Distractions and Overblown Story Lines

The last thing anyone wants to read right now, especially Patriots fans, is another story about deflated footballs. But with more information coming out, and more and more former players talking about how common this is, I thought I would throw my two cents in. I think most people in and around the NFL know that this really isn't that big of a deal. Yeah, if it's proven that the Patriots did it intentionally, I'll be disappointed, but that's it. This whole situation is being overblown and really, it comes down to envy. As Jemele Hill from ESPN said, what player wouldn't love to play for New England? What coach or GM doesn't want to be as successful as New England? Exactly. Controversy surrounds every winner. This is just another bump in the road, being played up, in hopes of distracting a good football team.

Quick thoughts:

• I fully believe that Belichick had no idea about any of this. His presser was convincing, seemed honest, and it kind of sounded like Coach was a little hurt. Yet another Super Bowl run will be tarnished by cheating allegations, whether they're proven true or not. Disappointing to say the least.
• The blame now shifts to Brady - so did he have anything to do with it? I've always thought Brady was a pretty honest, play-by-the-rules guy. And I still do. But I also know that in the NFL -or any sport, really- everyone tries to get ahead. Every competitor has pushed the rules at some point to get an advantage. Deep down, I don't really think Tom Brady decided to under-inflate the game balls to give him and his offense an unfair advantage. What I believe happened is #12 made it known that he likes the pigskin deflated to the lowest PSI, allowed. Which would be 12.5. So a ball tested inside, in dry conditions, 2 hours before game time, that checks out at 12.5 could easily, easily deflate in outdoor conditions. Maybe only inflating the ball to the minimum PSI is pushing things a little bit, but it's still completely legal. 
• AGAIN, if the Patriots were in fact playing with under-inflated footballs, that is not the reason they won, and the Colts lost. Supposedly the Patriots played with backup footballs in the second half, when we scored an unanswered 28 points. So if anything, I could make an argument that New England helped Indy out by playing with semi under-inflated balls in the first half. Maybe if the football was properly inflated, Brady wouldn't have thrown that pick and  we would've beat the Colts by 45 points, instead of mere 38. You're welcome, Colts. Hahahahahaha. 
• "The Patriots can't make it to a Super Bowl without cheating, geeze. First the Tuck Rule, then filming walkthroughs, then Spygate, then tapping into the opponents' headsets to interfere with their communication, now this." Over the years, I've learned that there's really no use in arguing with Pats haters, or even acknowledging them, because it does no good, and they're going to believe what they want to believe. So I've accepted that. But one thing I would love to clear up, is that the New England Patriots had absolutely nothing to do with the Tuck Rule being called. That one was totally on the officials and was not "created for Tom Brady". That is honestly one of the most ignorant things I've ever heard. But moving on. I have a whole post on that game, but to sum things up, the Tuck Rule had been a rule since 1999...before Brady even came into the NFL. It had been called 2 other times that season, once against the Patriots. It is no longer a thing, and that's fine. But the Tuck Rule shouldn't be called the "Brady Rule" and it is definitely not the only reason we know Tom Brady. It's been over a decade, it's really time for Raiders fans, and NFL fans in general, to move on. *drops mic*

I think I'm done ranting today. Maybe. 

*Will probably update after Brady addresses the media at 4!*

As always, Go Pats. #WereOnToSeattle