Conference Championship thread

It sounds like Belicheat is trying to distance himself personally from this. Whole presser is me and I. He knows someone broke the rules. This way Goodell can wrist slap someone. Since he already has a mark against him, he doesn't want it to be him.

We're talking about deflated balls. It's just not that big a deal that everyone is making it out to be. Also where is the proof that this was purposely done? Maybe it was an accident. Until there's actual evidence, the NFL doesn't have a case. Non issue to me.

I personally agree that its not a big deal. But the problem is a lot of people do. To Smoot's point, perhaps people are only making it a big deal because its the Patriots, theyre a really good team, they have "cheated" before and people hate them. Regardless of the reason, or what you or i may think, it appears many people consider it a big deal.

The timing is also really really bad for a lot of reasons. I personally never thought bountygate was all that big of a deal, its just the culture of football, right? However, what turned bountygate into a really big deal, imo, was that it was uncovered during a time when the NFL was trying reduce concussions by creating defenseless receiver rules and by making changes to the game to prevent hard hitting, all while being scrutinized and sued by former players with brain damage. They couldnt afford to look the other way on it. If bountygate happened during the 90's it probably would of been no big deal.

I also completely agree that until theres actual proof, the NFL doesnt have anything, nor should they. But just like bountygate all its takes is one person to say something. Im sure both Brady and Belichick have never pissed anyone off enough to make someone come forward.....

All that said, after the Redskins the Patriots are one of my favorite teams. Im rooting for them to win the Super Bowl. And i take Brady all day long when people talk Brady vs. Manning.

I personally think it is a big issue because it is stupid for them to do so and unnecessary. It's amazing that one of the best run and successful franchises in the league would put themselves in this situation.

Although, I will say that the Ravens got a ton of slack from the public when they screwed up with the Rice situation. So we'll see what happens with the Pats.

It is also getting a lot of play in non sports media outlets, because the Superbowl is the biggest American sports event of the year.

It is also getting a lot of play in non sports media outlets, because the Superbowl is the biggest American sports event of the year.

Expect the media to do this: :bdh:

limited storylines

Is there any reason why the NFL doesn't handle the balls? I just don't understand what they were expecting.

Is there any reason why the NFL doesn't handle the balls? I just don't understand what they were expecting.

At one time the home team supplied new or game ball condition balls to the officials a few hours prior to kick off. Each home team supplied either 48 or 36 balls depending on whether the game was in a dome. The refs would measure the PSI and when they walked out to the field would give the balls to 4 ball boys, hired by the home team.

In the late 90's several stories went around about strange treatment of balls (baking, soaking, microwaving, sanding, steaming, etc.) So in 1994 put in a fine of $15k for tampering with a football. Also Kickers were getting a high rate of touchbacks and FG%. (in '98 Gary Anderson had a perfect season.

So in 1999, NFL put in the "K ball". Twelve brand new Wilson Footballs, sealed in tamper proof tape, would be delivered to the officials. The refs would brush and rub these balls. And the regular balls could be pre-rubbed, but new. Turns out the Refs didn't rub the balls enough or at all. So in 2002 they allowed the home team's 4 ball boys, 20 mins to rub all the non K balls.

Then in 2007 Romo fumbled a FG attempt, that was blamed partly on how shiny and new the K-ball was. So the NFL hired 16 "K ball coordinators" to travel to games and rub all the footballs and possess them during the game. Also the visitor's team could supply their own balls, and 2 ball boys. Both teams were now given 45 mins prior to the ref's measuring the balls.

So the balls are watched/measured prior to kickoff, but during the game they are held by ball boys or on the sideline with equipment personnel. Both of which are hired by the teams.

after spygate:

kraft: "from a scale of 1 to 100, how much did videotaping the other team help us win?"

belichick: "1"

kraft: "schmuck"

i miss fantasy football