Pats already accused of cheating!

[berettafan]

Patriots Reportedly Investigated by NFL for Using Deflated Footballs vs. Colts | Bleacher Report

[legion]

Not surprised.

What I am surprised about is how Belicheck repeatedly escapes real consequences.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by legion

Not surprised.

What I am surprised about is how Belicheck repeatedly escapes real consequences.

This. I guess you can't change a cheater's spots...

-Z

[stomachmonkey]

While I don't put anything past anyone it seems deflating footballs is a kind of silly way to cheat.

When you consider the refs touch the ball multiple times per play the likelihood of it being picked up is high.

If a ball is not deflated enough to tell by touch then does it really have that much of an affect?

The whole thing seems rather odd.

[Lothar]

This is why I only refer to him as: Bill Belicheater.

Hope the Pats get their butts handed to them.

[Aragorn]

Cheating and football go way back. Stories of Dick Butkus biting other players at the bottom of the pile ESPN.com - Page2 - The List: Best sports unit nickname of all time and don't forget the 1970's Raiders and Stickum Notorious image sticks with these Raiders - ESPN

2007 National Football League videotaping controversy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I will always put an asterisk in my mind for the Pats record when I think of the Belichick era. This just seems to add more fuel to the fire.

[Gretch]

Haters gonna hate..........

[Eric 951]

Originally Posted by Gretch

Haters gonna hate..........

And cheaters gonna cheat

[911SauCy]

I'm not a football fan, or really any sport where grown men chase balls around grass like dogs...

So, in the wake of this cheating situation I'm left pondering:
1:Why do so many people care about this?
2: What is deflating a ball going to do for the Pats that would hurt their opponent? Wouldn't they all be using the same ball which would leave both teams at equal disadvantage?

Just wondering, flame away.

[widgeon13]

It's pretty ridiculous, they all played with the same balls.

Now is someone going to tell me they had SPECIAL balls just for the Pats??

Perhaps the Pats were just showing poor sportsmanship in running the score up like the team in California.

Get real folks.

[Eric 951]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

It's pretty ridiculous, they all played with the same balls.

Now is someone going to tell me they had SPECIAL balls just for the Pats??

Perhaps the Pats were just showing poor sportsmanship in running the score up like the team in California.

Get real folks.

Actually each team provides its own balls for its offense to use (12 each). and then there are special balls for kicking only.

So, if the Pats did deflate their balls during gameplay which would provide more grip for their skill players, once the change of possession took place, the balls being used by the Colts offense are different balls, since they were provided by the Colts.

[widgeon13]

Not to be argumentative but the article I read said the home team provided all the balls (36 or something) and while I realize there are balls for kicking and snap balls, my impression was that all snap balls were the same.

"According to NFL rules, home teams are required to provide 36 balls for outdoor games and make the balls available for testing with a pressure gauge prior to the game."

It is Fox news but....

NFL investigating if Patriots used deflated footballs in AFC Championship game | Fox News

Frankly, I think it's just poor sportsmanship. and pure BS!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

I'm not a football fan, or really any sport where grown men chase balls around grass like dogs...

So, in the wake of this cheating situation I'm left pondering:
1:Why do so many people care about this?
2: What is deflating a ball going to do for the Pats that would hurt their opponent? Wouldn't they all be using the same ball which would leave both teams at equal disadvantage?

Just wondering, flame away.

If the GAME involves playing with a ball it is not a sport, it is a game. Track & field, boxing, bicycling, mountain climbing and most important, automobile racing are a SPORTS. I don;t really understand the fascination of paying mutant humans huge sums of money to play a game so people can watch beer and truck commercials. But that is just my opinion and I could be wrong.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

If the GAME involves playing with a ball it is not a sport, it is a game. Track & field, boxing, bicycling, mountain climbing and most important, automobile racing are a SPORTS. I don;t really understand the fascination of paying mutant humans huge sums of money to play a game so people can watch beer and truck commercials. But that is just my opinion and I could be wrong.

Now that is funny!

[speeder]

I was also wondering how they would be using different footballs than the Colts, didn't know the rules about each team providing their own footballs for offensive play.

If it is true: A) It would make it a lot easier for the opposing team to intercept, and B), if it was a significant amount, it would be quite obvious to opponents when the ball does not bounce like a football on the ground when it's fumbled, incomplete passes, etc.

I almost forgot, C) playing with Velcro covered balls and gloves could not explain the score of that game. It was an ass-raping.

[jyl]

But a shuttlecock, why, that makes a man's sport.

Quote de GH85Carrera

If the GAME involves playing with a ball it is not a sport, it is a game. Track & field, boxing, bicycling, mountain climbing and most important, automobile racing are a SPORTS. I don;t really understand the fascination of paying mutant humans huge sums of money to play a game so people can watch beer and truck commercials. But that is just my opinion and I could be wrong.

Now that is funny!

[biosurfer1]

Ya, deflated balls. Thats why the Colts lost 45-7. Couldn't be that the Colts has ZERO defense

[widgeon13]

Here is the actual NFL rule so wtf knows what they did? Under what is stated below most anything is possible.

Section 2
BALL SUPPLY
Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the Referee two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game to meet League requirements. The home team will also make 12 backup balls available for testing in all stadiums. In addition, the visitors, at their discretion, may bring 12 backup balls to be tested by the Referee for games held in outdoor stadiums. For games in outdoor stadiums, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer to the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game. These balls are to be specially marked by the Referee and used exclusively for the kicking game. For games in indoor stadiums, six new footballs will be shipped.
In the event a home team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper ball from the visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to the Commissioner.
In case of rain or a wet, muddy, or slippery field, a playable ball shall be used at the request of the offensive team’s center. The Game Clock shall not stop for such action (unless undue delay occurs).
Note: It is the responsibility of the home team to furnish playable balls at all times by attendants from either side of the playing field.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

Ya, deflated balls. Thats why the Colts lost 45-7. Couldn't be that the Colts has ZERO defense

My thought precisely!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by jyl

But a shuttlecock, why, that makes a man's sport.

Nope, a shuttlecock or a hockey puck is just a modified ball. Still just a game.