just because the Patriots don't lose a fumble doesn't mean they dont fumble to ball. one reason they don't have as many fumbles this year is likely to the early injury to Ridley
just because the Patriots don't lose a fumble doesn't mean they dont fumble to ball. one reason they don't have as many fumbles this year is likely to the early injury to Ridley
Not just this year though, it's the last 5. Also I believe this is looking at fumbles, not just fumbles lost.
And its not even close to the standard regression that would seem acceptable.
I think this whole thing is a little overblown but that is pretty crazy in how well they have been able to hold onto the football since the year 2000.
The one positive thing to take away from all this, for the immature like me anyway, will be the endless number of video mashups on Brady's balls. I wouldn't be surprised if Brady joked with his teammates beforehand about how many of "my balls" references he could make in his press conference. I don't think he said Football once. Welker did it in a PC as a Pat with the word "foot" in reference to Rex Ryan
The one positive thing to take away from all this, for the immature like me anyway, will be the endless number of video mashups on Brady's balls. I wouldn't be surprised if Brady joked with his teammates beforehand about how many of "my balls" references he could make in his press conference. I don't think he said Football once. Welker did it in a PC as a Pat with the word "foot" in reference to Rex Ryan
Apparently the officials stopped using the Patriots balls in the first half. The Patriots also put up only 17 of the their 45 point in the first half as well.
That said, I don't know why a team of the Patriots caliber need to seemingly continue to pull stuff like this. I am a Patriots fan, but I find it disappointing and very frustrating to see them doing this stuff.
I am a Patriots fan, but I find it disappointing and very frustrating to see them doing this stuff.
Me too. I think Belichek has OCD. Spygate likely didn't give them any advantage but they did it. Just like a softer ball wouldn't have made a difference last Sunday but they did it anyway. It will be very hard for me to believe that neither Brady nor Belicheck acquiesced this move.
Me too. I think Belichek has OCD. Spygate likely didn't give them any advantage but they did it. Just like a softer ball wouldn't have made a difference last Sunday but they did it anyway. It will be very hard for me to believe that neither Brady nor Belicheck acquiesced this move.
Agree that the softer football likely has no benefit (although would be interesting to see a sports science with grip tests and the air pressure of the ball in regards to being able to hold on to it, and how that relates to fumbles).
But I feel like Spygate actually had a pretty big impact, there was a reason the NFL destroyed those tapes and didn't let anyone else see them.
I have a feeling it gave the Patriots a clear advantage in terms of seeing another teams game plan, any plays they may have drafted up, etc.
That one will always be a black mark and rightly so IMO.
For example if the Ravens had a spy camera on the Patriots pre-game practices they likely are able to react better to the Patriots use of ineligible receivers. Does that potentially alter the outcome of a game, maybe.
[QUOTE=SuperMatt18;5104073]Agree that the softer football likely has no benefit (although would be interesting to see a sports science with grip tests and the air pressure of the ball in regards to being able to hold on to it, and how that relates to fumbles).
QUOTE]
My personal experience/opinion is that throwing a wet ball would be easier with a soft (i.e. deflated) ball as opposed to a hard (or over-inflated) ball. No idea if the forecast for Sunday's game called for rain, but I believe Brady when he says he picks out the footballs that "feel" the best -- I wouldn't want anyone tampering with them after the fact.
In my first high school game (as QB), the ball felt noticeably deflated. No idea if it was in fact deflated -- I mentioned it to the ref and he dismissed it pretty quickly /coolstorybro
Brady's presser yesterday was awesome. I think the NFL will now have to insist that players use the full word football to describe the level of inflation, or condition of the object being used in game play to keep it a family friendly form of entertainment.
__________________ "Some guys like old balls"
Patriots QB Tom Brady
NFL has released statement. Not a lot of info. This is going to get dragged out forever and don't see a decision before the Superbowl. Unbelievable.
I've moved into full on disgusted mode. Pretty ticked off with the Pats. There really aren't many outs right now for them. Someone tampered with the balls after the inspection.
Quote:
Our office has been conducting an investigation as to whether the footballs used in last Sunday’s
AFC Championship Game complied with the specifications that are set forth in the playing rules. The
investigation began based on information that suggested that the game balls used by the New
England Patriots were not properly inflated to levels required by the playing rules, specifically Playing
Rule 2, Section 1, which requires that the ball be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per
square inch. Prior to the game, the game officials inspect the footballs to be used by each team and
confirm that this standard is satisfied, which was done before last Sunday’s game.
The investigation is being led jointly by NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash and Ted Wells of the
law firm of Paul Weiss. Mr. Wells and his firm bring additional expertise and a valuable independent
perspective. The investigation began promptly on Sunday night. Over the past several days, nearly
40 interviews have been conducted, including of Patriots personnel, game officials, and third parties
with relevant information and expertise. We have obtained and are continuing to obtain additional
information, including video and other electronic information and physical evidence. We have retained
Renaissance Associates, an investigatory firm with sophisticated forensic expertise to assist in
reviewing electronic and video information.
The playing rules are intended to protect the fairness and integrity of our games. We take seriously
claims that those rules have been violated and will fully investigate this matter without compromise or
delay. The investigation is ongoing, will be thorough and objective, and is being pursued
expeditiously. In the coming days, we expect to conduct numerous additional interviews, examine
video and other forensic evidence, as well as relevant physical evidence. While the evidence thus far
supports the conclusion that footballs that were under-inflated were used by the Patriots in the first
half, the footballs were properly inflated for the second half and confirmed at the conclusion of the
game to have remained properly inflated. The goals of the investigation will be to determine the
explanation for why footballs used in the game were not in compliance with the playing rules and
specifically whether any noncompliance was the result of deliberate action. We have not made any
judgments on these points and will not do so until we have concluded our investigation and
considered all of the relevant evidence.
Upon being advised of the investigation, the Patriots promptly pledged their full cooperation and have
made their personnel and other information available to us upon request. Our investigation will seek
information from any and all relevant sources and we expect full cooperation from other clubs as well.
As we develop more information and are in a position to reach conclusions, we will share them
publicly.
Last edited by Flabbibulin; 01-23-2015 at 12:28 PM.
Brady's presser yesterday was awesome. I think the NFL will now have to insist that players use the full word football to describe the level of inflation, or condition of the object being used in game play to keep it a family friendly form of entertainment.
It was.
You could tell even he was starting to grin a little a couple times and almost lost it but held it together for the most part.
^^^^ Im not so sure anymore. The involvement of lawyers and forensics team is making it clear that the NFL is taking this very seriously and proof of guilt may likely involve suspensions. Speculation on Pats radio is they are intentionally delaying because they possibly have the smoking gun and will have no choice but to suspend Brady if they release that info- which they don't want to do until after the Superbowl.
Not a whole lot was contained in the NFL news release and it is clear the league will delay making its decision until after the SB. The league wouldn't want either Brady or Belichek or both to be missing from the SB.
It is pretty obvious someone on the NE team tampered with the balls either before or after the inspection. I gather the ref didn't use a pressure gauge to measure the PSI of the balls. Then there probably won't be any solid proof either way unless someone on the NE team spills the bean.
Several reputable sources have said that the ref did use a gauge before the game and all was good. Even then, no way the NFL includes the reference about the footballs passing the inspection before the game if they weren't sure it was a proper inspection.
There is no way someone on the Patriots side changes the footballs without Brady knowing. Belichick maybe, but not Brady.
