Conference Championship thread

[VirgilTibbs]

This is screwed up on so many levels. The NFL needs to send a message. I would expedite a thorough investigation before the Super Bowl or postpone it. If the Patriots are found guilty, they automatically forfeit the conference game, the win is reversed and the Colts go on to play Seattle. Suspend Belichek for a year, fine Kraft and take away draft picks. Seeing as how they are repeat offenders, this harsh punishment is necessary. Who knows if the Colts would have won if the balls were inflated properly or not, that is not the question. We wouldn't even be asking these questions if they were and it's obvious this was done intentionally. Question is did the Pats coaching staff order this to be done and/or know about it. This is serious business and should be treated as such.

[donofriose]

Originally Posted by VirgilTibbs

This is screwed up on so many levels. The NFL needs to send a message. I would expedite a thorough investigation before the Super Bowl or postpone it. If the Patriots are found guilty, they automatically forfeit the conference game, the win is reversed and the Colts go on to play Seattle. Suspend Belichek for a year, fine Kraft and take away draft picks. Seeing as how they are repeat offenders, this harsh punishment is necessary. Who knows if the Colts would have won if the balls were inflated properly or not, that is not the question. We wouldn't even be asking these questions if they were and it's obvious this was done intentionally. Question is did the Pats coaching staff order this to be done and/or know about it. This is serious business and should be treated as such.

Lose a draft pick or heavily fined. I thought it should have been a low pick but now I think it should be a 1st round pick and a fine.

No way they force a forfeit. Way too much. If spygate didn't cause a forfeit no way this does.

With those two things combined Bill should be suspended next year. Maybe for half the season. NO way Sean Payton should get a lesser punishment than Bill, for a second offense.

What I don't understand is why the NFL trusted teams to do the right thing this entire time. That is just stupid.

[mlmpetert]

I have to chime in, its crazy how much its blown up (rightfully so) over the last couple days.

1) The NFL ball rule doesnt make any sense. They NFL should be in charge of administrating the balls for each game, they shouldnt leave it up to the team - thats just asking for manipulation of the rules..... Unless thats what they wanted when the rule was voted on. Seriously, you could have the NFL be in charge of fielding the balls or let each team play with their own balls based off of this nonsense:
12 balls for the home team +
12 balls for the away team +
12 balls for the home team as back up +
12 optional balls for the away team for backup IF outside

2) I question if Belichick was really involved with this. This seems almost more like a QB thing. I wouldnt be surprised if everyone knew about it but it was all Brady's doing.

3) The NFL should come down as hard if not harder then they did for bountygate. However i think the NFL should offer Brady or Belichick to spill their guts now and risk only X vs. if you stay quite or lie and we really stick it to you. ie the cover up is worse then the crime.

4) If NE wins the Superbowl and the penalty is too great for Brady and/ or Belichick does this cause either or both to retire? Whats the point of playing the last few years you got left if you dont have a good shot at winning (ie major salary cap hit in 2015 and 2016).

5) I think the ideal situation for the Pats is that Belichick takes the fall and gets suspend for the Superbowl along with some fines and a loss of a draft pick for next year. Long suspensions for players and coaches isnt good for anyone. Id like to know what the Saints and NFL lost in revenue after bountygate.

Definitely a bad two weeks for the NFL and the Pats.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

I have to chime in, its crazy how much its blown up (rightfully so) over the last couple days.

1) The NFL ball rule doesnt make any sense. They NFL should be in charge of administrating the balls for each game, they shouldnt leave it up to the team - thats just asking for manipulation of the rules..... Unless thats what they wanted when the rule was voted on. Seriously, you could have the NFL be in charge of fielding the balls or let each team play with their own balls based off of this nonsense:
12 balls for the home team +
12 balls for the away team +
12 balls for the home team as back up +
12 optional balls for the away team for backup IF outside

2) I question if Belichick was really involved with this. This seems almost more like a QB thing. I wouldnt be surprised if everyone knew about it but it was all Brady's doing.

3) The NFL should come down as hard if not harder then they did for bountygate. However i think the NFL should offer Brady or Belichick to spill their guts now and risk only X vs. if you stay quite or lie and we really stick it to you. ie the cover up is worse then the crime.

4) If NE wins the Superbowl and the penalty is too great for Brady and/ or Belichick does this cause either or both to retire? Whats the point of playing the last few years you got left if you dont have a good shot at winning (ie major salary cap hit in 2015 and 2016).

5) I think the ideal situation for the Pats is that Belichick takes the fall and gets suspend for the Superbowl along with some fines and a loss of a draft pick for next year. Long suspensions for players and coaches isnt good for anyone. Id like to know what the Saints and NFL lost in revenue after bountygate.

Definitely a bad two weeks for the NFL and the Pats.

We're talking about deflated balls. It's just not that big a deal that everyone is making it out to be. Also where is the proof that this was purposely done? Maybe it was an accident. Until there's actual evidence, the NFL doesn't have a case. Non issue to me.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

We're talking about deflated balls. It's just not that big a deal that everyone is making it out to be. Also where is the proof that this was purposely done? Maybe it was an accident. Until there's actual evidence, the NFL doesn't have a case. Non issue to me.

I personally agree that its not a big deal. But the problem is a lot of people do. To Smoot's point, perhaps people are only making it a big deal because its the Patriots, theyre a really good team, they have "cheated" before and people hate them. Regardless of the reason, or what you or i may think, it appears many people consider it a big deal.

The timing is also really really bad for a lot of reasons. I personally never thought bountygate was all that big of a deal, its just the culture of football, right? However, what turned bountygate into a really big deal, imo, was that it was uncovered during a time when the NFL was trying reduce concussions by creating defenseless receiver rules and by making changes to the game to prevent hard hitting, all while being scrutinized and sued by former players with brain damage. They couldnt afford to look the other way on it. If bountygate happened during the 90's it probably would of been no big deal.

I also completely agree that until theres actual proof, the NFL doesnt have anything, nor should they. But just like bountygate all its takes is one person to say something. Im sure both Brady and Belichick have never pissed anyone off enough to make someone come forward.....