Conference Championship thread

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

No offense, but this is a stupid quote.

No, no it's not. It's accurate and to the point. Not mine mind you, but a good one none the less.

[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.

[SmootSmack]

If it were any team but the Patriots most everyone would say, rightfully so, "What's the big deal"

But it's the Patriot so here we are

[Hog1]

Why do we really care (other than the kicking balls) what inflation a given team puts in the game balls they will be using? Figure out what is best for your QB and receivers and go with it. Let the other team do the same......
Change the rule...< is more

[Ruhskins]

[Hijinx]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

If it were any team but the Patriots most everyone would say, rightfully so, "What's the big deal"

But it's the Patriot so here we are

Are you saying that because the Pats have been caught before or because so many people hate them?

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

If it were any team but the Patriots most everyone would say, rightfully so, "What's the big deal"

But it's the Patriot so here we are

This .............

[Alvin Walton]

Matt Leinart wrote on Twitter: “Every team tampers with the footballs. Ask any Qb In the league, this is ridiculous!!”

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Hijinx

Are you saying that because the Pats have been caught before or because so many people hate them?

Probably more so the latter

[Chico23231]

I think because the Deflaitriots are somewhat the Yankees of the last 12 years, that def plays a part.

But I think people are more sick of the cheating within that organization.

Sure it may come to light that this was "norm" within the league such as "speeding", but if you get caught, at the end of the day its still illegal.

If this is such a norm, then the league should address it in the offseason and just say hey with your own 12 balls, put the psi anywhere you like, its no big deal.

I would rather the League focus on play on the field which has become crap. They really need to revisit what is an illegal hit and what is pass interference. Because this has really hurt the game.

[Hijinx]

It sounds like Belicheat is trying to distance himself personally from this. Whole presser is me and I. He knows someone broke the rules. This way Goodell can wrist slap someone. Since he already has a mark against him, he doesn't want it to be him.

[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.....

[mlmpetert]

All that said, after the Redskins the Patriots are one of my favorite teams. Im rooting for them to win the Super Bowl. And i take Brady all day long when people talk Brady vs. Manning.

[Ruhskins]

I personally think it is a big issue because it is stupid for them to do so and unnecessary. It's amazing that one of the best run and successful franchises in the league would put themselves in this situation.

Although, I will say that the Ravens got a ton of slack from the public when they screwed up with the Rice situation. So we'll see what happens with the Pats.

[Hijinx]

It is also getting a lot of play in non sports media outlets, because the Superbowl is the biggest American sports event of the year.