Lena's Mud and Goodell's Balls - A Brief Commentary

[steve B]

The first article I read said the refs checked the balls at halftime because the Colts told the league the one intercepted was soft. And that all were replaced before the second half.

So the score was close while they were supposedly cheating, and the blowout happened using balls the refs knew were just fine.

Somehow it seems silly to make an issue of what's basically a non-factor.
In fact, without the deflation maybe the interception never happens and the blowout is 7 points worse......Or maybe the Colts magically figure out how to stop a running play and it's not a blowout? Should the check Blounts shoes to see if they're special in some way? Maybe like Dorothys red ones ? click three times and say "take me to the end zone" (Heck, Gray must have had a couple pairs of those on a few weeks ago)

Among the rest of the "cheating" claims it's being blown up just like the taping thing. It wasn't actually defensive signals, nor that the taping was done. it was that the taping was done from an area forbidden by the NFL. If the camera guy had been on the sidelines it would have been ok. In fact, the Jets had been taping the Patriots practice from a similar location a few weeks before and it was handled by simply telling the camera person they had to tape from the right area. The Jets didn't do that but instead went straight to the league. The big penalty really wasn't for the taping, but for doing it essentially right after the league sent a memo outlining the allowable taping locations. A memo which was sent to ALL teams since taping what practices are available is standard practice.

But of course controversy sells. As if the Superbowl needs more publicity.

Steve B

[frankbmd]

Well I've learned from all this that

Brady likes soft balls

Rodgers likes hard balls

and Goldilocks likes bear (or is it bare) balls that are just right.

[steve B]

Here's a newer article with better details.

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal...ls_for_af.html

The key part about the problem being fixed at halftime.

"ESPN Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City reported that the Patriots footballs were tested during halftme, re-inflated after when they were found to be under-inflated, then the balls put back in play for the second half and then tested again after the game."

Even disallowing all the first half points leaves the Colts down 28-7

Steve B

This whole controversy is completely overblown, a lot of hot air from blustery windbags....

[D.P.Johnson]

Frank.....Really???

The best games I've ever participated in included at least one hocker of spit, as well as a lot of ball rubbing throughout the contest...

[pgellis]

Whether the pressure of the balls meant a difference or not, THE MAIN POINT is that the Patriots have been accused of tampering with the balls after the officials deemed them legal which takes place 2 hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff.

So, somebody deflated 11 of the 12 balls prior to half-time. Too bad Pats fans....caught cheating again.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by D.P.Johnson

Frank.....Really???

The best games I've ever participated in included at least one hocker of spit, as well as a lot of ball rubbing throughout the contest...

I hope you all realize I am taking this issue very seriously and with respect to this thread

De odor ain't from de flatus.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by steve B

Here's a newer article with better details.

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal...ls_for_af.html

The key part about the problem being fixed at halftime.

"ESPN Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City reported that the Patriots footballs were tested during halftme, re-inflated after when they were found to be under-inflated, then the balls put back in play for the second half and then tested again after the game."

Even disallowing all the first half points leaves the Colts down 28-7

Steve B

How many times did the referees handle the balls in the first half and not notice anything? This is so much ado about nothing.

[pgellis]

Peter, I think you are wrong. Even if the officials noticed something, they need a team to make a complaint. It's much like in baseball last year when Michael Pineda had about a pound of pine tar on his neck. It may have been apparent to the umpires, but they needed the Red Sox to make a formal complaint before they could do anything.
Once the Colts intercepted a pass, they made their complaint.

To blame the officials does not lessen the fact that the Patriots cheated.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by pgellis

Peter, I think you are wrong. Even if the officials noticed something, they need a team to make a complaint. It's much like in baseball last year when Michael Pineda had about a pound of pine tar on his neck. It may have been apparent to the umpires, but they needed the Red Sox to make a formal complaint before they could do anything.
Once the Colts intercepted a pass, they made their complaint.

To blame the officials does not lessen the fact that the Patriots cheated.

So an NFL referee notices that there is something wrong with a game ball, and he is powerless to do anything about it? I haven't consulted the rulebook but that is very hard to fathom and if so it's a really stupid rule.

By the way my point is not to blame the officials but to suggest that this supposed deflation may not even have been perceptible.

Finally, they could have put a grapefruit out there and Brady would have outplayed Luck.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

So an NFL referee notices that there is something wrong with a game ball, and he is powerless to do anything about it? I haven't consulted the rulebook but that is very hard to fathom and if so it's a really stupid rule.

By the way my point is not to blame the officials but to suggest that this supposed deflation may not even have been perceptible.

Finally, they could have put a grapefruit out there and Brady would have outplayed Luck.

And if they kicked a field goal, the holder would be juiced?