Deflate-Gate: Here We Go Again

[The Gr8est]

Is it coincidence that this comes one day after the Pats file tampering charges against the Rats?

Remember that, unsurprisingly, the Rats were the ones who turned in the Pats for Spygate. I think it offends their over inflated and unwarranted egos that the Pats are, and have been, so superior to them, and there is nothing they can do, on the field, to change it, so they need to resort to trying to cast aspersions against the Pats accomplishments.

 

[rochrist]

Until Spector and Tomase ruined the day with bad karma

I'm sure Tomase is all over this story, now that he writes about football again. Only opinion pieces though, pretty sure he's been permanently banned from setting foot in Foxboro ever again.

 

[moejr]

I'm still waiting for someone to tell me how they supposedly deflated the balls. All I'm hearing is the same crickets that I heard whenever I ask someone how taping from the sideline helped them during a game.

They can't deflate them. After they are checked by the refs they are given to the ball attendant that is an NFL employee. No way to get to them short of murdering the attendant.

 

[Ring 6]

They can't deflate them. After they are checked by the refs they are given to the ball attendant that is an NFL employee. No way to get to them short of murdering the attendant.

So now we understand the real plan behind drafting Hernandez

 

[DarrylS]

Listening to Zolak on the radio, he contends that a QB does not want to use a deflated ball, as it is harder to throw a spiral..

My question is do both QB's get to pick the footballs for the game?? Are they kept together or separate??

I think this is a lot to do with nothing..

The rule:

Section 2
BALL SUPPLY
Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the Referee two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time ofthe game to meet League requirements. The home team will also make 12 backup balls available for testing in all stadiums. In addition, the visitors, at their discretion, may bring 12 backup balls to be tested by the Referee for games
held in outdoor stadiums. For all games, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer to the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game. These balls are to be specially marked by the Referee and used exclusively for the kicking game.
In the event a home team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper ball from the visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to themCommissioner.
In case of rain or a wet, muddy, or slippery field, a playable ball shall be used at the request of the offensive team’s center.
The Game Clock shall not stop for such action (unless undue delay occurs).
Note: It is the responsibility of the home team to furnish playable balls at all times by attendants from either side of the play

 

[flasox27]

I wonder if the NFL is doing a comparison check of the Indy balls.

 

[Connecticut]

1. Winning consistently - or having a winning tradition is a rarity in the NFL, so naturally the hate and the envy gravitates towards the Patriots organization. Thereby any non-story instantly becomes relevant when it is slightly to the detriment of NE.

2. This plays beautifully into our hands, as BB will use this in the most positive way possible.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Very unsatisfactory interview with branding n NFLN just now. Says balls are routinely taken out of games and tested later in the week. Says the reg taking the b

I wonder if the NFL is doing a comparison check of the Indy balls.

Doubt they can find them if you know what I mean …

 

[Fixit]

They can't deflate them. After they are checked by the refs they are given to the ball attendant that is an NFL employee. No way to get to them short of murdering the attendant.

Are you saying what I think you're saying? Belichick murdered a guy!!!

 

[OhExaulted1]

Coincidence? I think not!

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Hey Aaron, they let you have internet in there?

Actually, I'm is attorney. Chase A. Ambu. My friends call me Lance.

 

[Brady'sArmy]

another controversy tainted superbowl? perception is reality unfortunately. The fact that league is "investigating" will be evidence enough for fans of other team

 

[QuantumMechanic]

My question is do both QB's get to pick the footballs for the game?? Are they kept together or separate??

Here's what happens

The Kicking Ball Coordinator (every game has one) walks in and sees Mackie. “Got the ‘K’ balls?” he says, and Mackie hands him the six balls that one team rep from both Baltimore and Chicago will be able to condition for the next 45 minutes; the proviso is they’re only allowed to use brushes, towels and water to get the sheen and wax and new-football feel off for the game.

“Got the game balls yet?” Mackie says to the locker-room attendant, and as if on cue an orange bag of 24 game balls arrives from a Bears equipment man. Minutes later the Ravens’ bag of 24 shows up. Usually it’s 12 per team, but with the threat of bad weather each team conditioned 24 balls during the week—the Chicago balls will be used when the Bears are on offense, Baltimore’s when the Ravens have the ball—and now Mackie, Waggoner and Paganelli go to work to get the balls prepared. One by one, as if on an assembly line, Mackie checks with a pressure gauge to see if the balls are filled to 12.5 to 13.5 pounds per square inch of pressure. Those that aren’t get taken to the bathroom. There Paganelli uses an electric pump to fill up the balls, Mackie checks the pressure, and Waggoner puts the good ones in the sink, until all are perfect. Then Waggoner marks each by silver Sharpie with an “L” below the NFL shield, Steratore’s branding of each ball so they’re not confused with other balls found on the sidelines. The “L” is in honor of Steratore’s fiancée.

http://mmqb.si.com/2013/12/06/peter-king-week-with-officiating-crew-part-three/5/

So I was wrong (and have edited this post) about the balls being worked at the stadium. Only the K-balls are worked at the stadium. The others are just brought by the teams and have been prepared god-knows-how. But the refs test them before the game.

 

[BradyManny]

perception is reality unfortunately.

No, reality is reality. I don't worry about what stupid people perceive anymore, and most of the sports viewing world is rather stupid.

 

[juny]

footballzebras.com just tweeted ball attendants are team hires, so who's right?

 

[FourierSeries]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm on to Arizona.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

perception is reality unfortunately. The fact that league is "investigating" will be evidence enough for fans of other team

I don't give a f*** about fans' perception. As long as we don't have more draft picks stolen it's all good. They can perceive whatever the hell they want to.

 

[rochrist]

Once the NFL comes out after the investigation that there was no wrongdoing, the Patriots should sue Kravitz for defamation. That might shut the media up!

There wouldn't be grounds. It's not that easy.

 

[reflexblue]

I wonder if the NFL is doing a comparison check of the Indy balls.

Goody is personally going to check all the balls on the team.

 

[RayClay]

Ok, my only point was that it's not like the ref carries around all the balls for the game, they are in the hands of other people. And again, people HAVE done this in the past, so it's not like its impossible. Whether this is a witch hunt or legitimate gripe, let's not all sit here and act like doctoring a ball is impossible.

So your saying the refs have no balls during the game?