If the Pats aren't guilty...

[YardRat]

Than who or what is? Are there any other reasonable explanations that have any actual validity?

[harmonkoz]

Than who or what is? Are there any other reasonable explanations that have any actual validity?

They are guilty of using the rules like no other team. They are, as Mike Westhoff says "like Enron". They eventually will get busted.

Basically, I think the Patriots (Tom Shady and Bill Belicheat) started with an 11.5 psi ball. They then prepped it, raising it to 12.5... Refs checked it, it was good. It then cools to 11.5. Weather takes it from there. Crock of excrement, I know. But in all likelihood accurate. Chaps my ass because they knew they were doing it.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/01/24...-manipulations

I guarantee you will see a couple of new rules from the competition committee this offseason pertaining to the balls and eligible receivers.

[swiper]

The fact remains. All the Colt footballs were properly inflated. 11 of 12 of the Patriot balls were deflated.

Belichick can say he's not going to devote any more time to the issue all he wants. I want to see what the NFL does. And the way it's dragging it's feet, it seems they will not mete out any sort of punishment until after the Super Bowl. Which will make any punishment essentially meaningless.

[harmonkoz]

Yes that is most likely caused by the colts prep method not raising the temperature of the football.

[swiper]

I heard they cool the air with an air conditioner before inflating the footballs.

[harmonkoz]

That makes no sense. The devil is in the details. What is the Patriots prep method? Could be as simple as microwaving the ball.

[Meathead]

uhhh, sauna? every nfl facility has one, all you need are legs, hands, and a pump

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Belichick's 2nd press conference claimed that the refs inflate the footballs. He said the team can ask for a specific PSI but the ref has the discretion. If that's true (and it contradicts what I've read), then then it would potentially absolve the Pats.

[Skooby]

I'll blame Wolfork, he sits on them and voile.

[YardRat]

This is heading in a 'nothing to see here' direction, the difference in BB's attitude between the pressers is a little unsettling.

[better days]

This is heading in a 'nothing to see here' direction, the difference in BB's attitude between the pressers is a little unsettling.

Belicheat knows a *****storm is coming during Super Bowl week.

He tried to deflate the issue.

[Buckets]

I heard they cool the air with an air conditioner before inflating the footballs.

Really? How about they filled the balls in a 75F room to the legal 12.5 psi and the took them outside where it was 35 degrees cooler. All legal according to the NFL. Are they required to check them again before the start of the game? I think not. The Patsies just know how to use the rules just like a good defense attorney, you hate them unless its you they're defending.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Really? How about they filled the balls in a 75F room to the legal 12.5 psi and the took them outside where it was 35 degrees cooler. All legal according to the NFL. Are they required to check them again before the start of the game? I think not. The Patsies just know how to use the rules just like a good defense attorney, you hate them unless its you they're defending.

I saw that argument and it doesn't make sense. If the balls are going to freefall in pressure over less than two hours, based on a 25 (it was 50, not 40) degree difference, how badly would they deflate in a truly bad weather game? The Pats played in 20 degree weather the week before, were they 3-4 psi off then?

[YardRat]

Really? How about they filled the balls in a 75F room to the legal 12.5 psi and the took them outside where it was 35 degrees cooler. All legal according to the NFL. Are they required to check them again before the start of the game? I think not. The Patsies just know how to use the rules just like a good defense attorney, you hate them unless its you they're defending.

If that were the case and you do the math, then the Colts' balls would have deflated to less than 12 psi alos, even if they were initially filled to the 13.5 psi max. Everything I've seen indicates the Indy balls were still within the acceptable range when checked.

[Buckets]

I saw that argument and it doesn't make sense. If the balls are going to freefall in pressure over less than two hours, based on a 25 (it was 50, not 40) degree difference, how badly would they deflate in a truly bad weather game? The Pats played in 20 degree weather the week before, were they 3-4 psi off then?

I'm sure you could google it to see if it's accurate.

[Mace]

I don't know what happened or how, but I have a feeling Belichick really didn't know anything about it.

By now though, I would bet he looked into it and knows exactly what happened.

[cookie G]

This is heading in a 'nothing to see here' direction, the difference in BB's attitude between the pressers is a little unsettling.

Kind of seems that way.

A month or two after the SB, Goodell's going to hold a short press conference and say:

Swamp gas from a weather balloon was trapped in a thermal pocket and reflected the light from Venus, causing a disturbance in the atmospheric pressure inside the Patriots footballs.

Now, if everyone would look right here, I need to administer an eye test.

[DetDannyWilliams]

I just hope reporters and the Press don't let up and change the subject to the SB, Just keep hammering questions at Belicheat and Brady on deflate-gate on press row this week!

[cookie G]

I just hope reporters and the Press don't let up and change the subject to the SB, Just keep hammering questions at Belicheat and Brady on deflate-gate on press row this week!

It will probably get to the point where they state...

"does anyone have a question NOT related to the inflation of footballs?"

silence for about 30 seconds..

"um, what color socks will the Pats be wearing on game day?"


And you have to wonder...if the Pats win...will they have fake fan cheering noise piped in the stadium?

[stuckincincy]

And you have to wonder...if the Pats win...will they have fake fan cheering noise piped in the stadium?

Isn't that SEA's thing?