Wellness

[gardenman]

And we have another new head coach. Gary Kubiak is now the head coach in Denver. I'm not sure what kind of impact that will have on Peyton Manning, but it'll be interesting to watch.

[Ms X]

I couldn't care less if the Patriots win or even make the Super Bowl. I have absolutely no idea what they are doing when they play because I don't know the rules. Football is so boring. It takes them a half hour to get through five minutes of play.

The only one on the team whose name I know is Tom Brady, and that's because he's in the gossip columns. Not a fan of him. He'd left his previous girlfriend by the time she found out she was pregnant with his first child, a son. I'd never heard of him before that ugly piece of info hit the tabloids. The local media acted like he was a saint because he went out to see the kid in California after he was born. What a guy, eh? On second thought, I hope they lose.

[sunshine45]

The New England Patriots had 11 of their 12 allotted game footballs under-inflated by 2 pounds of air (PSI) less than what's required by NFL regulations, according to league sources either involved or familiar with the investigation of Sunday's AFC championship game when the Patriots beat the Colts 45-7 to advance to their sixth Super Bowl.

http://espn.go.com/boston/story/_/id/12202450/nfl-says-new-england-patriots-had-inflated-footballs-a...

[gardenman]

The funny thing about deflate-gate is that it was a Colt db who intercepted a pass and noticed an issue with the ball. He gave it to the Colt equipment manager who checked the ball then told the head coach who told the gm who consulted the league who then notified the officials.

[teganslaw]

I'm following this story. I thought that all balls are inspected a couple hours before the game. Why wasn't anything noticed then? BTW it was D'Qwell Jackson who got the interception and brought up the issue of a deflated ball. The NFL is taking this very seriously. New England says that they will cooperate in the investigation, and there will be some press announcements by the team later.

There was also a report that New England used underinflated balls during the regular season game with the Colts. I wonder if they have been doing it with other teams, also. I can't prove that this was the reason the Colts lost, but it does give an advantage to New England. I'll be watching for more news coverage on this. Seattle better be careful and check out New England very carefully.

BTW, it would be a good idea for the game to be replayed because of this, but I know that's not going to happen.

[teganslaw]

Sunshine45, Seehorse and other Ravens fans: any thoughts about Kubiak leaving and the hiring of Trestman as the Ravens new OC? Maybe Trestman's problem was with Cutler and he'll do better in Baltimore. The quarterback situation is much improved from where he used to coach.

Also, haven't heard from SheltieMom on what she thinks about Rex Ryan as the Bills' coach.

[Spurt]

On 1/21/2015 teganslaw said:

I'm following this story. I thought that all balls are inspected a couple hours before the game. Why wasn't anything noticed then? BTW it was D'Qwell Jackson who got the interception and brought up the issue of a deflated ball. The NFL is taking this very seriously. New England says that they will cooperate in the investigation, and there will be some press announcements by the team later.

There was also a report that New England used underinflated balls during the regular season game with the Colts. I wonder if they have been doing it with other teams, also. I can't prove that this was the reason the Colts lost, but it does give an advantage to New England. I'll be watching for more news coverage on this. Seattle better be careful and check out New England very carefully.

BTW, it would be a good idea for the game to be replayed because of this, but I know that's not going to happen.

Hi TEGAN......

Chris Mortensen said according to league sources game balls are required to be inspected 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff---no alteration is allowed once they've been approved.

If Pats switched the approved balls with deflated footballs it sounds like this is a serious issue. They even contacted SUNSHINE'S Ravens about the issue as the NFL proceeds with the investigation.....although John Harbaugh said he did not know what was discussed with several of the Raven's personnel.....One report said that the Colts complained about the inflation of the footballs after the game with the Pats in November....

Maybe they should disqualify the Pats and have the Ravens/Colts replay the AFC Championship Game.....how about it Raven fans, Tegan, and Colt fans.......But we know that's not going to happen.....some NFL fans want Pat's penalties to be just as severe as what the Saints got for Bounty Gate.....

Well Washington hired Charger's LB Coach, Joe Barry......whose used both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes.....most fans are not happy with the pick....but the guy of choice Vic Fangio decided to go with the Bears....Neither defense was great-Bears ranked 30th in total yards and 31st in points, Washington ranked 20th in yards, and 29 in points per game...but one thing is certain Washington needs more talent on D line, outside LB, and 3 DBs.

[gardenman]

Deflate-gate is definitely getting interesting. What I'd like to know is the air pressure of the balls used in the Patriot's practice during the week leading up to the game? If those balls were also under-inflated then the Patriots had a big advantage. I heard a Patriot player blame Adam Vinatieri for telling the Colts to be on the lookout for under-inflated balls. Adam's been a Colt now since 2006, so if he knew it was going on way back then, and they're still doing it now, we could see a substantial penalty imposed. That would make it pretty clear that this wasn't just the actions of a misguided ball boy acting independently. If the NFL can find a long history of doing this then we could see another first round pick sacrificed by the Patriots and possibly even more. For a Patriot player to blame Adam Vinatieri kind of makes one think this has been going on for a while.

[Spurt]

On 1/21/2015 gardenman said:

Deflate-gate is definitely getting interesting. What I'd like to know is the air pressure of the balls used in the Patriot's practice during the week leading up to the game? If those balls were also under-inflated then the Patriots had a big advantage. I heard a Patriot player blame Adam Vinatieri for telling the Colts to be on the lookout for under-inflated balls. Adam's been a Colt now since 2006, so if he knew it was going on way back then, and they're still doing it now, we could see a substantial penalty imposed. That would make it pretty clear that this wasn't just the actions of a misguided ball boy acting independently. If the NFL can find a long history of doing this then we could see another first round pick sacrificed by the Patriots and possibly even more. For a Patriot player to blame Adam Vinatieri kind of makes one think this has been going on for a while.

Sure blame current Colt and former Pat Adam Vinatieri, but don't ACCEPT responsibility that you broke the rules...and appear to have for some time if this is report is accurate....

GARDENMAN- I hear that Mariota Mania has infiltrated the Philly press and some Eagles' fans......the rumors just won't die....but if Mariota remains a high draft prospect it would be too much for the Eagles with implications for trades running until 2017.....but if Mariota drops to 18, 15, or even 12....the Eagles might pull the trigger to make a deal.....I think they should keep Foles and move on.....

Any rumors on who new Eagle personnel guy is going to be....better hurry combines are coming....

[gardenman]

SPURT. There are lots of rumors on the new GM, but nothing solid. As to Mariota, I wouldn't be shocked to see him drop and the Eagles not make a move to get him. I think Chip's pretty comfortable with Foles. Last year Manziel was there for the taking and Chip let him go. If Mariota drops and the Eagles let him pass, he could still be there in round two. Teams will think that if Chip passes on him there must be a reason. There are lots of rumors of players and picks the Eagles will trade to get Mariota, but I just don't see it.