#DFG: Canceling the Noise

[BroodsSexton]

 
It used to say a lot more, that's his point.

OK..And I'm saying the differences appear to be significant.  As quoted below, this is not the rule we've been discussing the last 48 hours, because (at least as I read it), it says the balls are subject to spot check by the referees, but the referees are not obligated to check them.  That's a big difference, because it means compliance, in the first instance, is on the team.  The justification that we've heard, that the balls might have just slipped by the refs as a result of the refs' negligence, doesn't wash if it is the team's responsibility.
 

1. 
   

   The home club shall have 36 balls for outdoor games and 24 for indoor games available for testing with a pressure gauge by the referee two hours prior to the starting time of the game to meet with League requirements. Twelve (12) new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours prior to the starting time of the game. These balls are to be specially marked with the letter "k" and used exclusively for the kicking game.

    
   

 

[SumnerH]

@DougKyedNESN: There was much more information on this page Sunday night before #DeflateGate blew up: http://t.co/eP1fN8TiKY

 
The Wayback Machine shows that that page was basically identical last July to what it is now.  It's possible that there was more added between then and Sunday and it's since been reverted, but I'm skeptical without evidence.
 
From last July:

 

[SWHB]

If the balls were at 12.5 psi before the game, then undoubtedly they'd be below that at half time due to the temperature, right?

 

[Silverdude2167]

If Anderson checked the balls before the game and they were in compliance, I would imagine we'd know about it by now. I mean, they figured it out at halftime, so I would think if they discovered deliberate deflation on Sunday we would have heard more.

Pats are on the clock. How did underinflated balls get into the game. They have had two days to figure it out. They better have a good answer.

So guilty till proven innocent in your mind?

 

[E5 Yaz]

this is my take. And for Bhudda's sake Rodgers spilled the beans on how he tries to get away with over-inflating the balls. Fuck the Colts, their shit ass owner, and anyone else who is making it a federal case.

 
There's a difference between blowing things out of proportion and, as some have said in this thread, being sick and tired of having to deal with the ramifications of being Patriots fan when this shit comes up time after time.
 
Some have no problem rationalizing behavior that COULD be in violation of NFL rules; others do.

 

[Koufax]

were the Colts balls tested?  Is there any way to measure the effect of the playing time and the cold weather on properly inflated balls?
 
If BB is implicated in this in any way I would not be surprised if he was fired. 

 

[notfar]

Maybe the gauge the used by the Pats is not well calibrated. Maybe they measured it inside because it was freezing out, and it dropped when they took them outside. There are rational explanations for the balls being underinflated that don't require anything nefarious to have happened.

 

[crystalline]

Also you know what really pisses me off? The Giants "cheated" in 2010 by putting 12 men on the field on defense. Of all the things the Patriots have been accused of, nothing violates the spirit of the game more than that. They were deliberately exploiting a loophole to do something completely outside the intent of the rules.

Made a mockery of the game, in my opinion. Anyone calling for a forfeit there?

 

[Captaincoop]

Is it remotely reasonable to believe that storing the balls next to a heater versus outside in cold temperatures could result, within a day or two, in that big of a pressure drop?

Serious question.

 

[BornToRun]

 
Yup...and it will be a story line right through the Super Bowl ... and if they win ...it will be a tainted win ...blah blah blah ....we can all push it under the rug ....but it will be the overriding theme going forward...cheaters...always cheaters....

And the majority of us will laugh, push this bullshit under said rug because it's a stupid story to begin with, and enjoy the Super Bowl victory.

 

[Titoschew]

If the balls were at 12.5 psi before the game, then undoubtedly they'd be below that at half time due to the temperature, right?

It was 55 and showery, so no.

 

[aksoxfan]

Are you a DUI defense lawyer?

Sounds more like an engineer.

 

[PBDWake]

@RyanHannable: Strong take RT @bkravitz If bob kraft is a true man of integrity he will take it out of the leagues hands and fire belichick.

As pissed as I am at the Pats, I really don't want to hear shit about owner integrity from the guy that wrote the fucking apology article for Jim Irsay's DUI

 

[bowiac]

Also you know what really pisses me off? The Giants "cheated" in 2010 by putting 12 men on the field on defense. Of all the things the Patriots have been accused of, nothing violates the spirit of the game more than that. They were deliberately exploiting a loophole to do something completely outside the intent of the rules.

Made a mockery of the game, in my opinion. Anyone calling for a forfeit there?

You're kidding, right?

 

[E5 Yaz]

If the balls were at 12.5 psi before the game, then undoubtedly they'd be below that at half time due to the temperature, right?

 
It wasn't that could in the first half
 
And we still don't know if the Colts balls were tested

 

[P'tucket rhymes with...]

If the balls were at 12.5 psi before the game, then undoubtedly they'd be below that at half time due to the temperature, right?

Someone did the math upthread.  Two psi is way beyond any reasonable expectation for deflation due to temp changes.

 

[BroodsSexton]

If Anderson checked the balls before the game and they were in compliance, I would imagine we'd know about it by now. I mean, they figured it out at halftime, so I would think if they discovered deliberate deflation on Sunday we would have heard more.

Pats are on the clock. How did underinflated balls get into the game. They have had two days to figure it out. They better have a good answer.

 
Right.  It may be that the refs are not obligated to test the balls before the game.  If the referees do not suspect cheating, they may not check the pressure. 

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Also you know what really pisses me off? The Giants "cheated" in 2010 by putting 12 men on the field on defense. Of all the things the Patriots have been accused of, nothing violates the spirit of the game more than that. They were deliberately exploiting a loophole to do something completely outside the intent of the rules.

Made a mockery of the game, in my opinion. Anyone calling for a forfeit there?

 
No. Whatever. The main issue is that the NFL has become a complete joke. This isn't a sport anymore, it's a carnival.

 

[soxhop411]

Can the nfl just release a fucking statement so this can be done with?

 

[jimbobim]

I'm worried Goodell is creating a villain for the mob by not saying anything and than he's going to try and set a precedent with "punishment". He's awful at his job and this would be an easy one to just put all on Belichick 

 

[E5 Yaz]

Can the nfl just release a fucking statement so this can be done with?

 
At midnight Eastern?

 

[crystalline]

 
If BB is implicated in this in any way I would not be surprised if he was fired. 

With all due respect,

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT???

The refs are supposed to check the balls. If they did not, then this is the refs fault. Were you calling for Belichick to be fired when the field was grass and he left it in bad shape? Or the Fenway groundskeeper who left the infield grass long?

Ugghhh. This story is stupid and a competent PR team could have made it go away. Like Brady said, this is ridiculous.

 

[Hendu for Kutch]

Someone did the math upthread.  Two psi is way beyond any reasonable expectation for deflation due to temp changes.

It would also appear to be way beyond noticeable to any ref picking the ball up, they wouldn't need a Colts employee to point it out to them.

 

[aksoxfan]

Maybe the refs deflated the balls when they checked them pre-game; as a fallback to villianize the Pats after they throttled the Colts.

 

[SoxinSeattle]

Unless i see most of the below conditions on any "report" i will consider it complete BS:
 
1. What model pressure gage was used pre game
2. What is the gage accuracy and resolution (as stated by manufacturer)
3. When was it last calibrated 
4. What was used to measure the ball pressure during half-time and post game (gage and model)
    How is pressure measured- in the case of footballs and needle valves, a bad measurement can bleed air
5. What do the Patriots use to measure pressure pre-game
6. What do the colts use to measure pressure pre-game
7. What is the stated pressure preference for Luck, and for Brady (any info on  the web or in archives somewhere)
8. What is the hardness of the ball from 10 PSI to 13 PSI, and via double blind testing, what pressures differences can be detected by NFL players, people on the street (hint it won't matter)
9. Where were the balls stored- pre game/during the game/during halftime (for example in front of a jet heater or next to a ice chest?
10. Do the referees have a checklist to certify the balls were inspected- if so, was it signed and dated?
11. Were all the balls measured at the same time and in the same place: (pregame, half-time and post game)
 
I have a dozen more questions which are completely legitimate to any serious effort to determine root cause.
This is trademark disfunction from the league that really should have learned better after this banner year of suck.

All valid and true and if in a court of law this list would be useful. In the real world's court of opinion no one will care. I am sick to my stomach over this. It's probably bullshit but the Pat's needed to protect themselves from bullshit after everything they have been through and accused of. I will now drink more than previously planned. Fuck.

 

[Freddy Linn]

 
Right.  It may be that the refs are not obligated to test the balls before the game.  If the referees do not suspect cheating, they may not check the pressure. 

 
I guess I'm putting too much faith in PK's Game 150 piece where he sat with the crew and watched them do this exercise.

 

[genoasalami]

And the majority of us will laugh, push this bullshit under said rug because it's a stupid story to begin with, and enjoy the Super Bowl victory.

 
We've got 26 pages and counting that says that may not be so easy for everyone...everyone knows the patriots beat the Colts regardless of the PSI of a football. ..but ya know what...it is kinda important to follow rules ...it just is...and if something was done to circumvent the rules...then they deserve to get beat up a little over it..

 

[BroodsSexton]

Here's the full rule.  It doesn't require the refs to test the balls before the game.
 
http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/5_2013_Ball.pdf
 

Section 2
BALL SUPPLY
Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the Referee two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of
the game to meet League requirements. The home team will also make 12 backup balls available for testing in all
stadiums. In addition, the visitors, at their discretion, may bring 12 backup balls to be tested by the Referee for games
held in outdoor stadiums. For all games, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer to
the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game.
These balls are to be specially marked by the Referee and used exclusively for the kicking game.
 
In the event a home team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper
ball from the visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to the
Commissioner.
 
In case of rain or a wet, muddy, or slippery field, a playable ball shall be used at the request of the offensive team’s center.
The Game Clock shall not stop for such action (unless undue delay occurs).
 
Note: It is the responsibility of the home team to furnish playable balls at all times by attendants from either side of the playing field.
 

 

[wiffleballhero]

So the real smoking gun here will be if the league says that the balls were tested before the game and then on the mid game re-test they failed.
 
Without that pre-game test it still seems to me that before the entire planets gets too worked up about this, most of the responsiblity falls on the refs. to make sure the equipment is up to code.

 

[jimbobim]

Colts players are honestly tweeting about a dq I mean I just can't fathom that occuring

 

[E5 Yaz]

So the real smoking gun here will be if the league says that the balls were tested before the game and then on the mid game re-test they failed.
 
Without that pre-game test it still seems to me that before the entire planets gets too worked up about this, most of the responsiblity falls on the refs. to make sure the equipment is up to code.

 
So, don't blame the team that MIGHT HAVE purposely under-inflated the balls; blame the officials who didn't catch it?

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

And the majority of us will laugh, push this bullshit under said rug because it's a stupid story to begin with, and enjoy the Super Bowl victory.

Yeah, exactly.

The overreactions in this thread are ridiculous. Bill Belichick isn't getting fired. Nobody's legacy is at stake here. The recent developments suck but whatever, give me Lombardi #4 and I couldn't care less. And I'm sure BB, Brady, and everybody else feels that way too.

 

[BoredViewer]

Pedro is on Letterman right this moment.

 

[bowiac]

Without that pre-game test it still seems to me that before the entire planets gets too worked up about this, most of the responsiblity falls on the refs. to make sure the equipment is up to code.

This is kind of absurd. Most of the responsibility for a "crime" is on the police rather than the criminal?

 

[twoBshorty]

So are they saying that 11 out of 12 balls were exactly 2.0 psi underinflated? Or was there a range of underinflation with 2.0 being the mean? Because it seems like if the deflation happened naturally and accidentally, there should be more variability. 

 

[E5 Yaz]

 Nobody's legacy is at stake here. 

 
Then you don't understand how a legacy is determined

 

[Three10toLeft]

It's far fetched...
 
But the balls were measured again at halftime.
 
Any chance they deflated that much in the first 30 minutes? Blount falling on a football that many times, with guys piling on top of him, has to adjust the weight of a ball, one would think.

 

[Laser Show]

I'm gonna be honest at this point I can't muster any emotions in any direction besides disappointment that I can't enjoy the lead up to the game.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

If Anderson checked the balls before the game, this sucks and is a problem. I assume he didn't.

We need now to know how the Patriots handed 11 underinflated balls in. Some explanations would make me feel ok. Some would not.

 

[soxin6]

 
So, don't blame the team that MIGHT HAVE purposely under-inflated the balls; blame the officials who didn't catch it?

 
Where is the proof that they intentionally did anything? Oh, I forgot that proof isn't needed when it is the Patriots.

 

[soxhop411]

@bkravitz: Confirming @JasonLaCanfora story I was also told Balt kickers were concerned about footballs in NE game.

Come the fuck on. I thought kickers balls are delivered in a sealed box to the refs.

 

[BroodsSexton]

So the real smoking gun here will be if the league says that the balls were tested before the game and then on the mid game re-test they failed.
 
Without that pre-game test it still seems to me that before the entire planets gets too worked up about this, most of the responsiblity falls on the refs. to make sure the equipment is up to code.

 
I don't know about that.  Kind of like saying that the shoplifter is not held liable if the security cameras fail.  Imperfect analogy, but not terrible.
 
I think the real issue here is probably that the teams do this all the time to satisfy their QB's preferences, and especially in bad weather conditions.  The problem is that the Pats took more of an edge than was warranted, whether it was intentional or not.

 

[TheMoralBully]

I don't understand people underselling this.  I don't think there will be a forfeit, I don't think BB will be fired, but consciously circumventing a rule like this, no matter how little it played into the win, is going to be a pretty big freaking deal and is pretty damn embarrassing.
 
If that's what happened.

 

[Captaincoop]

I'm gonna be honest at this point I can't muster any emotions in any direction besides disappointment that I can't enjoy the lead up to the game.

It should be fun to hear this referenced five hundred times during the game, too.

 

[kenneycb]

 
Then you don't understand how a legacy is determined

Something tells me people won't really remember this in 5 to 10 years.  Spygate, yes.  Ballghazi, no.  I do find your apoplectic posts quite amusing though.  All that's missing is a Helen Lovejoy reference.

 

[wiffleballhero]

1. Did the Pats make their 12 balls available?
2. Did they change those balls at any point after that submission of the balls?
 
If 1 is yes and 2 is no this really is a story that needs to die.
 
If 2 is yes then they cheated.

 

[pedro1918]

Yeah, exactly.
The overreactions in this thread are ridiculous. Bill Belichick isn't getting fired. Nobody's legacy is at stake here. The recent developments suck but whatever, give me Lombardi #4 and I couldn't care less. And I'm sure BB, Brady, and everybody else feels that way too.

If balls were tampered with post referee inspection, Bob Kraft should be dope slapping BB, Brady and/or anybody else who knew this was happening.

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

Patriots win the Super Bowl. Belichick retires. Goes out on top while simultaneously avoiding any punishment. His final Fuck You to the world.

 

[bowiac]

I think the real issue here is probably that the teams do this all the time to satisfy their QB's preferences, and especially in bad weather conditions.  The problem is that the Pats took more of an edge than was warranted, whether it was intentional or not.

This is kind of what I suspect. They took an existing edge, and took it too far. Still pretty disheartening. 

 

[E5 Yaz]

 
Where is the proof that they intentionally did anything? Oh, I forgot that proof isn't needed when it is the Patriots.

 
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