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  1. #1
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    The Deflate Gate Thread

    Folks, this thread is dedicated to the ongoing situation involving the accusations of the Patriots using deflated footballs during the Indianapolis Colts games. Commentary should be directed towards that theme.

    The last thread got WAYYYY off topic and devolved into needless banter back and forth between a few Ravens and Patriots fans. Let's keep this thread on topic please. Trolling, insults, and other TOS violations will be dealt with accordingly. If you're unsure about the TOS, please review it. If you see something that you think violates the TOS, then please use the report function. That said, this is a highly debated topic and input from other fans' perspective is welcomed.

    On To Deflate Gate:

    Facts:
    • The NFL requires all footballs (regardless of temperature) to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 PSI.
    • Each team is responsible for providing their own footballs (as per rule change circa 2006).
    • Refs do not measure or inspect the balls for proper inflation before a game.
    • Some have suggested that an NFL ball could lose nearly 2 PSI in certain conditions, such as going from warm temperatures to very cold temperatures.
    • The temperature during game time was (IIRC) around 45-50 degrees, so that is not what most would consider "very cold temperature".
    • During a play in the first half, D'Qwell Jackson intercepted a pass from Tom Brady.
    • Jackson took the ball and handed it to the Colts' equipment manager as a souvenir.
    • When asked, Jackson claims that he did not notice if the ball was deflated more than normal.
    • The equipment manager seems to be the one that noticed the deflation variance and reported it to the Colts coaches and staff.
    • The variance was brought to the attention of the refs who then inspected 12 footballs on the Patriots' sideline during halftime.
    • Initially, it was reported that 11 of the 12 inspected balls were around 2 PSI lower than the 12.5 PSI minimum.
    • A follow-on report suggested that only 1 ball was indeed below the 12.5 threshold.
    • All of the New England balls on the sideline were re-inflated to the proper PSI before the start of the 2nd half.
    • The Patriots led 17-7 at the half and scored another 28 points in the 2nd half to win 45-7.
    • An investigation from a 3rd party was initiated after the Patriots win over Indianapolis.
    • Patriots' Head Coach, Bill Belichick, indicated that he had no knowledge of deflated footballs.
    • Patriots' QB, Tom Brady, also indicated that he had no knowledge of deflated footballs and that (as of 22 January) the NFL had not contacted him about it.
    • On 27 January, a video was leaked showing a Patriots' equipment staff member taking 12 footballs into the bathroom for approximately 1 Minute and 30 Seconds.
    • On 1 February, investigative reports indicated that the intercepted ball was indeed deflated by about 2 PSI, but the others in question were minimal.
    • During the investigation, an official was discovered to have been selling game balls for personal profit. His employment with the NFL was terminated thereafter.
    • On 17 February, ESPN reported that a Patriots' staff member attempted to insert an illegal "K-Ball" (ball designated for kicking only) into the game.



    Speculation:
    • The Patriots switched their balls to a back up set before the 2nd half started, so they did not use the re-inflated balls.
    • A "source" informed Mike Florio of PFT that 10 out of the 12 Patriots' footballs were indeed deflated about 1 PSI lower than the minimum 12.5 PSI.
    • Ryan Grigson, the Colts' GM, informed the NFL prior to the AFC Championship Game that they had reason to believe the Patriots were using deflated game balls.
    • That led to speculation that the Baltimore Ravens may have tipped the Colts prior to their game (this has since been vehemently denied by the Ravens).
    • Boomer Esiason alleged that after the ball was intercepted, the Colts' equipment manager purposely deflated the ball in an attempt to embarrass the Patriots.
    • Esiason also alleged that the Ravens were involved with the purposeful deflation.
    • The Patriots have a remarkably low fumble percentage for the past few seasons, which has led some to speculate that they've been using deflated balls for quite some time.



    At this time - for all we know - the investigation is ongoing.
    Disclaimer: The content posted is of my own opinion.





  2. #2

    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    I think it is a non-story. Many fans are just looking to continue the entire "cheatriots" narrative regardless of anything the Patriots do. They whipped the Colts like mashed potatoes. Just my opinion on the matter of course.





  3. #3
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Complex View Post
    I think it is a non-story. Many fans are just looking to continue the entire "cheatriots" narrative regardless of anything the Patriots do. They whipped the Colts like mashed potatoes. Just my opinion on the matter of course.
    :word





  4. #4
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Complex View Post
    I think it is a non-story. Many fans are just looking to continue the entire "cheatriots" narrative regardless of anything the Patriots do. They whipped the Colts like mashed potatoes. Just my opinion on the matter of course.
    I'm kind of in the same boat at this point. I do believe that most teams - including the Ravens - are always looking for ways to gain a competitive advantage; even if that is just a 1-PSI difference in a football. So, in that regard, do I think that the Patriots were indeed using deflated balls? Probably. They've probably been doing it for years. I've no doubt that other teams do it as well. Just like Jerry Rice admitting to using stickum on his gloves back in the day. I guarantee you that he was not the only high profile player using stickum on their gloves. If the refs and the league aren't monitoring for it, why not? Jerry Rice is a HOF'er with multiple Super Bowl wins, NFL receiving records, and he has been (and will continue to be) the comparative apex in which all receivers are compared.

    At this point, I just don't care.

    My only hope is the NFL learns from this and pays more attention to what team's equipment managers and staff are doing while on the sidelines before and during a game. I dont think it would be a big deal for the head ref to go and check out each game ball before the game starts. Other than that? Who cares....just move on with it.
    Disclaimer: The content posted is of my own opinion.





  5. #5
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by wickedsolo View Post
    I'm kind of in the same boat at this point. I do believe that most teams - including the Ravens - are always looking for ways to gain a competitive advantage; even if that is just a 1-PSI difference in a football. So, in that regard, do I think that the Patriots were indeed using deflated balls? Probably. They've probably been doing it for years. I've no doubt that other teams do it as well. Just like Jerry Rice admitting to using stickum on his gloves back in the day. I guarantee you that he was not the only high profile player using stickum on their gloves. If the refs and the league aren't monitoring for it, why not? Jerry Rice is a HOF'er with multiple Super Bowl wins, NFL receiving records, and he has been (and will continue to be) the comparative apex in which all receivers are compared.

    At this point, I just don't care.

    My only hope is the NFL learns from this and pays more attention to what team's equipment managers and staff are doing while on the sidelines before and during a game. I dont think it would be a big deal for the head ref to go and check out each game ball before the game starts. Other than that? Who cares....just move on with it.
    :word

    Good summary though.
    "Cause if you ain’t pissed off for greatness, that just means you’re okay with being mediocre, and ain’t no man in here okay with just basic.”
    - Ray Lewis

    https://www.baltimoreravens.com/author/cole-jackson

    Twitter: @ColeJacksonFB





  6. #6
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by wickedsolo View Post
    I'm kind of in the same boat at this point. I do believe that most teams - including the Ravens - are always looking for ways to gain a competitive advantage; even if that is just a 1-PSI difference in a football. So, in that regard, do I think that the Patriots were indeed using deflated balls? Probably. They've probably been doing it for years. I've no doubt that other teams do it as well. Just like Jerry Rice admitting to using stickum on his gloves back in the day. I guarantee you that he was not the only high profile player using stickum on their gloves. If the refs and the league aren't monitoring for it, why not? Jerry Rice is a HOF'er with multiple Super Bowl wins, NFL receiving records, and he has been (and will continue to be) the comparative apex in which all receivers are compared.

    At this point, I just don't care.

    My only hope is the NFL learns from this and pays more attention to what team's equipment managers and staff are doing while on the sidelines before and during a game. I dont think it would be a big deal for the head ref to go and check out each game ball before the game starts. Other than that? Who cares....just move on with it.
    :word

    They'll get fined, possibly a draft pick taken and it will be over. Thankfully.

    I hate that I got wrapped up in the initial tempest in a teapot. But then a long line of football observers, mostly on SXM, started telling stories of how all teams take liberties in some form or another, that this is no big deal, I began to see this in a different light.

    I just want it to die at this point. I do admit though I am taking a small bit of satisfaction that the Pats fans will have to deal with the cheater tag for years to come. Call it penance for years of accusing Ray Lewis of being a murderer.





  7. #7
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    The underlying issue here is that a large contingent of everyday football fans will never get over the 'seemingly' light punishment the Patriots got off with from Spygate, only justified by it's somewhat unprecedented nature, but still lacking the heavy hand that was perceived to be equal to the act itself.
    "Please take with you this final sword, The Excellector. I am praying that your journey will be guided by the light", Leon Shore





  8. #8
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by The Excellector View Post
    The underlying issue here is that a large contingent of everyday football fans will never get over the 'seemingly' light punishment the Patriots got off with from Spygate, only justified by it's somewhat unprecedented nature, but still lacking the heavy hand that was perceived to be equal to the act itself.
    I don't think the contingent that believe the Spygate punishment was light is anywhere close to being "large".

    They're most certainly the loudest and most persistent though.





  9. #9
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by wickedsolo View Post

    At this point, I just don't care.
    Basically this in a nutshell. I mean whether they get punished or not..... I dont know if even really matters. Its not like they'll have their title stripped like the NCAA.
    They hate us..... but they want to BE us. (.... or at least poach all our players/coaches/FO people!) :respect





  10. #10
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    At this point, my feeling is one of resignation, and being ready to move on. Last year is over.

    Maybe they did cheat, maybe they didn't. Won't matter. Even if they did, Goodell and the league simply aren't going to put Viacom board of director Kraft's nuts in a vice, and, above all, the shield will be protected.





  11. #11
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    Those who are willing to forgive the Patriots and move on are probably big NFL fans and are doing it out of the desire that the league is not diminished by such a scandal. I suspect that they are even secretly hoping that the investigation doesn't find anything or doesn't try that hard to. However, the public at large, including the casual fans, will not be satisfied with a cover-up. I think that many casual fans may simply stop watching if this is not properly investigated.





  12. #12
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    Re: The Deflate Gate Thread

    Wow. Lots of opinions here. A lot of folks whose opinions on this board I respect differ in their views. Some think this isn' t an issue at all, or just don't care, others think the Patriots should have been DQ'd from the Super Bowl.

    I find the whole subject fascinating:

    1. Belichick's continuing to push the envelope to find an edge,
    2. What will the NFL do about it?
    3. Robert Kraft's bullying and not-so-veiled threat against Roger stating he wants an apology unless there is absolute proof of tampering, even though the NFL's own rules ( as recently confirmed by the NFL's head of officiating) clearly state they only need a preponderance of evidence to conclude the Patriots cheated.
    4. A fan base blindly sticking by their team irregardless of how they won, feeling the need to validate their championship,
    5. Fans of 31 other NFL teams feeling the need to invalidate the Patriots Super Bowl,
    6. Quarterbacks who handle footballs almost everyday of their lives since grammar school, not being able to tell if a ball is properly inflated
    7. Under the rules as currently written there is really no in-game penalty to address this.
    8. If a tape is found of anyone actually tampering with a football, it would be the most critiqued tape since the Zapruder film (look it up kids).

    It is almost impossible for me (and I assume many others) to look at anything Pittsburgh and NE does in an unbiased fashion. The NFL has created a product where millions of people actually care more about whether a football is under inflated 2 lbs. than the many more serious issues facing our Country today.

    What I really want to see is how the NFL deals with the results of this report--how transparent it is, who wins, who loses, how it affects Roger, and if the NFL has the stones to penalize Kraft and Belichick if, absent a smoking gun, evidence still points to a culture of bending the rules and the use of tampered footballs in a championship game.

    For that reason alone this thread should remain active.
    Last edited by ed from Bel Air; 02-26-2015 at 07:01 AM.





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