[Boston Blackie]

The question is how they deflated the footballs without being seen and why the officials did not notice the grossly deflated footballs while handling them during the game.

[1rudeboy]

The second question is: who cares?

[Berlin_Freeper]

[M-cubed]

I think because the team name is the “Patriots” it will be determined that Bush or the Koch Bros had something to do with it...../s

[Berlin_Freeper]

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

[petitfour]

Well, John Kerry was shmoozing in the owner’s suite. Go Seahawks!

[IamConservative]

I follow a lot of the national NFL pudnuts on Twitter. There is pretty universal dismay toward Belichick. Some calling for him to be fired, some calling for him to be banned and of course some diehards still in denial.

The fine for tampering with a ball is $25K. From a PR perspective, this has already become larger than the actual transgression. The NFL is not a court of law, it is governed more by the court of public opinion. The NFL takes actions to protect the brand and image. As a second time cheat, it may become very difficult for Kraft to keep Belichick.

Who knows how it will turn out, but it will be entertaining.

[BigCinBigD]

The Creatriots should be fined and loose their 1st and 2nd round draft picks. Belicheat so=hould be placed on probation and fined a Hundred K.

[sten]

as an point of interest, a typical NFL ball is inflated to about 13 psi

[sten]

keep in mind, if you inflated the balls to 13 psi in a very warm room (90F ?)... then brought them outside to 20F.. they would deflate a bit

[kenmcg]

Not the first time ......Bellichek is a cheater!

[Sir Napsalot]

Watch, if it hasn’t already happened. There’ll be those worshippers (including pundits/analysts) continue to give excuse for their beloved Patriots.

“Score showed it didn’t matter” etc etc

[McGruff]

Sore Losers. Your point about the officials being the first and last ones to touch the football is key.

[Travis McGee]

What is the correct inflation pressure?

Is 2 psi low 1%, 10%, or 50%?

[Girlene]

From a different source: NFL finds Patriots used underinflated footballs

.................."According to a National Football League letter about the investigation into the controversy that was shared with the Globe, the Patriots were informed that the league’s initial findings indicated that the game balls did not meet specifications. The league inspected each of the Patriots’ 12 game balls twice at halftime, using different pressure gauges, and found footballs that were not properly inflated.

According to ESPN, 11 of the 12 game balls were found to be underinflated by about 2 pounds each. The NFL specifications say they must be inflated to 12½ to 13½ pounds. ".................

So makes you wonder what was wrong with their initial guage and who provided that guage to the ref's. Your question about why the officials didn't notice this during the games is a good one. The only way it was found out was when a Colts player handled the Patriots' ball during an interception.

[bert]

the footballs were not deflated..... they were under inflated.

the problem will be traced to the gage that gave incorrect readings that were under pressure. The gage was not calibrated or was beyond the calibration date. Anyway, the underinflation of all points to an improperly calibrated gage

“The ball must be inflated between 12.5 to 13.5 pounds per square inch (psi) “ That is a tolerance of +/- 4 % psi from the midrange of 13 psi

Boston blackie is a dummy...... his “two pounds of air “ statement shows clearly the man is clueless.

[RayChuang88]

This will lead to the NFL changing its policy of who has control of the footballs used in the game.

Currently, the NFL requires the referees directly have ownership of the footballs used in kicking field goals, punts and kickoffs; it may now extend that to footballs used in actual game play. In short, no more "seasoning" of the football by individual teams before the game--it will now be done by the designated NFL officials.

[ncalburt]

The scum of a team needs to be fined and the coach barred from the NFL .
The game should be forfeited.
Kraft , the Obamabot lefty owner knew all about this sleazy low rent move .

The saints coach was barred fir a year so why is the scum of a coach who has a history of cheatin still in the NFL.

If Brady did not need the huge advantage why are all the game bowl deflated to act like Nerf balls.

[logi_cal869]

If air pressure is that much of an issue, until they start being smart and filling the balls with nitrogen the question is moot.

[maineman]

Here is the bottom line....prior to kickoff the ref’s handle the balls from both sides. The ref’s would have 100% noticed if the Pats balls had been 2psi under-inflated. There is more to this story....

[Resolute Conservative]

Does under-inflated to 2 pounds equate to getting your ass handed to you by 38 points? I don’t think so. Try playing defense.