#DFG: Canceling the Noise

[E5 Yaz]

OTL reporter interviewed ... "What's the significance of this?" ... "Who knows?"
 
http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/12340408/new-england-patriots-employee-gave-unapproved-ball-official-lines-reports?src=mobile&rand=ref~%7B%22ref%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fsonsofsamhorn.net%2Ftopic%2F88102-sources-pats-attendant-tried-to-insert-unapproved-kicking-ball-into-afccg%2F%22%7D

 

[djbayko]

I thought this was not only known, but called out by Simms on the broadcast as it was happening. I remember wondering why it was taking so long to get the opening play of the half off, and learned it was later said as such on CBS. As in, I'm not sure if this is actually news. (?)
 
Here's the video at the bottom of this deadspin post: http://deadspin.com/report-nfl-was-aware-of-patriots-deflation-allegations-1680914291
 
Again, this is news how exactly?
 
edit: seems like Jack Sox mentioned as much earlier in the thread

 
If you read the article, this is not at all the scenario it describes.  This was an offensive play.  The article claims that the ball was handed to the alternate official in charge of special teams balls.  This Deadspin video could in fact capture this moment, but then the article would be completely inaccurate.

 

[Turrable]

WHO GOT THE RING THOUGH

I didn't read the thread by the way

 

[Harry Hooper]

 

A source told Outside the Lines that Kensil decided to personally go down to the officials' locker room at halftime of the Patriots-Colts game to check the game balls, in part, because of the suspicions McNally's actions raised.

Kensil did not respond to requests for comment but it has also been reported that the Colts noticed an underinflated football after an interception by linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. Jackson said at the Pro Bowl that he didn't notice that the football was underinflated. Also, Troy Vincent, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, told "60 Minutes Sports" that Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson told league officials in the second quarter of the AFC Championship Game that the Patriots might be tampering with footballs.

One source said Kensil personally checked the PSI (pounds per square inch) levels of all 12 footballs the Patriots had for use on offense and found that 11 of those 12 were under-inflated by "one to two pounds." They were reinflated to the league-required level and were returned for use in the second half.

 

 
I thought that inspecting/inflating/deflating/approving for game use was strictly the province of the designated game officials. DId Kensil overstep his proper bounds (assuming there is any truth here)?  

 

[PseuFighter]

 
If you read the article, this is not at all the scenario it describes.  This was an offensive play.  The article claims that the ball was handed to the alternate official in charge of special teams balls.  This Deadspin video could in fact capture this moment, but then the article would be completely inaccurate.

 
Ok, fair; I thought they were referring to that specific moment. Sigh.
 
Either way, I'm going to put my Super Bowl Champions hat back on and read a different thread.

 

[RG33]

So, Daqwell Jackson caused the initial inquiry. No wait, the Colts equipment manager caused the initial inquiry. No wait, the alternate referee caused the initial inquiry. It was Grigson in the library with the candlestick.

 

[Hoya81]

So, Daqwell Jackson caused the initial inquiry. No wait, the Colts equipment manager caused the initial inquiry. No wait, the alternate referee caused the initial inquiry. It was Grigson in the library with the candlestick.

And ESPN has debunked Mortensen's "11 of 12 were 2 PSI under" report.

 

[Myt1]

 
Next thing you know, the Colts are going to accuse the Patriots of moving the goal posts. 

 

 

[Myt1]

Yeah, if you want to call if suppression of fandom, whatever. After a car full of fans lobbed a glass beer bottle at me and my 9 year old son a few years ago in Philly I decided that discretion was probably the better part of valor - at least when he's around me.

So did Santa.  Nobody cares.

 

[Norm loves Vera]

 
Hello Newman!  I wondered what he was doing since the show stopped airing.
 

 

[rodderick]

Didn't we already fucking know this LIVE, as the game was going on? I mean, am I going crazy or was this exact situation reported by the announcers? Let's assume someone tried to sneak a ball past the official. Yeah, all the ref has to do is check for a "K" marked on the football, that would be the dumbest sneaking attempt of all time.

 

[TheoShmeo]

That anything of this nature is leaking out is all you need to know about the raging hard on the NFL and Goodell have for the Patriots.  Having this story dribble out in this nature, with no context, and no conclusions that any reasonable person could draw from it, is laughably unprofessional.
 
I almost wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen this movie several times before.

 

[PeaceSignMoose]

Guys I'm not saying the Patriots definitely did something, but I just want to point out that they haven't won a Super Bowl since news of switchgate broke.

 

[Granite Sox]

Doesn't everyone see what this is? It's a technicality. NE attempting to use inappropriate equipment=a violation of the rules=a legit fine according to the letter of the law. Goodell gets something that sticks as the fine justifies the "Cheatriots!1!!1" rallying cry.

 
Yahtzee.
 

This is the perfect coverup for the NFL. They can't show that the Patriots used "under-inflated" footballs, but they can claim that a referee "caught" a team official trying to "sneak" an unauthorized ball into the game. BOOM. $25,000 fine and the NFL can completely ignore the whole "we let the Patriots flail in the wind for the week leading up to the Superbowl on totally inaccurate and completely unsubstantiated leaks." This allows Goodell to save face to some extent and act is if they did their job in protecting the shield regardless of who owned the Patriots.

#NFLConvenientWayOutGATE

 
The NFL now has its patsy (leaked directly from the league), whether it is relevant to ball tampering or not.
 
Will be interesting to see if Grigson and/or Belichick are queried at their Combine pressers, which are today or tomorrow, I believe.  Should be a barrelful of monkeys.

 

[wiffleballhero]

And in the photo you can see Brady's secret hand signal calling for the switcheroo!

 

[Ed Hillel]

Of all people, Florio is shitting all over this story and it seems Deflategate in general. He's also not impressed with the fact that Kensil himself personally checked these footballs, which he thinks is a conflict of interest. He now thinks they won't find evidence the Patriots did this intentionally. He has a completely different take than a few weeks ago.

 

[Seabass]

Reiss hasn't acknowledged this story, which seems like the most prudent way to handle it.

 

[CantKeepmedown]

Of all people, Florio is shitting all over this story and it seems Deflategate in general. He's also not impressed with the fact that Kensil himself personally checked these footballs, which he thinks is a conflict of interest. He now thinks they won't find evidence the Patriots did this intentionally. He has a completely different take than a few weeks ago.

He also said Rapoport's story (from SB day) was junk. Be interesting to see if Ian responds.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

Ed, I don't see some of those specifics on PFT - is Florio making these comments re Kensil elsewhere?

 

[TheoShmeo]

Ed, I don't see some of those specifics on PFT - is Florio making these comments re Kensil elsewhere?

He was on D&C this morning.

 

[AlNipper49]

What is confusing is that, if the Patriots balls were intentionally deflated during the game (per other sources/league/morons), why would they want to give the kicker a deflated football?

 
Because prior to the game 24 balls are prepared.  12 for offense and 12 for the kicking game.  Typically the kicking balls will be slightly different than the 12 for the offense as kickers prefer a more worn-out type ball than the offense would.
 
I'm an expert in this because I once read through an entire 058093542356823465825672049786 page thread on this matter

 

[splendid splinter]

This is such junk.  What's more likely here?  A guy who normally doesn't run footballs to the officials was asked to do so for some reason, and grabbed the wrong ball?  Or the Patriots nefariously tried to get a non-conforming ball into the game by a) sending it up with a guy who normally doesn't run footballs to the officials, drawing attention to himself, and b) not marking it to make it at least look like a kicking ball?
 
Someone in the league office keeps leaking "details" about the investigation that look bad on their face, but will probably turn out to be nothing once the full report comes out.  It's a bald-faced attempt to poison the public mind against the Pats in advance of Wells' findings, so they will never be truly exonerated in the court of public opinion.  The truth will be seen as nothing more than a cover-up.

 

[pappymojo]

 
Because prior to the game 24 balls are prepared.  12 for offense and 12 for the kicking game.  Typically the kicking balls will be slightly different than the 12 for the offense as kickers prefer a more worn-out type ball than the offense would.
 
I'm an expert in this because I once read through an entire 058093542356823465825672049786 page thread on this matter

This topic is stupid. That said, my understanding is that kickers prefer over inflated balls.

 

[loshjott]

I think Ghost is responsible for this latest wrinkle, and it's a cry for help. The guy has been nothing short of spectacular for so long, is the all-time leading scorer for the Pats, but will never be Adam in the hearts of Pats fans. This is something like a kicker's version of Munchausen Syndrome.

 

[rslm]

This topic is stupid. That said, my understanding is that kickers prefer over inflated balls.

 
Maybe I'm confused -- I thought the offense's footballs were the ones that were "worked" prior to the game to give them proper feel for the QB. The K-balls are always in league control and are basically brand new out of the box. Are they saying the Patriots were trying to get one of non-worked balls into the game for the offense? What advantage would this provide?

 

[ScubaSteveAvery]

 
Maybe I'm confused -- I thought the offense's footballs were the ones that were "worked" prior to the game to give them proper feel for the QB. The K-balls are always in league control and are basically brand new out of the box. Are they saying the Patriots were trying to get one of non-worked balls into the game for the offense? What advantage would this provide?

It wouldn't unless the claim is that they pumped them up on the sideline. They already admitted they like them at the lowest end of the allowable inflation spectrum, which provides no additional benefit for kickers.

This really amounts to: BREAKING NEWS: Man who doesn't ordinarily handle footballs accidently grabs wrong one."

 

[pappymojo]

I think they are saying that the Pats tried to use a 'worked in' ball on special teams. I cant see any benefit to a kicker for this switch. In fact it may benefit the receiving team to catch less inflated balls. Of course I have no idea what play this happened on. Perhaps the Pats were going to insert a trick play.

This topic is stupid.

 

[ngruz25]

How I forsee this ending (NSFW for language):
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlA9hmrC8DU&t=2m18s

 

[Average Reds]

Of all people, Florio is shitting all over this story and it seems Deflategate in general. He's also not impressed with the fact that Kensil himself personally checked these footballs, which he thinks is a conflict of interest. He now thinks they won't find evidence the Patriots did this intentionally. He has a completely different take than a few weeks ago.

 
I'm with Florio.  (Ducks.) 
 
I'm not sure I'd call it a conflict of interest, but it's obviously inappropriate for Kensil to personally check the balls.  It is also a pretty strong confirmation of how this story got traction in the first place - the Colts and at least some people at league headquarters were convinced the Pats had done something, and on the assumption that their suspicions would be easily validated, they leaked the story.
 
Over the course of the next week, it became clear that their was no evidence because there was no real wrongdoing.  Then the Pats doubled down and the league was stuck.
 
If Goodell had any integrity, this witch hunt would end with Kensil being fired and an apology being issued to Kraft and Belichick.  I'm not holding my breath.
 

 
Maybe I'm confused -- I thought the offense's footballs were the ones that were "worked" prior to the game to give them proper feel for the QB. The K-balls are always in league control and are basically brand new out of the box. Are they saying the Patriots were trying to get one of non-worked balls into the game for the offense? What advantage would this provide?

 
It would provide no advantage.  Of course, this is no longer the point.

 

[ALiveH]

Everything I read up till now is that under-inflated balls don't travel as far, are easier to catch and harder to force fumbles against.  In other words, seems like a DISadvantage for the kicking team.  Unless the Pats tried to smuggle in an under-inflated balls when the Colts were kicking, story doesn't make any sense.

 

[EL Jeffe]

Didin't Adam V have a massive shank on a 1st half FG attempt? Adam V never misses kicks, particularly at The Blade and even more particularly in the playoffs. The only fair thing to do here is to suspend Scott O'Brien for the 2015 season.

 

[Ed Hillel]

There's also nothing in the story that suggests the football was underinflated overinflated, just unmarked. These aren't pro-Patriots sources, if that information was available, it would be in there.

Kensil is a weasel, if I'm Kraft I already have a PI out on him digging things up regarding his past Pats hatred.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

There's one thing I'm convinced of at this point. There are multiple leaks from the NFL with very different agendas. In other words, I believe that Mort, Shefter, and Rappaport all have sources from the league's administration. The difference in information reflects internal dissention within the league offices, which is likely broader than just this "scandal." Goodell's camp may be responsible for some of the leaks, or he may be caught in the middle with no ability to control either side. I suspect there will be fall out from this investigation that goes well beyond the Patriots.

 

[CantKeepmedown]

Michael Hurley with all that is wrong in this newest report.  
 
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/02/18/new-espn-deflategate-report-paints-problematic-picture-of-entire-situation/

 

[ifmanis5]

OTL reporter interviewed ... "What's the significance of this?" ... "Who knows?"
 
http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/12340408/new-england-patriots-employee-gave-unapproved-ball-official-lines-reports?src=mobile&rand=ref~%7B%22ref%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fsonsofsamhorn.net%2Ftopic%2F88102-sources-pats-attendant-tried-to-insert-unapproved-kicking-ball-into-afccg%2F%22%7D

This is known in J-School as The Cafardo Maneuver.
 
Bring up a question, then be too lazy to answer it. Then tag it with "who knows?" so you can write about it again in the future once all the facts that someone else did the work on come to light. Finally, graze the free press buffet. Repeat forever since you're in the union.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Its so absurd, because if you did manage to infiltrate the K ball bin with a non-approved K ball that may be over-inflated and in theory fly farther, you run the risk that the ball would land on the foot of one Adam Vinatieri, the one kicker on the field that would need the few extra yards. It's not like Gost gets to go to the bin and pick the ball he wants to kick. Not exactly like grabbing a Titleist on the first tee.
 
I can't wait for this Wells report to conclude. 

 

[Devizier]

This is known in J-School as The Cafardo Maneuver.

 
Cavuto Mark.
 
Warning: link may contain political content.

 

[I am an Idiot]

 
Where's "I Am An Idiot" when you need him?

 
*ahem*
 

 

[I am an Idiot]

And yes. 
 
I am absolutely terrible, absolutely TomRicardoian at MSpaint. 

 

[JimBoSox9]

Before resuming my chuckles, I will spend a moment in sadness and disappointment that this 'story' was 'broken' under the TMZ OTL brand.

 

[ifmanis5]

 
Cavuto Mark.
 
Warning: link may contain political content.

That's the Fox News Corollary. Just go ahead and font what you really think, then put a question mark at the end of it to open it up for discussion, even though no one will actually argue to the contrary.

 

[Leather]

So did Santa.  Nobody cares.

 
Apparently, he and the people who threw the bottle do.

 

[Harry Hooper]

 
 
Someone in the league office keeps leaking "details" about the investigation that look bad on their face, but will probably turn out to be nothing once the full report comes out.  It's a bald-faced attempt to poison the public mind against the Pats in advance of Wells' findings, so they will never be truly exonerated in the court of public opinion.  The truth will be seen as nothing more than a cover-up.

 
As we saw with the last leak getting out as the Pats flew to the Super Bowl, this latest leak is timed right before BB will be speaking at the Combine. There are people at NFL HQ who are entirely unhinged and unprofessional with this topic/iinvestigation.

 

[Dan Murfman]

Kelly Naqi coming up on WEEI

 

[Corsi]

Kelly Naqi coming up on WEEI

 
Streamable here: http://v6.player.abacast.net/2099

 

[EddieYost]

Small world.... I went to high school with that guy.

 

[Sportsbstn]

Hold on, isn't the K ball a ball that is harder and more inflated so the kickers can get the distance? So now the patriots were trying to use underinflated balls and a touch of an overinflated one? FFS media.

 

[Corsi]

Naqi on WEEI:
 
It doesn't have anything to do with whether Brady/Belichick deflated footballs.  This is a separate issue.
 
I do not know if this is the same person that stopped in the bathroom.
 
I was told it's 'atypical' for an officials' lockerroom attendant to be on the sideline during a game.
 
There's an alternate official that oversees the K balls (often a local college official) during regular season.
 
During playoffs, NFL uses an alternate NFL official
 
Patriots and Colts each give 24 balls to be used on offense.  Officials typically approve 6-8 kicking balls.  8 kicking balls were approved for AFCC.
 
Football handed to official wasn't marked.  No idea if it was over/underinflated.  
 
Sources told her that McNally went over to Greg Yette (K ball official) and handed him a ball to try to get it into K ball rotation.  Does not know when in the first half he did this.  Does not know if the ball was trying to be introduced at a specific point.  Yette contacted Kensil via headset and alerted him.
 
Merloni asks "what is the scandal?" -- Answer: "I am making no speculation.  McNally knew ball wasn't approved and tried to get it into the game, that's all I'm saying"
 
Ted Wells is looking into this as part of larger Deflategate investigation, however, this is a separate act by a Patriots employee.
 
Sources say the K ball was a "data point" that inspired Kensil to go down and test the balls at halftime
 
Naqi tried to get ahold of McNally, but he said he could not talk and asked her to leave.
 
From a procedural standpoint, ESPN is looking for "accuracy and fairness."  Multiple sources.  Naqi has been working on this for 3 weeks.
 
When Kensil checked original 12 balls, they were reinflated and the original 12 were put back into the game.  11 were underinflated.  Not aware of any documentation that was done.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

K balls are "out of the box" so to speak. All the same, not rubbed up, inflation is within the league standard. 
 
Before K balls, kickers/punters would do everything they could to soften the leather, then over-inflate them so they'd spring off the foot and fly farther. So the balls aren't overinflated, but the main thing is they are new out of the box as far as the leather is concerned.

 

[reggiecleveland]

How I forsee this ending (NSFW for language):
 

Lol