OT - Patriots, again- say it aint so Bill

[Louis]

Originally Posted by unterhausen

I'm sure they'll lose in court.

They usually do.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Hepmike

I'm shocked to see the MA crowd chiming in strongly in favor of the Patriot's organization...

What are folks anywhere else on the planet thinking about it?

about what?

[JMacII]

This ball thing is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. If soft balls favor the pass, and Indy relies more on the pass than you do, why would this be an advantage? Oh and by the way, both teams use the same ball so why are we talking about this again?

[harlond]

Originally Posted by JMacII

This ball thing is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. If soft balls favor the pass, and Indy relies more on the pass than you do, why would this be an advantage? Oh and by the way, both teams use the same ball so why are we talking about this again?

Is this actually true? Some of the articles I've seen suggest that each team plays with the footballs they bring, and that the officials check the inflation and then return them to the team's representatives before the game starts.

[MattTuck]

I'll say this. If this comes from within the Colts organization (the "NFL Source"), it is a pretty well done piece of PR spin. Three days later and we're talking about the bureaucratic procedures of ball handling in the NFL rather than the fact that Indianapolis folded like a cheap suit... whether there is any merit to the claim, the Colts have been able to avoid some tough questions.

[Aaron O]

What tough questions did the colts avoid? They got spanked by a better team, both personnel and coaching. I think everyone foresaw this outcome at the outset. They're not as good as the pats and they're certainly not as well coached.

As much as I like Luck, he's also not quite at the Brady level yet in terms of experience and vision.

[Bruce K]

Nope.

The teams supply he balls to the refs. They inspect them, mark them, and take control of them until just before kickoff when they are given to the two ball boys.

For this to happen either the refs totally screwed up or the ball boys had an inflation needle they could use to let some air out and they would have to have a way to determine just how much air they were letting out AND be able to hide what they were doing while out on the sidelines in full view of everyone.

If you are following all the reporting, the problem supposedly occurred in the first half, was noticed when the Colts intercepted late in the 2nd quarter. The "issue" was supposedly corrected in the second half when the Patriots outscored the Colts 31-0
Can't we move on now?

BK

[tele]

Originally Posted by harlond

Is this actually true? Some of the articles I've seen suggest that each team plays with the footballs they bring, and that the officials check the inflation and then return them to the team's representatives before the game starts.

This is exactly how the former NFL head of officiating described the process.

Just read how Aaron Rodgers like to overinflate the ball on purpose for his throwing style:http://www.csnne.com/new-england-pat...late-footballs

Seems to me the real investigation should be why the Colts were allowed to take the field with the same game plan that didnt work in the first game.

[JMacII]

Originally Posted by harlond

Is this actually true? Some of the articles I've seen suggest that each team plays with the footballs they bring, and that the officials check the inflation and then return them to the team's representatives before the game starts.

What I saw was the refs inspect the balls and then the balls are in the hands of the equipment guys supplied by the home team. I don't recall ever seeing them swap balls based on which team is on offense. But what do I know?

[ergott]

Didn't read thread, but question. Why do the teams provide the ball. Just have the NFL provide the ball and then they have control over it. Stupid they don't.

[rwsaunders]

Who can forget the other "gates"...Bill finds always finds a way to stay in the news.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-engl...-to-snowplows/

[Bruce K]

Get your timeline straight

Snowplow wasn't Bill's deal - not even Pete Carroll's (coach here before Bill - and isn't that an interesting story line?)

As a matter of fact it wasn't even Gillette Stadium!

I can't even remember who the coach was for that but I was at the game - John Smith was the kicker

BK

[Len J]

Here is the fundamental issue here that Pats fans want to ignore.

He got caught cheating and the largest fine in the history if the NFL to that point was levied. You can all say it was nothing, and that he got no gain etc, but the fine would say otherwise. Most people give people the benefit of the doubt until they prove themselves untrustworthy. Then there is always the presumption of guilt. Integrity is not sometime, it's all the time. He and the PATs have already demonstrated they will do anything to win. In a league where the difference between winning and losing is so small, cheating can be that difference.

With the demonstrated lack of integrity with these two teams, they should rename this game "The Cheaters Bowl"

[SBash]

Originally Posted by Len J

Here is the fundamental issue here that Pats fans want to ignore.

He got caught cheating and the largest fine in the history if the NFL to that point was levied. You can all say it was nothing, and that he got no gain etc, but the fine would say otherwise. Most people give people the benefit of the doubt until they prove themselves untrustworthy. Then there is always the presumption of guilt. Integrity is not sometime, it's all the time. He and the PATs have already demonstrated they will do anything to win. In a league where the difference between winning and losing is so small, cheating can be that difference.

With the demonstrated lack of integrity with these two teams, they should rename this game "The Cheaters Bowl"

When did the Seahawks cheat? Your sounding like a mad little cry baby

Go Hawks!

[Len J]

Originally Posted by SBash

When did the Seahawks cheat? Your sounding like a mad little cry baby



Go Hawks!

More PED violations than any other team.

The statement "we will pass interfere every play knowing they won'T call them all. "

Hiring a cheater as head coach.

People bring their integrity with them, integrity doesn't change.

Just bringing things fans don't like...... Facts.



Len