# Return of "Deflategate" **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 6, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401 "2015-05-06T17:33:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/181 "2015-05-15T15:00:54Z")
Huh, so is Goodall gonna be fired once the owners find out that Irsay has been pulling his strings. Well, except for that time Goodall suspended him. Hmmmm, Elvis, help us out on this conspiracy, it’s not working… ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/182 "2015-05-15T15:26:42Z")
But if Brady was passing from a grassy knoll … wait, that would only apply in the games at Dallas. I know, let’s put OJ on the case, he’ll find the real _Deflater_! ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/183 "2015-05-15T15:43:00Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > This whole “Goodell is going to get fired” stuff is probably the most hilarious thing ever. Oh, you silly Pats fans. Please don’t extrapolate from \*\*ElvisL1ves \*\*to “Pats fans.” Or anybody else, for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/184 "2015-05-15T16:07:27Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > But watching some Pats fans, and their ownership, dig in their heels, make stuff up out of whole cloth (how’s that “they’re going to punish the Colts” thing going for you Elvis?), and get a bout of consumption, thus fainting on the couch for such a blaspheme of their reputation, has been amusing. A simple side note has turned into an entire drama, and the hysterical, delusional Pats fans are the ones who really look silly. And not the ones demanding all of the Patriot’s heads on the ends of pikes with their ridiculous over the top hysterical hyperbole as they jump at the latest news tidbits? Seems like having the “truth” on your side allows you to vent, pontificate, and rant to your heart’s content, secure in the knowledge that the “truth” allows you full license to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/185 "2015-05-15T16:13:05Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > And not the ones demanding all of the Patriot’s heads on the ends of pikes with their ridiculous over the top hysterical hyperbole as they jump at the latest news tidbits? > > Seems like having the “truth” on your side allows you to vent, pontificate, and rant to your heart’s content, secure in the knowledge that the “truth” allows you full license to do so. I really don’t understand this post. I specifically said I thought the whole thing is overblown. And I don’t understand why you think that “truth” needs quotation marks around it. The report lays out many of the facts of the case. And yes, having the evidence support my position certainly does help my point. That way I don’t have rely on “deflator” meaning weight loss as a point in my favor. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/186 "2015-05-15T19:47:37Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > And not the ones demanding all of the Patriot’s heads on the ends of pikes with their ridiculous over the top hysterical hyperbole as they jump at the latest news tidbits? Yes! “More probable than not”! We finally got \*them \*for something! _Steelers!__J-E-T-S!_ Get a fucking grip. :rolleyes: A look at what “data” there is on ball pressures confirms that a problem has been found everywhere it’s been looked for. Both principles of statistics and simple common sense lead to a different course of action than the one taken here, don’t they now? Come on, people, you know how it works. Re Goodell, it’s truly surprising how many of you think he descended from the heavens to become commissioner just last week or something. In fact, he has [a strong existing history](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Goodell#Actions_as_commissioner) of not doing so well at the discipline part his job, i.e. the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson blunders, and now this one too. And now the most powerful owner is a bitter enemy instead of a strong ally. If you think it’s silly that the owners collectively might decide soon they’ve finally had enough of his shit, then you really haven’t been paying much attention. **Hamlet** , have you familiarized yourself yet with the genesis of this situation? No comment yet, so I take it that’s still on your to-do list. Let us know when you’ve digested it, okay? #rapeisbad ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/187 "2015-05-15T20:05:15Z")
Will he be fired before or after the Colts are penalized for the Deflategate thing? Please, bestow upon us your wisdom. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/188 "2015-05-15T20:06:08Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I really don’t understand this post. I specifically said I thought the whole thing is overblown. And I don’t understand why you think that “truth” needs quotation marks around it. The report lays out many of the facts of the case. And yes, having the evidence support my position certainly does help my point. That way I don’t have rely on “deflator” meaning weight loss as a point in my favor. The only point I was making was that, if you think only one side in this interminable “discussion” is being “hysterical”, then you most definitely have not been paying attention. Whatever-since I’m not really an NFL fan anymore, keep on having fun, gang… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/189 "2015-05-15T20:09:27Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Bad news, Patriot apologists… Don’t be shocked if Brady and Belichick don’t get into the HOF on the first ballot. Or the second. Their smugness, the organizational arrogance is pissing off the wrong people. Those people vote for the HOF. McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, Clemens. Which one of them SHOULD be in the hall? Which one ever will be? I’m not a Patriots fan but I’ll be gobsmacked if Brady isn’t in on the first ballot. This isn’t the same level of outrage as the steroid thing, and anyway, the NFL doesn’t do the whole moralizing navel-gazing thing baseball does, so comparing this to steroids or Pete Rose doesn’t account for that. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/190 "2015-05-15T20:13:50Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > **Hamlet** , have you familiarized yourself yet with the genesis of this situation? Once again, I have no idea what you’re on about. Is this another one of those “It’s the Colt’s fault” things? I did, a few posts ago, politely ask for your opinion on what you actually think did happen. I was curious if you think the Pats are completely blameless, that the balls were never manipulated by the Patriots’ employees, whether the idea that “deflator” was about weight, and how big the conspiracy against the Patriots got. You didn’t actually answer it. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/191 "2015-05-15T20:16:42Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > The only point I was making was that, if you think only one side in this interminable “discussion” is being “hysterical”, then you most definitely have not been paying attention. I am amused more by the hysterical lengths some of the most delusional Pats fans are willing to go than I am of a 100 page appendix into the science of deflating football, text between Patriot employees, or the differences between the Colts and the Patriots balls. > [@John DiFool](#): > > Whatever-since I’m not really an NFL fan anymore, keep on having fun, gang… Thanks for popping in. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/192 "2015-05-15T21:28:58Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’m not a Patriots fan but I’ll be gobsmacked if Brady isn’t in on the first ballot. This isn’t the same level of outrage as the steroid thing, and anyway, the NFL doesn’t do the whole moralizing navel-gazing thing baseball does, so comparing this to steroids or Pete Rose doesn’t account for that. Absolutely agree with you. However, ISTM that what writers and NFL people seem to be growing more annoyed about is the insistence by Patriots-land, Brady, Belichick and the organization that this is some organized conspiracy, created out of jealousy, to impact the Patriot legacy. There is an arrogance that most people outside of the New England fan base seem to be recoiling against. It isn’t because of the transgression. It is the child-like insistence that Brady knew nothing, that they don’t break rules, and everyone is crazy. Brady deserves a place in the HOF. But that isn’t up to me. It would not be the first time a deserving person was kept out by angry voters who feel personally slighted/insulted by the person on the ballot. And if he was kept out only one year… A kind of “screw you” by the voters to Brady and/or Belichick because of their “who me?” shrugs and their deny, deny, deny campaign, that would also be a part of the “legacy”. We’ll see. Nothing will surprise me at this point. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/193 "2015-05-15T22:16:02Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’m not a Patriots fan but I’ll be gobsmacked if Brady isn’t in on the first ballot. This isn’t the same level of outrage as the steroid thing, and anyway, the NFL doesn’t do the whole moralizing navel-gazing thing baseball does, so comparing this to steroids or Pete Rose doesn’t account for that. I’ve heard some talk in the news that the writers and voters might consider a symbolic thing with the first ballot because of this, Spygate and all the other Patriots reputational things that have been kept out of the public eye. Because of this, I think that it’s plausible that Brady (and Belichick) get a little spiteful nose thumbing. iSo I wouldn’t be surprised, as such. I’d say to myself, ‘Oh yeah. I remember when that whole Deflategate thing happened this was mentioned.’ I don’t, necessarily, think it’s **likely** to happen, but I dont think I’d be gobsmacked. If that DOES happen, however, he would be a unanimous second ballot. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/194 "2015-05-15T22:27:55Z")
The Patritos attorneys will totally own the league. When Goodell gets fired and frogmarched out of NFL headquarters in handcuffs, they will find evidence in his desk that he and his minions have been conspiring against the Patriots for a decade. Not only will all 31 owners come to Foxborough personally to apologize in abject humiliation, but they will award the Patriots 2 extra Lombardis and Brady will be immediately inducted. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/195 "2015-05-16T00:27:32Z")
The things I can’t get over in all these protestations of innocence are these: 1. Brady basically claiming to Wells that he didn’t know who those two guys were when he pretty clearly did. 2. The sudden flurry of communication after the publicizing of the controversy. The Patriots’ excuse for this is unavailing. 3. I know some fans are saying the media is focusing on the weight loss thing and ignoring other good points in the Patriots response, but there’s a reason for that. It’s so absurd and unconvincing that I’m frankly not surprised that it’s causing some people to question the entirety of the response, even those parts that seem more rooted in reality. Why be so flailing and desperate, after all, if you’re innocent? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/196 "2015-05-16T02:07:12Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Not only will all 31 owners come to Foxborough personally to apologize in abject humiliation, but they will award the Patriots 2 extra Lombardis and Brady will be immediately inducted. Don’t you mean awarded two extra Belichicks? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/197 "2015-05-16T04:17:54Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > I’ve heard some talk in the news that the writers and voters might consider a symbolic thing with the first ballot because of this, Spygate and all the other Patriots reputational things that have been kept out of the public eye. Because of this, I think that it’s plausible that Brady (and Belichick) get a little spiteful nose thumbing. If they were voting on Brady’s candidacy tomorrow, maybe, but it’s years from now the vote will be held and this will have blown over. The comparisons to MLB are just totally wrong. Baseball has a moralist, self-loathing streak other sports do not; consider its hysteria over steroids, while NFL players are pretty obviously eating steroids like candy and there’s no serious effort to stop it. The steroid obsessin in baseball is institutional; Bonds, Clemens et al. are held out of the Hall because an entire class of players has to pay. Brady is more comparable to, say… Well, I can’t really think of a good comparison. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/198 "2015-05-16T13:51:26Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > If they were voting on Brady’s candidacy tomorrow, maybe, but it’s years from now the vote will be held and this will have blown over. > > The comparisons to MLB are just totally wrong. Baseball has a moralist, self-loathing streak other sports do not; consider its hysteria over steroids, while NFL players are pretty obviously eating steroids like candy and there’s no serious effort to stop it. The steroid obsessin in baseball is institutional; Bonds, Clemens et al. are held out of the Hall because an entire class of players has to pay. > > Brady is more comparable to, say… Well, I can’t really think of a good comparison. I’m not necessarily disagreeing with anything you say. I’m just saying I wouldn’t be overwhelmingly surprised especially given the media’s increasingly overvalued sense of self-importance (even given that the environment of the NFL and MLB are completely different animals). ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/199 "2015-05-16T14:16:42Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > 1. Brady basically claiming to Wells that he didn’t know who those two guys were when he pretty clearly did. Excluded middle. Yes, he knew them, but he says he didn’t know them _well_. Is that not plausible? > [@](#): > > 1. The sudden flurry of communication after the publicizing of the controversy. The Patriots’ excuse for this is unavailing. Isn’t the reason for the flurry \*that \*the situation was being publicized? That something with potentially serious ramifications that they’d never considered, or were even aware of, beforehand suddenly \*needed \*considering and responding to? > [@](#): > > 1. I know some fans are saying the media is focusing on the weight loss thing and ignoring other good points in the Patriots response, but there’s a reason for that. It’s so absurd and unconvincing that I’m frankly not surprised that it’s causing some people to question the entirety of the response, even those parts that seem more rooted in reality. So focus on the parts that you \*do \*find rooted in reality. What are those, to you? > [@](#): > > Why be so flailing and desperate, after all, if you’re innocent? Because the league has already convicted and sentenced. A hard response, the hardest one can imagine, is required, if you think you’re either innocent or cherry-picked. FTR, the NFLPA is demanding Goodell recuse himself from the CBA-defined appeal (prior to the lawsuit we all know is coming), on the basis that they intend to call him as a witness. The rest of this “discussion” is all pretty much like hearing Sean Hannity discuss Obama. There are far too many examples in this thread alone to count. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/200 "2015-05-16T14:17:44Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Brady is more comparable to, say… Well, I can’t really think of a good comparison. I don’t think there are any. > [@kidchameleon](#): > > Will he be fired before or after the Colts are penalized for the Deflategate thing? Please, bestow upon us your wisdom. Tell us, in your own words or even quoting Wells, how this investigation got started. Hint: Your search word is Grigson. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401.md?page=11)