The Official CE&HST Super Bowl Thread

[Teddy B 17,252]

True, but the push was from the outside media and fans. I'm guessing whatever they are hiding is worse than him getting suspended. Refusing to let McNally be interviewed a second time says a lot. The Saints denied everything in BountyGate too, then when the emails etc came out, the one coach owned up to it. Payton was suspended because he was warned that while the NFL hadn't found anything, that it better stop. It didn't, he got booted for a year. The Saints had fair warning since the initial investigation didn't produce anything. But they continued on.

Brady will appeal and may get his suspension reduced. He had to know what was going on even if it wasn''t a direct order from him.

I don't understand why the Patriots weren't given the benefit of a warning before the game for such a minor infraction. Make a call to the Patriots, tell them they know about the deflated balls and they need to stop. Also tell them they will be checking the AFC championship game balls so everything is on the up and up, avoid the embarrassment for everyone. That really would have been the best way to go for everybody including the NFL. The NFL looks completely foolish and incompetent with the way this was handled. The idea of these clowns pulling off an undercover sting during the AFC championship game is ridiculous.

Edited May 14, 2015 by Teddy B

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I don't understand why the Patriots weren't given the benefit of a warning before the game for such a minor infraction. Make a call to the Patriots, tell them they know about the deflated balls and they need to stop. Also tell them they will be checking the AFC championship game balls so everything is on the up and up, avoid the embarrassment for everyone. That really would have been the best way to go for everybody including the NFL. The NFL looks completely foolish and incompetent with the way this was handled. The idea of these clowns pulling off an undercover sting during the AFC championship game is ridiculous.

From what I've read, etc, before every game the officials are given a laundry list of things to be aware of, like watch #25 for holding, keep an eye on #75 for jumping before the snap, etc. No warning is given for this. It seems obvious that the officials took the under inflation to be quite minor- Walt Anderson did not record the pressure at inspection, the balls disappeared from his locker room before the game, yet he didn't check them before the start of the game, etc. Nothing was looked at until the interception by the Colts. This leads me to conclude that it was barely a blip on the radar before the game started.

Other than NE, the rest of the teams and fans think the NFL got this right. The penalty was harsh, but in part it from the past and lack of cooperation in providing McNally for a follow up interview and Brady not disclosing his texts and emails. If you read the Wells report and all the footnotes, a lot of this is cleared up. He stated this is the first time he has had information withheld in an NFL investigation.

My guess? The Patriots were willing to risk the potential punishment rather than come clean from the beginning, they were afraid of what would happen if the truth came out. If you're innocent with nothing to hide, you make McNally available for the follow up interview. And I don't see Brady coming up with clear cut proof he knew nothing about it. If he had such proof, he would have provided it before this thing snowballed. Foxboro has been in damage control mode since the morning after the AFC Championship game.

It doesn't matter how the league handled it, the Patriots got caught with their hand in the cookie jar and their past did come back to haunt them.

Edited May 14, 2015 by spookyturtle

[Teddy B 17,252]

From what I've read, etc, before every game the officials are given a laundry list of things to be aware of, like watch #25 for holding, keep an eye on #75 for jumping before the snap, etc. No warning is given for this. It seems obvious that the officials took the under inflation to be quite minor- Walt Anderson did not record the pressure at inspection, the balls disappeared from his locker room before the game, yet he didn't check them before the start of the game, etc. Nothing was looked at until the interception by the Colts. This leads me to conclude that it was barely a blip on the radar before the game started.

Other than NE, the rest of the teams and fans think the NFL got this right. The penalty was harsh, but in part it from the past and lack of cooperation in providing McNally for a follow up interview and Brady not disclosing his texts and emails. If you read the Wells report and all the footnotes, a lot of this is cleared up. He stated this is the first time he has had information withheld in an NFL investigation.

My guess? The Patriots were willing to risk the potential punishment rather than come clean from the beginning, they were afraid of what would happen if the truth came out. If you're innocent with nothing to hide, you make McNally available for the follow up interview. And I don't see Brady coming up with clear cut proof he knew nothing about it. If he had such proof, he would have provided it before this thing snowballed. Foxboro has been in damage control mode since the morning after the AFC Championship game.

It doesn't matter how the league handled it, the Patriots got caught with their hand in the cookie jar and their past did come back to haunt them.

I agree with everything but your last sentence. I think it most definitely matters how the league handles these situations, otherwise it all snowballs and everybody looks bad. The league has a responsibility to itself, it's players and most of all the fans, to handle these matters professionally with some semblance of class. The NFL hasn't been doing any of this for a few years now in all of it's so called "investigations". They're losing credibility and some of their fan base because of it.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I agree with everything but your last sentence. I think it most definitely matters how the league handles these situations, otherwise it all snowballs and everybody looks bad. The league has a responsibility to itself, it's players and most of all the fans, to handle these matters professionally with some semblance of class. The NFL hasn't been doing any of this for a few years now in all of it's so called "investigations". They're losing credibility and some of their fan base because of it.

Whatever the league did doesn't change what the Patriots did. The leagues punishments have been all over the place and and the punishment usually doesn't fit the infraction. The league has looked quite foolish in the domestic violence incidents and they way they dealt with them. There is no doubt the NFL could have done a better job with DeflateGate, but it doesn't excuse what NE did.

I think the Patriots punishment was too harsh for the infraction, but I feel there was an infraction regardless and that blame lies squarely on the parties involved, not the NFL.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Whatever the league did doesn't change what the Patriots did. The leagues punishments have been all over the place and and the punishment usually doesn't fit the infraction. The league has looked quite foolish in the domestic violence incidents and they way they dealt with them. There is no doubt the NFL could have done a better job with DeflateGate, but it doesn't excuse what NE did.

I think the Patriots punishment was too harsh for the infraction, but I feel there was an infraction regardless and that blame lies squarely on the parties involved, not the NFL.

I disagree. The way the league handled this from the beginning sent everything else in motion. If the league handled this with professionalism and class from the time they got notified about the deflated balls, by talking privately with the Patriots about it, the rest of this probably never would have happened. This whole joke of a sting operation and trying to catch the Patriots "red handed" has put a mark on the entire league. It's silly really and I'll never believe anything that comes out of the NFL or any of it's players ever again.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I disagree. The way the league handled this from the beginning sent everything else in motion. If the league handled this with professionalism and class from the time they got notified about the deflated balls, by talking privately with the Patriots about it, the rest of this probably never would have happened. This whole joke of a sting operation and trying to catch the Patriots "red handed" has put a mark on the entire league. It's silly really and I'll never believe anything that comes out of the NFL or any of it's players ever again.

They could have done that, but regardless, the Patriots did what they did. A cop can give you a warning or write you a ticket.Ten people are speeding, but only one gets pulled over, but the one that got cot is still guilty. And there is no doubt the Patriot's past bit them in the a$$ this time. If they deflated footballs after they were inspected by the referee, they are guilty as charged. I think they just made the punishment worse by their damage control. And I speak as a lifelong fan and supporter. People are largely responsible for their own actions. Even if it was a sting operation-which I no longer believe ti was, they still got caught, just like a bar not checking an ID in a sting operation and serving a minor.

The whole lackadaisical approach by Anderson and the crew leads me to believe that this was a very minor matter before the game started. Even after the bag of balls was unaccounted for, there was no urgency to check them again. It wasn't until the pass was intercepted by the Colts that it became an issue. I honestly think that without that interception, there would have been no follow up on checking air pressure. I don't think the referees would believe that anyone would have the balls to deflate the balls after they were submitted for inspection. It was a brazen move on the part of McNally.

[Teddy B 17,252]

They could have done that, but regardless, the Patriots did what they did. A cop can give you a warning or write you a ticket.Ten people are speeding, but only one gets pulled over, but the one that got cot is still guilty. And there is no doubt the Patriot's past bit them in the a$$ this time. If they deflated footballs after they were inspected by the referee, they are guilty as charged. I think they just made the punishment worse by their damage control. And I speak as a lifelong fan and supporter. People are largely responsible for their own actions. Even if it was a sting operation-which I no longer believe ti was, they still got caught, just like a bar not checking an ID in a sting operation and serving a minor.

The whole lackadaisical approach by Anderson and the crew leads me to believe that this was a very minor matter before the game started. Even after the bag of balls was unaccounted for, there was no urgency to check them again. It wasn't until the pass was intercepted by the Colts that it became an issue. I honestly think that without that interception, there would have been no follow up on checking air pressure. I don't think the referees would believe that anyone would have the balls to deflate the balls after they were submitted for inspection. It was a brazen move on the part of McNally.

I don't see this instance on a comparison with a cop giving someone a ticket or a warning. This is a major corporation in the NFL, not Rte 93 on a Saturday night where you might get pulled over by a cop you've never met before. The NFL players, owners and league authorities are all parts of one conglomerate that are supposed to work together in presenting a quality product to it's fans. The approach the NFL authorities took in this case was sloppy and inept at best. If it wasn't such a big deal before the game, then it should have remained that way after the interception as well because they weren't prepared for what came next. It's like they went from 5mph to 80mph on a snowy road without even thinking about it, that's a disaster waiting to happen.

The approach I have to this is that I do believe Tom Brady is guilty in having the ball boys tamper with the footballs. If the league wants to fine him the $25K that the rule book calls for, then fine, do it and let's move on. But this infraction should never have reached the pinnacle it has, it's ridiculous really. And the only one to blame for it becoming what it is, is the NFL and the way it was handled from the beginning. I don't blame Brady and the Patriots for attempting to cover it up afterwards, they were being lambasted all over the place for nothing more than the equivalent of a parking ticket. If someone had done to me what the NFL did to them for something so minor, I'd prolly not only lie and attempt to cover my butt, I'd kick em in the cajones as well.

[-relo- 105]

45-7. 38 points worth of deflation?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I don't see this instance on a comparison with a cop giving someone a ticket or a warning. This is a major corporation in the NFL, not Rte 93 on a Saturday night where you might get pulled over by a cop you've never met before. The NFL players, owners and league authorities are all parts of one conglomerate that are supposed to work together in presenting a quality product to it's fans. The approach the NFL authorities took in this case was sloppy and inept at best. If it wasn't such a big deal before the game, then it should have remained that way after the interception as well because they weren't prepared for what came next. It's like they went from 5mph to 80mph on a snowy road without even thinking about it, that's a disaster waiting to happen.

The approach I have to this is that I do believe Tom Brady is guilty in having the ball boys tamper with the footballs. If the league wants to fine him the $25K that the rule book calls for, then fine, do it and let's move on. But this infraction should never have reached the pinnacle it has, it's ridiculous really. And the only one to blame for it becoming what it is, is the NFL and the way it was handled from the beginning. I don't blame Brady and the Patriots for attempting to cover it up afterwards, they were being lambasted all over the place for nothing more than the equivalent of a parking ticket. If someone had done to me what the NFL did to them for something so minor, I'd prolly not only lie and attempt to cover my butt, I'd kick em in the cajones as well.

I guess I see it simply as they broke the rules, they got caught, they tried to cover it up. It's not the NFL's fault that they did what they did. And I'm willing to bet that the Wells report only got to the tip of the iceberg. The Patriots were afraid McNally would crack and this would have gotten messier than it already is. I think they were worried about protecting Belichick after what happened to Sean Payton in New Orleans. Bill didn't get suspended for SpyGate, if he was implicated in this in any way he would have been gone for the season. If Belichick got suspended for a year it would be devastating. In Belichick's press conference before the Super Bowl he basically said check with Tom, he knows far more about the football preparation than I do. Many look at is as Bill throwing Brady under the bus. I tend to believe that Bill was in the clear on this.

Tom was asked point blank " Is Tom Brady a cheater" and he answered, " I don't think so". It was a yes or no answer, IMO. and should have been a resounding no if he was not involved in any way. Brady will appeal today and I think he'll get the suspension reduced, that was the NFL's idea all along. Kraft really can't appeal to the NFL, he has to take it to court. I really don't think he will do that. Jerry Jones has already spoken out in favor of Goodell on this, and he and Kraft are the 2 most powerful owners in the NFL. Kraft is not going to have any of his fellow owners as allies in this. Basically the entire league thinks the Patriots are rule benders/breakers and fell they got what they deserved.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

45-7. 38 points worth of deflation?

The deflated footballs had nothing to do with the outcome of the Colts game and probably had no effect on any other games except psychologically for Brady. Obviously he does just fine with regulation footballs as evidenced in the second half of the Colts game and the Super Bowl. So much was risked for so little.

[Teddy B 17,252]

http://yourteamcheats.com/

[Rob L 3,811]

I think Pats fans are going through the 5 stages of grief..eventually they will get to acceptance

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Patriots rebuttal to Wells report. ESPN states the the. Patriots created this website to respond to the report. They bring up some good points.

http://wellsreportcontext.com/

[Teddy B 17,252]

I think Pats fans are going through the 5 stages of grief..eventually they will get to acceptance

Other than the inept way in which this "investigation" was handled, and the way it's been overblown and sensationalized in the press, I have no grief.

I personally don't care whether Brady or anyone else deflated footballs, just play the damn game and stop acting like a bunch of holy rollers. People have been cheating and bending the rules since the beginning of time and they have been paying fines, been suspended or fired as well. I believe that Brady bent the rules/cheated, but it's nothing new in sports or in life for that matter. Let's not start acting like this infraction is a major deal or that this is the first time it's ever happened. If the league feels he's guilty then fine him, suspend him and let's move on. The damn sensationalism that goes on with every little infraction by anyone with a big name is ridiculous.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Other than the inept way in which this "investigation" was handled, and the way it's been overblown and sensationalized in the press, I have no grief.

I personally don't care whether Brady or anyone else deflated footballs, just play the damn game and stop acting like a bunch of holy rollers. People have been cheating and bending the rules since the beginning of time and they have been paying fines, been suspended or fired as well. I believe that Brady bent the rules/cheated, but it's nothing new in sports or in life for that matter. Let's not start acting like this infraction is a major deal or that this is the first time it's ever happened. If the league feels he's guilty then fine him, suspend him and let's move on. The damn sensationalism that goes on with every little infraction by anyone with a big name is ridiculous.

Read the link I posited when you have some time. If this was a court of law, the NFL would have no case. Kraft's lawyers must have digested the Wells report and then come up with this rebuttal. I just wonder if he'll take it to court.