#DFG: Canceling the Noise

[riboflav]

If the league is so distraught they needed to handle this better like providing the footballs themselves.
 
Also, I wonder why the 12th ball was fine.

 

[TomTerrific]

WilliamsonNFL Matt Williamson
BTW…I’m not sayin’, but just sayin’: Sunday wasn’t exactly the 1st poor weather/rainy game in Foxboro during Belichick regime…1st time?

 
This is really bad. Williamson is typically a voice of reason on ESPN's NFL Today Podcast, so this gives an indication of what the range of reactions is going to be.

 

[B H Kim]

People fishing for legitimate reasons why this happened or trying to blame this on the refs are deluding themselves. Eleven balls isn't an accident or oversight. It sucks, but it's pretty clear that someone with the team did this deliberately. They have no one to blame but themselves for this shitshow.

 

[captain tek]

 
link?

Just information from someone who was there Sunday night and knows...  No link but assume it will come out soon.

 

[riboflav]

They checked all game balls for both teams Sunday night at HALFTIME.  That was the delay prior to the Pats first possession in 3rd quarter, the game balls had not yet been returned to the sideline by NFL officials...  So from halftime on, the Pats balls were all up to standard.

 
Source?

 

[cshea]

Unfortunately, the only logical explanation is that someone took air out of the balls ....not sure ..when..where...and how...but that someone most likely has ties to the Patriots, and it was done on purpose for a competitive advantage...if you can swing a better alibi let us know.

Anderson's crew could've half-assed the pregame inspection.

Anyways, this'll do it for me. No NFL coverage until 6:30 on 2/1.

 

[djbayko]

Even if it's the latter and the refs didn't do their jobs, why did the Patriots giving them under inflated balls to check in the first place?

For the same reason that Aaron Roger's Packers give the refs overinflated balls? If they slip through, great, and technically not their problem.

 

[wiffleballhero]

They checked all game balls for both teams Sunday night at HALFTIME.  That was the delay prior to the Pats first possession in 3rd quarter, the game balls had not yet been returned to the sideline by NFL officials...  So from halftime on, the Pats balls were all up to standard.

Source?
Is this info then the timeline for the 11 of 12 below the correct PSI?

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

If the league is so distraught they needed to handle this better like providing the footballs themselves.
 
Also, I wonder why the 12th ball was fine.

Their was bold Sharpie writing on it saying "TEST THIS BALL. ALL OTHERS ARE FINE, TOO". 

 

[Three10toLeft]

 
Maybe they're really never checked which is why Rodgers overinflates them because he knows he can.

 
This is what I think might be the case... Hopefully not.
 
But maybe it's a known secret amongst league circles that the balls never really get checked. 

 

[P'tucket rhymes with...]

But the feel of the ball is the whole reason the teams get to pick  and prepare 'their' balls.

They get to modify the ball using a defined set of tools and within certain parameters.  The inflated pressure has to be between 12.5 and 13.5 psi when checked by the ref.  The team doesn't have the right or option to color outside the lines on that.

 

[LesterFan]

All because Brady forced a throw to Gronk. God dammit

 

[Stitch01]

Worst part about this is having to listen to Salva13 freak out about this on another board like we just cut Deion Branch again.

 

[P'tucket rhymes with...]

For the same reason that Aaron Roger's Packers give the refs overinflated balls? If they slip through, great, and technically not their problem.

I'm pretty sure that's not how they're thinking about this either in the NFL offices or at Patriot Place just now.

 

[genoasalami]

People fishing for legitimate reasons why this happened or trying to blame this on the refs are deluding themselves. Eleven balls isn't an accident or oversight. It sucks, but it's pretty clear that someone with the team did this deliberately. They have no one to blame but themselves for this shitshow.

 
Yup...and it will be a story line right through the Super Bowl ... and if they win ...it will be a tainted win ...blah blah blah ....we can all push it under the rug ....but it will be the overriding theme going forward...cheaters...always cheaters....

 

[Auger34]

Can someone explain to me how, if this is as egregious as it is being made out to be...if this is so bad that a Colts LB picks a pass off and notices a differences, how the fuck did the refs (who handle the ball before and after every play) not notice this? That's the thing that makes absolutely no sense to me. Either this is something that goes on more than the NFL cares to admit or the refs are severely incompetent

 

[mascho]

All because Brady forced a throw to Gronk. God dammit

Post of the thread.

 

[Captaincoop]

 
For real?

For real. 0 Colts balls were underinflated.

I'm quite certain this happens all the time since the balls are under the control of the teams and obviously the officials can't tell the pressure to the exact PSI, but this story now has legs. Boo.

 

[riboflav]

Just information from someone who was there Sunday night and knows...  No link but assume it will come out soon.

 
I'd feel better if you were a long-time member with a good track record, no offense to you personally.

 

[Freddy Linn]

They get to modify the ball using a defined set of tools and within certain parameters.  The inflated pressure has to be between 12.5 and 13.5 psi when checked by the ref.  The team doesn't have the right or option to color outside the lines on that.

 
No, if the ball is underinflated or overinflated it is adjusted by the refs.

 

[E5 Yaz]

All because Brady forced a throw to Gronk. God dammit

 
 

Post of the thread.

 
Post of the thread only if you think it's acceptable for the Patriots to play outside the rules. 

 

[Auger34]

For real. 0 Colts balls were underinflated.

I'm quite certain this happens all the time since the balls are under the control of the teams and obviously the officials can't tell the pressure to the exact PSI, but this story now has legs. Boo.

Where do you see this? Haven't found it anywhere or on Twitter that the Colts balls were checked

 

[captain tek]

 
I'd feel better if you were a long-time member with a good track record, no offense to you personally.

Totally understand...  Long time lurker.

 

[RedOctober3829]

I keep saying this: it takes a special kind of sour grapes-I-got-my-ass-kicked group of sissies that would actually take time to report this to the league. I deal with the exact thing we are dealing with in my job and I have never once heard anybody complain about the PSI of the opposing team's footballs. This whole situation is a joke. It does NOT make a difference in the game.

I find it absolutely hilarious that it is legal for QBs to wear gloves to get a better grip on the football but adjusting the PSIs by 1 or 2 is a federal case.

 

[PBDWake]

Fuck. Just... fuck. Really? Fuck.

 

[Captaincoop]

Nm

 

[Hendu for Kutch]

So the explanation for the refs not noticing the balls were 15-20% under-inflated is? If they were all so far off, how were they allowed to use them the whole game?

This stinks of either being something not uncommon that typically isn't cared about but has to be now because it's public, or gross negligence on the part of the refs.

Submitting under inflated balls, even if done intentionally, should be the equivalent of stretching out with the ball after being tackled. The refs should be paying attention.

 

[soxhop411]

So can the NFL release a statement. Like NOW!?!! It does not good leering it fester for hours.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I keep saying this: it takes a special kind of sour grapes-I-got-my-ass-kicked group of sissies that would actually take time to report this to the league. I deal with the exact thing we are dealing with in my job and I have never once heard anybody complain about the PSI of the opposing team's footballs. This whole situation is a joke. It does NOT make a difference in the game.
I find it absolutely hilarious that it is legal for QBs to wear gloves to get a better grip on the football but adjusting the PSIs by 1 or 2 is a federal case.

Maybe, but rules are rules. Very sad about this, at least until we hear the full story.

 

[Stitch01]

Of course its a joke, the Rodgers comments show that, but if there's a way the NFL can fuck up an investigation they'll do it I guess. Loss of a draft pick would be a massive joke.

Just going to make winning the fourth that much sweeter.

 

[wiffleballhero]

It is still not clear. Was the 11 of 12 count of under-inflated balls the halftime count?

 

[soxhop411]

So the explanation for the refs not noticing the balls were 15-20% under-inflated is? If they were all so far off, how were they allowed to use them the whole game?

This stinks of either being something not uncommon that typically isn't cared about but has to be now because it's public, or gross negligence on the part of the refs.

Submitting under inflated balls, even if done intentionally, should be the equivalent of stretching out with the ball after being tackled. The refs should be paying attention.

Yup

 

[Auger34]

Jesus H. Christ. Well...this is not good. I still don't get how the fucking ref doesn't feel this but an LB picking off a pass notices it enough to make an issue of it

 

[E5 Yaz]

I keep saying this: it takes a special kind of sour grapes-I-got-my-ass-kicked group of sissies that would actually take time to report this to the league. I deal with the exact thing we are dealing with in my job and I have never once heard anybody complain about the PSI of the opposing team's footballs. This whole situation is a joke. It does NOT make a difference in the game.

I find it absolutely hilarious that it is legal for QBs to wear gloves to get a better grip on the football but adjusting the PSIs by 1 or 2 is a federal case.

 
The "Patriots play outside the rules" mantra is widespread enough that it doesn't matter if it affected the game or not. It was mentioned upthread that the Ravens might complain about the balls used the week before.
 
Reality is no longer the issue here ... 

 

[4 6 3 DP]

And Brady had to know - obviously he's the reason they were underinflated. This isn't just Belichick taping something, this is at least Brady and Belichick getting someone to tamper with the balls I would assume. Christ, as much as I appreciate doing anything to win...

 

[soxhop411]

@VincentFrankNFL: And there goes Bellichicks legacy. Strongly worded article coming tonight.

 

[Freddy Linn]

Jesus H. Christ. Well...this is not good. I still don't get how the fucking ref doesn't feel this but an LB picking off a pass notices it enough to make an issue of it

 
Jackson didn't report it.

 

[kenneycb]

Jesus H. Christ. Well...this is not good. I still don't get how the fucking ref doesn't feel this but an LB picking off a pass notices it enough to make an issue of it

I'm pretty sure the equipment guy on the Colts noticed it when it was handed to him by Jackson.

 

[Rico Guapo]

For real. 0 Colts balls were underinflated.

I'm quite certain this happens all the time since the balls are under the control of the teams and obviously the officials can't tell the pressure to the exact PSI, but this story now has legs. Boo.

Link? You keep posting unsubstantiated claims, starting with the bullshit about the colts balls being tested today, as in two days after the actual game.

 

[8slim]

If the Pats intentionally did this then they have no one to blame but themselves for whatever punishment and scorn they receive.

For the fucking Colts? Why?!

 

[Auger34]

So the explanation for the refs not noticing the balls were 15-20% under-inflated is? If they were all so far off, how were they allowed to use them the whole game?

This stinks of either being something not uncommon that typically isn't cared about but has to be now because it's public, or gross negligence on the part of the refs.

Submitting under inflated balls, even if done intentionally, should be the equivalent of stretching out with the ball after being tackled. The refs should be paying attention.

Hit the nail on the head. This is by far the fishiest part of the story that the media seems to be ignoring. How do the refs not notice this? Either it's not nearly as egregious as it is being made out to be or these refs are complete fucktards...or maybe a combination of both

 

[Mooch]

I wonder how Kraft will react. Sure seemed like Belichick was on notice after Spygate not to embarrass the organization or the league again.

 

[MillarTime]

Fuck it. I'm going full heel turn with my friends/family that are Pats haters. Time to embrace being the villain.

 

[canderson]

This just in: Pro Bowl cancelled, Green Bay v Seattle to see who faces Seattle in the Super Bowl.

(Not really, but I can actually see the NFL making NE for first the AFC Championship game)

 

[pedro1918]

Never mind. Slow on the draw.

I'm extremely disappointed. I'm going to wait for the official findings, but it might just be Bruins season for me now.

 

[P'tucket rhymes with...]

 
No, if the ball is underinflated or overinflated it is adjusted by the refs.

I realize that.  Do you realize that even if the refs screwed the pooch on this, the Patriots still look like shit for trying to run under inflated balls past them?  Because no one will chalk it off to sloppiness or a lazy ball boy.
 
Spygate was about jackshit other than BB getting caught trying to be too clever by half.  The table is set for this to be Chapter 2.

 

[Auger34]

I'm pretty sure the equipment guy on the Colts noticed it when it was handed to him by Jackson.

Point still stands. How does ANYONE notice this but the refs don't?

 

[bosox188]

I really hope we get to see the numbers on the Colts balls soon, but at this point I'm bracing myself for the worst.
 
All those miserable fucking morons who spew constant shit about the Pats were just vindicated.
 
I just feel sick now.

 

[BoredViewer]

I just hope Gronk has some kind of "football deflating TD dance" to go to in the 4th quarter of this blowout victory.

 

[JBill]

If the league is telling Mort they are "angry" and "distraught" that means...draft picks? Colts go to the SB instead? What level of catastrophe do I need to brace for.