Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

[CommissarSpartacus]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

Nothing about "when tested".

That's a given as the only way to confirm the balls conform are to test them.

And the teams have no control over the balls after they've been turned over. If they want to institute half time or even random checks, if they find a ball has lost pressure, they should just top it up.

Also the fact that there is no penalty mentioned for balls that non-conform indicates that the rule was more for uniformity rather than to prevent a competitive advantage.

Here's another question - if one ball is noticed as being underinflated, who was the bright boy that had the suspicion All the balls were underinflated. At that point, they had no reason to suspect they were....

[gebobs]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

That's a given as the only way to confirm the balls conform are to test them.

OK, then deflating them is legal. No need for any crazy hot air hypothesis.

And the teams have no control over the balls after they've been turned over.

Except that wasn't the way this was handled. The Patriots ball guy had control of the balls after testing.

Also the fact that there is no penalty mentioned for balls that non-conform indicates that the rule was more for uniformity rather than to prevent a competitive advantage.

Is it ok then if the intent is uniformity but a team abuses it for competitive advantage?

Anyhoo, it's a $25,000 fine. Fines likely have their own section in the book since they are changed more frequently.

[Discotrish]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

Maybe next year we'll have teams trying to blind the opposition with laser pointers.

If there isn't a rule against that, I mean.



Patti

[harmonkoz]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

You guys keep forgetting where I come from. We're different.

The van down by the river? You are different alright, in a troll sort of way.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

No, such a ball is NOT against the rules. Period..

So why did the refs remove the under inflated balls when they were checked at halftime?

[CommissarSpartacus]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

OK, then deflating them is legal. No need for any crazy hot air hypothesis.

Jim Rome had Jay Feeley on this morning and he said the NFL policy for years was to let the qbs do whatever they want to their own game balls. They were only concerned with pressure with the kicking balls. Personally, as I said before, if the league is going to allow wonder gloves to help receivers catch the ball, I have no problem letting qbs that like a softer ball use one. Sure, drops and fumbles are part of the game, but they'd be part of the game if you used a greased pig for a ball. But no one would watch it, because people won't pay big bux to watch a parade of incompetent boo boos?

Except that wasn't the way this was handled. The Patriots ball guy had control of the balls after testing.

So? Did he take control of them at gunpoint?

Is it ok then if the intent is uniformity but a team abuses it for competitive advantage?

"Abuse" is your word. I see nothing abusive in what they did and I see nothing wrong in seeking a competitive advantage if everyone else has the same opportunity to do it.

Anyhoo, it's a $25,000 fine. Fines likely have their own section in the book since they are changed more frequently.

What's a $25,000 dollar fine?

[CommissarSpartacus]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

So why did the refs remove the under inflated balls when they were checked at halftime?

Because they were under. Duh.

Now, do the refs check the ball pressures of every teams game balls at halftime? Or were they tipped off by someone WHO HAS YET TO BE IDENTIFIED?

Why is it that you guys are so nonchalant about the tip factor? Why are none of the haters concerned about who blew the whistle? It's a completely relevant question.

Of course, the reason you are unconcerned about it is because you have absolutely no desire to see the Pats get off, even if they are totally innocent.

[better days]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

What's a $25,000 dollar fine?

Well, that fine is for first offenses. As repeat CHEATING offenders, the Pats* should receive much harsher punishment.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

Because they were under. Duh.

You just said being under pressure during the game wasn't against the rules.

No, such a ball is NOT against the rules. Period. Ther rule is the ball has to be 12.5 to 13.5 WHEN TESTED before the game.

Now, do the refs check the ball pressures of every teams game balls at halftime?

No

Or were they tipped off by someone WHO HAS YET TO BE IDENTIFIED?

They were tipped off, supposedly by the Colts equipment manager.

Again, why would it matter if the balls being below 12.5 psi was legal under the rules?

[YardRat]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

I already posted this once, but I'll do it again...

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/5_2013_Ball.pdf

It is the responsibility of the home team to furnish playable balls at all times by attendants from either side of the playing field.

[CommissarSpartacus]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

You just said being under pressure during the game wasn't against the rules.

And it isn't if the NFL accepts the fact that balls filled to the minimum indoors will lose air pressure, and thus be BELOW the minimum, when the balls are taken outside into a colder environment.

The Pats are only responsible for delivering conforming balls to the ref before the game. What happens to them after that is not their responsibility. How CAN it be?

They were tipped off, supposedly by the Colts equipment manager.

Again, why would it matter if the balls being below 12.5 psi was legal under the rules?

Good question. Don't you think it's relevant who suggested to the refs they should check ALL the balls?

Don't you think it's curious we haven't heard conclusively who instigated this?

[CommissarSpartacus]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

I already posted this once, but I'll do it again...

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/5_2013_Ball.pdf

It is the responsibility of the home team to furnish playable balls at all times by attendants from either side of the playing field.

PLAYABLE. Playable is not a synonym for "conforming to the rules".

[YardRat]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

PLAYABLE. Playable is not a synonym for "conforming to the rules".

Yeah, it is. An unplayable ball doesn't conform to the rules.

[coastal]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

Btw... the answer to this question is still "yes".

thanks.

[Joe Fo Sho]

Re: Should The Patriots Be Disqualified From The Super Bowl?

PLAYABLE. Playable is not a synonym for "conforming to the rules".

A volleyball is a playable ball.