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Pats accused of under inflating game balls against the Colts (MOD WARNING #457)

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭frostie500


    Hazys wrote: »
    @MattLeinartQB

    Every team tampers with the footballs, Ask any Qb In the league, this is ridiculous!!


    The more NFL people talk, the more it gets downplayed as common practice.

    The more sports journalists and talking heads talk, the more scandalous it gets.

    The way that I look at this is that every team tampers with the balls because they're allowed to do it. However, if you tamper beyond the regulations you should be punished. The balls are checked by the umpires and then teams have a certain timespan to work their balls and get them ready but if you do something beyond the regs and are found to have intentionally done this then the team should be punished.

    In other sports, like F1 or something, you submit your car to the scrutineers at the start of the weekend. They'll check the car from top to bottom and then certify that the car is 100% legal. If however at any point over the weekend the car is brought in to be checked again and something is found illegal the team are punished. It's the same in the NFL and we'll find out the full story of what happened in the next few days, hopefully it'll show that the Pats didn't do anything wrong but until then the media will run with this story as they are doing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,301 ✭✭✭padraig_f


    Hazys wrote: »
    @MattLeinartQB

    Every team tampers with the footballs, Ask any Qb In the league, this is ridiculous!!


    The more NFL people talk, the more it gets downplayed as common practice.

    The more sports journalists and talking heads talk, the more scandalous it gets.

    Gimme a break, it's literally written in the rules for the footballs to be within a certain range of pressure. Everyone agrees that reducing the pressure of the football gives an advantage to the offensive team.

    So it's against the rules, and it gives a competitive advantage. That's the dictionary definition of cheating. And according to you, it's a non-issue.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    frostie500 wrote: »
    The way that I look at this is that every team tampers with the balls because they're allowed to do it. However, if you tamper beyond the regulations you should be punished. The balls are checked by the umpires and then teams have a certain timespan to work their balls and get them ready but if you do something beyond the regs and are found to have intentionally done this then the team should be punished.

    In other sports, like F1 or something, you submit your car to the scrutineers at the start of the weekend. They'll check the car from top to bottom and then certify that the car is 100% legal. If however at any point over the weekend the car is brought in to be checked again and something is found illegal the team are punished. It's the same in the NFL and we'll find out the full story of what happened in the next few days, hopefully it'll show that the Pats didn't do anything wrong but until then the media will run with this story as they are doing.

    The problem is most NFL people are saying its not a big deal. The Pats should be punished and in my opinion it should be minimal considering how widespread this is appears to and considering that nothing came of the Panthers heating their footballs after being told not to. I think the rules have will be changed in the off season too.

    But on the other side of the coin, the media is going crazy, calling for Pats to be kicked out of the Super Bowl, BB to be fired or suspended, etc. Considering how easily influenced Goodell is by the media, i don't think it'll be a fair punishment.

    Do you think if Goodell comes out and fines the Patriots $25,000 and a 7th round pick that will fly with the media when they are expecting BB to be suspended for a year?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,953 ✭✭✭✭kryogen


    padraig_f wrote: »
    Gimme a break, it's literally written in the rules for the footballs to be within a certain range of pressure. Everyone agrees that reducing the pressure of the football gives an advantage to the offensive team.

    So it's against the rules, and it gives a competitive advantage. That's the dictionary definition of cheating. And according to you, it's a non-issue.

    Is your head stuck under a rock? It is certainly not JUST according to him that its a non issue.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,953 ✭✭✭✭kryogen


    Hazys wrote: »
    The problem is most NFL people are saying its not a big deal. The Pats should be punished and in my opinion it should be minimal considering how widespread this is appears to and considering that nothing came of the Panthers heating their footballs after being told not to. I think the rules have will be changed in the off season too.

    But on the other side of the coin, the media is going crazy, calling for Pats to be kicked out of the Super Bowl, BB to be fired or suspended, etc. Considering how easily influenced Goodell is by the media, i don't think it'll be a fair punishment.

    Do you think if Goodell comes out and fines the Patriots $25,000 and a 7th round pick that will fly with the media when they are expecting BB to be suspended for a year?


    Yes I think it will be a soft punishment, simply because if too much of an example is made in this case (assuming guilty is the verdict) then plenty more will come out of the woodwork regarding other teams you can be sure and the same punishments would have to be handed out to everybody.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    padraig_f wrote: »
    Gimme a break, it's literally written in the rules for the footballs to be within a certain range of pressure. Everyone agrees that reducing the pressure of the football gives an advantage to the offensive team.

    So it's against the rules, and it gives a competitive advantage. That's the dictionary definition of cheating. And according to you, it's a non-issue.

    Lots of things are against the rules, and give a competitive advantage so everything can be defined as cheating. If you hold on a play and get away with it, its cheating. If you heat the balls, its cheating. If you over inflate the balls, hoping the refs don't notice, its cheating, etc. I don't think you can judge them all the same.

    All I'm asking is that there but some realism in judging the severity of the crime. People are treating this as the biggest scandal to hit the NFL when its most certainly not and backed up by the people who play the game.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,301 ✭✭✭padraig_f


    kryogen wrote: »
    Is your head stuck under a rock? It is certainly not JUST according to him that its a non issue.

    You think breaking the rules to gain competitive advantage is a non-issue?

    You and I have pretty different ideas about sport if that's the case.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 4,142 Mod ✭✭✭✭bruschi


    padraig_f wrote: »
    You think breaking the rules to gain competitive advantage is a non-issue?

    You and I have pretty different ideas about sport if that's the case.

    I'd love to live in your very black and white world!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,638 ✭✭✭phatkev


    lads the true voice of reason and NFL aficionado that is Piers Morgan has spoken, and he says that the Patriots are cheats and should be thrown out of the Superbowl! so ye can close this thread:pac::pac:
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2920579/PIERS-MORGAN-Patriots-deliberately-deflated-balls-bunch-cheats-thrown-Super-Bowl.html?ito=social-twitter_dailymailus
    If the Patriots deliberately deflated those balls then they're a bunch of cheats who should be thrown out of the Super Bowl

    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2920579/PIERS-MORGAN-Patriots-deliberately-deflated-balls-bunch-cheats-thrown-Super-Bowl.html#ixzz3PUwZKn00
    Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

    But seriously all this commotion over a few soft balls, completely blown out of proportion(and thats coming from a Jets fan)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,052 ✭✭✭poldebruin


    Hazys wrote: »
    @MattLeinartQB

    Every team tampers with the footballs, Ask any Qb In the league, this is ridiculous!!


    The more NFL people talk, the more it gets downplayed as common practice.

    The more sports journalists and talking heads talk, the more scandalous it gets.

    Not necessarily. I have not seen anyone say yet that they deflated the footballs (well) beyond what the regulation allows. It would seem the NFL rulebook even allows for QB preference (and probably game day variance and mechanical error) by giving a range of allowed pressures (12.5 to 13.5)

    Everyone knows that QB's and teams scrub and prepare the covering on the ball to add grip - this does not alter the shape, weight or pressure of the ball. Rodgers said he like to inflate the balls, and maybe a little more if he could get away with it. I doubt anyone would be making a stink if the footballs were slightly outside of the range allowed.

    The idea that the media are somehow responsible for this story is tiresome. It was reported by players to officials, they investigated and found the balls to be non-regulation. All that is to be decided is how they came to be that way. The NFL will decide the punishment at the end of the day, and they seem to be taking the matter seriously and the league will take issue with even the appearance of impropriety.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,301 ✭✭✭padraig_f


    Hazys wrote: »
    Lots of things are against the rules, and give a competitive advantage so everything can be defined as cheating. If you hold on a play and get away with it, its cheating. If you heat the balls, its cheating. If you over inflate the balls, hoping the refs don't notice, its cheating, etc. I don't think you can judge them all the same.

    All I'm asking is that there but some realism in judging the severity of the crime. People are treating this as the biggest scandal to hit the NFL when its most certainly not and backed up by the people who play the game.

    Ok so you're talking about the severity of the punishment, well that's fair enough. I thought you were brushing it off completely.

    I do think there's a significant difference between onfield transgressions like a hold, and tampering with the equipment. The former is going to happen with guys intending to play the game fairly.

    Tampering with equipment is more clear-cut cheating, and not playing the game fairly. I'm not sure what the punishment should be (that's kind of a separate debate), but it's a different level from on-field stuff.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    padraig_f wrote: »
    You think breaking the rules to gain competitive advantage is a non-issue?

    You and I have pretty different ideas about sport if that's the case.

    Last night in boxing training my coach told me to pull down the blocking glove on my opponent as i slide to the left. I asked was it legal, he said no, but at worst you'll get a warning from the ref, if even. People will always push the limits in sport that the nature of competition. Should i receive a lifetime ban from boxing for that move or should i possibly get a warning from the ref? I think if this is an analogy for the Patriots' situation...its a life time ban


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,301 ✭✭✭padraig_f


    bruschi wrote: »
    I'd love to live in your very black and white world!

    It's a black-and-white rule:
    The ball shall be made up of an inflated (12 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds) urethane bladder enclosed in a pebble grained, leather case
    (natural tan color) without corrugations of any kind. It shall have the form of a prolate spheroid and the size and weight
    shall be: long axis, 11 to 11 1/4 inches; long circumference, 28 to 28 1/2 inches; short circumference, 21 to 21 1/4 inches;
    weight, 14 to 15 ounces.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,301 ✭✭✭padraig_f


    Hazys wrote: »
    Last night in boxing training my coach told me to pull down the blocking glove on my opponent as i slide to the left. I asked was it legal, he said no, but at worst you'll get a warning from the ref, if even. People will always push the limits in sport that the nature of competition. Should i receive a lifetime ban from boxing for that move or should i possibly get a warning from the ref? I think if this is an analogy for the Patriots' situation...its a life time ban

    And if that kind of move was going on too much, it's be up to the boxing authorities to create a punishment that would be a sufficient deterrent.

    Same for this case, if the Patriots are found to be guilty, the punishment should be a deterrent for future teams to do it. A fine wouldn't be sufficient in this case imo. For other teams to do it then, it'd be worth the risk.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭frostie500


    Hazys wrote: »
    The problem is most NFL people are saying its not a big deal. The Pats should be punished and in my opinion it should be minimal considering how widespread this is appears to and considering that nothing came of the Panthers heating their footballs after being told not to. I think the rules have will be changed in the off season too.

    But on the other side of the coin, the media is going crazy, calling for Pats to be kicked out of the Super Bowl, BB to be fired or suspended, etc. Considering how easily influenced Goodell is by the media, i don't think it'll be a fair punishment.

    Do you think if Goodell comes out and fines the Patriots $25,000 and a 7th round pick that will fly with the media when they are expecting BB to be suspended for a year?

    Ah yeah I definitely agree, as I said earlier the punishment probably should end up being the loss of a mid-round pick (I'd imagine a fourth or fifth). It sounds to me like a reasonable punishment if they are found guilty. That may not satisfy some in the media but I think that, as you say, the media are going crazy for this. To even think that the Pats would be thrown out of the Superbowl or anything that extreme is ridiculous but that's what the more uninformed elements, and extremeist side, in the media think will get hits


  • Registered Users Posts: 541 ✭✭✭In Exile


    phatkev wrote: »
    But seriously all this commotion over a few soft balls, completely blown out of proportion(and thats coming from a Jets fan)

    I despise the Patriots. I was delighted to see them get into trouble after Kraft reported Johnson's off the cuff remarks about Revis. Karma at its best I thought.
    Even now, I love the reaction of Pats fans, even here, calling everyone trolls who enjoys seeing this happen to the Patriots.

    But after all that (and I have enjoyed it!) what really bothers me more than the cheating (if they are found guilty of cheating, where they tampered with the balls purposely outside of the rules) is the fact they resort to it.

    Brady and Belichick are HOF legends. They don't need to resort to this sort of sh*t. And apart from Seattle, they have the beating of every other team in the league.

    I don't enjoy the excuses either from either side.

    To me, it doesn't matter what the scoreline was. It doesn't matter if other teams do it but only the Pats have been caught. Cheating is cheating. If you get caught, you should be punished.

    Talk of replaying the game is rubbish too. The Colts are already on their holidays. And even still, the crime doesn't justify a replay or a disqualification.

    I don't understand the Pats fans complaint either about the only reason the Colts complained was because they got tipped off by the Ravens. Surely that just shows that this wasn't a one off crime, but Baltimore didn't manage to prove it the week before. If Indy knew this was going to happen and the LB ran directly to the VP, then they knew there was something wrong and were waiting to prove it.

    I'm going to wait until the final report is out before commenting on whether I think the sanctions are correct or not. If the leaked reports are true then they are guilty of something. But it all depends on what the NFL can prove.

    For me, that could range from a large fine, to a loss of a mid round pick to suspensions for those involved (very unlikely since it'd be very tough to prove)


  • Registered Users Posts: 541 ✭✭✭In Exile


    Hazys wrote: »
    Last night in boxing training my coach told me to pull down the blocking glove on my opponent as i slide to the left. I asked was it legal, he said no, but at worst you'll get a warning from the ref, if even. People will always push the limits in sport that the nature of competition. Should i receive a lifetime ban from boxing for that move or should i possibly get a warning from the ref? I think if this is an analogy for the Patriots' situation...its a life time ban

    But that's the thing. You get a warning. Same as in football. You hold, you get penalized.
    Same in boxing, if you tampered with your gloves, and you got caught, you would be punished accordingly. It wouldn't matter if everybody else tampers too, you got caught and you have to face the consequences


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭Vanolder


    In Exile wrote: »
    I despise the Patriots. I was delighted to see them get into trouble after Kraft reported Johnson's off the cuff remarks about Revis. Karma at its best I thought.
    Even now, I love the reaction of Pats fans, even here, calling everyone trolls who enjoys seeing this happen to the Patriots.

    But after all that (and I have enjoyed it!) what really bothers me more than the cheating (if they are found guilty of cheating, where they tampered with the balls purposely outside of the rules) is the fact they resort to it.

    Brady and Belichick are HOF legends. They don't need to resort to this sort of sh*t. And apart from Seattle, they have the beating of every other team in the league.

    I don't enjoy the excuses either from either side.

    To me, it doesn't matter what the scoreline was. It doesn't matter if other teams do it but only the Pats have been caught. Cheating is cheating. If you get caught, you should be punished.

    Talk of replaying the game is rubbish too. The Colts are already on their holidays. And even still, the crime doesn't justify a replay or a disqualification.

    I don't understand the Pats fans complaint either about the only reason the Colts complained was because they got tipped off by the Ravens. Surely that just shows that this wasn't a one off crime, but Baltimore didn't manage to prove it the week before. If Indy knew this was going to happen and the LB ran directly to the VP, then they knew there was something wrong and were waiting to prove it.

    I'm going to wait until the final report is out before commenting on whether I think the sanctions are correct or not. If the leaked reports are true then they are guilty of something. But it all depends on what the NFL can prove.

    For me, that could range from a large fine, to a loss of a mid round pick to suspensions for those involved (very unlikely since it'd be very tough to prove)
    Where you watching the SB, mate? Should be a great night.


  • Registered Users Posts: 541 ✭✭✭In Exile


    Vanolder wrote: »
    Where you watching the SB, mate? Should be a great night.

    I'll either be watching it in work, or I'll work from home for the day.

    Had over 4 weeks holidays at Chrsitmas so I won't be able to take a Monday off for months!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭Vanolder


    In Exile wrote: »
    I'll either be watching it in work, or I'll work from home for the day.

    Had over 4 weeks holidays at Chrsitmas so I won't be able to take a Monday off for months!

    Work on Monday will be good for you, will take your mind off the Pats winning. I'd fear for you if you had the day off to think about that.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,953 ✭✭✭✭kryogen


    padraig_f wrote: »
    You think breaking the rules to gain competitive advantage is a non-issue?

    You and I have pretty different ideas about sport if that's the case.

    Me? No need to even get into my own feelings, you and a hell of a lot of professionals and people around the sport itself have pretty different ideas going by the comments coming out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,953 ✭✭✭✭kryogen


    I like you in exile. I like you and everyone like you, ye make me smile :)

    In a weird way I am beginning to enjoy the salivating that is going on, the ****e talk from sections of the media, the seemingly gospel rumours that they are reporting and those who repeat them as fact. Its just funny

    Its a nice distraction from the Pro Bowl actually and gives a couple of the lads in work something to jeer me about, the worst thing that should come out of it is that it makes the team even tighter and more up for the fight that will be the superbowl. Will need every ounce of competitiveness against the Seahawaks. Anything that pulls the group together and invokes the siege mentality should be good really.

    Jaysus, Bill probably instigated this investigation himself! Deflating one ball and giving it to the Colts.... Genius


  • Registered Users Posts: 541 ✭✭✭In Exile


    Vanolder wrote: »
    Work on Monday will be good for you, will take your mind off the Pats winning. I'd fear for you if you had the day off to think about that.

    That's why I'll probably work from home.

    If the Pats win and I trash the place I won't get sacked...... I may get dumped but at least I'll still have my job!


  • Registered Users Posts: 397 ✭✭Areyouwell


    As a Colts fan I find the whole faux outrage to be laughable and beyond ridiculous. And I wouldn't like to be associated with some of the nonsense tbh. It's an unfortunate reality but the Pats have thrashed us in our last 4 meetings. And they didn't need deflated balls, intentional or otherwise to beat us. Losing by an average score of 48-23 has nothing to do with over inflation or under inflation of a football, but everything to do with being outplayed and outcoached. Then we have the points scored, the Pats scored more points in the second half with the proper balls, than they didn't in the first half with underinflated balls.

    Then we have the painfully reality of the Pats O line running all over us. Like they have in our last several meetings. We knew what they were going to do and we couldn't stop them. So what the partial deflation of a football has got to do with being outplayed is beyond me. And as someone who uses Physics and it's laws on a daily basis at work. Deflating a ball is the last thing I would want, the loss of aerodynamic patency from the surface area of the ball, reduces velocity and more importantly - the accuracy of a thrown ball. Throw in the strong crosswinds during the game and if anything, I would be overinflating the ball to increase the accuracy and pass velocity to compensate for the wind. So no, I'm not going to delude myself and say we were robbed, because we simply weren't.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,052 ✭✭✭poldebruin


    USC were caught doing this very thing (under Lane Kiffin) in 2012. They found a ball boy to have acted alone in that case. Besides being relieved of his duties, no further action was taken.

    http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/dr-saturday/usc-footballs-student-manager-fired-intentionally-deflating-game-150806164--ncaaf.html[/URL


    In response to Areyouwell, most of your post is missing the point. Nobody (that I have read) is saying anything about the footballs contributing to the loss or questioning that the better team won. But the outcome of the game is irrelevant in this case. The fact that the balls were not NFL regulation (and that it may have been an organisational decision) is relevant.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 397 ✭✭Areyouwell


    poldebruin wrote: »

    In response to Areyouwell, most of your post is missing the point. Nobody (that I have read) is saying anything about the footballs contributing to the loss or questioning that the better team won. But the outcome of the game is irrelevant in this case. The fact that the balls were not NFL regulation NFL (and that it may have been an organisational decision) is relevant.

    And you completely missed my point. As a Colts fan, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the matter. It's a compete non-issue for me, of course some with agendas and chips on their shoulders are trying to make hay while the sun shines. But any Colts fans I know, well they're mostly bemused by the whole thing.


  • Registered Users Posts: 541 ✭✭✭In Exile


    Areyouwell wrote: »
    And you completely missed my point. As a Colts fan, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the matter. It's a compete non-issue for me, of course some with agendas and chips on their shoulders are trying to make hay while the sun shines. But any Colts fans I know, well they're mostly bemused by the whole thing.

    I don't think it has anything to do with chips on shoulders. Whether blown out of proportion or not, this is the second time they have been accused of cheating.
    The result is inconsequential. I think even the most diehard Colts fans would have said before the game it would have taken a miracle to win. It's the going outside of regulation by a team who have been found guilty of doing so before.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,052 ✭✭✭poldebruin


    Areyouwell wrote: »
    And you completely missed my point. As a Colts fan, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the matter. It's a compete non-issue for me, of course some with agendas and chips on their shoulders are trying to make hay while the sun shines. But any Colts fans I know, well they're mostly bemused by the whole thing.

    I didn't miss it at all.... The point you were trying to make: That the Colts were terrible in the game and deserved to lose, deflated balls or otherwise. You're not bothered by it so nobody else should be (indeed you see discussion of it as laughable)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,012 ✭✭✭✭Alfred Borden


    Colts fan here and with any type of ball Sunday night, the Patriots would have trashed us and so I wish them well against Seattle. However if its found to be true that they have done this, its something totally against the spirit of the game and hope they are reprimanded strongly with loss of high draft picks. If not, I hope it goes away very quickly so we can focus on this mouthwatering game coming up.


  • Registered Users Posts: 397 ✭✭Areyouwell


    poldebruin wrote: »
    I didn't miss it at all.... The point you were trying to make: That the Colts were terrible in the game and deserved to lose, deflated balls or otherwise. You're not bothered by it so nobody else should be (indeed you see discussion of it as laughable)

    Good man, you got the point. Colts fans accept and know the ball hadn't nothing to do with our loss. Afaik, non-Colts fans can fly the flag of faux outrage all they want.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,052 ✭✭✭poldebruin


    Areyouwell wrote: »
    Good man, you got the point. Colts fans accept and know the ball hadn't nothing to do with our loss. Afaik, non-Colts fans can fly the flag of faux outrage all they want.

    Yes I got the redundant point you made. Nobody is arguing the ball contributed to the loss. Some people are bothered that a non regulation ball was used in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,953 ✭✭✭✭kryogen


    poldebruin wrote: »
    Yes I got the redundant point you made. Nobody is arguing the ball contributed to the loss. Some people are bothered that a non regulation ball was used in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage.

    Be nice if this was proved before being constantly stated as fact.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 4,142 Mod ✭✭✭✭bruschi


    kryogen wrote: »
    Be nice if this was proved before being constantly stated as fact.

    regardless of the findings, get used to pretty much everyone noting it as fact from now on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,902 ✭✭✭✭Realt Dearg Sec


    As a Kilkenny fan, I sympathise with pats fans: when you're consistently successful, other fans will look for,and find, ways of attributing the success to some kind of cheating. Sure, they'll say something like "I admire what Cody/Belichick has done to make the team as great as it is, it's just a shame they have to resort to dirty play/stretching rules/underhand tactics" but the effect is to undermine the achievement (they will also say things like "Kilkenny/Patriots are agreat team and shouldn't NEED to do these things") Fortunately sport is not a popularity contest, so you don't have to care, and can learn to relish the envy.

    Now as someone who resents and envies that success: carry on.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 4,142 Mod ✭✭✭✭bruschi


    As a Kilkenny fan, I sympathise with pats fans: when you're consistently successful, other fans will look for,and find, ways of attributing the success to some kind of cheating. Sure, they'll say something like "I admire what Cody/Belichick has done to make the team as great as it is, it's just a shame they have to resort to dirty play/stretching rules/underhand tactics" but the effect is to undermine the achievement (they will also say things like "Kilkenny/Patriots are agreat team and shouldn't NEED to do these things") Fortunately sport is not a popularity contest, so you don't have to care, and can learn to relish the envy.

    Now as someone who resents and envies that success: carry on.

    g'way outta dat. Kilkenny are filthy scumbags and Tommy Walsh is nothing but a dirty so and so. Barry Kelly, Henry Shefflin, etc etc blah blah blah*.

    * yeah I get what you are saying, and would agree. I'd add Man Utd to that too, or Barca now and what they have done, and so many other examples. When a team gets on top, everyone wants to knock them asap. When Brady and Belichick retire (substitute Cody and Shefflin) and the Patriots go back to mediocrity again and you have the Bills back beating them regularly (subsitute Wexford in there:cool:) then no one will care about them and will start to feel sorry/like them.

    Pretty much any of the sensible reports or talk shows I've been following over the last few days have said this would have blown over and been a non issue if it was any other team. If the price of success means people hate your team, then so be it. The Patriots have given people further reasons to hate them, but sure so be it. A lot of teams have had worse transgressions than a slightly deflated ball but hasnt caused half the uproar that this has.


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,938 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    poldebruin wrote: »
    Yes I got the redundant point you made. Nobody is arguing the ball contributed to the loss. Some people are bothered that a non regulation ball was used in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage.
    So let's just say its proven that this did happen and then it's proven that every team in the league has done this at some stage over the past couple of seaons, what should happen to the Patriots? Should they be the ones punished or should every team be punished?

    We already have other players admitting their team has done this.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,953 ✭✭✭✭kryogen


    adrian522 wrote: »

    Was funny, you can see what else he says here

    http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000461932/article/andrew-luck-things-can-be-blown-out-of-proportion

    "I don't know. Things in the media tend to be blown out of proportion a little bit," he said. "It's the nature in where we are today in society. You can't take anything away from them being a heck of a team and they are a good football team."

    Crazy huh, another person in the game who is of the mind this is being blown out of proportion


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 4,142 Mod ✭✭✭✭bruschi


    eagle eye wrote: »
    So let's just say its proven that this did happen and then it's proven that every team in the league has done this at some stage over the past couple of seaons, what should happen to the Patriots? Should they be the ones punished or should every team be punished?

    We already have other players admitting their team has done this.

    it didnt happen the last time and it wont happen this time. Patriots were caught, and were made an example of and it will be the same again. Saints had the same thing too with the bounty gate thing, despite it being widely accepted it was happening elsewhere.


  • Posts: 3,518 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Only entering this discussion now hopefully it hasn't been said before but the Pats have been caught cheating before. So obviously everyone will go wild when they find out they're manipulating the rules again, I'm not going to say the deflating is cheating as the whole league "breaks in" the ball before games depending on the QB. Only thing lending this story any fire is that it's the Pats, there's begrudgery and their track record to point to.
    Belichick can't afford any more lapses in this regard, he should know everyone will come down on his team like a tonne of bricks for doing something the whole league does but more frowned upon than thought illegal.
    I expect them to be fined a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick at the least. Just so Goodell can put a lovely bow on this ****storm of a year.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,938 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    As just pointed out a few posts before yours, the Pats paid a huge price for Spygate even though everybody was doing that too.

    The Saints paid a huge price for Bountygate even though everybody was at it too.

    This is the sad thing about it, it doesn't seem to matter if other teams were at it. All that seems to matter is how the media reacts as has been seen in recent times with the Ray Rice situation.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,434 ✭✭✭Jolly Red Giant


    eagle eye wrote: »
    As just pointed out a few posts before yours, the Pats paid a huge price for Spygate even though everybody was doing that too.

    The Saints paid a huge price for Bountygate even though everybody was at it too.

    This is the sad thing about it, it doesn't seem to matter if other teams were at it. All that seems to matter is how the media reacts as has been seen in recent times with the Ray Rice situation.

    Normal nonsense - everyone is at it - its like Enda and the rest saying 'everyone partied' during the bubble. :rolleyes:

    The Pats are constantly embroiled in this kind of stuff because they ARE doing it and they get caught.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 4,142 Mod ✭✭✭✭bruschi


    Normal nonsense - everyone is at it - its like Enda and the rest saying 'everyone partied' during the bubble. :rolleyes:

    The Pats are constantly embroiled in this kind of stuff because they ARE doing it and they get caught.

    what were the other things that they were constantly embroiled in?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭Vanolder


    When are the NFL going to speak on this?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 277 ✭✭NotYourYear20


    Normal nonsense - everyone is at it - its like Enda and the rest saying 'everyone partied' during the bubble. :rolleyes:

    The Pats are constantly embroiled in this kind of stuff because they ARE doing it and they get caught.

    Oh the Irony, a Broncos fan preaching about cheating. You need to do some research and see how the Broncos persistency cheated and manipulated the salary cap. Former Oakland Raiders owner, the late Al Davis, repeatedly stated that he believed the Denver Broncos stole both their Super Bowls. Because they blatantly cheated and circumvented the league salary cap. They built a squad they should never have had, if they had of adhered to the Salary Cap rules.


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    Well if Al Davis said it...


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Would Pats fans accept that, whatever about the gravity of the allegations, there has been shift in emphasis, in posts here at least.

    When the story first broke the suggestion was that it did not happen at all, and there was a debate as to why it would be done and the marginal benefit it conferred, if any. Now it seems to be that it did, but it happens all the time and it's a thing if nothing. As a matter of idle interest, did any Pats fan make the "happens all the time" point last Monday?

    Neither of which means it is a huge deal, of course.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    I'd prefer if the report was delayed a couple more days. It seems the longer it goes on, the talking heads are seeming to lose steam in the SCANDALMANIA style of reporting and the more actual NFL people are actually commenting on it and saying its not as big of a deal.

    Today, Andrew Luck says its blown out of proportion, Richard Sherman said it would have no affect on the game...but lets see what Serena Williams has to say "My Dolphins would never do such a thing".

    Bill Belichick is having his press conference in 30 minutes. It could be interesting to if he tries to nip it in the butt and answer Qs but since the findings in the investigation are not out yet, i think he'll answer every Q with a huffed "I'm waiting for the investigation to end" which for Pats fans is 100x more entertaining.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,938 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    Hazys wrote: »
    I'd prefer if the report was delayed a couple more days. It seems the longer it goes on, the talking heads are seeming to lose steam in the SCANDALMANIA style of reporting and the more actual NFL people are actually commenting on it and saying its not as big of a deal.

    Today, Andrew Luck says its blown out of proportion, Richard Sherman said it would have no affect on the game...but lets see what Serena Williams has to say "My Dolphins would never do such a thing".

    Bill Belichick is having his press conference in 30 minutes. It could be interesting to if he tries to nip it in the butt and answer Qs but since the findings in the investigation are not out yet, i think he'll answer every Q with a huffed "I'm waiting for the investigation to end" which for Pats fans is 100x more entertaining.
    He was on to Seattle right after the game last weekend.:D


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    Would Pats fans accept that, whatever about the gravity of the allegations, there has been shift in emphasis, in posts here at least.

    When the story first broke the suggestion was that it did not happen at all, and there was a debate as to why it would be done and the marginal benefit it conferred, if any. Now it seems to be that it did, but it happens all the time and it's a thing if nothing. As a matter of idle interest, did any Pats fan make the "happens all the time" point last Monday?

    Neither of which means it is a huge deal, of course.

    TBH i didnt like most fans know much about the process and at the time it seemed like a ridiculous story and still with the media frenzy, it still seems like a ridiculous over blown story.

    Only difference now is I'm well versed now the ins and out of ball pressure; how it can be affected by 10 degrees of weather change, what the NFL allowed levels of pressure are, etc. I've learned more about NFL ball regulations and how players doctor the ball to their preferences, etc than I every cared to.

    Can't wait for the next NFL scandal, I've always wanted to brush up on my knowledge on the allowed length of player's cleats.


    I would also say in the same timeframe that posts from some non-Pats fans has changed too. There is a shift in the hysteria of people wondering should their being an AFC Championship replay to will the Pats get punished with an early or late round pick?


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