Laser Show said:And this is why I agree about the officiating thing being possible. I just don't see the media/other owners sticking up for the Pats. They'll just say something like "yea it was wrong but you shouldn't have cheated!!"
I still think it's unlikely but to think it would never happen is a little naive IMO. Maybe I'm too cynical though.
Edit: Everyone else seems to think it's silly so I'm probably wrong.
In my view, I don't think it's so much that Goodell is going to fix the game, as that the refs may be as impacted by the media frenzy, by the prospect that the Patriots are laying this thing at their feet, and also by the Patriots' "maybe they should check the rules" mentality. Under the circumstances, the refs could be inclined to throw the flags a bit more aggressively, or turn a blind eye, against the Patriots' interests. No fix required. I think we may have seen this in the Colts game with the illegal formation (or ineligible receiver) penalty, which may have been legitimate, but also (at the time, to me) appeared to be a bit of a confusion/intention call by the referees.
On the other hand, I think Belichick et al don't give a fuck, and would probably prefer to motivate the team to play with a chip on their collective shoulder, thinking that even the officials are stacked against them, so they damn well better execute perfectly and not give the officials the chance to affect the game.