Tom is going to say that he told "someone" the balls seemed a little on the hard side.
He doesn't know if anyone did anything to the balls.
The NFL cannot find anyone responsible for doing this.
The NFL knows this is a non-issue and will fine the Patriots $75,000 (what the rule book calls for ball tampering).
Rules committee will recommend Refs/Umps be in charge of all game-day footballs for next year (similar to MLB).
Let's just play some football.
I suspect a ‘ball handler’ on the sidelines did it. They were inspected over two hours before the game and passed. That’s a lot of time for mischief.
They showed on GMA this morning that the 2psi could be deflated in just 3 seconds per ball. The balls are in a sack, so if a ball handler had them and was ‘rummaging around’ in the sack, no one would pay any attention................
Note this statement:
“...became underinflated during the game...”
Two days ago, Gronkowski tweeted about “Gronking” the ball after a touchdown...and Brady made a comment that “Gronking” was spiking the ball, and that he spiked the ball so hard, it deflated them.
This will be their meme. Cold weather and “Gronking” deflated the balls.
Which makes no sense. As far as I know, 4th down is not played with a K-Ball, but rather one of the teams set of 12 offensive balls. So the act of punting should deflate balls much more than “Gronking”...and that has never been a problem before.
I agree, let’s play some football. Colts vs. Seahawks, February 1.
Are you a Patriots fan? Dream on. The minimum punishment will be the loss of a first round draft pick. Belicheat or shady Brady may face a suspension as well.