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[ThatCrazyGuy]

In case Brady got hurt. Garoppolo likes it fully inflated.

Yea he does.

So wait, they were using normally inflated balls the 2nd half then?

 

[chuckddd]

Matt Leinart from USC? The college that was given the death penalty for violations? Naturally he would think cheating is fine.

Also the only school caught and punished for deflating footballs.

 

[Officerrob]

did Matt Leinart give that quote direct from a hot tub?

I think it was from the set of a Dish commercial while reminiscing back to a time when he was relevant

 

[YuriLowell]

Yea he does.

So wait, they were using normally inflated balls the 2nd half then?

Because if that's the case who cares because that's when the ass whopping started.

 

[Two Words]

Suspend Bellicheck and Brady for the Super Bowl.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

so you don't want to give the pats the benefit of the doubt but want to put all your eggs in ESPNs basket. Mortensen of all people he has been wrong on so many reports but if that's what you want to ride on good luck lol. ESPN is doing there jobs, you are out to get the pats.

Why are you so insecure about a football team?

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Y'kno this could actually be the cause

Eh, not THAT much, they don't. You wouldn't lose that much air out of a balloon, much less out of something as well sealed as a football.

 

[joedan]

So much righteous indignation in here. lol.

 

[ampere]

That's college though. We need an NFL QBs perspective.

Matt needs ice for that burn

 

[TheDrizzlerJ11]

So wait, they were using normally inflated balls the 2nd half then?

Where are people getting this?

 

[Archaix]

Again, why only 11 of 12? lol.

Presumably, a ball for kicking. I don't remember whether the league supplies kicking balls separately but you wouldn't want your team kicking any under-inflated balls.

edit: I'm wrong, they do use a brand new ball for kicking.

 

[Two Words]

I can't tell if you guys are serious, or just apologists?

We know because only half the footballs in use were deflated. They just so happened to be the ones under the Patriot's positive control. And they just so happened to all be deflated by precisely 2 PSI.

"Mysteriously," the 12 footballs the Colts were in charge of safeguarding remained within normal guidelines.

Well, clearly it is because Tom Brady has ice water in his veins.

 

[cdyhybrid]

Presumably, a ball for kicking. I don't remember whether the league supplies kicking balls separately but you wouldn't want your team kicking any under-inflated balls.

Kicking balls are separate.

More likely the ball boy just missed one of them.

 

[cwmartin]

Because if that's the case who cares because that's when the ass whopping started.

Even if this is the case (which it isnt), why does it matter?

 

[TheDrizzlerJ11]

Presumably, a ball for kicking. I don't remember whether the league supplies kicking balls separately but you wouldn't want your team kicking any under-inflated balls.

The league does provide kicking balls. Idk they're used for FGs and punts or if they're just for kickoffs tho.

 

[EASTC0AST_GH05T]

Why would I trust the Pats over someone who's putting his name on a report and thus vouching for its legitimacy?

It's not like ESPN has anything against the Pats, it's probably the opposite. ESPN is in bed with the NFL (see their handling of Bill Simmons' criticism of Goodell over the Ray Rice thing), it would be in their best interest for this story to go away instead of fabricating something.

if you looked up morts history you would know that he has broken plenty of stories that where inacurrate. He is a journalist that only cares about getting a story reported. You already validate it as golden when the reports came from the source of the losing team. A neutral source would have been easier to vouch for. Even if this comes out as malarkey you will still think the samething. You will formulate new thoeries on the reasoning why the league didn't find any evidence to punish the pats. This is a lost cost, im about to get ready for work. You can fight the fight all you want and claim you are going off clear evidence when the only thing you are clinging too is the passed and a mort report lol. Good day sir.

 

[ThatCrazyGuy]

Where are people getting this?

idk, did they? I don't know honestly.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

lollin' at dudes asking us to be more skeptical of an ESPN reporter than the New England Patriots.

 

[cwmartin]

lollin' at dudes asking us to be more skeptical of an ESPN reporter than the New England Patriots.

It's called a "diversion"

 

[cdyhybrid]

if you looked up morts history you would know that he has broken plenty of stories that where inacurrate. He is a journalist that only cares about getting a story reported. You already validate it as golden when the reports came from the source of the losing team. A neutral source would have been easier to vouch for. Even if this comes out as malarkey you will still think the samething. You will formulate new thoeries on the reasoning why the league didn't find any evidence to punish the pats. This is a lost cost, im about to get ready for work. You can fight the fight all you want and claim you are going off clear evidence when the only thing you are clinging too is the passed and a mort report lol. Good day sir.

You need to reread the article (this seems to be a theme with Pats defenders):

The NFL has found that 11 of the New England Patriots' 12 game balls were inflated significantly below the NFL's requirements, league sources involved and familiar with the investigation of Sunday's AFC Championship Game told ESPN.

League sources. As in, sources in the NFL's front office, who conducts the investigation.

 

[tfur]

Also the only school caught and punished for deflating footballs.

Lol, that's delicious.

 

[cdyhybrid]

From the NFL thread:

Report: Colts told NFL of inflation concerns after November game vs. Pats

They've been doing it all year.

 

[Tigress]

Ok, a slap on the wrist and they allow the teams to bring in their own balls?

It seems like the NFL almost secretly wants to encourage cheating. I mean... if you think about it, they cheated and got to go to the superbowl. Their cheating was effective (or at least helped them though they apparently didn't need it) and it was pretty easy to pull off. I mean what real motivation do they have for not cheating? We cheat and we may lose a little if we get caught. We don't cheat and we may lose this game and lose going to the superbowl. I can easily see why if they don't have strong principles they go with the cheating route. If you don't care about honor, it's the obvious choice because the NFL pretty much does nothing to really discourage it.

 

[timetokill]

From the NFL thread:



They've been doing it all year.

hahaha goddamn

 

[Subitai]

From the NFL thread:



They've been doing it all year.

Woah?! Ravens gotta be furious official now.

 

[Pimpwerx]

NFL Super Bowl |OT| Tom tells Bill, "Suck my balls." PEACE.

 

[friskykillface]

From the NFL thread:



They've been doing it all year.

B^)


One thing is certain, if somehow the pats win than the seahawks x everyone will see if they did any form of cheating

 

[bob_arctor]

From the NFL thread:



They've been doing it all year.

The Patriots Way. Is Jim Nantz okay!?

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

The Onion - Nation Can’t Wait To Hear Patriots Fans’ Excuses This Time

WASHINGTON—After an NFL investigation revealed that 11 of New England’s 12 game balls were under-inflated during last weekend’s AFC Championship Game, Americans across the nation announced Wednesday that they would love—absolutely love—to hear the excuses from Patriots fans this time. “No, no, by all means, go ahead,” said every single person living outside of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut before reportedly smiling and adding, “I’m all ears.” “Wait, let me guess: The deflated footballs were also easier to catch for the Colts defense, so the Patriots didn’t have a real advantage, right? Or is it that the score was so lopsided that it didn’t matter in the end? No, seriously, I’m sure you guys have something really great cooked up for this one.” The American populace went on to say that they also absolutely cannot wait to hear how this new scandal will have no effect on the legacy of Tom Brady.

 

[Alligatorjandro]

#StandStrongPatriots

 

[entremet]

Some strange revisionism here. ESPN loves the Patriots. They give them tons of airtime.

 

[Oozer3993]

Tom Brady to Boston radio, circa 2011:

I didn't see it. I mean, he [Rob Gronkowski] spikes it every time he scores, so I don't know if that's flagrant or what. When Gronk scores -- it was like his eighth touchdown of the year -- he spikes the ball and he deflates the ball. I love that, because I like the deflated ball.

 

[Tigress]

The Onion - Nation Can’t Wait To Hear Patriots Fans’ Excuses This Time

Shoot, my mom is not even big on football and is cheering seahawks mainly cause I am (and I am cause I love my city ) and she thinks they shouldn't have to forfeit cause they would have won the game anyways.

I say it shouldn't matter. Cheating should be an automatic forfeit. It shouldn't be worth trying cause the consequences of being caught are not worth the risk of doing it. It's not that the cheating is what won the game for them, it is the fact they cheated that is offensive.

If they ahve been found guilty of cheating, the Colts should be going to the Superbowl. Cheating should be an automatic you forfeit the game regardless of if it actually won the game for you or not.

 

[OSHAN]

Some strange revisionism here. ESPN loves the Patriots. They give them tons of airtime.

ESPN loves clicks.

 

[YuriLowell]

From the NFL thread:



They've been doing it all year.

No way I refuse to believe this. Why didn't the NFL say something earlier?

 

[chuckddd]

Some strange revisionism here. ESPN loves the Patriots. They give them tons of airtime.

The Pats are the victims here, can't you see?

 

[cdyhybrid]

No way I refuse to believe this. Why didn't the NFL say something earlier?

Why invite more bad PR when they can sweep it under the rug? Unfortunately for them, it got out eventually.

 

[YuriLowell]

Why invite more bad PR when they can sweep it under the rug? Unfortunately for them, it got out eventually.

I don't think so, I think people are just trying to pile on now.

 

[entremet]

Why invite more bad PR when they can sweep it under the rug? Unfortunately for them, it got out eventually.

Seems like par for the course for Goddell.

 

[boiled goose]

Let me know when every other team gets caught.

Yeah, I have no idea why people would hate a team that openly flaunts their arrogance while being caught cheating.



I know exactly what he was saying. Let me know when he's been caught using one of those balls in a game.

this is something I have never understood. how have the Patriots flaunted their arrogance? In every interview players and coaches seem level headed, give credit to each other, and respect their rivals.

Brady's tweet before the colts game seemed uncharacteristic to me.

 

[cdyhybrid]

this is something I have never understood. how have the Patriots flaunted their arrogance? In every interview players and coaches seem level headed, give credit to each other, and respect their rivals.

Brady's tweet before the colts game seemed uncharacteristic to me.

Not to mention them running up the score on everyone when they got caught video taping stuff illegally.

 

[MIMIC]

Watching SportsCenter. ESPN has clarified that each team uses their own football on offense.

 

[Give War A Chance]

For the people saying the Patriots should forfeit... are you seriously advocating that a Colts team that completed 12 passes in an entire game just gets placed into the Super Bowl?

Is that really fair to the Ravens, who also lost to the Patriots, and looked WAY better in their game?

Is that really fair to ANY playoff team? Or are you suggesting that the Seahawks should just win the Super Bowl because the other team forfeited?

Is that fair to the Seahawks? Giving them a Super Bowl championship with an asterisk next to it when they all did the right thing?


This is a crazy situation, but the craziest part of all of it is that the Patriots ran 76 plays in that game. Which means that the ball was set/handled/touched by the officials at least 76 times. These are supposed to be the best of the best officials calling the Championship games. Is it not bothersome or worrisome to anyone that NONE of the leagues best officials could determine the balls were under-inflated, when given a chance to handle them a minimum of SEVENTY-SIX times?

Wild.

 

[NH Apache]

Not to mention them running up the score on everyone when they got caught video taping stuff illegally.

So TB has been arrogant twice in 15 years.

 

[turtle553]

For the people saying the Patriots should forfeit... are you seriously advocating that a Colts team that completed 12 passes in an entire game just gets placed into the Super Bowl?

Is that really fair to the Ravens, who also lost to the Patriots, and looked WAY better in their game?

Is that really fair to ANY playoff team? Or are you suggesting that the Seahawks should just win the Super Bowl because the other team forfeited?

Is that fair to the Seahawks? Giving them a Super Bowl championship with an asterisk next to it when they all did the right thing?


This is a crazy situation, but the craziest part of all of it is that the Patriots ran 76 plays in that game. Which means that the ball was set/handled/touched by the officials at least 76 times. These are supposed to be the best of the best officials calling the Championship games. Is it not bothersome or worrisome to anyone that NONE of the leagues best officials could determine the balls were under-inflated, when given a chance to handle them a minimum of SEVENTY-SIX times?

Wild.

Were the refs wearing gloves? I also doubt they squeezed them like the players do.

 

[MechDX]

So TB has been arrogant twice in 15 years.

Well he also throws temper tantrums like a 10 year old.

 

[Sanjuro]

Were the refs wearing gloves? I also doubt they squeezed them like the players do.

Irrelevant. The fix is in.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Well he also throws temper tantrums like a 10 year old.

He's using the tantrum as a cover to spike the ball and deflate it. Tom likes a deflated ball.

 

[Tigress]

For the people saying the Patriots should forfeit... are you seriously advocating that a Colts team that completed 12 passes in an entire game just gets placed into the Super Bowl?

Is that really fair to the Ravens, who also lost to the Patriots, and looked WAY better in their game?

Is that really fair to ANY playoff team? Or are you suggesting that the Seahawks should just win the Super Bowl because the other team forfeited?

Is that fair to the Seahawks? Giving them a Super Bowl championship with an asterisk next to it when they all did the right thing?


This is a crazy situation, but the craziest part of all of it is that the Patriots ran 76 plays in that game. Which means that the ball was set/handled/touched by the officials at least 76 times. These are supposed to be the best of the best officials calling the Championship games. Is it not bothersome or worrisome to anyone that NONE of the leagues best officials could determine the balls were under-inflated, when given a chance to handle them a minimum of SEVENTY-SIX times?

Wild.

Problem is there should be serious consequences for cheating else you make it the obvious choice to cheat (gee, we cheat, we get much m ore chance to go to the superbowl and maybe later we'll get a slap on the wrist if we are caught. We don't cheat, we have much less chance of going to the superbowl which is the entire goal in the first place).

Why should they be allowed to win the game if they cheated? Honestly, if the NFL enforced things like this in the first place this probably would not have happened cause it would not have been worth it to cheat. And it may suck for this season, but the NFL woudl have to actually start enforcing it better if they truly wanted to stop cheating.

As it is set now, there is no reason other than honor not to cheat. And a lot of temptations to get some one over their honor to cheat. It's easy to cheat (provide your own balls) and if you are caught, well, you still get to keep your wins, just next year you won't have as good pick of players (but people tend to focus more on the now). And hey, we'll just cheat next year to make up for the fact of not getting as good players...

I mean you could allow them to play this season out and then tell them they are disqualified for next season... but that is even less likely to happen and I"m sure you think that's even worse than just making them forfeit the game they were caught cheating on (and I think that is disproportionate to the crime unless they repeatedly get caught cheating).

 

[entremet]

Well he also throws temper tantrums like a 10 year old.

Meh. That's overblown. All good QBs are divas. This is nothing new.