In college, before particularly big home games, we would practice with new balls all week. For the games, new balls again. We would be prepared, the other team wouldn't be.
These people are professionals and know what's coming.
Big deal over nothing.
"Big deal over nothing" --Yeh right. (sarcasm off)
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From a while back:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2001/10/09/power_rankings/
Here's a weird one. The Heinz Field opener was marked by continuing complaints from both QBs about slippery footballs that weren't properly rubbed up or something, which accounted for the rather modest passing yardage.
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http://www.cincypost.com/bengals/2001/bengnt100801.html
SLIPPERY FOOTBALLS?--Both quarterbacks complained of slippery footballs. The Steelers had a fresh batch brought in for the game to commemorate the opening of new Heinz Field.
Kitna found it tough to grip the new balls and said it was part of the reason why he missed an open Marco Battaglia on one pass route and an open Peter Warrick on another.
''I guess they had 60 footballs for the inaugural game and they didn't rub any of them down,'' Kitna said. ''It looked like they just came out of the bag. I don't know if you guys have ever felt one of those, but they tend to be pretty slick.''
Steelers head coach Bill Cowher agreed.
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Seems like it IS a big deal, eh?
Just because the balls are slippery for both teams does not mean that they should be slippery in the first place if it can be avoided! It's just plain STUPID!