NFL investigating Patriots for deflating footballs, per report

[Lady Steel]

If proved true, The Patriots could be docked draft picks.


The New England Patriots came away with a 45-7 win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but the NFL will investigate the footballs used in that AFC Championship victory. The NFL will investigate whether the Patriots deflated footballs used in the game, according to Bob Kravitz of WTHR.com.

According to Kravitz a violation for deflated footballs would not impact the outcome of the AFC Championship, but the Patriots could lose draft picks. Kravitz reported officials took a ball out of play during the game and weighed it. According to NFL rules, home teams are required to provide 36 balls for outdoor games and make the balls available for testing with a pressure gauge prior to the game.




http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/1...onship-penalty

[fansince'76]

Color me shocked!

[X-Terminator]

The Patriots* caught cheating again? Surely you jest!



This almost makes me want to root for the Cryhawks.

Almost.

[NCSteeler]

Why would the NFL let any team provide the footballs?

[Butch]

They have lost draft picks before and it hasn't deterred them, this is nothing to them not even a slap on the wrist or a stern warning. The cheats are laughing and thumbing their noses at the league and the rules.

I hope the seahawks destroy the cheats for the good of the rest of the league.

SCREW THE CHEATS!!!

[fansince'76]

Why would the NFL let any team provide the footballs?

[86WARD]

Probably had zero impact on the actual game...but still cheating again...

I'm sure the investigation will find "nothing" and all the alleged balls will have disappeared...

[pepsyman1]

Probably had zero impact on the actual game...but still cheating again...

I'm sure the investigation will find "nothing" and all the alleged balls will have disappeared...

Goodell already had them incinerated

[GoSlash27]

Not saying this is false, but a tweet from a single source is not a reliable basis for a story. It's irresponsible for all these outlets to repeat it without confirmation.

"journalism" is dead

[vader29]

[katmandu]

[tube517]

[fansince'76]

Not saying this is false, but a tweet from a single source is not a reliable basis for a story. It's irresponsible for all these outlets to repeat it without confirmation.

"journalism" is dead

The NFL has confirmed it is looking into charges the New England Patriots cheated Sunday night when they clinched a trip to the Super Bowl Sunday night by using deflated footballs.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the probe Monday, following the AFC championship game, in which the Patriots demolished the Indianapolis Colts, 45-7.

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/0...tballs-in-afc/

[venom]

[steelerdude15]

Even if they're found guilty by the NFL, the Patriots will get nothing, but a slap on the wrist.

[86WARD]

Lol.

[vader29]

[Lady Steel]

Proper Protocols For Handling Game Footballs

Former referee Jim Daopoulos and Tim Hasselbeck discuss the protocols for footballs that are used in a game.



http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:12193621

[steel striker]

Now no question that the cheats thumped the colts no matter but, why is there always something shady going down in Foxboro??? It's always something and, I still hate them!

[Steelerette]

How does an improperly inflated ball favor one team over the other though? Unless you mean they used real balls when the Patriots were on offense, and deflated ones when the Colts were on offense.

[X-Terminator]

How does an improperly inflated ball favor one team over the other though? Unless you mean they used real balls when the Patriots were on offense, and deflated ones when the Colts were on offense.

It hurts the pass-heavy team much more than a balanced team, because a deflated ball is harder to control and doesn't travel as far as a fully inflated ball. So the Colts were at a distinct disadvantage, while it didn't hurt the Patriots* since their game plan was to run the football. Typical of the Cheating Bastards*.

[steelreserve]

How does an improperly inflated ball favor one team over the other though? Unless you mean they used real balls when the Patriots were on offense, and deflated ones when the Colts were on offense.

That's exactly how it would favor one team.

I suppose it would also be an advantage if they used deflated balls the entire game, but you knew they were deflated and your opponent didn't, so you'd been practicing with them all week but they were just trying to throw passes normally, and completing about 1 out of every 3. Sure looks fishy to me ...

[Craic]

Just the opposite. Since both teams provide their own football for their offense, a deflated ball gives a better grip for a QB, especially on a cold night.

EDIT: or a running back.

[Butch]

The NFL made a rule and if the cheats in fact under inflated the balls, they did so knowing what the penalty was. If all that comes from this is the loss of a draft choice then the NFL is once again showing that it could care less about the integrity of the game. Not that it would surprise me seeing how they love to cover up anything with the hint of scandal and that bob kraft has go to hell in his hip pocket.

I will be more shocked if anything of substance comes from this.

[Craic]

Former Giants kicker Lawrence Tines is killing it on Twitter . . .

[Texasteel]

How does an improperly inflated ball favor one team over the other though? Unless you mean they used real balls when the Patriots were on offense, and deflated ones when the Colts were on offense.

From what I have read each team supplies it own balls. Those balls are under the control of the teams equipment people after the balls have been checked by the officials.

[st33lersguy]

No surprise

[Craic]

No surprise

Nope,

None whatsoever. If they get away with it, I'll have to resurrect my Goodell name . . . Commissioner Good-Deal. Again, don't know if it's true yet, but if the investigation pans out, this is the second time this head coach has been caught with his team cheating. I'd expect a bigger fine this time, and maybe even a game suspension (although, it'd be for the 2015 reg. season, on that there's no doubt).

[ALLD]

On one hand there is always a controversy surrounding a major victory by the Patriots. On the other hand, the Raiders would say you are not trying hard enough to win unless you are cheating.

[T&B fan]

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