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11 of 12 New England Patriots balls reportedly deflated

By Phil Naegely

Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to reports, the New England Patriots’ 11 of 12 balls from the AFC Championship Game have been deemed under-inflated.

First there was SpyGate, now the hot topic on the street is the New England Patriots and their latest cheating allegation, DeflateGate. The Patriots destroyed the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship Game, but now many are crying foul over the latest cheating allegation against New England and Bill Belichick.According to ESPN Chris Mortensen, 11 of the 12 Patriots balls were deemed deflated.

The league has no comment on Mortensen’s latest reports, but did say an investigation would be finished in two or three days. It will be interesting what the fallout may be. Based on their SpyGate punishment, they will only be fined and lose a draft pick or two. Likewise, DeflateGate only adds to Belichick’s legacy and causing more to call him a cheater. It also taints the image of the Patriots.

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It’s clear there can be advantage to a deflated football as it allows a quarterback to have a better grip on the ball. At the same time, it is clear an under-inflated ball did not affect the outcome of the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots were clearly the better team, but that should not take away from the gravity of the issue. When it is cold out, air contracts and causes objects to lose air pressure. Yet, then all 12 balls from the Patriots and 12 from the Colts should be deflated. This isn’t the case because the AFC Championship Game was played in above freezing temperature. However, the game was played in wet conditions at times, so an under-inflated ball would clearly help a quarterback and receiver grip the ball.

This is an issue that is taking the nation by storm and the latest report that 11 of the 12 Patriots balls were not to the regulated pressure. Now Baltimore Ravens players think the Patriots used deflated balls in the AFC Divisional Round. Well, then they should have spoken up during the game like the Colts players did. If a ball doesn’t feel blown to regulation, then all it takes is one simple conversation with an official. Also, multiple officials handle and touch the footballs often throughout the game. Yet, the Ravens and Patriots game was much closer and the weather was much colder.

Losing draft picks affects competitive advantage, but the Patriots seem that they do more through free agency than the draft to be successful. Personally, loss of draft picks isn’t a stiff enough punishment if the Patriots are found guilty. This isn’t the first time they would be caught cheating and repeat cheaters and offenders should face tougher penalties. For now we wait and see the verdict of DeflateGate.

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