Deflategate

[Hammer]

What are your thoughts on this? While it seems teams do things to gain a certain advantage, such as scuff footballs, it seems the Patriots take it a step too far. I think it tarnishes their wins.


Your thoughts?

[missymouseworld]

If someone purposely deflated the footballs to actually gain an advantage in the game, then it is really a shame. The game was a blow out....there are many other things about a game that doesn't involve the ball....sacking the quarterback, calling the plays, tackling the players.

However, the referees handled each and every football from both sides during the game before any player touched them. Wouldn't they be able to tell the difference?

Stinks and tarnishes the win no matter what because that is all people are focusing on.

[Scallywag]

Deflated balls didn't help them rush for 150 yds and 3 rushing TD's. Each team uses their own and the Colts couldn't get anything going on offense. It would have been a blow out either way. I'm sure lots of teams doctor the footballs, they just happened to get caught.

[Hammer]

Deflated balls didn't help them rush for 150 yds and 3 rushing TD's. Each team uses their own and the Colts couldn't get anything going on offense. It would have been a blow out either way. I'm sure lots of teams doctor the footballs, they just happened to get caught.

Oh, I agree that other teams do it, but I am speaking of the broader picture with the Patriots. This is not the first time something like this has happened with the Patriots. They aren't punished anywhere as harshly as other teams. Look at what happened to the Saints. Coaches were suspended for a year!

[MNNHFLTX]

I don't join in on the discussion in this forum very often but being related by marriage to many rabid Pats fans I feel like I am in the middle of this! That said, while I don't think it would have changed the outcome of the Pats/Colts game, it certainly does affect the integrity of the game. I am very discouraged, as I am every time an NFL team is touched by a scandal of some sort, at how fans are willing to tolerate cheating (or any other wrongdoing), all in the name of winning. And not only tolerate it, but actually encourage it. One of my husband's cousins posted that "Cheating is cool, as long as it's not another team doing it against the Pats!" Really? This is what "fair play" has come to in the 21st century?

[Jeff]

This is a non issue. Once the balls are checked in before the game it is on the officials. At least 1 or 2 officials touch the ball before every play. A play can not start until the official physically places the ball on the ground and "spots" the ball. If the balls were altered to the point it made a difference why did the officials not notice?

Answer, they didn't notice because it's no big deal!