“More probable than not” Patriots manipulated balls.

Actually, Russell, the company that makes the footballs were going to change the lacing of the footballs. The NFL (I think the competition committee) suggested they let the QB's for the coaches/gm's in the committee to try out the balls in training camp. The QB's all came back and said they hated it. So Russell never changed the lacing but since they we talking about changing the football, the QB's asked if they could have the balls during the week before the game to adjust them how they like em. The competition committee set parameters and there you go.

Point is, you can manipulate the footballs however you like and submit them to the officials. If underinflated, the officials with add air, if overinflated, they remove air. Point is, once the officials have checked the balls, there is no more tampering with the balls...which is where Brady got himself into trouble and why it is obvious he was cheating. If he was on the up and up, they'd have manipulated the balls prior to giving them to the officials and not done anything AFTER they were checked. Once you purposefully tamper with the ball AFTER the officials check it, you KNOW you are doing something to cheat.

 

If you're not a Pats fans, you sound like you are drinking their coolaid. Brady isnt guilty on speculation, he's guilty on a mountain of circumstantial evidence AND the fact that he would not release any digital records (cell phone or even text messages he could even cherrypick himself) AND once the Pats found out about the texts between the two equipment guys and Brady with the one guy calling himself the deflator, the Pats STOPPED COOPERATING and would not make that guy available to Wells anymore for another interview. The Burden of proof for this case was reached and exceded and frankly, every non-Pats fan who has read pages 100 to the end has come to the same conclusion: Brady is GUILTY!

And btw, the NFL did not 'lay a trap' for the Pats or Brady. Every team meets with officials prior to each game and lets them know things to look for whether its on their ownside (hey, we may use some tackle-eligible stuff or their C keeps using an illegal chop block on a stretch run to the right or whatever). At no time do officials go telling the other team what was discussed. So if the Colts brought this up during this meeting telling the officials to look out for this...this is absolutely normal. No trap or sting operation!!! lol

How could a 4 game suspension of a player be excessive when he cheated, lied about it, didn't cooperate with the league as he's supposed to, and this may have been going on for years? If this were Johnny Average QB, whos not a star in this league, he's suspended for the year. But because it's Brady, the NFL doesn't want this to hurt the NFL's bottom line. So they came down harder on the team and organization than the Guilty party. And notice, the two equipment guys carrying out Brady's wishes were not suspended for a year, they are suspended indefinitely. How do they lose their jobs permanently when the real perpetraitor gets a slap on the wrist?

Realistically, the Pats should have their trophy taken away since Brady should not have played in the SB!!!

 

Is everyone allowed to wear them?

 

And in other news, business as usual in foxboro, regardless of implications.

 

The Pats had every which way to get out of this and put the blame on the equipment guys but they chose the opposite. Brady has lied about this quite a bit and that was their first mistake. Belicheck then saying he's talked to everyone and nothing was done was their second mistake. Kraft saying this is nonsense and a witchhunt and after they are vindicated wants an apogoly from the league was the next mistake.

Brady gave an interview but when asked to turn over his cellphone, he wouldn't. Wells gave him extraordinary leverage with this saying you can keep your phone but I would ask you to turn over any texts related to my questions and take you on your word that you would give me all the evidence regarding anything to do with his questioning. Talk about giving Brady every opportunity!!! But he wouldn't even do that.

And then after finding out about the texts with the guy calling himself the Deflator, the 'we'll cooperate in every way' Patriots suddenly became the most obstructive Patriots.

The problem is...WHY! If you did nothing wrong and have nothing to hide, why not give Wells what he wants? Why not make the guy available for a second interview? They acted like they are above the law and trying to butt heads with the league instead of cooperating which is what they are bound to do by NFL rules (any investigation initiated by the league is to be given full cooperation). Dumb unless there is more to hide (like how long this has been going on and who else may have known about it or been involved). And the Pats are not a dumb organization!

 

First of all, different sport with different rules, fines, blah blah blah. Second, what given edge do you think Perry got vs Brady and the Patriots and what are you basing this on? On fumble by the QB/RB or errant throw due to poor grip turned into a INT has a very big change to your win percentage. It is why turnovers differential is the most important stats in winning or losing in football.

 

What exactly are you referring to when you say its going on at HS?

 

Making sure the game balls are the way the QB's and kickers want them.

 

Obviously. He had 9 ints last year. And again I'm guessing this didn't just start considering the fumble rate - he had 11 I'm '13.

Just one was noticeable?

 

I think it is very likely not many noticed simply because the defender has the ball maybe 10 seconds. During that time is adrenaline is probably through the roof. I don't think it is that big of a stretch to not notice an under inflated ball, for such a short period of time in the heat of the moment.