ended up pleading to resisting arrest (no drug or child endangerment) and is now waiting to see if he'll hear from the league.