Quote:
Originally Posted by skinsfan69
If the Redskins had done this, opinions would be very different around here. I would believe they would be similar to the way I feel about it.
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I think opinions do vary greatly around here. You are not alone in thinking the PSI is not a big deal. Cooley and some other NFL players have said they could probably barely tell if there was a difference and dont think it tipped the scales of competitive play.
Other posters here and other NFL players do think it is a slight advantage.
My opinion is that it probably did give a slight advantage to Brady, or else Brady would not have done it and would not have been so pissed after the Jets regular season game in wk 5 or wherever when the balls were not able to be under-inflated. The fumble stats are interesting and the statistical anomaly cannot be ignored.
The whole ducking into a bathroom scheme just smells bad. pun intended.
Brady and the Pats went all in or broke. They gambled and lost. The text messages were the silver bullet and explained the PSI variance.
The punishment cannot be tied to the level of competitive advantage that was gained by the illegal act. If that were the case, every team would have a green light to commit slightly illegal acts knowing a slap on the wrist was the only deterrent.
Thats another thing. In punishment there is specific and general deterrent. The League had to bitch slap the Pats bc they have exhibited a pattern and practice of knowing violating league rules.
The league also had to set a general deterrent for the rest of the teams - you scheme to gain an advantage, you do not cooperate fully, you make one-sided smear campaign comments to the public knowing the league cannot rebut in public bc of an on-going investigation = you will get bitch slapped.
I, for one, love the bitch slap.
Skinsfan - you have your opinion, stick to it buddy but keep your mind open. this is about so much more than PSI for 1 game imo.