2014-2015 Random NFL Thread

• thavoice

  se-alum;1698846 wrote:Guys on ESPN are killing Brady, saying there's no way he didn't notice a difference. I think he would've been better off to claim he could tell a difference, then just say he didn't know how they got that way.

  'That is my story and I am sticking to it'!!!! Probably easier to deny it all than to admit to parts of it! I can only imagine how hilarious it is. Saw the belicheck one this morning
• HitsRus

  

  Brady sounding a little bit like a Shaggy song...."it wasn't me!"
  
  
  The ball boy will be sacrificed.
• Sonofanump

  On a cold day, it's hard to tell the difference between 12.5 and 10.5 unless you are really looking for the difference. It's a lot easier to know the difference in the lock room at 70 degrees.
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  HitsRus;1698833 wrote:This....but I think the only question is whether the NFL allows QBs to tinker with the ball, and if so what are the limits that are allowed. Obviously, if it is convention that a QB can "work" a ball and that has been tolerated/allowed in the past, the NFL can't just suddenly decide it will enforce a rule and punish in this specific case. Most certainly, something the rules committee will need to address and clarify. That's the best case scenario for New England.....they were cheating....but because it is a rule that has not been enforced or has been allowed they skate until the league clarifies it.

  This entire thing is solely about air pressure, not about what else they can do to the ball.
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  HitsRus;1698851 wrote:Brady sounding a little bit like a Shaggy song...."it wasn't me!"
  
  
  The ball boy will be sacrificed.

  We all knew what he was going to say. If he did notice, no way he was going to say it.
• like_that

  

  In other news.... http://deadspin.com/report-lieutenant-called-the-cleaner-also-steelers-sec-1681253034?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
• Ironman92

  

  like_that;1698907 wrote:In other news.... http://deadspin.com/report-lieutenant-called-the-cleaner-also-steelers-sec-1681253034?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

  I know this isn't the point but why did they move Adams truck to practice facility? Kearney used his power to punish those guys more than the law?
• friendfromlowry

  se-alum;1698802 wrote:I think they can easily prove New England did it, now if they punish them or not, that's a different story. They were tested by officials, turned over to the teams, and 11 tested deflated after given to the team.

  But can they prove that Brady, Belichick, etc. had anything directly to do with it? Maybe it was some ballboys who wanted to be jackasses.
  

  thavoice;1698840 wrote:but then again, they outscored Indy 28-0 with the regularly inflated balls. I think this had ZERO effect on this outcome, but is still shady.

  Deflated balls or not, the Patriots probably win the first half and definitely the game. I don't think any reasonable fan could argue that Indianapolis can beat New England right now. However, I don't think you can safely conclude those balls had absolutely nothing to do with New England jumping out to a -- what was it, 17-7 halftime lead? If Indianapolis didn't have a good chance of beating them before, try giving up a double-digit halftime lead on the road in the rain.
• se-alum

  

  friendfromlowry;1698926 wrote:But can they prove that Brady, Belichick, etc. had anything directly to do with it? Maybe it was some ballboys who wanted to be jackasses.
  
  
  
  Deflated balls or not, the Patriots probably win the first half and definitely the game. I don't think any reasonable fan could argue that Indianapolis can beat New England right now. However, I don't think you can safely conclude those balls had absolutely nothing to do with New England jumping out to a -- what was it, 17-7 halftime lead? If Indianapolis didn't have a good chance of beating them before, try giving up a double-digit halftime lead on the road in the rain.

  They already set the precedent with the Saints saying that "ignorance" is not an excuse. Basically, if they didn't know, they should have. Also, no ball boy would tamper with the ball without being told to do so by someone at some point in time.
• friendfromlowry

  se-alum;1698928 wrote:They already set the precedent with the Saints saying that "ignorance" is not an excuse. Basically, if they didn't know, they should have. Also, no ball boy would tamper with the ball without being told to do so by someone at some point in time.

  Fair enough. It's anyone's guess. I'm still not holding my breath on Goodell punishing them legitimately - if at all.
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  se-alum;1698928 wrote:They already set the precedent with the Saints saying that "ignorance" is not an excuse. Basically, if they didn't know, they should have. Also, no ball boy would tamper with the ball without being told to do so by someone at some point in time.

  I wouldn't be surprised if an equipment manager came out and said they lowered the pressure on their own because they've heard Brady likes the balls to have less air. I can see someone like that taking the fall.
• like_that

  

  Raw Dawgin' it;1698938 wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if an equipment manager came out and said they lowered the pressure on their own because they've heard Brady likes the balls to have less air. I can see someone like that taking the fall.

  Very believable. An equipment manager risks his job and career in the NFL by tampering with 11 footballs, because he "heard" Tom Brady likes his footballs with less air. The same Tom Brady that openly rips his wrs apart for wronging incorrect routes. Very believable story /sarcasm
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  like_that;1698941 wrote:Very believable. An equipment manager risks his job and career in the NFL by tampering with 11 footballs, because he "heard" Tom Brady likes his footballs with less air. The same Tom Brady that openly rips his wrs apart for wronging incorrect routes. Very believable story /sarcasm

  No one said believable. I don't believe Brady had zero knowledge about the balls and couldn't tell. But would you be surprised if some no name came out and took the blame over BB or Brady? I wouldn't.
• HitsRus

  

  Raw Dawgin' it;1698938 wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if an equipment manager came out and said they lowered the pressure on their own because they've heard Brady likes the balls to have less air. I can see someone like that taking the fall.

  I believe that was the point of Jim Litke's article that I posted earlier in the thread......the ball boy did it. Not really believable but that is the story the Pats are goibng to go with.
• SportsAndLady

  

  They'll get a slap on the wrist, if that, from the NFL. If they can't prove it was BB, TB or someone on the team, they can't hand down a tough penalty.
  
  But now that Brady had that press conference and BB came out and said he has no idea what anyone is talking about, they leave themselves open to a brutal punishment if somehow proof comes out it was them. Talking suspension from the super bowl and next season if there is proof they lied and it was really was them.
  
  I doubt that proof comes out which is why I say nothing will really happen.
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  SportsAndLady;1698952 wrote:They'll get a slap on the wrist, if that, from the NFL. If they can't prove it was BB, TB or someone on the team, they can't hand down a tough penalty.
  
  But now that Brady had that press conference and BB came out and said he has no idea what anyone is talking about, they leave themselves open to a brutal punishment if somehow proof comes out it was them. Talking suspension from the super bowl and next season if there is proof they lied and it was really was them.
  
  I doubt that proof comes out which is why I say nothing will really happen.

  I think even if they find proof, they won't risk messing with the super bowl this year.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Raw Dawgin' it;1698964 wrote:I think even if they find proof, they won't risk messing with the super bowl this year.

  Probably right
• friendfromlowry

  If the Patriots were truly feeling the heat, could they go to a ballboy/whomever and ask him to take the blame with the understanding they'll take care of him under the table from then on?
• Rotinaj

  

  friendfromlowry;1698979 wrote:If the Patriots were truly feeling the heat, could they go to a ballboy/whomever and ask him to take the blame with the understanding they'll take care of him under the table from then on?

  Doubt it. Whoever authorized it would probably be banned from the NFL if caught.
• Sonofanump

  Maybe Laley could elaborate. You would think that they would have about 10-15 cameras at the game. If the ball boy did something, someone might have caught it on camera.
• thavoice

  Sonofanump;1698991 wrote:Maybe Laley could elaborate. You would think that they would have about 10-15 cameras at the game. If the ball boy did something, someone might have caught it on camera.

  Have to wonder how early those are turned on and recording though. Imagine it happend very soon after the inspection and maybe not even on the field.
  Anyone wonder if the refs really do measure the pressure or it is something they are supposed to do but dont?
• Laley23

  

  Sonofanump;1698991 wrote:Maybe Laley could elaborate. You would think that they would have about 10-15 cameras at the game. If the ball boy did something, someone might have caught it on camera.

  The refs to start the second half tossed away 6 balls. The cameras just didn't show it.
• Sonofanump

  Laley23;1699003 wrote:The refs to start the second half tossed away 6 balls. The cameras just didn't show it.

  I meant during the game if they did deflate the balls on the sidelines.
• thavoice

  Laley23;1699003 wrote:The refs to start the second half tossed away 6 balls. The cameras just didn't show it.

  Reports I saw say they used the 12 backup balls in the second half.
• Fly4Fun

  

  So this whole deal with the deflated footballs is about competitive balance, right? If withing the current rules both teams have their own set of footballs, why not jist let eacj team do with them as they please air pressure as long as it still maintains the shape of an inflated football. This way both teams have the ball that best suits their QBs preference so there is no concern about one having an advantage.