I think that there is a high probability that Tom Brady will not be playing in the Super Bowl

[cleanhippie]

Last edited Fri Jan 23, 2015, 04:09 PM - Edit history (1)

I think that there is a high probability that Tom Brady will not be playing in the Super Bowl, and that makes me sad. Why does one of the best QB's to ever play the game need to cheat? He would have still crushed Indy, of that there is no doubt, and when he got beat by Seattle in the Super Bowl it would have been 100% legit.


Now, no matter what happens, Brady, Belichick, and the Pats will go down in history as cheaters. CHEATERS! And worse, the one question that will linger in our minds forever will be "Why? Why did they have to cheat?"

UPDATE: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462476/article/nfl-investigation-of-balls-in-afc-title-game-led-by-pash-wells

For the fact-challenged: NFL rules state that the footballs must be inflated within a certain pressure range. 11 of the 12 footballs used by NE were underinflated by 2 lbs. (more than 15% of the minimum pressure) Thats a FACT.

The 12 balls used by Indy were NOT underinflated. Thats a FACT.

The balls are inspected and marked by official 2 hrs before the game then returned to their respective ball-attendants. Thats a FACT.

The underinflated balls were not noticed until an interception by Indy when the defender noticed the ball seemed underinflated, he then notified coaching staff who notified officials who checked the balls and found them underinflated. Thats a FACT.

Using underinflated balls is against the rules. Thats a FACT.

[sendero]

1. I think it is a fact..

... that someone on the team cheated, but proving who will be problematic.

I doubt that the Patriots are hit with any meaningful punishment.

[cleanhippie]

4. You may be right, but football fans are even more outraged over this than the Rice scandal.

Which is also sad. The Rice and Peterson scandals were/are terrible, much worse than this, but fans don't like cheaters more than they dont like wife/child/dog beaters.


Goodell and the NFL are going to be under serious pressure to do the right thing here, and suspending Brady and or Belichick is what needs to happen.

[pipi_k]

40. Actually the only fans

who are outraged by this are the ones who already hated Belichick, Brady, or the whole team in general.


Oh, and just in...

no penalties or fines. It happened, but nobody knows how. Could have been anyone. But Patriots haters will never accept that.


http://offthemonster.com/2015/01/this-just-in-sources-confirm-patriots-will-not-face-penaltiesfines/

[cleanhippie]

48. I think an obscure blog quoting an anonymous source before...

is a poor choice to support your assertion.




http://espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=sportsnation&pollId=4676644

[joeglow3]

66. A company is responsible for putting in checks and balanced

Doesn't matter if you pinpoint who did it. We know for a fact that a representative of the organization cheated. We would NEVER accept the patriots logic when applied to a bank or insurance company who cheated.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

78. The only fans outraged are those who hate them? Hmm, I dont hate any football team but I am pretty

pissed off that these multimillionaires spoiled asshole players, coaches, owners, have to do this.


That the millions they have is not enough, the fans, the fact that they live privileged and pampered lives, that isnt enough, it seems.

That kinda makes me mad, and I doubt it is limited to this group of assholes.


While I am a Seattle fan now because of family, and I was a Raiders fan when I was an active fan, I also now realize just how terrible the Raiders were in the day, the vicious attitude of hurting people and so on.

Did I hear McMahon of Da Bears is suing because they didnt tell him he had a broken neck so he would play?

I have to google that

[AgingAmerican]

103. The hate chestnut is trotted out

When all others fail

[cleanhippie]

118. Bingo!

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462476/article/nfl-investigation-of-balls-in-afc-title-game-led-by-pash-wells

[Capt. Obvious]

125. Indeed

NFL

[cleanhippie]

93. You keep pointing to an obscure blog quoting an anonymous source.

[Capt. Obvious]

95. As opposed to your source?

[cleanhippie]

109. The NFL.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462476/article/nfl-investigation-of-balls-in-afc-title-game-led-by-pash-wells

[Capt. Obvious]

117. So you're attributing quotes to the NFL now?

fascinating.

[cleanhippie]

119. Huh?

The poster above used an obscure blog working an anonymous source that this issue was put to rest, yet the opposite is true.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462476/article/nfl-investigation-of-balls-in-afc-title-game-led-by-pash-wells

[Capt. Obvious]

120. You blocked quoted quotes in your OP

which obviously are not from the NFL.

Then you updated your OP to include that link to a story that was just published 2 hours ago, long after your OP.

[cleanhippie]

123. You're either simply ficking with me or are being intentionally obtuse.

Either way, productive conversation can't be had here. No go on and feed your last-word compulsion, then have a nice day.

[AgingAmerican]

101. Only 'haters' don't accept cheating?

Non 'haters' approve of cheating? For real?

[Capt. Obvious]

104. It's okay to be a hater

[AgingAmerican]

105. The 'hate' meme/chestnut

Is trotted out when all reason and logic fail

[Capt. Obvious]

116. Not really

[frylock]

121. there are some NFL Hall of Famers and former champions that are none too pleased

Troy Aikman says it's 'obvious' Tom Brady had a role in Deflategate

Jerome Bettis, fellow former NFL veterans critical of Tom Brady

Jerry Rice: Put an asterisk on Patriots if they win Super Bowl

[GeorgeGist]

143. Corruption is Kool.

[mythology]

91. I think the Ray Rice issue is different

It was one guy (not that he's not the only guy in the NFL with a domestic violence issue), but the other is a team issue and it impacts the on the field product. Ray Rice's incident, while obviously awful, didn't change the fairness of the on the field product.

But I think you really underestimate the public reaction to both Ray Rice and the Adrian Peterson domestic violence incidents. The public outcry over the Ray Rice video is what forced the longer suspension and then when the Vikings briefly considered trying to let Adrian Peterson play while his legal situation was in the air, the team was protested and lost sponsors.

[cleanhippie]

92. I completely agree.

But from what I see now, fans are more upset over this, sadly. Which is why I think there will be even more pressure to deal with this before the SB

[leftynyc]

6. I think any punishment will involve

a fine and, more importantly to the team, draft picks.

[sendero]

7. I tend...

.... to agree, since that is generally how they handle such things.

[leftynyc]

9. What I find unfortunate is

that if this was just about any other team, people might give them the benefit of the doubt. But because they've already been caught cheating, they've earned that rep and it will never be otherwise with Bellicheck (sp?) in the house.

[sendero]

12. The most vexing consequence..

... regardless of what the NFL might do will be that their record will always be tarnished by these actions.

Clearly, they would have won this game without resorting to cheating, making the whole episode even more painful.

[AtheistCrusader]

33. Brady should have said something, if he wasn't in on it.

If an interception could reveal it first time he touched the ball, the motherfucking QB should have known and said something too.

Brady was in on it.

[sendero]

36. I agree...

.... the ONLY reason this came to light was that interception. And nobody is going to believe a professional QB can't tell a ball is underinflated.

[lunasun]

42. +1 exactly^

[JaneyVee]

2. Tom Brady will most definitely be playing in the Super Bowl

That's a FACT.

[cleanhippie]

5. Much can change in 10 days.

[JaneyVee]

8. True. Here's what will DEFINITELY change...

Those balls will be tested right before game time. That's a FACT. And I agree with all your other above points though. This was intentional.

[Major Nikon]

85. Can doesn't mean will

In order for them to disqualify Brady they will need a smoking gun and for all your facts you posted, none prove Brady was involved. There's also all sorts of scenarios that can account for all those facts without implicating anyone in the Pat's organization of wrongdoing.

[cleanhippie]

113. We shall see.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462476/article/nfl-investigation-of-balls-in-afc-title-game-led-by-pash-wells

[leftynyc]

3. Of course Brady will be playing

has any evidence come forth that he personally deflated anything?

[rug]

17. No FACTS.

[Whiskeytide]

23. No. But he knew. n/t

[leftynyc]

30. If you have proof of that

you should share it with the NFL immediately.

[Whiskeytide]

46. The Pats ran 75 offensive plays...

... and Brady threw 35 passes. He handled the ball in warm-ups as well. At that level, the difference is important to the QB, and he knows if its deflated. I'm sorry - but Brady saying he didn't know is like an MLB pitcher saying he has no idea how that vaseline got on the baseball.

[leftynyc]

60. But is that enough

to convince the NFL of shenanigans? I think they're likely guilty as hell and the team has given me no reason to give them the benefit of the doubt but I do believe in having evidence before punishment can be given.

[Whiskeytide]

73. Oh, I do too....

... I wasn't really advocating for punishment in my post. Whatever the NFL does, I assume, will be what they think they need to do. And they're not going to do anything that jeopardizes their ratings for the game, I suspect.

I was just saying that Brady claiming he didn't notice that the balls were deflated is disingenuous. I suppose he could say "I didn't request it or ask for it", and you'd never prove otherwise. But for him to say "I didn't realize it during the game..."? I'll never buy that. He knew it on the first snap.

[leftynyc]

100. I suspect you're right about that

How can somebody who has been playing for so long as a quarterback not notice something like that.

[Major Nikon]

86. What he knew or didn't know or should have known doesn't add up to a hill of beans

The only things that matter are what can be proved.

There's also several officials that handled those balls and none of them managed to figure it out until it was brought to their attention, and it was their job to know.

[Whiskeytide]

94. Of course it matters...

... and it IS "proof".

What Brady knew or reasonably should have known (based on the fact that he handled the ball, gripped the ball and threw the ball - and based on the fact that he is on record saying he prefers under-inflated balls, meaning that he can feel and appreciate the difference) is still "proof". You could call it circumstantial evidence, but its still evidence of guilt and - in any criminal prosecution - such evidence is usually admissible to prove guilt.

But if the question is what it means to ME (which is all I really care about anyway since there will certainly never be a criminal prosecution over this silliness, and the NFL is unlikely to do squat)... then it certainly matters ....and it is conclusive. He cheated. He knew he was cheating when he cheated. And he gauged that the risk of getting caught cheating was worth the reward he hoped to get by cheating. The organization has done things like this in the past, and they will do things like this again in the future. This is now their "Brady/Belichick" legacy.

Of course, I'm a Steelers fan - so naturally I think this whole circus is freaking hilarious no matter what the outcome!!!!! And the Pats will henceforth and forever, in my mind be, the "Defatriots". Priceless. I can't WAIT to see the Seahawks' fan's signs at the SP!!!!!

[Major Nikon]

99. It isn't proof, circumstantial or otherwise

Unless you can prove he can tell a 15% difference, and even if you could prove such a thing (and I'm pretty sure nobody can but him), it still doesn't prove he would have known the difference under the circumstances.

All he has to say is that he expected the balls to be in spec just as they have been in the 230 or so professional games he's started and never gave it a thought. Nobody is going to be able to prove otherwise unless someone finds a smoking gun.

[Goblinmonger]

126. So Brady can't tell the difference handling the ball all game

but a D-Back can tell from catching the ball once. Yeah, keep pissing in my ear.

[Major Nikon]

147. Sounds kinky, but I'm afraid I'm not interested

As I clearly stated before had you bothered to read it, whatever you, me, or anyone else thinks Brady can do is worth about as much as a bucket of warm spit. Only that which can be proved matters.

[onenote]

144. Brady threw 21 passes in the first half

Last edited Sat Jan 24, 2015, 03:29 AM - Edit history (1)

The NFL has stated that tge balls were not under inflated in the second half. In addition there has been no official statement as far as I know as to the degree to which tge balls were under inflated. Assuming that the unofficial reports of the balls being two pounds under (ie 10.5 pounds) thateans they were between 16 and 22 percent under.

While you would expect Brady to notice such a significant variance one also would expect the officials to have noticed. After all they handle the balls after every play. Including every Colts play. So why didn't they notice the difference? One possibility is that the degree of under inflation was less than has been reported, which would undercut your assumption that Brady had to know they were under inflated.

[Whiskeytide]

145. It can undercut it some...

But the circumstantial evidence is pretty damning. A ref who is not "checking" the inflation level or comparing two balls at the same time could easily miss it.

Brady has expressed a preference for softer balls in the past.

The Pats have extraordinary records for few fumbles.

Brady didn't deny the accusation, and appeared to have swallowed the canary at the press cnfr.

I'm convinced he knew. You can argue he didn't, but not as persuasively as you can argue that he did.

[onenote]

146. all good teams have great records with respect to fumbles

If you play with statistics, you can make out the Pats as being "best". But in a given year, there have been teams even less likely to fumble. I suspect that if I took the time, I could show that the Pats are statistically near the top in a lot of categories, including categories where the air in the football is irrelevant. That's the hallmark of a good team.

In the playoffs, the Pats fumbled once on offense during the first half. The Colts didn't fumble at all. What does that prove? Nothing. Just as made up stats about fumbles over a multiyear period don't prove much.

And its really hard to believe that refs who over their careers have handled the ball literally thousands of times have such little feel for the inflation of the football that they wouldn't recognize a ball that was under inflated by 16-22 percent -- by an amount that would make handling the ball significantly different.

[AtheistCrusader]

49. Of course he knew. If D'Qwell Jackson of the Colts could tell, in a single interception that the

ball was under-inflated, you damn well know the QB could tell. Same goes for all the other Patriots receivers that touched a ball in that game. Every one of them.

I love how ONE of the balls was correct pressure. Looks like the guy that was in charge of supplying the 'random test ball' is getting fired.

[Whiskeytide]

53. That was the kicking ball. n/t

[MANative]

57. Jackson said last night that this was not true. He said that he could NOT tell. n/t

[AtheistCrusader]

107. Well, fuck the media then. Reporting is all over the place on that.

It was still being reported that he alerted officials to it as of this morning.

[rurallib]

10. One of the many reasons I don't care much for pro sports

Anymore I just assume all of them cheat where they can.

Barry Bonds, Mark Mcgwire, can't remember the name of that linebacker from Denver who was always full of steroids, the receiver from Oakland who was basically covered in stickum, Whitey Ford who used to cut the ball, Gaylord Perry. Those are just a few of the names I remember who either were caught or bragged about cheating. Many more lesser lights cheat but aren't good enough to have it make a difference.

If I had time or cared we could make one hell of a long list.

Pretty much on every play you will see some players cheat until they get caught holding, tripping whatever.

Brady will play. Goodell doesn't have the guts to keep him out. Las Vegas would lose tons of bets - he'll play. You can bet the NFL will delay any kind of a decision til after the game.

[MANative]

11. I think you're quoting "facts" that are not in evidence. The NFL has said NOTHING.

The writer who broke this story is the same moron who said in October that Brady would be traded within two weeks and the new starting QB would be Garappollo.

There have been no corroborating stories on these "facts" except those quoting the original author.

It would not surprise me to learn that the deflation level was not the 2.0 psi that's been reported, but 0.2.

The Colts player who intercepted the ball said last night that he DID NOT notice any difference in the ball and did not notify his coaches. Keep up.

But, hey, haters gonna hate.

Brady plays.

[cleanhippie]

26. All the items listed as facts are being repoted by the media as facts.

Could they be wrong? Certainly. But I highly doubt that Mortenson (who broke the story and confirmed the underinflated balls) would stake his reputation on hearsay. But I could be wrong. For now, I'm going with what appear to be the facts. YMMV.

[MANative]

52. And the media has never been wrong. Neither has Mortenson. LOL n/t

[cleanhippie]

55. And the Patriots never cheat. Lol.

[MANative]

59. And neither does any other NFL team. LOL

[Agschmid]

67. Everyone has their blinders on...

[rgbecker]

13. Keep in mind that Professional Sports in America is all about Entertainment.

And you have to agree, this ball inflation thing is great entertainment.

I always wondered why Brady took so long to throw the ball. I figured he was just trying to find his open man but now I think those few seconds were all he needed to do his evil deed.

[MohRokTah]

14. The team will be fined $275K and MIGHT lose a draft pick.

And the punishment will not be set until after the Super Bowl has been played.

[dumbcat]

15. What if it was done by the refs?

How do you know the refs didn't collude to lower the pressure in the balls to cause this problem for the Pats?

So far I have seen no evidence of who lowered the pressure. That's a FACT.

[frylock]

129. this has to be most preposterous theory yet!

are you fukcing shitting me?!!

[dumbcat]

135. Why?

And I didn't call it a theory. It's a possibility.

[frylock]

136. why don't you tell me why think it's even remotely plausible?

what would the officials, or the NFL have to gain?

[dumbcat]

137. No, you tell me why it's not possible.

I asked first. Officials have never been bought? Sought revenge for some slight?

[frylock]

139. the refs wouldn't need to go to such lengths to effect the outcome of a game ffs..

all it would take would be let a few PIs or defensive holds go uncalled, or to drop flags on the Pats for the holding that occurs on just about every play. To do something as you are suggesting they may have done would call into question the integrity of every game ever played in the NFL. moreover, nothing of significance is going to happen to the Pats regarding punitive action. so the Pats organization paying out chump change like 275K, or losing draft picks isn't really going to damage the team at all, making the revenge theory every bit as ridiculous as your entire premise. Okay, now your turn.

[dumbcat]

140. OK, thank you

"They wouldn't need to" will become my go-to defense.

[frylock]

141. hey, glad i could clear that up for you!

[yallerdawg]

16. You have got to be kidding!

This is the NFL. This is the Super Bowl.

Bench Brady?

[onenote]

18. I think there is a much higher probability that you're wrong.

[cleanhippie]

24. Probably

[NightWatcher]

19. Wanna bet?

[Agschmid]

20. Lol.

[bigwillq]

21. Brady will play (nt)

[onenote]

22. Couple of additional "facts" you left out

There is no evidence showing Brady had anything to do with it.
Brady's performance using the under inflated footballs was much much worse than his performance with fully inflated footballs.
And the NFL's rules treat this as a relatively minor infraction and they aren't going to impose any penalty that is not commensurate with the actual harm from the infraction.

[cleanhippie]

112. Minor infraction?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462476/article/nfl-investigation-of-balls-in-afc-title-game-led-by-pash-wells

[frylock]

130. it was either the Colts or the refs that did it..

just two of the utterly ridiculous theories put forth on this board by Deflatriot fan.

[sharp_stick]

25. I'll take that bet

if for no other reason than the NFL rules state the punishment for this is a fine and potential loss of draft picks.

The way the outrage machine is into overdrive you'd think they were fixing games or setting bounties on injuring other players.

[cleanhippie]

28. You don't see cheating as being on the same level as game-fixing and bounty-hunting?

[sharp_stick]

31. No

much the same as I don't see speeding in the same vein as drunk driving or vehicular homicide.

Life is not black and white and there are variations in the seriousness of cheating. Underinflated footballs are nowhere near as serious as bounty hunting, fixing games or even the use of performance enhancing drugs.

If this had of happened to the Jacksonville Jaguars it wouldn't even have made the third page of the sports section.

[cleanhippie]

32. I see your point but strongly disagree.

To me, cheating IS game-fixing.

And you're right about the Jags, but the Jags didn't get caught cheating in the AFC Championship game and are not about to play in the Super Bowl.

[pipi_k]

56. A couple of things...

1. Nobody can prove it actually was cheating.

2. Even if it was cheating, nobody knows how it happened, when it happened, or who did it.



I can say that Patriots haters make a real good case for some fans to believe that someone who hates the Patriots (or the coach or QB) could have altered those balls.

Patriots haters would do just about anything to ruin the team.

[cleanhippie]

61. A couple of answers...

1. Yes they can.

2. No body knows YET. The truth WILL come out. Eventually.

And the Patriots are doing a damn fine job of ruining their team without the help of a single "hater."

[Agschmid]

68. Their team that just won the AFC Championship?

The team that is having more fun saying "balls" as many times as possible on news conferences?

Yes they seems to be in total ruin...

[cleanhippie]

69. I'm not the one that brought "ruin the team" into this conversation.

[Agschmid]

70. It seems to me you did above, maybe I am confused...

But this sure won't really have that much lasting negative effect on the team.

[frylock]

131. to be fair, it's their fans that are doing that job..

just look at some of the theories that they're running with!

[Whiskeytide]

76. The "It's a Rovian conspiracy against the Pats" thing...

... will never fly, IMO. Regardless of who did it, Brady was at least aware of it during the game. He was handling the ball on every offensive snap, and he threw 35 passes (not to mention the dozens of warm-up throws and snaps). He's a professional QB. He has stated his preference for under-inflated balls in the past, so he well knows the difference. The center would also have known. Probably the receivers as well. Most running backs prefer a deflated ball as well because they can keep a better grip on it. They would certainly know.

Even if it was some kind of set up (and I just think that's an incredible stretch), the "Deflatriots" (I love that) certainly took it and ran with it. You don't hear a story coming out of this where the center went to Bilichek mid 1st qtr and said "Hey coach, the balls are under-inflated. I think someone is setting us up", do you?

[Reter]

97. Cheating to make you better is like taking steroids (which also makes you better)

Not nearly as bad as what the 1919 White Sox did, when they threw the World Series.

[Takket]

27. There is no chance in hell the NFL would suspend Brady

The actual infraction is quite minor and calls for monetary fines, not suspensions.

[FSogol]

29. Ridiculous. He'll be playing. The league hasn't even interviewed him yet.

They don't plan on taking any action until the offseason.

The Patriots will get a fine and lose a draft pick.

[Malraiders]

34. Another FACT is that Jackson denies telling officials about the ball seeming to be

underinflated. He also says that he wanted to keep the ball.

"PHOENIX -- Indianapolis Colts linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said it wasn't him who raised the concerns about New England's footballs being underinflated during Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

After Thursday's Pro Bowl practice at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona, Jackson said he couldn't tell whether the ball he intercepted in the second quarter of a 45-7 loss to the New England Patriots was or wasn't deflated below the threshold allowed by the NFL.

"I'm a linebacker, I'm a defensive guy," Jackson said. "If anybody recognized anything it definitely wouldn't come from me." - "

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12213533/dqwell-jackson-indianapolis-colts-says-one-noticed-ball-was-inflated

[Johonny]

37. The Rumor is that John Harbaugh tipped the NFL to the issue

Perhaps as payback for Tom Brady throwing out the "read the rule book" quote. Think of it as a two week thank you present from the Ravens.

[cleanhippie]

38. Interesting. I read an article that stated fter the interception, he notified his coahing staff

that the ball seemed off and the staff is who notified officials.


SOMEBODY noticed the balls during the game and notified the officials. That is not in dispute.

[Are_grits_groceries]

44. The equipment manager that Jackson handed the ball to noticed it.

The Ravens were suspicious, but the Colts tipped the league to underinflated balls after they played the Patriots in Indianapolis. They noticed something at some point. The team sends the league a summary or something after each game. They told the NFL to keep an eye out for problems with the balls.

[Johonny]

35. The fact that the NFL hasn't even talked to him in their investigation says...

ratings trump inflated footballs. Tom Brady will play.

[cleanhippie]

41. The fact that the NFL hasn't even talked to him in their investigation says...

that Goodell is gonna do his best to deflect this issue until after the SB. But that;s gonna get more and more difficult as more and more Network Pundits (Even the NFL Newtork folks are on it) call for immediate inquiry before the SB.

To paraphrase Joe Biden; 'This is a big F-ing deal'

[Are_grits_groceries]

39. Nope!

Without definitive proof, nobody will be suspended for the SuperBowl.

It remains to be seen what the NFL will do for punishment. They might really hammer the Patriots because they are repeat offenders. There is enough circumstantial evidence to prove somebody in the Patriot's organization did it.

[bluedigger]

43. So should I put you in the trolling camp, or the insane camp?

There are a lot of people claiming to have a gun here. Nobody yet has produced one. Nevertheless, because of New England’s history, especially the whole Spygate business that hangs around the franchise’s neck like a dead raccoon, anything is assumed to be possible. (Here, from the same SI piece, is a remarkable sentence, purporting to explain Belichick’s gimmicky formations that so befuddled the Ravens: “Technically, what Belichick suggested was legal.” Oh.) But disqualify the Patriots from the Super Bowl? Blow up a game between the two best teams in the league for the purpose of having Kam Chancellor devour Andrew Luck on national TV? Bill Belichick is unlikely to be fired. Tom Brady is unlikely to be suspended, at least not until next year. Anyone telling you that any of these things is likely, quite frankly, are either trolling, or they are insane. There is no third alternative.http://grantland.com/the-triangle/brady-belichick-and-great-balls-of-fire-a-front-row-seat-for-the-foxborough-farce/

[frylock]

132. in what camp would you place this poster?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6126473

[bluedigger]

138. Trolling.

While the refs have the opportunity, I don't see their motive.

[fishwax]

45. he'll be playing in the Super Bowl

barring some sort of freak injury or accident, he'll be playing. There is no way the league will suspend him from this game.

[TheCowsCameHome]

47. Only God will be the judge of that.

n/t

[cleanhippie]

50. With a choice between the imaginary and real life...

Ill go with real life.

http://espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=sportsnation&pollId=4676644

[TheCowsCameHome]

75. He's got his eye on you naysayers, too.

[cleanhippie]

80. I find thy to be about as frightening as having the Eye of Sauron on me.

[alarimer]

51. Hopefully he will play and get soundly beaten.

I hate that guy more than anyone else in football.

[cleanhippie]

54. There's nothing more than that would I rather see.

[Man from Pickens]

58. I'll take the other side of that bet

The NFL is not going to run a Super Bowl with the Patriots running their backup QB, if it can be helped. Too much money is on the line, and money trumps all - especially integrity. It's true American values on display - the temporary huff will subside, the big game will be played, people will move on and forget about it.

[cleanhippie]

65. Sadly, you may be right.

But the fans will never forget. This team will carry the stink of Cheating for a very long time. Especially if they win the SB.

[Paladin]

62. I think he and Belichick will get away with it. (nt)

[cleanhippie]

63. They just might.

For now.

[Paladin]

83. I'll settle for the NFL modifying its current ball policy.

NFL teams, furnishing their own footballs? Excuse me? The league ought to be supplying, maintaining and guarding all balls for every game played. And let's have no protestations from them about excess costs involved---like Charlie Pierce said this week, the amount needed to keep footballs unmolested is probably less than the NFL currently spends on boutonieres.....

[zappaman]

64. I would wager you are wrong. n/t

[BillZBubb]

71. Baloney. Brady will play.

Come back when you've got some evidence instead of the usual innuendo.

This whole thing smacks of a right wing Benghazi orgy worthy of Fox.

[TheCowsCameHome]

72. Since the "investigation" will go on for at least six months,

Brady will most certainly play.

No way will he sit this one out, barring something like the flu.

The idea he won't play is just plain nuts.

[Capt. Obvious]

74. If by high probability you mean not a chance in hell

then I agree.

You have been one of the funniest people on this board regarding this topic.

[hrmjustin]

77. I think he will play but at this point I am not rooting for either team.

[GusBob]

79. If the punishment isnt given today,

it will be after the SB. I don't think that's gonna happen

They can take away draft picks and apply fines after the season but I don't reckon they will do anything to affect the SB

[cleanhippie]

81. I'd agree with you if you said "by Monday"

If Monday comes and goes, you're probably right.

[oberliner]

82. Absolutely no chance of that happening

Any punishment would be enforced next season.

[truebluegreen]

84. I think that's ridiculous.

I think he/they cheated, and I think the Show Must Go On, regardless. The NFL isn't going to boot Brady, or Belichick. They don't care about standards, or appearances, or anything else except The Money. And in that regard, even bad publicity is good.

[KamaAina]

87. Why Brady?

You don't actually believe he sat there on the sidelines deflating the balls, do you? Hell, he was out there most of the game!

[KamaAina]

88. Nice post, Pete Carroll!

[brooklynite]

89. I think there's a high probability that I won't be watching the game regardless...

[iandhr]

90. There is zero chance of that happening.

[Wounded Bear]

96. He'll play...

but not well.

[liberalhistorian]

98. I don't know at this point the level of involvement

that he had, but I do know that I found him completely unbelievable at his press conference yesterday.

And the trend for the press and too many pundits to start putting the blame on the poor low-down-on-the-totem-pole ball boys equipment people is truly beyond sickening. Then again, I suppose I really shouldn't be too surprised.

Goodell is, unfortunately, too much of a chicken shit, and has too much of a vested interest in defending BeliCHEAT and the Cheatriots (it's not their first go-round, after all) to do too much of anything. Except maybe punish the peons who had nothing to do with it.

[KamaAina]

102. "Anyone telling you that any of these things is likely, quite frankly, are either trolling,

or they are insane."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026127716

[cleanhippie]

115. We shall see.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462476/article/nfl-investigation-of-balls-in-afc-title-game-led-by-pash-wells

[MFM008]

106. that's ok

We will take care of these cheaters. Show them how to win just like we did the invincible Payton Manning last year.............GO SEAHAWKS.

[WilliamPitt]

108. Dumbest thread in years

[cleanhippie]

110. Will, a long look in the mirror called...

They want you to reflect on your own posts.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462476/article/nfl-investigation-of-balls-in-afc-title-game-led-by-pash-wells

[GeorgeGist]

111. Maybe you should talk to Tom ...

apparently he had doubts about defeating Indy with legal balls.

[cleanhippie]

114. I'll leave that to the NFL.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462476/article/nfl-investigation-of-balls-in-afc-title-game-led-by-pash-wells

[Capt. Obvious]

122. At first I thought you were just trolling the board

Now you're just spamming.

[cleanhippie]

124. Lol

[nakocal]

127. I believe that the NFL was in collusion with this

The referees handle the ball between EVERY play. The fact that they did nothing until challenged by the Colts tells me that the NFL was prepared to ignore the underinflated balls. To them a Patriots-Seahawks football game meant more money.

[frylock]

133. i think it was sasquatch

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

128. I highly, highly doubt that

This is gonna be a while. This is going to be hard to prove. Belichick and Brady know that. Just get to next Sunday at 6 and deal with the rest later is the mantra.

Still, it's pretty amazing the NFL was ready to suspend one of Seattle's best player for his shoes on a whim.

[11 Bravo]

134. Think away. Oh, yeah … you're also wrong.

[cleanhippie]

142. Super convincing argument.

[JackRiddler]

148. How much money are you worth?

I'd like to bet you the full amount that, of course, Tom Brady will be playing. There is zero chance he won't (barring injury, kidnapping, etc.).