Pretty clear now that the Pats cheated, but what should the NFL do about it? Since this is at least a second offense after the Spygate (secret videotaping of future opponents to steal their play signals) scandal of 2007, Roger Goodell needs to lower the boom with significant sanctions on the the guilty party(ies)...
* Bob Kraft (involvement unlikely, but he obviously has permitted a culture of cheating and deception in his organization...the fish usually rots at the head): If Kraft had any knowledge, he should be fined $500K (max allowed) and suspended for the Super Bowl. Colts owner Jim Irsay got a $500K fine and a 6 game suspension (with no tweeting!) for his DUI and prescription drug abuse problem. Irsay’s situation was a personal behavior issue and had nothing to do with potentially corrupting the integrity and outcome of a game...the AFC Championship!
* Bill Belichek (possible culprit or with knowledge): Belichek was fined $500K for Spygate in 2007. Sean Payton of the Saints got a 1 year suspension for the Bountygate scandal (players paid bonus $$$ for injuring key players during games). BB should be suspended for the Super Bowl and for the 2015 season, plus a $500K fine.
* Tom Brady (possible culprit, had to know the balls were deflated before the game started): Suspended for Super Bowl. At his age and moment of his career, missing the chance to win a SB is a huge penalty. He would also deserve a $500K fine. Any other players or coaches involved should also be suspended for the SB.
* Patriots team: The Pats lost a 1st round draft pick for Spygate. This incident appears to confirm a continued pattern of cheating by the Pats. The loss of 1st-3rd round picks for the next TWO years would send a serious message to all teams in the league...cheating does not pay.
* Also, if Kraft, Belichek, or Brady had any direct involvement in this scandal, they should be disqualified from future Hall of Fame consideration when eligible. This was clearly an effort to influence the outcome of the AFC championship game. The NFL cannot just slap them on the wrist with a fine and a lost draft pick. Otherwise, the integrity of the game will be forever damaged and in question. This incident further reinforces the perception that BB and the Pats are cheaters and certainly taints all of their successes over he past 15 years.
Full disclosure: Colts fan here.
If the ball boys get the balls 10 minutes before the game, then there almost has to be video of coach Bill letting the air out of the balls. Unless they had extra time because of the OT in the previous game.
I think the NFL will say the gauge was bad. New rule will be that the officials will use the same 2 gauges to check all the balls from both teams. And no cost to the Pats.
Otherwise, all we have is ‘the seriousness of the charge’. But we all know how far that can take ya...
I find it extremely suspicious that all 12 of the Colts footballs were found to be inflated to specification. That makes me pretty sure they had this whole thing planned in advance in the event of being behind at halftime. When you plan on accusing your opponent of “cheating”, have your ducks in a row.
My understanding is this was caught and changed at halftime. The second half the balls were all at correct pressure.
I guess that explains why the Colts came back and won the second half.....
And why the Colts so clearly dismantled the Patriots in Indianapolis early this year......
:-)
” (secret videotaping of future opponents to steal their play signals) “
Everybody did it. Just the Pats were not as secret.