Posted on 01/21/2015 6:57:45 AM PST by Colehill1999
The Patriots used underinflated footballs on Sunday night.
The next question is how did it happen?
According to a National Football League letter about the investigation into the controversy that was shared with the Globe, the Patriots were informed that the league’s initial findings indicated that the game balls did not meet specifications. The league inspected each of the Patriots’ 12 game balls twice at halftime, using different pressure gauges, and found footballs that were not properly inflated.
According to ESPN, 11 of the 12 game balls were found to be underinflated by about 2 pounds each. The NFL specifications say they must be inflated to 12½ to 13½ pounds.
The idea that each team supplies balls for when they are on offense is where this problem lies. The league should have supplied all balls and been in control of them throughout the game. For an outfit like the NFL to allow this to even have happened is ridiculous.
You are quite likely right, and this is a valid if legalistic defense. If the Patriots inflated the balls to the minimum allowable pressure in a warm room and then took them outside early enough to cool off before the game, the balls would end up about 2 psi below the designated pressure. The under-inflation could be both intentional and arguably not quite a violation of the rules.
Going forward, the refs should inspect every ball they can put their hands on. As for the past, the refs (potentially) blew yet another call, but the teams are not going to go back for sloppy seconds. The Patriots got what they wanted with their undersized balls.
A former ref on ESPN said that he understood that all of the balls were under inflated. 11 of the 12 were under inflated by >2 pounds.
A casually clad John Kerry, right, enters the stadium of the New England Patriots with team owner Robert Kraft, left, before Sunday's game between the Patriots and the Denver Broncos. Kerry sat with Kraft in his indoor box while regular Patriot fans suffered through 20 degree weather in order to see their team play -
In wet conditions, it is easier to grip. That makes throwing and catching easier, fumbling harder.
They get fined, maybe docked a draft pick, the NFL changes the procedure so the balls are only handled by league officials in between inspection and the field (which really it should always have been). Meanwhile Aaron Rodgers thinks the rule should just go away:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/12201369/aaron-rodgers-green-bay-packers-upset-referees-take-air-footballs
Why are teams allowed to handle their own balls? The referees should be the only one handling them.
No, they will be fined and lose a first round draft pick later this spring at the annual NFL draft.
Further, this cheating scandal will be the lead story going into this years SB ... which will most certainly stigmatize the Patriots in public opinion. Not good for the NFL or the team.
Got a source for this?
It says what many have already figured out: the NFL sucks.
They inspect every ball that will be used in the game. The balls are controlled by the refs until 10 minutes before the game. They are then turned over to the ball boys.
Just like air pressure in tires on s car, doesn’t the air temp have a + or - effect on pressure ? Sure it does.
2 lbs. below the lower limit is not a mistake.
Unless the footballs are flawed, I don’t they will deflate to the degree they were.
All balls are inspected by the refs. So that brings up the question of if they messed with the balls before the inspection and the refs just missed it, or after the inspection and the league really is dumb for letting team officials handle the balls after inspection.
1, Is the Boston Coach enough of a sleeze bag to do this? Yes
2. Had the balls not been fixed would the Colts have won? No
3. What will the NFL do about this? Nothing of any significance.
Suspend Belichek for a year. That would hurt the team.
“Give it to the Colts.”
I say give it to the Cubs. It’s been so long since they’ve
been in a championship game I’m sure anything would be
appreciated.
They should have to give up the win.
They are the dirtiest team in the NFL.
When every team runs the same offense, it has to be staged.
No, they’re in Boston. The New England Patriots. What are you talking about?
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