PFT: League likely will be saying more about ball controversy this morning

[Cotton]

League likely will be saying more about ball controversy this morning

Posted by Mike Florio on January 19, 2015, 9:14 AM EST

Plenty of folks suspect that the league office will sweep under the rug the question of whether the Patriots deliberately deflated their allotment of balls in order to make them easier to grip on a very wet day in Foxboro. If that’s what the league plans to do, it will happen quickly and publicly.

The NFL already has acknowledged the existence of an investigation, and a league source tells PFT that statement from the league could be coming very soon — as in this morning.

It’s still unclear what happened and how it happened. It’s also unrealistic to think that a conspiracy could be kept quiet, if the Patriots were deliberately deflating footballs. Unless the circle of conspirators was extremely small and the Patriots were able to secure possession of the balls after they’d been given to the referee for testing and supervision two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, it should be easy to get down the rabbit hole on this one.

Given the franchise’s history, that’s precisely what the league seems to be doing, sooner rather than later. Surely, the league office realizes the importance of a full investigation and complete transparency; those failures nearly brought down a Commissioner over a topic that had nothing to do with the playing of games. Anything other than a full and complete investigation of a situation that has an impact on the game could bring down the league.

 

[dallen]

Seahawks will win. Every team that has had controversy around their perevious win has lost the next game. Sorry Patriots.

 

[boozeman]

I have zero interest in whatever they did with the footballs. It is so played up and tired.

There was less of a flap made up about the slick footballs in Seattle.

 

[Texas Ace]

11 of the 12 game balls used by the Pats were under-inflated.

I know this didn't decide the outcome, but this franchise just stoops to the lowest levels all the time.

Given that they have a history if this, coupled with Goodell being in the spotlight due to the Rice thing, I'm expecting the league to come down hard on the Pats as well they should.

I hope Seattle kicks the shit out of them.

 

[Angrymesscan]

What I don't get is, unless they always handed Luck the other ball and only Brady got the under-inflated, what is the advantage they get?

 

[Carp]

What I don't get is, unless they always handed Luck the other ball and only Brady got the under-inflated, what is the advantage they get?

Teams keep their own balls on the sideline...a more deflated ball would make it easier to grip, particularly in cold weather.

 

[Angrymesscan]

Teams keep their own balls on the sideline...a more deflated ball would make it easier to grip, particularly in cold weather.

So you're saying the Colts only used the properly inflated ball all the time?

I get the grip thing, but if both QB's get to use the same ball it evens out in my opinion.

I don't think Brady has small hands where he would benefit more of the under inflated balls.

 

[Carp]

So you're saying the Colts only used the properly inflated ball all the time?

No idea...they used their balls and the Pats used theirs. Change of possession, change the ball out. The Colts were only aware of it after the Jackson int.

 

[Deuce]

A 2 pound lighter ball can explain why a guy with an average arm can sling it so well.

 

[Angrymesscan]

A 2 pound lighter ball can explain why a guy with an average arm can sling it so well.

I don't think you can take 2lbs out of a football...

 

[Foobio]

Also, the refs touch the ball constantly...why didn't they throw out the balls like they do in baseball? If a ball shows up scuffed or whatever, they toss it out and don't make a big deal about it.

Is it possible that NFL referees are totally incompetent? It's worth questioning.

 

[jeebs]

No idea...they used their balls and the Pats used theirs. Change of possession, change the ball out. The Colts were only aware of it after the Jackson int.

I dont think it works that way, maybe I am wrong.

 

[BipolarFuk]

Pats are proven cheaters. I think the NFL has no choice but to come down hard on them. Like forfeiting this year's entire draft.

 

[Carp]

I dont think it works that way, maybe I am wrong.

Not sure why they would have a bag of balls on each sideline if it was not that way.

 

[Carp]

Pats are proven cheaters. I think the NFL has no choice but to come down hard on them. Like forfeiting this year's entire draft.

Feh. I am sure they are not the only team that has done this. Brad Johnson came out and said he paid $7500 to doctor up the Bucs balls prior to the Super Bowl. Fine them, take a late round pick, but this in no way was the reason why they beat the Colts.

 

[jeebs]

Not sure why they would have a bag of balls on each sideline if it was not that way.

Okay, it makes sense.

 

[Angrymesscan]

So there are 12 balls on each sideline? Each team supplies the balls for when their team is on O?

 

[Rev]

Feh. I am sure they are not the only team that has done this. Brad Johnson came out and said he paid $7500 to doctor up the Bucs balls prior to the Super Bowl. Fine them, take a late round pick, but this in no way was the reason why they beat the Colts.

Yep. They will get a fine for being caught is about all I expect to happen. The rest of the teams will find a better way.

 

[Rev]

Makes me wonder if we did or why we didn't do that for Aikman in rainy games.

 

[Carp]

So there are 12 balls on each sideline? Each team supplies the balls for when their team is on O?

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