Are you ready for some NFL Football? 2014 Edition.

[dsc123]

On Bill Simmons podcast Monday they were laughing about how these might be two of the least liked teams in the league and were wondering how all of the non-affiliated people were going to root?

(A Patriots-Cowboys Super Bowl might involve more hate, but that's probably the only one. ;))

I'm not rooting for or against anybody in this one.  Hoping that they both play great and give us a memorable game. :)

I hope they both get caught cheating, haha!

[Golfingdad]

I hope they both get caught cheating, haha!

If they do, then on February 8th, we'll have to play a second Super Bowl between the Packers and the Colts.

( Opinion article on espn.com right now that says if allegations proven true, Belicheck should be suspended for the Super Bowl.)

[meenman]

On Bill Simmons podcast Monday they were laughing about how these might be two of the least liked teams in the league and were wondering how all of the non-affiliated people were going to root? (A Patriots-Cowboys Super Bowl might involve more hate, but that's probably the only one. ;)) I'm not rooting for or against anybody in this one.  Hoping that they both play great and give us a memorable game. :)

Not going to lie - if it was ever cowboys/patriots - I'd be rooting for a plane crash.

[phan52]

On Bill Simmons podcast Monday they were laughing about how these might be two of the least liked teams in the league and were wondering how all of the non-affiliated people were going to root?

(A Patriots-Cowboys Super Bowl might involve more hate, but that's probably the only one. ;))

I'm not rooting for or against anybody in this one.  Hoping that they both play great and give us a memorable game. :)

If that had happened it would be the first Super Bowl that I didn't watch.

[dsc123]

http://deadspin.com/report-nfl-was-aware-of-patriots-deflation-allegations-1680914291

[meenman]

[club ho]

Talking about Deflation Gate. Obviously being that I am a Patriots fan my feelings might be a bit different than others but:

1) I think that the balls were checked by the referees and deemed compliant. But what was the actual inspection? I understand that the referees should actually check the balls with a gauge for correct pressure and if the pressure is off the referee corrects it. My sense is that not all the referees actually check the balls with a gauge. I say this after hearing an Aaron Rogers interview where he likes his football overinflated  and is disappointed when the referee corrects the pressure. Now if you knew that the referees would check every game ball and make the corrections then he would not make that comment. So my thought is that some reffs check every ball correctly and others just check the box and say it looks good to me. Hence when it was challenged by the Colts they found the deflated balls. So maybe it is the referees who didn't do there job.

2) If in fact someone on the Patriots did alter certified pressure on the balls then the Pats are guilty and should face the penalty for that infraction. Which is if I am not mistaken is about a$25,000 fine and possible draft pick loss.

My feeling is it is a case of the referees not doing a thorough job and this is nothing new in the NFL.

[Golfingdad]

1) I think that the balls were checked by the referees and deemed compliant. But what was the actual inspection? I understand that the referees should actually check the balls with a gauge for correct pressure and if the pressure is off the referee corrects it. My sense is that not all the referees actually check the balls with a gauge. I say this after hearing an Aaron Rogers interview where he likes his football overinflated  and is disappointed when the referee corrects the pressure. Now if you knew that the referees would check every game ball and make the corrections then he would not make that comment. So my thought is that some reffs check every ball correctly and others just check the box and say it looks good to me. Hence when it was challenged by the Colts they found the deflated balls. So maybe it is the referees who didn't do there job.

We think alike.  I pondered this exact thing sometimes this morning.

2) If in fact someone on the Patriots did alter certified pressure on the balls then the Pats are guilty and should face the penalty for that infraction. Which is if I am not mistaken is about a$25,000 fine and possible draft pick loss.

Which means nothing to the Patriots really.  What the highest draft pick they've had in the last 15 years?  Somewhere in the low 20's maybe?

[dsc123]

There are a million possible explanations. So far we've debunked a bunch. Maybe the Colts made this up to cover for a rape allegation? Nope, the ball was tested. Maybe it was a fluke, only one ball? Nope, it was just about all of them. Maybe it happened to both teams balls? Nope, just the pats. Maybe the line backer did it? Nope, not to 11 balls. Maybe the weather did it? Nope, not according to the laws of physics. So sure. Maybe the refs didn't test the balls even though everyone says they did. Maybe aliens did it. But throughout all of this, the obvious answer has been staring us all in the face. The team that had control of the balls, and benefited from their deflation, and has a history of cheating... Hmm...but we should not jump to crazy conclusions based on person bias, let's stick with the aliens.

[cipher]

[Golfingdad]

There are a million possible explanations. So far we've debunked a bunch.

Maybe the Colts made this up to cover for a rape allegation? Nope, the ball was tested. Maybe it was a fluke, only one ball? Nope, it was just about all of them. Maybe it happened to both teams balls? Nope, just the pats. Maybe the line backer did it? Nope, not to 11 balls. Maybe the weather did it? Nope, not according to the laws of physics.

So sure. Maybe the refs didn't test the balls even though everyone says they did. Maybe aliens did it.

But throughout all of this, the obvious answer has been staring us all in the face. The team that had control of the balls, and benefited from their deflation, and has a history of cheating... Hmm...but we should not jump to crazy conclusions based on person bias, let's stick with the aliens.

The aliens could have snuck into the refs room where they test the balls and glued their gauges on 12.5 psi.  Ever think of that, Mr. Know-It-All????!!!!?!?!?!

Seriously, though.  You want to have some fun ... go to NFL.com and see their "coverage" of this scandal.  We make fun of FOX news but this is amusing.  There is currently one headline title "Browner brushes off report on deflated footballs" halfway down the page that you'll miss if you're not careful.  Then there is a quote from Mike Zimmer (don't know who that is, sorry) downplaying the effect of the deflated balls, and at the very, very bottom, under "You may also like" there is the headline of the original "NFL looking into possible deflated ball ..." story.  That's it.

Talk about spin city.

[Golfingdad]

[meenman]

Talking about Deflation Gate. Obviously being that I am a Patriots fan my feelings might be a bit different than others but: 1) I think that the balls were checked by the referees and deemed compliant. But what was the actual inspection? I understand that the referees should actually check the balls with a gauge for correct pressure and if the pressure is off the referee corrects it. My sense is that not all the referees actually check the balls with a gauge. I say this after hearing an Aaron Rogers interview where he likes his football overinflated  and is disappointed when the referee corrects the pressure. Now if you knew that the referees would check every game ball and make the corrections then he would not make that comment. So my thought is that some reffs check every ball correctly and others just check the box and say it looks good to me. Hence when it was challenged by the Colts they found the deflated balls. So maybe it is the referees who didn't do there job. 2) If in fact someone on the Patriots did alter certified pressure on the balls then the Pats are guilty and should face the penalty for that infraction. Which is if I am not mistaken is about a$25,000 fine and possible draft pick loss.  My feeling is it is a case of the referees not doing a thorough job and this is nothing new in the NFL.

It is all about prior history. Belicheat has already been caught once, has won ZERO super bowls since and is caught again. Any other team and I would buy the *sour grapes* theory. The Patriots legacy is now all about cheating and if the NFL can't clean up their sport, they will pay - gamblers do not like betting on fixed games unless they are involved in the fix.

[dsc123]

Wow. It was more prominently displayed this morning. Looks like they're getting ready to do nothing about this. Browner is one of those guys that was suspended last for testing positive for PEDs, right? And now he's on the pats? Hard to imagine a more reliable source!

[dsc123]

Keep up the good fight @meenman ! Don't let anybody forget the *. That's the only real penalty that will come out of this.

[Golfingdad]

Wow. It was more prominently displayed this morning. Looks like they're getting ready to do nothing about this.

Browner is one of those guys that was suspended last for testing positive for PEDs, right? And now he's on the pats? Hard to imagine a more reliable source!

Yes he's actually on the list twice!  He got busted in December of 2012 and again in December of 2013.  The first suspension was 4 games and it says the second suspension was originally "indefinite" and then changed to 4 games.

Oh, and now I just realized that I have to amend my original "score."  Browner is listed as a Seahawk for both of those suspensions!  It was 9-2 Seahawks counting (presumably) 1 rec drug.  Throw that out and flop Browner over the the Patriots and now the Seahawks are only winning the CheaterBowl (sponsored by Cheetos, obviously) 6-4. If you don't count one guy twice, then it's 6-3. ;)

Keep up the good fight @meenman! Don't let anybody forget the *. That's the only real penalty that will come out of this.

@dsc123 please don't encourage him.  Now you're going to force me to start a troll thread about broomstick putters and recycled golf balls.

[meenman]

Yes he's actually on the list twice!  He got busted in December of 2012 and again in December of 2013.  The first suspension was 4 games and it says the second suspension was originally "indefinite" and then changed to 4 games. Oh, and now I just realized that I have to amend my original "score."  Browner is listed as a Seahawk for both of those suspensions!  It was 9-2 Seahawks counting (presumably) 1 rec drug.  Throw that out and flop Browner over the the Patriots and now the Seahawks are only winning the CheaterBowl (sponsored by Cheetos, obviously) 6-4. :bugout:   If you don't count one guy twice, then it's 6-3. ;) @dsc123 please don't encourage him.  Now you're going to force me to start a troll thread about broomstick putters and recycled golf balls. :beer:

That would make you a bit behind the times. My feelings on used balls hasn't changed but the broomstick was sold 2 weeks ago after being dropped close to a year ago for an arm lock.

[Infamous 273]

If Goodell had any heart, he'd suspend Belichick for the Super Bowl. This was clearly cheating - 100% premeditated. The forecast was in, and it was going to be wet. Makes sense to deflate the ball so it's easier to catch, gives the RBs a tighter squeeze, and is easier to throw. Interestingly enough, Jay Glazer said it was the Ravens who tipped the colts off about this.