BTW, it's 2lb per square inch of pressure less than that which was supposed to be in the balls. Not 2lbs weight less. FWIW.
But it seems to me that if they were ALL uniformly under inflated, then the fault lies either with the machine used to inflate them, or the referees for not doing their job properly pre-game. For heaven's sake, if it WAS tampering, how in the name of all the Gods of Football was it pulled off and so perfectly uniform? That's the key right there because there are cameras everywhere, not just the shots we see on TV and in the game film, but also security cams along the sidelines, end zones, etc. More than some casinos have. So someone took the balls, used a gauge to deflate them ALL by the same amount of 2psi, and did this with no one watching? It's absurd.
AND....... who is to say that the deflation wasn't a result of the game use, Gronk spikes, players falling on them or even weather conditions?
AND..... while we're at it, did anyone from the NFL take a look at all the Colts footballs and their inflation? Besides, if they weren't checked right at the end of the game, then the chain of custody prohibits any meaningful checks, because the Colts, had they wanted to, could have brought their game-used footballs up to a proper amount of psi inflation, or mixed them in with other footballs, etc.
This whole things sucks, and looks much more like a case of mechanical failure and/or inspection error than any intentional tampering. For myself, I just don't see how, with those footballs being brought in and out of play every series (or sooner), and with all the cameras, security personnel, fans, reporters, etc, that the team could have had anyone DO this deflation. It defies common sense.
But that's just me, you know? The media will have another sensational faux scandal on their hands, and lord knows how they love to run with any sort of rumor about New England.
Eff the lot of 'em.
