# To select SDMB Cheatriots' Defenders **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 6, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426 "2015-05-06T21:50:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/261 "2015-09-08T14:16:46Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I stopped following this story, oh, eight months go, so I have a couple questions: > > 1. Did the NFL take away the Patriots’ win? > 2. Can the new season start soon enough so you guys can find something new to argue about? > > I think I woulda heard about #1 if it happened, and if the win stands you guys are pissing in the wind. For #2, as a bit of a baseball fan I know that this debate will continue for at least the next 75 years, but a guy can hope. 1. No. The team got fined $1 million, and lost some valuable draft picks. They did not fight that. Brady was suspended for 4 games, which was vacated in court last week. I don’t believe there are mechanisms in the NFL rules to allow them to take away a win, especially since doing it months later would have also meant the Super Bowl didn’t count, which would make the NFL look even more ridiculous than they currently do. 2. Thursday. But that won’t end anything. If Brady has an outstanding night, certain persons will argue that’s absolute proof that ball pressure has little effect on his game. If he throws even slightly under his average, certain other persons will argue that’s absolute proof that without under-inflated balls, he’s a terrible quarterback. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/262 "2015-09-08T15:03:13Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > 1. Thursday. But that won’t end anything. If Brady has an outstanding night, certain persons will argue that’s absolute proof that ball pressure has little effect on his game. If he throws even slightly under his average, certain other persons will argue that’s absolute proof that without under-inflated balls, he’s a terrible quarterback. Third option: on the first play from scrimmage, he’s sacked and suffers a career-ending injury, and the argument NEVER DIES. (I would like to quietly insert the following thought: this whole argument hinges on the 2006 rule change allowing teams to prepare their own balls. Before 2006, Brady did OK for himself, including winning, you know, three Super Bowls in four years. Two more than he did in the subsequent 10.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/263 "2015-09-08T15:27:04Z")
I swear I don’t know why every team’s get-out-the-season-ticket-buyers billboards don’t read “Your balls are not prepared for this!” over a picture of whoever their defensive star is. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/264 "2015-09-08T15:28:00Z")
Yes. It’s good that the Patriots were above reproach prior to 2007. Otherwise Brady’s entire crew would be mired in scandal. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2015, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/265 "2015-09-08T15:35:04Z")
> **[Spygate to Deflategate: Inside what split the NFL and Patriots apart](https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/13533995/split-nfl-new-england-patriots-apart)** > > The widespread perception that Spygate was worse than was ever made public turned Deflategate into what one owner terms a "makeup call" by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and his league. He’s a fascinating long piece about Spygate and Deflategate, that just came out today. “Kraft productions” indeed. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/266 "2015-09-08T16:03:43Z")
So what exactly do you take away from that story? Other than ESPN trying to cover up its own ridiculously-wrong reporting, which they include anyway despite acknowledging they withdrew it already :rolleyes:. And a very nice story about how the evidence of something else long ago \*used \*to exist but Goodell _had it destroyed_, because reasons or something. :rolleyes: Arlen Specter’s butthurt over his team losing a Super Bowl is well-established, along with the fact that his Iggles couldn’t move the ball in the fourth quarter because the Pats had hit McNabb so hard he couldn’t breathe, not because of play-calling. Yet they’re warming that over too, and presenting it as something serious and thoughtful. Haters gonna hate. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/267 "2015-09-08T16:06:16Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > certain other persons will argue that’s absolute proof that without under-inflated balls, he’s a terrible quarterback. The primary instigator of this thread has _already_ pointed to a pair of drops in an exhibition game by a receiver they have since cut as proof. He also claims to have above-average statistics skillz. 😛 ---
**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:** [September 8, 2015, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/268 "2015-09-08T16:16:28Z")
[http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/09/08/patriots-cheating-suspicions-bill-belichick-tom-brady](http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/09/08/patriots-cheating-suspicions-bill-belichick-tom-brady) SI is also apparently trying to give cover to ESPN by detailing a culture cheating in Foxboro. #KraftProductions. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/269 "2015-09-08T16:22:08Z")
Nope, you need to read your own cites. SI “reports” that other teams have “suspicions”. :rolleyes: The mockery will continue for exactly as long as you want it to, you know. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/270 "2015-09-08T16:49:07Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > [Bill Belichick, Patriots past cheating stokes suspicion - Sports Illustrated](http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/09/08/patriots-cheating-suspicions-bill-belichick-tom-brady) > > SI is also apparently trying to give cover to ESPN by detailing a culture cheating in Foxboro. #KraftProductions. Geez, **Hentor** , we were pretty close on this, but that SI article is abusive sludge. A litany of mostly unattributed sources from opposing teams willing to say they don’t trust the Patriots, juxtaposed rather than linked to current allegations leading to…what, again? They’re just bad people, everybody knows it, therefore, what? The more this kind of crap goes on, the more shame I have for the NFL and its fans, which leaves that much less shame I have available for the Patriots. Criminy. A football of psi 12 outrages you, but an article like that leaves your sense of fairness untouched? Don’t force me into agreement with\*\* ElvisL1ves\*\*. Please. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/271 "2015-09-08T16:52:19Z")
You choose which dogs you lie down with all on your own, **The King of Soup**. I guess you’ll start singing Talyor Swift for us pretty soon too, huh? ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/272 "2015-09-08T17:17:51Z")
I’m immune to that criticism because of incredible cultural ignorance. I still think the Patriots cheated, and I’m ashamed for them because of it, I feel much the same way on account of Spygate, and I still think the NFL and Roger Goodell managed to behave much worse in both cases, and I still think the article you linked to is tripe. And I still like you and your posts a lot. Make of that what you will. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2015, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/273 "2015-09-08T22:03:02Z")
I’m still a fan. You’ll know otherwise when I start misspelling your name, **The Kind of Soup**. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/274 "2015-09-11T13:02:58Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > I have every expectation that he’s going to have the worst season of his career, and I’m looking forward to it! Opening Night: 25-32-0, 4 TD, in the rain. As if the balls didn’t make any difference. Or as if there never \*were \*any difference, hmm? But don’t worry, there’s still 15 games left for you to start being right. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/275 "2015-09-11T13:14:30Z")
I’m pretty sure he threw all four touchdowns before it started raining again, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/276 "2015-09-11T13:19:19Z")
It was raining lightly through the whole game, then got heavy in the fourth quarter. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/277 "2015-09-11T22:52:44Z")
Well, to be honest if teams aren’t going to cover Gronk that really doesn’t say much about Brady…Ryan Leaf could excel with that served up for him. Not that I think Brady won’t have another ProBowl year, he’s a hell of a QB. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/278 "2015-09-21T14:07:24Z")
[Yesterday at Buffalo:](http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/2015/09/20/tom-brady-historic-performance-against-the-bills-stats/5J93TVSJ27dyO5ZlfPlQRL/story.html) > [@](#): > > Tom Brady is 1st player in NFL history to have all of these in a game: > > - Throw for 450 yards > - 3 TD passes > - 0 Int > - 55 attempts Hmm, what do you make of that, **Hentor**? Or, more simply, what have you been \*right \*about? Ever? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/279 "2015-09-21T14:18:20Z")
There are plenty of players who have thrown for 450-plus yards, three-plus touchdowns and no picks. The number of attempts is pretty meaningless (if anything, it’s worse to attempt more passes). In fact, Brady did it himself in the 2011 season opener. That is not to say he didn’t have a very good game yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426/280 "2015-09-21T18:16:17Z")
Six pages is way too much read about this foul franchise. Is there a definitive list of New England fans/defenders somewhere to aid me in knowing some of the posters to dismiss immediately in other threads? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-select-sdmb-cheatriots-defenders/719426.md?page=15)