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[cwmartin]

Once a cheater always a cheater rings undeniably true.

 

[leakey]

The NFL needs to start punishing these scoundrels to the full extent of the rules. Why do we even have rules?

 

[Beefy]

Still not confirmed? The NFL need to release a statement soon.

 

[Arc]

The NFL needs to start punishing these scoundrels to the full extent of the rules. Why do we even have rules?

So a $25000 fine.

 

[cwmartin]

Sounds appropriate for a first time offender.

Oh wait

 

[Alligatorjandro]

#PatriotStrong

 

[TomShoe]

So a $25000 fine.

More like $2.5000 fine. The actually NFL organization is just a puppet tool for the owners, like Goodell. I don't expect anything serious to be done, not if it messes with the Super Bowl and their previous revenue.

Right under the rug it goes.

 

[chris121580]

Remember what happened if you got caught cheating on a test in school? A big fat 0 and possible expulsion. He's done it twice now. Kick him out of the league

 

[Phinor]

As a complete outsider to this sport I find this kind of cheating pretty.. amazing I guess? It's one thing to test the rules and limits on the field but this type of cheating should be heavily punished. It's also a question of integrity and respect for the sport and clearly someone lacks that right now. Fines and small punishments like few draft picks rarely have any meaningful effect though.

 

[snacknuts]

I am nonplussed by the number of people in this thread who think this is not a big deal.

 

[mowho]

What we also know is that the balls are under the watch of a team employee for over 2 hours between the referee inspection and the start of the actual game.

What we know is that the players hold the balls far more than referees do, and are actually going to be gripping the ball tightly, whereas refs are almost always cradling the ball or underhand tossing it.



Why should we give the Pats the benefit of the doubt? They have a record, a history of shady activity.



It doesn't matter how much of an advantage it gives you, it's against the rules and gives you an advantage. That's all that matters. It doesn't matter who else does it, it doesn't matter how brazen it is, all that matters is that they got caught breaking the rules.



We have one guy on our roster who has been suspended for PED use. Care to guess how many the Pats have?

Also, while you're at it, tell me how many ttimes the team has been penalized for players getting suspended for positive drug tests.



That's exactly my point though - Brady struggles so much with deeper passes that losing some air in the ball doesn't matter. He's throwing ducks past 20 yards regardless of how inflated the ball is.

Rodgers likes overinflated balls but he still has to play with balls that fall within the acceptable range - reread the article.

I just listened to Rogers again. I like over inflated balls because I can throw them better. Maybe half the guys like under inflated. That's what he said. He likes over inflated balls cause he can throw them better - some like under inflated balls because that's how they like them. In 2011 Brady said on the radio that he likes under inflated balls.

In the end, it's a rule, they broke the rule and will be punished for it. I just hate that, because it's the Pats, people make a big deal out of this. If they lost - would be have heard anything, would anyone have cared? People not from New England hate the Pats.. Love to hate them. You keep calling Brady noodle arm. And he does have one.. But the fact that you keep trying to correlate the ball to his lack of arm strength,shows that you have no idea what your talking about. Throwing an under inflated ball gives him a disadvantage on the long ball. Throwing an over inflated ball, like Rogers gives him an advantage.

It was stupid that they did this. They didn't need it to win the game. And if they win the Super Bowl it will be tainted.

 

[j_rocca42]

Belicheck was fined 500k and the team lost a first round pick and was fined 250k for spygate. The punishment is gonna be big for sure.

 

[Ricky_R]

Another question,

Are referees supposed to check/measure balls before or after the game?

 

[Beefy]

I'd laugh if the NFL release a statememt saying nothing went on. This thread would look messed up.

Spoiler

They won't

 

[Edwardo]

Another question,

Are referees supposed to check/measure balls before or after the game?

Before. I'm not sure if they do it after.

But it's their job to check them for problems throughout the game too.

 

[Arc]

Belicheck was fined 500k and the team lost a first round pick and was fined 250k for spygate. The punishment is gonna be big for sure.

There is a specific fine in NFL rules for this violation. It's $25,000.

 

[Beefy]

Another question,

Are referees supposed to check/measure balls before or after the game?

I think also during.

 

[Alligatorjandro]

Sometimes things just happen

 

[BigAT]

Another question,

Are referees supposed to check/measure balls before or after the game?

Yes, they do it two hours before the game. The Patriots altered the the balls after they had been inspected.

 

[Ricky_R]

Weird. Shouldn't this be on referees as well?

I mean, yeah... NE cheated, but I think referees should also be held accountable for not doing their job.

Yes, they do it two hours before the game. The Patriots altered the the balls after they had been inspected.

If that's the case then that's messed up.

 

[yuraya]

I think it's the fact that there's a psychological advantage. The only people that without a doubt knew that the balls were deflated were the Patriots so they were able to capitalize knowing that throughout the game. It's obvious the referees didn't check thoroughly, but just because you don't get caught cheating, doesn't mean that you weren't cheating in the first place.

There needs to be pretty good penalty for the team being repeat offenders.

What psychological advantage? The colts had their own 12 properly inflated balls and couldn't score more than 7 points.

And what exactly did the Patriots capitalize on? Griping the ball? It doesn't matter because its not like the colts actually tackled anyone. Or attempted to tackle anyone. The Pats took the colts outback and manhandled them for 4 hours in all facets of the game. And the deflated balls had nothing to do with it.

 

[Delicious Waffles]

Cheater, cheater, clam chowder eaters.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

They should lose draft picks but they were clearly superior. Can't wait for the bowl.

 

[Beefy]

Yes, they do it two hours before the game. The Patriots altered the the balls after they had been inspected.

You don't know this yet. Do they have libel/slander claims in the USA?

 

[sixteen-bit]

Shady af

 

[EASTC0AST_GH05T]

Cheater, cheater, clam chowder eaters.

Love me some New England clam chowder. You don't eat clam chowder?

 

[Wizman23]

ESPN said they should have investigation complete in 2 to 3 days.

I think if the NFL wants to handle this is the most clean and entertaining way, they just have a rematch.

It shows they aren't willing to let the pats benefit while cheating. If the pats are the better team, they can do it again. Then if they win the super bowl, it is hard to deny the fact that they actually earned it. You don't want to disqualify them because then people could whine saying the best team didn't win.

That rematch would have crazy ratings.

Keep dreaming. Millions/Billions go into the logistics of all this stuff surrounding the Superbowl. We have a better chance of alien life landing on earth today then this game ever being replayed.

 

[Amory]

There is a specific fine in NFL rules for this violation. It's $25,000.

And another asterisk next to the 2015 season in the public opinion

The patriots look pathetic. I'm so excited to see Belichick's press conference on media day.

 

[Arc]

And another asterisk next to the 2015 season in the public opinion

The patriots look pathetic. I'm so excited to see Belichick's press conference on media day.

lol so much salt.

 

[Edwardo]

Cheater, cheater, clam chowder eaters.

easy now..

 

[Calcium]

As a lifelong Patriots fan I am incredibly disappointed by this. I wish the NFL would just disqualify them, but I understand why they can't do that. Looks like I'll be rooting for Seattle during the Super Bowl. There's a sentence I never thought I'd type.

 

[BigAT]

You don't know this yet. Do they have libel/slander claims in the USA?

"The game balls provided to each team for preparation were required to be inspected and approved by referee Walt Anderson two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, then returned to a ball attendant.

No alteration of footballs is allowed once they are approved, under league rules and regulations."

 

[hey_it's_that_dog]

Forgive me if this has been covered, I haven't read the whole thread.

It seems to me there are two key questions here.

1) How big a deviation from standard inflation (in terms of percentage) is 2 pounds? According to Wikipedia, standard is 12.5 - 13. 5 lbs. So 2 lbs is about a 9 - 16% deviation.

2) If they were to officially determine the inflation of every ball used in every game, what is the rate of balls that were under-inflated? You would expect some deviation from standard inflation just by chance. (I'm assuming they don't do these kinds of measurements after every game and generally rely on refs handling the ball.)

"The game balls provided to each team for preparation were required to be inspected and approved by referee Walt Anderson two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, then returned to a ball attendant.

No alteration of footballs is allowed once they are approved, under league rules and regulations."

Is this a visual/tactile inspection or something more rigorous?

 

[tbm24]

As a lifelong Patriots fan I am incredibly disappointed by this. I wish the NFL would just disqualify them, but I understand why they can't do that. Looks like I'll be rooting for Seattle during the Super Bowl. There's a sentence I never thought I'd type.

You're a life long patriots fan but then you just typed you were going to root for the sea chickens? I have no words mate.

 

[Rabbi_Vole]

they should give the Seahawks a two touchdown handicap going into the Super Bowl

 

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

I think it's the fact that there's a psychological advantage. The only people that without a doubt knew that the balls were deflated were the Patriots so they were able to capitalize knowing that throughout the game. It's obvious the referees didn't check thoroughly, but just because you don't get caught cheating, doesn't mean that you weren't cheating in the first place.

There needs to be pretty good penalty for the team being repeat offenders.

What psychological advantage? The colts had their own 12 properly inflated balls and couldn't score more than 7 points.

And what exactly did the Patriots capitalize on? Griping the ball? It doesn't matter because its not like the colts actually tackled anyone. Or attempted to tackle anyone. The Pats took the colts outback and manhandled them for 4 hours in all facets of the game. And the deflated balls had nothing to do with it.

The advantage is in the bolded and yes, it has been stated that deflating the ball would allow them to get a better grip and allow for receivers to catch the balls easier. It wouldn't have made a difference in the outcome, but that doesn't mean that they aren't breaking the rules.

 

[A-V-B]

You're a life long patriots fan but then you just typed you were going to root for the sea chickens? I have no words mate.

Presumably because they're not insane.

 

[Veritigo_X]

As a lifelong Patriots fan I am incredibly disappointed by this. I wish the NFL would just disqualify them, but I understand why they can't do that. Looks like I'll be rooting for Seattle during the Super Bowl. There's a sentence I never thought I'd type.

lol so dramatic. I can tell you aren't really a Pats fan.

 

[Arc]

As a lifelong Patriots fan I am incredibly disappointed by this. I wish the NFL would just disqualify them, but I understand why they can't do that. Looks like I'll be rooting for Seattle during the Super Bowl. There's a sentence I never thought I'd type.

You were never a Patriots fan.

 

[teruterubozu]

lol so much salt.

you mean hot air.

 

[BigAT]

Is this a visual/tactile inspection or something more rigorous?

I'm pretty positive they actually weigh them and test PSI.

It's a 16% deviation on the minimum weight.

 

[Arc]

Presumably because they're not insane.

Are you not familiar with the Seahawks and Cheatin' Pete's infatuation with adderall and other PEDs?

 

[Beefy]

"The game balls provided to each team for preparation were required to be inspected and approved by referee Walt Anderson two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, then returned to a ball attendant.

No alteration of footballs is allowed once they are approved, under league rules and regulations."

The NFL have not released a statement yet have they? If they say the Pats ilegally altered the balls. Then you have a right to say it. Until they say "the Pats did it on purpose" you can not say they did. You can say the balls were deflated or look altered, It is all about wording. If it turns out the Pats didn't deflate the balls on purpose ( I doubt it) you could be libel to getting sued with the post you put.

 

[bob_arctor]

You were never a Patriots fan.

See, they can tell this because he is upset over the cheating.

 

[Amory]

lol so much salt.

It's really not. I live in Boston and hate the Seahawks. Not a pats fan but I wanted them to win next Sunday.

I'm saying they look pathetic because they genuinely come off looking pathetic.

 

[A-V-B]

Are you not familiar with the Seahawks and Cheatin' Pete's infatuation with adderall and other PEDs?

And you can't imagine someone being so ashamed of their own team that they'd root for the other side?

 

[numble]

The NFL have not release a statement yet have they? If they say the Pats ilegally altered the balls. Then you have a right to say it. Until they say "the Pats did it on purpose" you can not say they did. You can say the balls were deflated or look altered, It is all about wording.

Please explain why he cannot say what he wants to say.

 

[Calcium]

You were never a Patriots fan.

lol so dramatic. I can tell you aren't really a Pats fan.

You're a life long patriots fan but then you just typed you were going to root for the sea chickens? I have no words mate.

Fuck 'em. I'm tired of all the cheating. Play the damn game the way it's supposed to be played.

 

[Veritigo_X]

And you can't imagine someone being so ashamed of their own team that they'd root for the other side?

If they're ashamed over something so minor as this, I don't think the Patriots were ever "their own team" to begin with. It's just someone being over dramatic on the internet.

Fuck 'em. I'm tired of all the cheating. Play the damn game the way it's supposed to be played.

 

[Beefy]

Please explain why he cannot say what he wants to say.

You can say it looks like they did or the balls were deflated. But in my country anyways if you put "The [ insert team] cheated and altered the balls" with out proof you can be sued.