New England Patriots

[elliseamos]

[Self]

[spike]

tom brady is the handsomest frankenstein's monster EVAR

[Self]

Hahaha...who the hell cut his hair?

[spike]

Hahaha...who the hell cut his hair?

gronk, obviously.

[Chris_H_2]

"Cheaters!" "Cheaters" they'll yell!

[E.H. Ruddock]

"Cheaters!" "Cheaters" they'll yell!

Ha.

Wells report finds that Pats probably deflated balls in AFC title game

The NFL has found that it is probable that the New England Patriots deliberately deflated balls during the AFC Championship Game in January and that quarterback Tom Brady was "generally aware" of what was happening.

The findings were released by Ted Wells, the league-appointed attorney who investigated whether the Patriots deflated balls in their game against the Indianapolis Colts.

"For the reasons described in this Report, and after a comprehensive investigation, we have concluded that, in connection with the AFC Championship Game, it is more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate effort to circumvent the rules," the report said. "In particular, we have concluded that it is more probable than not that Jim McNally (the Officials Locker Room attendant for the Patriots) and John Jastremski (an equipment assistant for the Patriots) participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls after the balls were examined by the referee. Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady (the quarterback for the Patriots) was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls.

"Based on the evidence, the investigation has further concluded that that there was no deliberate attempt by the Patriots to introduce to the playing field a non-approved kicking ball during the AFC Championship Game. Although Patriots personnel provided a kicking ball to game officials that did not have the distinctive inspection mark of the referee, we find that the Patriots personnel involved believed the ball to be authentic and appropriate. We do not believe that there was any attempt by Patriots personnel, including Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, to deliberately circumvent the rules by offering the kicking ball for play."

The Patriots, who won the game and went on to beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, said in a statement "to say we are disappointed in its findings, which do not include any incontrovertible or hard evidence of deliberate deflation of footballs at the AFC Championship Game, would be a gross understatement."

"While I respect the independent process of the investigation, the time, effort and resources expended to reach this conclusion are incomprehensible to me," Patriots CEO Robert Kraft said. "Knowing that there is no real recourse available, fighting the league and extending this debate would prove to be futile. We understand and greatly respect the responsibility of being one of 32 in this league and, on that basis, we will accept the findings of the report and take the appropriate actions based on those findings as well as any discipline levied by the league."

[elliseamos]

I expected worse.

Enjoy your pedestals, lesser cities, I wouldn't trade places with any of you. I look forward to another belichick F-you tour. Bulletin board material for decades to come.

[Chris_H_2]

I expected worse.

Enjoy your pedestals, lesser cities, I wouldn't trade places with any of you. I look forward to another belichick F-you tour. Bulletin board material for decades to come.

i can't imagine why everyone thinks fans of boston's teams are insufferable assholes

[Self]

Not really surprised, you guys. I keep thinking back to Brady's press conference. He acted like one of my kids trying to deny involvement in the crayon on the wall incident.

That being said, this whole thing is still...overblown. But, I'll take my lumps in the comments section like I should.

[doug rr]

Not really surprised, you guys. I keep thinking back to Brady's press conference. He acted like one of my kids trying to deny involvement in the crayon on the wall incident.

That being said, this whole thing is still...overblown. But, I'll take my lumps in the comments section like I should.

go broncos

[Self]

Not really surprised, you guys. I keep thinking back to Brady's press conference. He acted like one of my kids trying to deny involvement in the crayon on the wall incident.

That being said, this whole thing is still...overblown. But, I'll take my lumps in the comments section like I should.

go broncos

They better go this year, Dougray.

[Chris_H_2]

Not really surprised, you guys. I keep thinking back to Brady's press conference. He acted like one of my kids trying to deny involvement in the crayon on the wall incident.

That being said, this whole thing is still...overblown. But, I'll take my lumps in the comments section like I should.

go broncos

They better go this year, Dougray.

I'm not sure whose window is closing faster, the Tigers or the Broncos.

[spike]

the media's already taking their foot off the gas so as not to tarnish the mighty patriots. costas just chalked this up as good ol' gamesmanship.

[i got bugs]

I'm sure nothing will come out of this

If it were the fins they'd have to surrender like 10 draft picks

[Simple Torture]

It's going to be awkward if Brady is suspended for week 1 (raising the banner and all). Are suspended NFL players even allowed in the building?

[E.H. Ruddock]

I'm looking for the language, but apparently in the report there is also a statement that says something to the effect of it is more probable than not that the league knew about this prior to the Ravens' game (the Colts complained to the league about it) and that the Ravens' game was a sort of sting operation.

[Simple Torture]

I'm looking for the language, but apparently in the report there is also a statement that says something to the effect of it is more probable than not that the league knew about this prior to the Ravens' game (the Colts complained to the league about it) and that the Ravens' game was a sort of sting operation.

Brady's agent made this point this morning (the fact that the league knew of complaints prior to the Colts game is buried in a footnote somewhere). But I guess, to be fair, they did check the balls before the game--were they supposed to give the ball attendant a babysitter after they tested them?

[bada]

I expected worse.

Enjoy your pedestals, lesser cities, I wouldn't trade places with any of you. I look forward to another belichick F-you tour. Bulletin board material for decades to come.

i can't imagine why everyone thinks fans of boston's teams are insufferable assholes

Boston fans are only generally and more probable than not assholes.

[Simple Torture]

I expected worse.

Enjoy your pedestals, lesser cities, I wouldn't trade places with any of you. I look forward to another belichick F-you tour. Bulletin board material for decades to come.

i can't imagine why everyone thinks fans of boston's teams are insufferable assholes

One of my cousins is seeking out every article about this on FB and posting this picture in the comments: