Where did it all start? Lost in all of the scuttlebutt are the Ravens tipping off the Colts about the Patriots under-inflating the footballs. Jay Glazer broke this story after the AFC Title Game. A couple of points stick out to me here. First, why didn't the NFL immediately go to the Patriots to ask about this after the game with the Ravens? If someone has a problem with me I would like them to come to me about it and not be underhanded in trying to get the information about me. NFL screw up #1. Second, why didn't the Ravens go to the NFL instead of the Colts about the under-inflating of the footballs? Did they not want to be involved in any scandal? Reports show that Ryan Grigson, the Colts GM, emailed the NFL the day before the AFC Championship Game asking that the footballs be checked. In this report the Colts are said to have noticed it in Week 11. Week 11!!! Why wasn't anything said at that point? If it was such a blatant blow to the integrity of the game, why did the Colts wait for the biggest game of the year to say anything? Believe it or not, there’s also a theory that the Colts deflated the football that D’Qwell Jackson intercepted in the AFC Title Game before handing it over to the NFL. I’m not saying this actually happened, but why is the light shining only on the Patriots in this case when many other teams are involved? Again, more questions.
How much does it really affect the game? Per the aforementioned Jay Glazer article, deflating the footballs can make the grip easier and change the flight of the football. This makes sense. However, if that is the case, they why did the Patriots run roughshod over the Colts AFTER the half when the footballs were checked and inflated correctly? The reason to tamper with the footballs is for an advantage. If the “advantage” is taken away and the disparity between the teams is larger, is it really an advantage to begin with? Yes, I’m nitpicking here. But that is the purpose of an investigation and these questions haven’t answered. I used an example on Twitter the other day comparing deflating footballs to doctoring baseballs in MLB. My argument is that Brady (or any other QB tampering with the footballs) is throwing to teammates. I don’t believe there is as much deception for this as there is for scuffing a baseball in MLB. Pitchers are intentionally trying to deceive an opponent for their advantage. Yes, they are both trying to receive gains from their actions. But I consider the direct deception of the opponent in MLB to be much more egregious than deflating footballs in the NFL.
Why is this an issue now? Aaron Rodgers has admitted to over-inflating footballs. This Deadspin article contains video of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms discussing their conversation with Rodgers about how he likes the footballs inflated. Rodgers stated that he likes “to push the limits of how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do.” Why wasn't there uproar about these statements on a NATIONAL TELECAST of the game? It’s not like the comments flew under the radar. Interesting also is the opponent of the Packers that game – the Patriots. Hmmm. If it is common knowledge that NFL quarterbacks like to tamper with the footballs, why did we only hear about it after the AFC Championship Game? There appears to be a bit of incongruence in the application of the rules here, no? I have my theories as to why this is, but I’ll get to them a little later. If we are going to debate the importance of the inflation of footballs in accordance with the importance of the game – let’s talk about Brad Johnson for a second. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (among other teams) and was their starting quarterback in Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Oakland Raiders. THE biggest game of the year. And he tampered with the footballs. ONE HUNDRED footballs. This article describes the length that Johnson went to in order to have the footballs to his liking. Not only did he manipulate the footballs, he paid someone to do it. Why wasn't Johnson suspended or fined for his actions? What about other players who have come out about gaining advantages? Jerry Rice, the GOAT, admits to using stickum when he played. Not only did he admit to using the banned substance, he claims that “everyone did it”. Why now are the “integrity police” out in full force when these other instances appear to be common knowledge? I also find it very curious that nary another NFL QB has made any statements on this issue. Seems odd. But then again, if Rodgers alters footballs, chances are that many other QB’s employ the same techniques. This silence is deafening. The NFL was also aware of an incident last year involving the Vikings and Panthers during a frigid game in Minnesota in December 2014. Video showed the ball boys heating the footballs on the sidelines in order warm up the balls. It’s against league rules and both teams were warned during the game not to do this. There was no sting operation involved to catch someone in the act of cheating. Just an observation of an illegal activity (within the rules of the NFL) and being warned to stop it. This course of action appears to a better way of conducting business. Don’t get me wrong – I am not condoning cheating. My point is that many teams look for advantages. Let’s treat them all with equality.
The Patriots are just cheaters, right? This is an argument that I hear a lot living in the city of Indianapolis. They HATE the Patriots. I get that. I’d hate a team that beats me all the time too. Kind of like how the Packers kick my Bears rear end every year. But I don’t complain about Aaron Rodgers over-inflating footballs. That doesn't affect my defense stopping him. “But the Patriots got caught for Spygate too!” Yes, they did. But they aren't the only teams who try to gain advantages against the rules. Look at this list. Is your team on there? If so, they’re no better than the Patriots. If they’re not – go here. My team is there. EVERY team is there. Guess who the fourth highest ranked team is in terms of their cheating prowess? The COLTS. Hmmm. According to the Wells Report, the Colts also appeared to play most of the AFC Title Game with under-inflated footballs themselves!! Let’s face facts here. Everyone, except Patriots fans, hates the Pats. Why? Because they win. Tip your cap. I hate the Packers. Why? Because the kick my team’s tail every year and they’re always good. I tip my cap. The entire league was warned about videotaping other team’s practices and signals. The Patriots, if anything, are guilty of being so self-important that they didn't think they’d ever get caught. The Broncos have been busted TWICE for illegally filming other teams. Why isn't there uproar for this? And the real truth about Spygate? Go here. Starting to sound like a trend? At the same time, the NFL took away draft picks from the Patriots after Belichick and the front office were ABSOLVED of any knowledge or wrongdoing in the Wells Report. Huh? Yes, yes. I realize that Belichick and Kraft are in charge of everything under the Patriots umbrella. But they don’t have eyes in the back of their heads either. You can’t micromanage an NFL team, it’s impossible. They were also docked draft picks for Spygate, but we've covered that already. Getting closer to divulging why I believe the penalty was so strong.
Why did this take so long? This is a question I am not sure how to analyze. The game was played in late January. We didn't get the report until early May. I don’t know much about investigative reporting but it feels like ESPN OTL could’ve wrapped this up in a few weeks. Haters will tell you it’s because Tom Brady wouldn't comply with the investigation by surrendering his personal cell phone. Who would? I am nowhere near a celebrity and I wouldn't hand over my personal cell phone for an independent investigation. If I could be in the same room with the investigators as they went through my phone, then I would comply. I've got too much personal information on my phone, as most people do in this day and age. And with the way information gets leaked today – no way would I just let them have my phone. Look no further than MLB’s Mitchell Report if you want to discuss information leaking. All the testimony in that report was confidential and never to be released. Yet somehow, we found out names that were on the list before the report was officially released. Watch TMZ or Extra or Entertainment Tonight, it’s everywhere. I do not blame Tom Brady one bit for not relinquishing his cell phone. The time frame isn't just a concern with the report itself. Why did it take so long for Goodell to dole out punishment after the report was released to the public? Common belief is that he wanted to gauge “public opinion” before handing out the sentence. This is not the way to run an organization like the National Football League. Adam Silver and the NBA wouldn't have cared less about public opinion and just rendered their verdict. They did so in the Donald Sterling case. It was swift and definite. Goodell and the NFL have botched multiple incidents over the last year or two. Their public perception has taken a huge negative hit. Is this a reason to use the public to help decide on the punishment? No. But he needs all the positive publicity he can get at this point in time. The NFL is all about the mighty dollar and its effect on this incident s glaringly obvious. Tom Brady was suspended for four weeks. Let’s look at the Pats schedule. They play the first three weeks, get a bye, and then play Dallas. This means Brady’s first game back is against…..wait for it….. Indianapolis. No way! How convenient is that? It’s ridiculous and the NFL continues to look bad in my eyes.
In my humble opinion, I believe the punishment for Deflategate boils down to one simple fact – the NFL wanted to regain goodwill from the fans. As I stated earlier, everyone but Patriots fans HATES the Patriots (I don’t actually). Everyone would side with the Commissioner if he came down strong on Brady and the Pats. Fans and the media are eating this up. It’s been on the front pages of the newspapers here in Indianapolis and New York. Media members here in Indy are talking about it non-stop. To be honest, it’s such a “hater” mentality here in Indiana that I almost tweeted this out last night:
Until next time,
Shawn
PS - I'll leave you with one last GIF.... :)
PS - I'll leave you with one last GIF.... :)
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