OT: Patriots and Deflate Gate

[Nukem2]

Btw the leading proponent in changing the rules and allowing each team to play with their own balls was Tom Brady. He got Payton Manning and a few other QB's to sign his petition and that is when the league changed the rules. I totally disagree with anyone who says this is no big deal, the Patriots have also had the fewest fumbles over the years since the change by a wide margin well outside what would be a statistical norm> Tom Brady has been considered the best bad weather QB in the league for awhile seems strange since he has small hands compared to other qb's. I admire what the team and the QB have done, but I absolutely believe they have cheated every way they can think of if they don't think they will get caught. As far as those that say every QB has done it I have heard many including Troy Aikman, Mark Brunnell, Jim Miller and others say they not only didn't do it, but never heard of anyone else doing it and they also said it would be a huge advantage in bad weather.
HMMMM yea I guess just another coincidence that seems to favor a team that was caught cheating again?

All true. But, the NFL made its own bed by allowing teams to use their own balls.

[pbiflyer]

It really isn't the event, but the fact that it was organizational cheating and a repeat offender at that.

In the judicial world "conspiracy to commit" carries an additional weight to the original charges. Multiple people knew about it. And if you think for a minute that Bill Belicheat didn't know about it.......

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

It really isn't the event, but the fact that it was organizational cheating and a repeat offender at that.

In the judicial world "conspiracy to commit" carries an additional weight to the original charges. Multiple people knew about it. And if you think for a minute that Bill Belicheat didn't know about it.......

I think this is the point, it's not about exactly what they did, it's about that it's obvious that they aren't following all the rules, if you let this slide, then they will continue to push limits. I think you need to penalize them in some form of meaningful way to deter them from doing something again. It's the same as if a player has a history of doing something, the league will take that into consideration and fines and penalties will get more severe. I think New England has a well established history of cheating.

I'd agree it had no impact on the specific game, but if you think that was the first time they tried it you are fooling yourself.

[TheSultan]

I think this is the point, it's not about exactly what they did, it's about that it's obvious that they aren't following all the rules, if you let this slide, then they will continue to push limits. I think you need to penalize them in some form of meaningful way to deter them from doing something again. It's the same as if a player has a history of doing something, the league will take that into consideration and fines and penalties will get more severe. I think New England has a well established history of cheating.

I'd agree it had no impact on the specific game, but if you think that was the first time they tried it you are fooling yourself.

And if you think they are the only organization that does this, you are fooling yourself. Not that I don't think they shouldn't be punished, but I wouldn't be too excited about making an example out of them.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

And if you think they are the only organization that does this, you are fooling yourself. Not that I don't think they shouldn't be punished, but I wouldn't be too excited about making an example out of them.

They absolutely aren't, but if I'm the NFL and I want to make a big stink about the integrity of the game and "protecting the shield" then you have to make an example of it when it comes up.

[MUMac]

They absolutely aren't, but if I'm the NFL and I want to make a big stink about the integrity of the game and "protecting the shield" then you have to make an example of it when it comes up.

Sure sounds like he will be an example. Interesting, as this gives me the impression it may be bigger than most anticipated. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/fo...icle-1.2215881

[IrwinFletcher]

They absolutely aren't, but if I'm the NFL and I want to make a big stink about the integrity of the game and "protecting the shield" then you have to make an example of it when it comes up.

The opportunity for the NFL to make a big stink about the integrity of the game has long since passed.....

[TedBaxter]

Leave Brady alone. According to some comments he made at a speech this week, he's faced a lot of adversity over the years. I know it's tough to decide whether to take out $150,000 or $200,000 for a weekends activities.

One of the most overrused words in professional sports is adversity. Do these guys even think about people who live day to day?

[CaribouJim]

Leave Brady alone. According to some comments he made at a speech this week, he's faced a lot of adversity over the years. I know it's tough to decide whether to take out $150,000 or $200,000 for a weekends activities.

One of the most overrused words in professional sports is adversity. Do these guys even think about people who live day to day?

THE most overused word in sports - not even close IMO.

[The Reptile]

My guess is fines and suspensions. First, it's the Patriots and after the Soygate stuff this looks like loss of institutional control to borrow a term from the NCAA. Second, the NFL can't be seen allowing the appearance of cheating or chaos will happen with other teams looking for any advantage.

Will the punishment fit the crime? No, but that's not at issue - integrity and fairness (in the league sense, not individual sense) is what this is about. What this looks like is Brady manipulating the staff and the NFL can't let that stand.