Are you ready for some NFL Football? 2014 Edition.

[dsc123]

The stuff I read about the Ravens said that they thought the kicking balls were soft, and thus not flying as far. But the kicking balls are actually shared between the teams, so that doesn't make much sense. But Nice Harbough did say that his team never really handled the pats offensive balls, so they wouldn't know if they were deflated. Also, the Colts supposedly noticed it when they played the pats in November and reported it to the league. The league, surprisingly, did nothing and now they have a mess on their hands.

[Gunther]

Genuine lol moment. Pure gold,,

[meenman]

Another great article - poster boy Brady needs to take a hit too. http://nypost.com/2015/01/21/if-guilty-belichick-must-be-suspended-for-super-bowl/

[saevel25]

Another great article - poster boy Brady needs to take a hit too.

http://nypost.com/2015/01/21/if-guilty-belichick-must-be-suspended-for-super-bowl/

Here's a question, what if it is a organization thing? What if the GM and Owners are in on it. I doubt very much that the owner is clean on this. At least the owner has to be willfully allowing this to happen by letting Bilichek to still coach the NEP. We all want to blame Bilichek, but I think that is just because he is the head coach. To me a systematic failure like this reeks of an organizational problem.

[CarlSpackler]

Here's a question, what if it is a organization thing? What if the GM and Owners are in on it. I doubt very much that the owner is clean on this. At least the owner has to be willfully allowing this to happen by letting Bilichek to still coach the NEP. We all want to blame Bilichek, but I think that is just because he is the head coach. To me a systematic failure like this reeks of an organizational problem.

I believe in creative punishment. Besides fines and loss of draft pick(s), I think they players and management should have to do some community service. Perhaps they should set up a tire inflation station at Gillette Stadium, and the players should spend an entire day checking and filling tires for free. It might require a good deal of training though.

[meenman]

Here's a question, what if it is a organization thing? What if the GM and Owners are in on it. I doubt very much that the owner is clean on this. At least the owner has to be willfully allowing this to happen by letting Bilichek to still coach the NEP. We all want to blame Bilichek, but I think that is just because he is the head coach. To me a systematic failure like this reeks of an organizational problem.

You are correct, however kraft is so far in bed with Goodell that I expect little to happen. Sean Peyton was suspended for a year for the actions of his team and this is where belicheats punishment needs to start. If Goodell does not act, the owners will have little choice other than to oust him as he is hurting their brand.

[Gunther]

You are correct, however kraft is so far in bed with Goodell that I expect little to happen. Sean Peyton was suspended for a year for the actions of his team and this is where belicheats punishment needs to start. If Goodell does not act, the owners will have little choice other than to oust him as he is hurting their brand.

Just heard Troy Aikman interviewed. He is pretty indignant and essentially said the same as you, that is, Belichek's punishment needs to be at least equivalent to Payton's. He also put it squarely on Brady, said there was no way Brady didn't initiate it. But, as Goodell was clear on the Bountygate issue, Belichek's ignorance, if he claims it, is no excuse. Further stated there is no way this hasn't been going on for years. I was surprised at his vehemence on the topic; he's a straight shooter, unafraid to throw out a hot sports opinion. Commendable.

[newtogolf]

No question they cheated, all of the Indy balls were properly inflated which eliminates the excuse that the cold temperature lowered the ball pressure.  The ball pressure also had nothing to do with the outcome of the game, the colts would have lost regardless of the ball pressure, the Pats were the better team and should be in the Super bowl.

That said, Brady and Belichick should be suspended for at least 4 games in 2016.  Cheating is as bad or worse than PEDS so the punishment depending on how they view the number of rules violations should be equal to or worse than PEDS violations.   Maybe Belichick for 8 games and Brady for 4.

[dsc123]

I would be shocked if anyone gets suspended.  I think its a disgrace if they don't, but it won't happen.  If I were running the show, I'd probably suspend them both for the super bowl.  Why wait until next year, @newtogolf ?  You'd let them play, and possibly win, the super bowl?  After cheating to get there?

[saevel25]

Just heard Troy Aikman interviewed. He is pretty indignant and essentially said the same as you, that is, Belichek's punishment needs to be at least equivalent to Payton's.

I don't think so. There is a HUGE difference between a coach who has the balls deflated than a coach who pays players to injure other players. In no way is a few PSI an injury issue as is having a payment system for injuring players.

He also put it squarely on Brady, said there was no way Brady didn't initiate it. But, as Goodell was clear on the Bountygate issue, Belichek's ignorance, if he claims it, is no excuse.

I like to see Aikmen prove that Brady initiated it. It is highly probably that he allowed it and knew of it. To say that Brady was the one who actually initiated the scheme, that is going a bit far. I am not saying it didn't happen. The most you can ever prove with out a witness is that Brady was involved.

That said, Brady and Belichick should be suspended for at least 4 games in 2016.  Cheating is as bad or worse than PEDS so the punishment depending on how they view the number of rules violations should be equal to or worse than PEDS violations.   Maybe Belichick for 8 games and Brady for 4.

Since PED is cheating in most cases I don't rule them higher than each other. The primary reason for harsher rulings on PED is for player safety. I can see how PED's would be considered to have stricter penalties by the NFL and other sports.

[newtogolf]

I would be shocked if anyone gets suspended.  I think its a disgrace if they don't, but it won't happen.  If I were running the show, I'd probably suspend them both for the super bowl.  Why wait until next year, @newtogolf ?  You'd let them play, and possibly win, the super bowl?  After cheating to get there?

I don't like the Patriots so I'd like to see them suspended.  If the NFL was really focused on the integrity of the game they would be suspended for the SB, but they are a business and suspending B&B; would ruin the SB for advertisers, fans and Vegas so it's not going to happen.

[GolfLug]

Wow, some serious hating here.. suspend them for 20 games, yank them off the SB, etc. No real evidence if there is really any irrefutable advantage of deflating a football. Why 12.5 - 13.5? Why not 12.75-13.25? How the hell was that range set up? Can Troy Aikman throw the balls side by die and show one is significantly better or worse than the other? Brady didn't.

Sure rule is a rule, but then so is speeding - which is a real threat to people's lives. In effect a speeder should never get behind a wheel again, even if 1 mph over speed limit then right?

"Well why it's the freaking Pats again. Hang them...." What a mob..

[dsc123]

Sure rule is a rule, but then so is speeding - which is a real threat to people's lives. In effect a speeder should never get behind a wheel again, even if 1 mph over speed limit then right?

Right.  So there's a law that says if you drive faster than X, you pay a fine Y and get Z points.  If you get W points, you're not allowed to drive.  Here, there's a rule that says you can't mess with the footballs or you lose draft picks and get fined $25k.  Also here, the patriots have been here before, so a greater penalty is warranted.

I don't think so. There is a HUGE difference between a coach who has the balls deflated than a coach who pays players to injure other players. In no way is a few PSI an injury issue as is having a payment system for injuring players.

Yeah, the two are not the same at all.

I like to see Aikmen prove that Brady initiated it. It is highly probably that he allowed it and knew of it. To say that Brady was the one who actually initiated the scheme, that is going a bit far. I am not saying it didn't happen. The most you can ever prove with out a witness is that Brady was involved.

You can convict on circumstantial evidence.

Since PED is cheating in most cases I don't rule them higher than each other. The primary reason for harsher rulings on PED is for player safety. I can see how PED's would be considered to have stricter penalties by the NFL and other sports.

PEDs are worse, IMO.

[meenman]

Let's not act like this is the first belicheat incident.if he has been caught twice, how many more things has he done?

[ghalfaire]

I guess my only comments is I doubt there will be any suspensions or any meaningful punishment ($25K and a draft pick is a joke).  If this were golf and an illegal ball was used in a tournament the intent of the guilty player and/or their knowledge of the ball being illegal would not be an issue.  Is the specifications of the ball in football less important than in golf or is it the rules are less important?

I agree the Pats would have badly beaten the Colts in any case that that isn't the issue here, the integrity of the game and its participants is the issue.

[GolfLug]

Right.  So there's a law that says if you drive faster than X, you pay a fine Y and get Z points.  If you get W points, you're not allowed to drive.  Here, there's a rule that says you can't mess with the footballs or you lose draft picks and get fined $25k.  Also here, the patriots have been here before, so a greater penalty is warranted.

Yupp, punishment must fit the crime. There are grades. Not disagreeing that if convicted appropriate punishment is warranted in this case, $25K and loss of draft picks. What is the punishment ruling on a repeat offender (for a completely different offense)? But some the suggestions in posts above reek of personal biased vitriol. Can't tell me Pat haters aren't piling on.

Oh, by the way, judges let off speeders if they prove that the speedometer was off-calibration and get it re-calibrated. Happens all the time. No? That is an allowance for intention. Maybe the intention was nothing more than personal preference, like a reminder rib running down a golf club grip. Who knows? Seems to all kind of ball preferences talked about.

[dsc123]

Quote:

Chris Mortensen

After Belichick’s remarkable opening statement, clearly he has shifted the focus to Tom Brady

[Gunther]

I don't think so. There is a HUGE difference between a coach who has the balls deflated than a coach who pays players to injure other players. In no way is a few PSI an injury issue as is having a payment system for injuring players.

Aikman's point here was twofold: 1. There was no "cheating" involved and many teams did it, and 2. The Saints had close to the fewest personal foul calls in the league that season. I agree with him. Those that say nothing will come of this I think will be surprised. It is snowballing. There will be serious repercussions, I believe. Belichek just denied any knowledge of game ball prep but is known to over-inflate practice balls to make it more difficult on his team. He also deferred any questions on the matter to Brady. He's a snake.