[NFL] vBook: Colts vs Patriots (Deflategate)

[Rhode Irish]

I meant that Thursday he said he's never had any involvement in ball preparation and didn't know the first thing about ball inflation but today he comes out and says well actually we do this and that to the balls before we give them to officials. Is it possible he didn't know about all that before? Sure. But for a guy so meticulous about game preparation and how his team is run that seems unlikely to me.

I know you don't care about this in the same way as I do, but to me the explanation for that has been made pretty clear listening to current and former QBs and other players: the condition of the ball is really the domain of the QB and the equipment person. Nobody else is really involved. Of course he would find out as much as he could about their process as part of an internal investigation, but he would have had no reason to know prior to this week.

Also, I would go back and watch the first part of the press conference. You can't really judge it based on just the second half (I'm assuming the first half of it won't change your mind, but you never know). Obviously if you pick up a book at the midpoint and read the rest of it, you might think it doesn't make any sense but without reading the first half you can't really say for sure.

 

[NDWorld247]

I missed the first half of that press conference just now but it sounds like Bill Belicheat went from knowing nothing about ball pressure to knowing everything about it in 48 hours.

Watch the whole press conference: Belichick 1/24: We feel like we followed the rules

Anyone who watches that and still believes the Patriots purposely deflated the balls (i.e. cheated) after they were inspected and improved by the NFL is a cynical asshole who lives a miserable existence and most likely has an ax to grind against the Patriots, Bill Belichick and/or Tom Brady. To those people I say Go Fuck Yourself.

 

[gkIrish]

Watch the whole press conference: Belichick 1/24: We feel like we followed the rules

Anyone who watches that and still believes the Patriots purposely deflated the balls (i.e. cheated) after they were inspected and improved by the NFL is a cynical asshole who lives a miserable existence and most likely has an ax to grind against the Patriots, Bill Belichick and/or Tom Brady. To those people I say Go Fuck Yourself.

Let me get this straight. You think someone who doesn't change their opinion based on the word(s) of Bill Belichick is a cynical asshole?

 

[NDWorld247]

Let me get this straight. You think someone who doesn't change their opinion based on the word(s) of Bill Belichick is a cynical asshole?

It's based on more than Belichick's words, but, yes. If you watched that press conference and still believe they stuck a needle in the balls after they were inspected to purposely "cheat", you may or may not be an asshole, but cynical? No doubt. Those people are the worst and, unfortunately, our society is full of them.

Belichick explained the process they go through, which anyone that has been around a football program at any level could easily identify with. He explained science and the investigation/tests they did this week. He stood in front of the world and said they did not deflate footballs and that they were 100% within the rules. He gave a perfectly reasonable explanation for why the balls were under the NFL PSI limits at halftime. What's not to believe? What facts does anyone have to back up their claims that the Patriots are cheaters?

And, I have some questions to anyone who says, "My opinion doesn't change because I don't believe Belichick is telling the truth"....Do you realize how much Belichick and Robert Kraft would have to lose by scheduling a Saturday afternoon press conference to state they've conducted an internal investigation and were 100% within the rules and deny any wrongdoing only to be proven later that they were in fact altering footballs after they had been inspected? What kind of person do you think Robert Kraft is? The guy freaking saved the NFL a few years ago and is as upstanding as they come. GTFOH.

 

[gkIrish]

It's based on more than Belichick's words, but, yes. If you watched that press conference and still believe they stuck a needle in the balls after they were inspected to purposely "cheat", you may or may not be an asshole, but cynical? No doubt. Those people are the worst and, unfortunately, our society is full of them.

Belichick explained the process they go through, which anyone that has been around a football program at any level could easily identify with. He explained science and the investigation/tests they did this week. He stood in front of the world and said they did not deflate footballs and that they were 100% within the rules. He gave a perfectly reasonable explanation for why the balls were under the NFL PSI limits at halftime. What's not to believe? What facts does anyone have to back up their claims that the Patriots are cheaters?

And, I have some questions to anyone who says, "My opinion doesn't change because I don't believe Belichick is telling the truth"....Do you realize how much Belichick and Robert Kraft would have to lose by scheduling a Saturday afternoon press conference to state they've conducted an internal investigation and were 100% within the rules and deny any wrongdoing only to be proven later that they were in fact altering footballs after they had been inspected? What kind of person do you think Robert Kraft is? The guy freaking saved the NFL a few years ago and is as upstanding as they come. GTFOH.

You are clearly very passionate about your upstanding team so I will refrain from ruffling your feathers any more than I have. I just advise you to prepare yourself to be disappointed by your heroes.

 

[Rhode Irish]

You are clearly very passionate about your upstanding team so I will refrain from ruffling your feathers any more than I have. I just advise you to prepare yourself to be disappointed by your heroes.

I would counter by saying that the people who have been piling on the Patriots should be prepared to genuflect at the thrown, kiss the rings (all four of them) and offer their deepest and sincerest apologies. I see either outcome as plausible at this point, but I have faith in my guys.

 

[irishfan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/-bill-...--dares-nfl-to-prove-him-wrong-225504102.html

Article sums it up well. Literally 0% chance he would hold an impromptu press conference on a Saturday afternoon unless he was positive that they didn't do anything to break the rules, or he was positive that the NFL has no proof. He's literally risking his entire reputation doing this. Pats-haters will say that Belichick is a wins-at-all-costs guy and that he doesn't care what people think of him. Guy is a complete football historian, he very, very, very much cares about his legacy.

This story is over, finally.

 

[gkIrish]

I would counter by saying that the people who have been piling on the Patriots should be prepared to genuflect at the thrown, kiss the rings (all four of them) and offer their deepest and sincerest apologies. I see either outcome as plausible at this point, but I have faith in my guys.

?

 

[Rhode Irish]

What they found was that the way the Patriots prepare the outside surface of their footballs – scrubbing, rubbing, etc. – actually raises the pound per inch levels inside the ball. Once that process ends and the ball reaches an equilibrium, the ball that was once legally measured to be 12.5 psi naturally drops to the illegal level of 11.5. Throw in the climatic differences between a room temperature locker room and a cold playing surface, and it's 1.5 psi or enough to cause this whole kerfuffle.

And that's before Belichick noted variances in measuring gauges and footballs themselves, which because they are made of animal skin, probably should never even be measured to such precise levels.

That's how it happened, Belichick said. That's it.

Why didn't the Colts' footballs also lose pressure? Perhaps they don't prepare the outside of the football the same way and thus don't cause the same internal reaction, he suggested, although he noted he has no idea how Indy does things. He made Indy's measurements irrelevant.

To Belichick, mystery solved; controversy over, how dare anyone question the Patriots' integrity.

"I believe now 100 percent that I have personally and we as an organization have absolutely followed every rule to the letter," Belichick said.

Whether or not that's enough to explain deflate-gate away for you, at least try to appreciate the situation:

This was straight Original Gangster stuff by Belichick, a full-on punch to the face of the league office he has long despised and believes turns nearly every molehill into a mountain either because of general football incompetence or to drive television ratings.

Bill Belichick is my spirit animal.

 

[Rhode Irish]

?

By the time the League admits Belichick is right, that is how many rings he will have.

 

[gkIrish]

I'm giddy with excitement at the possibility that the Patriots will lose followed by the NFL handing out suspensions and forfeitures of draft picks. But the NFL will probably screw that up, too.

 

[NDWorld247]

You are clearly very passionate about your upstanding team so I will refrain from ruffling your feathers any more than I have. I just advise you to prepare yourself to be disappointed by your heroes.

I'd feel the same way if it were Tom Coughlin and the NY Giants. I most likely wouldn't jump on a message board to defend them, but I also wouldn't jump on to call them cheaters.

Graceful tap out though. Well done and smart move in light of BB putting an end to this story today.

I'm giddy with excitement at the possibility that the Patriots will lose followed by the NFL handing out suspensions and forfeitures of draft picks. But the NFL will probably screw that up, too.

That's awfully cynical of you.

 

[irishfan]

I'm giddy with excitement at the possibility that the Patriots will lose followed by the NFL handing out suspensions and forfeitures of draft picks. But the NFL will probably screw that up, too.

Wont be screwing it up. Either they didn't do it, or the NFL has no proof. Seemed pretty clear by his press conference today, he practically invited the NFL to try and discipline the team.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I'm giddy with excitement at the possibility that the Patriots will lose followed by the NFL handing out suspensions and forfeitures of draft picks. But the NFL will probably screw that up, too.

But, I think you're going to be disappointed.

 

[irishfan]

Also, I think the Pats will break the scoreboard against the Colts next season for this.

 

[wizards8507]

Reps to anyone who cares to articulate what I'm thinking towards Mark Brunell, Brian Dawkins, and Jerome Bettis that I shan't express for reasons of job security.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Reps to anyone who cares to articulate what I'm thinking towards Mark Brunell, Brian Dawkins, and Jerome Bettis that I shan't express for reasons of job security.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.

"Sirs,

Sincerely,

The greatest six states in the Union."

Although it sounded like Dawkins came to Jesus a little bit today.

Also, have I ever told any of you how much I love Drew Bledsoe? Dude is going to go on offense next week on radio row.

 

[GoldenDomer]

Also, I think the Pats will break the scoreboard against the Colts next season for this.

Realistic. NFL teams can just name their score against other teams

 

[Rhode Irish]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sW8mawNdfT8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Rhode, you may have already seen this. Understandably, the spectrum was run in terms of response to the presser. The DeVito Vine (can't currently embed) pretty well sums up this thread.

Belichick Press Conference Draws Hilarious Reactions on Social Media - Extra Points - Boston.com

https://vine.co/v/OTuPZgMxPer

 

[NDinL.A.]

Watch the whole press conference: Belichick 1/24: We feel like we followed the rules

Anyone who watches that and still believes the Patriots purposely deflated the balls (i.e. cheated) after they were inspected and improved by the NFL is a cynical asshole who lives a miserable existence and most likely has an ax to grind against the Patriots, Bill Belichick and/or Tom Brady. To those people I say Go Fuck Yourself.

I think deflate gate was a joke and blown WAY out of proportion, and I think BB absolutely knocked the first half of the press conference out of the park (he was an ass during the questions part), so I'm on your side on this issue. But your post above is why people can't stand Parriots fans.

And you're fooling yourself if you think just because a guy who was already caught cheating once and in the public eye is known as a cheater (right or wrong), comes out and says they didn't cheat, that the story is over. Just like when Jack Swarbrick came out and said Manti was a victim and people thought the issue should be dead, it wasn't for the public at large. And it won't be over for the public at large here either.

Again, I'm on the Pats side here and I believe BB. But I get why people won't believe him, and won't call them "cynical assholes" who have miserable lives for not believing a convicted cheater.

 

[irishfan]

HeadSmart Labs

This company ran test with 12 authentic NFL game balls where they pumped them to 12.5 PSI at 75 degrees, then simulated first half of game with temperature and rain. The average ball dropped by 1.8 PSI. Belichick literally told people yesterday to go out and do their own experiments. I don't see how anyone can think they are lying at this point.

 

[Irishnuke]

HeadSmart Labs

This company ran test with 12 authentic NFL game balls where they pumped them to 12.5 PSI at 75 degrees, then simulated first half of game with temperature and rain. The average ball dropped by 1.8 PSI. Belichick literally told people yesterday to go out and do their own experiments. I don't see how anyone can think they are lying at this point.

Guess physics only applies to the Patriots.

 

[irishfan]

Guess physics only applies to the Patriots.

That part is odd for sure. Obviously a lot of potential factors there. The Colts could have had their footballs pumped to 13.5 at kickoff. The footballs might not have gotten as wet (lab says rain caused .7) cause Colts didn't have possession for as long as the Patriots, and their footballs were most likely being kept as dry as possible on the sideline. Obviously the refs would have measured the Patriots' football first at halftime and then the Colts, allowing them more time to return to some sort of equilibrium.

Just based on what I've read this past week (never had heard of PSI before), it seems like there are just a stupid amount of factors involved. Belichick was saying their process of breaking in a ball raises the PSI by 1.0. That's just something I never would have guessed. Whole thing has been overblown, but is kind of fascinating at the same time.

 

[ACamp1900]

Colts said they were deflating at halftime... All but one of their balls were deflated while none of the Colts' were... They have a history of cheating...

It's the weather.

 

[irishfan]

Colts said they were deflating at halftime... All but one of their balls were deflated while none of the Colts' were... They have a history of cheating...

It's the weather.

Science>allegations by a butthurt AFC rival who can't come within 20 points of the Pats on their best night.

 

[Irish#1]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/-bill-...--dares-nfl-to-prove-him-wrong-225504102.html

Article sums it up well. Literally 0% chance he would hold an impromptu press conference on a Saturday afternoon unless he was positive that they didn't do anything to break the rules, or he was positive that the NFL has no proof. He's literally risking his entire reputation doing this. Pats-haters will say that Belichick is a wins-at-all-costs guy and that he doesn't care what people think of him. Guy is a complete football historian, he very, very, very much cares about his legacy.

This story is over, finally.

I don't think it's over until the NFL says it is. Having an impromptu PC doesn't mean the Pats didn't do it. How many times have we seen guilty people try to get out in front to sway opinion only to be found guilty? It didn't work for Nixon. I'll wait until the NFL releases something.

As a side note, my wife isn't a big football fan except for ND. She watched the Belichick PC not knowing what was going on. After it was over she asked what it was about. After telling her, she said she thought he was guilty simply by his mannerisms, tone, etc. She might be wrong, but she's a good judge of character.

 

[Rhode Irish]

It doesn't really matter whether people believe Belichick and the Patriots. All that matters is whether the League can prove that they did something illegal to the footballs (meaning what, how, where and who) and knowingly lied about it.

 

[Irish YJ]

HeadSmart Labs

This company ran test with 12 authentic NFL game balls where they pumped them to 12.5 PSI at 75 degrees, then simulated first half of game with temperature and rain. The average ball dropped by 1.8 PSI. Belichick literally told people yesterday to go out and do their own experiments. I don't see how anyone can think they are lying at this point.

Lol

 

[NCND]

Watch the whole press conference: Belichick 1/24: We feel like we followed the rules

Anyone who watches that and still believes the Patriots purposely deflated the balls (i.e. cheated) after they were inspected and improved by the NFL is a cynical asshole who lives a miserable existence and most likely has an ax to grind against the Patriots, Bill Belichick and/or Tom Brady. To those people I say Go Fuck Yourself.

+1. Move the hell on. It's officially Super Bowl week.