2014 NFL Thread II

Off Topic
1121

[quote]Dr. Pangloss wrote:
I can’t believe I’m defending the Packers, but…

It’s not the same.

If the Packers, before the game, handed the refs a dozen deflated balls - flat as a pancake - is it cheating? No. The refs would be responsible for bringing the balls up the the appropriate pressure.

Likewise, if the Packers handed the refs a dozen balls that were so over-inflated they looked like basketballs with laces, is it cheating. No. The ref would probably look at the equipment manager like he’s an asshole, but then would let air out until they are at the appropriate pressure.

That is the ref’s job

As it stands right now, the league is concerned that after the refs had already inspected the balls someone from the Patriot’s organization tampered with them, probably by letting air out surreptitiously using an inflation needle while they were being stored in a bag.

If you can’t see the difference it’s only because Brady’s balls are hanging over your eyes.[/quote]

Beans has to know the difference. I think he’s being intentionally obtuse. He’s too smart not to see the difference.

1122

[quote]Dr. Pangloss wrote:
I can’t believe I’m defending the Packers, but…

It’s not the same.

If the Packers, before the game, handed the refs a dozen deflated balls - flat as a pancake - is it cheating? No. The refs would be responsible for bringing the balls up the the appropriate pressure.

Likewise, if the Packers handed the refs a dozen balls that were so over-inflated they looked like basketballs with laces, is it cheating. No. The ref would probably look at the equipment manager like he’s an asshole, but then would let air out until they are at the appropriate pressure.

That is the ref’s job

As it stands right now, the league is concerned that after the refs had already inspected the balls someone from the Patriot’s organization tampered with them, probably by letting air out surreptitiously using an inflation needle while they were being stored in a bag.

If you can’t see the difference it’s only because Brady’s balls are hanging over your eyes.[/quote]

100% agree with you here.

1123

[quote]Dr. Pangloss wrote:
I can’t believe I’m defending the Packers, but…

It’s not the same.

If the Packers, before the game, handed the refs a dozen deflated balls - flat as a pancake - is it cheating? No. The refs would be responsible for bringing the balls up the the appropriate pressure.

Likewise, if the Packers handed the refs a dozen balls that were so over-inflated they looked like basketballs with laces, is it cheating. No. The ref would probably look at the equipment manager like he’s an asshole, but then would let air out until they are at the appropriate pressure.

That is the ref’s job

As it stands right now, the league is concerned that after the refs had already inspected the balls someone from the Patriot’s organization tampered with them, probably by letting air out surreptitiously using an inflation needle while they were being stored in a bag.

If you can’t see the difference it’s only because Brady’s balls are hanging over your eyes.[/quote]

Can I see the difference between the two? Sure.

However, to sit back and say one is cheating, but the other isn’t, is not consistent. One is lessor cheating, the other greater and more malicious. But both are cheating.

And the simple fact that you’ve again held the Packer’s cheating in a light that implies “it’s okay” and the Pat’s alleged cheating as “it’s not okay” based on the degree of overall deceit is fine, as long as you aren’t trying to make the whole “it’s about the integrity of the game” argument.

As long as one is just busting balls/hating/enjoying the downgrade of the Pat’s, every criticism is valid. But once people start trying to take a moral stand on this, the argument starts to stink, rife with inconsistencies.

“But they haven’t been caught yet” is an asinine stance to take.

The difference between the two also opens up this door: If it turns out the Pats did the same thing Rodgers did, and the ref’s wiffed (intentionally or not) before the game at catching them. The Packer’s better get all the same punishments the Pats do, as Rodgers has come out and said he does it every week.

1124

[quote]countingbeans wrote:

The Packer’s better get all the same punishments the Pats do, as Rodgers has come out and said he does it every week. [/quote]

Where did you see Rodgers say he tampers with the ball AFTER the ref’s have approved them?

1125

For the record, I don’t give a shit that Rodgers or any QB does it.

Ball PSI isn’t what makes him great.

There is no moral or cultural implications in all this either. Professional Sports never had integrity, not a single one, in any era. “Cheating” in some form or fashion is part of the game. Shit, stealing signs is part of baseball and you know this growing up…

1126

[quote]doogie wrote:

[quote]countingbeans wrote:

The Packer’s better get all the same punishments the Pats do, as Rodgers has come out and said he does it every week. [/quote]

Where did you see Rodgers say he tampers with the ball AFTER the ref’s have approved them? [/quote]

Did you even read my post?

Oh, no you couldn’t have actually read the very sentence that came before what you quoted, because then you wouldn’t have asked this question.

Read. I addressed this.

1127

[quote]countingbeans wrote:
The difference between the two also opens up this door: If it turns out the Pats did the same thing Rodgers did, and the ref’s wiffed (intentionally or not) before the game at catching them. The Packer’s better get all the same punishments the Pats do, as Rodgers has come out and said he does it every week. [/quote]

If the Pats did the same thing, it isn’t cheating and they won’t get any punishment. They are being investigated for tampering post inspection.

It is different, because its an adversarial process setting up the ball. The process is, you set up the ball any way you want, knowing that the refs are looking for certain specs and that there are tolerances, but if it doesn’t pass inspection it doesn’t pass and you don’t get to use it. If it passes, you get to use it. Everything is out in the open. Post inspection, monkeying with the ball is flat out dishonest cheating.