Ted Wells Presents DeflateGate Report To NFL, Patriots; No Discipline Decided Yet

[RLLD 4,275]

 

Integrity, yes. I will agree. It's insane to me the lengths they went to get the balls to the PSI Brady likes.

 

Competitive balance? from letting some air out of a ball? No, sorry.

 

Oh, why would they do it then. Umm, because the NFL gives them leeway to make it how the QB likes it. Did they do too far? Obviously.

 

Obviously, which is why they were so up front about it and made no attempt to hide it....

[edjr 6,899]

If you're the type of person into conspiracy theories

 

Allow me to introduce you to Clete Blakeman. New England? Blakeman. Blakeman? New England.

Now that we’ve got the pleasantries out of the way, let me explain who he is and why he’s significant. Clete Blakeman is the NFL official who gets mentioned so prominently in the Wells Report. He was the alternate referee for the AFC championship game. After kissing the butt of game referee Walt Anderson for a while (“It is obvious that he approaches his responsibilities with a high level of professionalism and integrity … and is widely recognized as exceedingly meticulous, diligent and careful. He also is kind to animals, sings like an angel makes a Steak Diane that is out of this world.” OK, I added that last part), the report introduces us to Blakeman:

As with all playoff games, the crew was comprised of a mix of experienced officials who do not generally work together during the regular season. … In addition to the normal six-man crew, the NFL assigns three experienced officials as alternates for each playoff game, in this case, Clete Blakeman (Alternate Referee), Dyrol Prioleau (Senior Alternate Official and Field Communicator) and Greg Yette (Junior Alternate Official and Kicking Ball Coordinator).

But Blakeman played a much larger role than just being there to sub in case Saint Walt got called away in the middle of the game to go build an AIDS clinic in an impoverished nation or something. He was one of the two men trusted with the sacred task of testing the footballs at halftime. Ted Wells sets the scene:

Each ball was checked first by Blakeman and then by Prioleau, with each official calling out the pressure measurement for each ball tested and Farley writing down the measurement announced by each official before moving to the next ball.

Curiously, though, the two men came up with different numbers on every ball they checked. Even curiouser, Blakeman’s were consistently worse for the Patriots than Prioloeau’s.

Patriots footballs in psi:

Prioleau: 10.80, 11.20, 11.50. 11.00, 11.45, 11.95, 12.30, 11.55, 11.35, 10.90, 11.35

Blakeman: 11.50, 10.85, 11.15, 10.70, 11.10, 11.60, 11.85, 11.10, 10.95, 10.50, 10.90

So in all but the first ball tested, Blakeman’s measurements were well below Prioleau’s. But his numbers were just as consistently favorable to Indy.

Colts football, in psi:

Prioleau: 12.35, 12.30, 12.95, 12.15

Blakeman: 12.70, 12.75, 12.50, 12.55

In three of the four, Blakeman’s numbers were higher. Using the same gauges, seconds apart. Apparently. Reportedly. We don’t know for sure, because what we’re going on is two junior varsity refs barking out the numbers to the room. No one checked their math. No one asked them to re-measure. No one bothered to ask why Blakeman could be way low on the Pats‘ footballs and then high on the Colts’.

Now before you start accusing me of being paranoid and measuring me for a tinfoil hat, I’ll point out that Clete Blakeman is also the guy responsible for the worst call/non-call by an NFL ref in the 21st century:

That’s right. He’s the donkey who picked up the flag that nullified Luke Kuechley’s absolute mugging of Rob Gronkowski two seasons ago. Hug-gate was most egregious non-call any of us have ever seen that cost the Patriots not only an untimed play from the 1-yard line with a chance to win the game, but ultimately a shot to host the AFC title game instead of having to go to Denver. Afterward, Blakeman was arrogantly confident that Gronk, the biggest, best end zone target in the NFL, had no shot to make the catch, which not only goes against common sense, it defies basic science.

The Patriots hammered Blakeman for blowing the game. Tom Brady went all potty mouth at him. Bill Belichick seethed. And this is the guy we’re being asked to trust to collect data on the Patriots. Knowing that the Colts had tipped off the NFL about ball pressure, recognizing that this was a classic sting operation in which officials went in looking to catch them in them in the act and acknowledging that they played 30 minutes of playoff football with balls they had questions about, this is the guy they choose to put on a crew cobbled together out of the supposed best and brightest officials the game has to offer. Then they put this man in charge of working the gauge and ask us to accept his numbers, no questions asked.

The Warren Commission Wells Report threw one footnote in there claiming there was no sting operation. But I know a conspiracy when it’s staring me in the face. The only question is how high up it goes. Someday, somewhere, somebody might just find out the damned truth.

 

 

[edjr 6,899]

Chargers Given Slap On Wrist After Failing To Cooperate With NFL Investigation For Cheating

 

 

 

 

 

the Chargers were accused of using towels covered in Stickum during a game. (Stickum, if you don’t know, is a sticky substance that when rubbed on receivers’ hands or gloves can help them catch footballs. Jerry Rice loved the stuff.)

When asked by NFL officials to hand over the towels, Chargers sideline employees refused.

Seems like the Chargers were pretty guilty of cheating there, huh? And it seems like they were unwilling to hand over the evidence of their obvious cheating, right?

So the NFL should have thrown the book at them, don’t you think, all of you people in the Skip Bayless Culture? Ban Philip Rivers for a year, because he messed with the integrity of the game. Isn’t that how it goes?

Yeah, well … no.

The NFL investigated the matter for a solid three weeks and decided to hit the Chargers with a whopping $20,000 fine.

And that was it.

“The NFL has determined that the club did not violate a competitive rule by use of the towel,” the official statement from the league read. “As a result of the failure of club staff to follow the directive of a game official to immediately surrender the towels when directed to do so, and to attempt to conceal the towels, the Chargers have been fined $20,000.”

Whoa, nelly. Time to put an asterisk on all seven of those big Chargers wins in 2012, and it’s probably fair to take all of Rivers’ accomplishments in 2013 and expunge them from the record books. We can’t have anyone who messed with the integrity of the game to have any mark on history.

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal’s digest of the situation sounds like it could be applied to the Patriots today.

“The whole story is a little odd,” Rosenthal wrote. “It technically wasn’t against the rules to use the towels, but it’s no longer going to be allowed. The Chargers didn’t gain an advantage, but they were fined anyway.”

The NFL concluded that the Chargers didn’t break any rule. If you want to get technical, the Patriots didn’t break a rule, either. There’s no rule that says you can’t deflate footballs; there is merely a rule saying the footballs must be in the 12.5-13.5 PSI range and that the referee must supervise them before the game. That’s a rule that the NFL referees have broken themselves (as recently as the Week 7 Patriots-Jets game this year) without being punished.

 

 

 

no surprise here. They aren't the San Diego Patriots

[IGotWorms 4,063]

how can they be considered the league's best cheaters when they get caught so much? I'd say that's one thing they're pretty ###### bad at.

 

 

 

and for all you fanboys, how about the Patriots just stop cheating? Then you won't have to look like such asses trying to defend them.

Everybody does gamesmanship. If you didn't then you'd be putting yourself at a huge disadvantage. Basically they'd be the Ned Stark of the NFL

[edjr 6,899]

Everybody does gamesmanship.

NO THEY DO NOT!!

 

Only the New England Patriots try to bend the rules.

[IGotWorms 4,063]

 

If you're the type of person into conspiracy theories

 

My thought was maybe one alternate went first in gauging the Patriots' balls and then they switched for the Colts' balls. So if the first gauge lets a little air out in the process that could explain the disparity.

 

Otherwise it's just focking odd that they were consistently that far apart and that one of their measurements consistently made the Pats look worse.

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

Everybody does gamesmanship. If you didn't then you'd be putting yourself at a huge disadvantage. Basically they'd be the Ned Stark of the NFL

 

Then The Patriots should stop doing it so much. They stink at it

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

NO THEY DO NOT!!

 

Only the New England Patriots try to bend the rules.

Ah, the old elementary school defense. "He did it too "

[Franknbeans 46]

NO THEY DO NOT!!

 

Only the New England Patriots consistently get caught trying to bend the rules.

[Mike Honcho 5,439]

My thought was maybe one alternate went first in gauging the Patriots' balls and then they switched for the Colts' balls. So if the first gauge lets a little air out in the process that could explain the disparity.

 

Otherwise it's just focking odd that they were consistently that far apart and that one of their measurements consistently made the Pats look worse.

 

http://www.fftodayforums.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=444560&p=5461198

 

It was explained in the report footnotes, I quoted it above post.

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

Chargers Given Slap On Wrist After Failing To Cooperate With NFL Investigation For Cheating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

no surprise here. They aren't the San Diego Patriots

San Diego Patriots.hmmm. Could happen when the Pats fans stop showing up like they did before the winning. Keep your eye on that.

[edjr 6,899]

you guys are all 100% sure Walt Anderson can't be questioned and did everything by the book, right?

 

I mean, he would never lie to cover his own ass, right?

[IGotWorms 4,063]

 

http://www.fftodayforums.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=444560&p=5461198

 

It was explained in the report footnotes, I quoted it above post.

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

you guys are all 100% sure Walt Anderson can't be questioned and did everything by the book, right?

 

I mean, he would never lie to cover his own ass, right?

What would he be covering his ass about? You're on your last legs on this, huh?

[Franknbeans 46]

you guys are all 100% sure Walt Anderson can't be questioned and did everything by the book, right?

 

I mean, he would never lie to cover his own ass, right?

No, he's not a Patriot****

[Mike Honcho 5,439]

 

If you're the type of person into conspiracy theories

 

 

 

In three of the four, Blakeman’s numbers were higher. Using the same gauges, seconds apart. Apparently. Reportedly. We don’t know for sure, because what we’re going on is two junior varsity refs barking out the numbers to the room. No one checked their math. No one asked them to re-measure. No one bothered to ask why Blakeman could be way low on the Pats‘ footballs and then high on the Colts’.

 

Before this guy creates his conspiracy theories he probably should have read the report...where it explained that Walt had brought TWO gauges with him and both were used at half time. They were both sent to a testing lab and one gauge reads .5 higher than the other.

[NewbieJr 541]

The Patriots line of defense every time they get caught cheating:

 

No, we didn't.

 

Ok, we did. But it doesn't really give us an advantage.

 

Everybody else does it.

 

People are jealous.

 

 

This thread is almost identical to the Spygate thread in 2007. I almost wonder if they're copying and pasting replies from that thread.

[Mike Honcho 5,439]

The Patriots line of defense every time they get caught cheating:

 

No, we didn't.

 

Ok, we did. But it doesn't really give us an advantage.

 

Everybody else does it.

 

People are jealous.

 

The refs were in on it.

 

 

This thread is almost identical to the Spygate thread in 2007. I almost wonder if they're copying and pasting replies from that thread.

 

Fixed.

[vuduchile 1,947]

For those claiming the impact psi has on the ability to grip, throw, catch or hold onto a football is minimal or insignificant:

 

Ask yourself why the NFL has rules about minimum and maximum psi?

 

Knowing that, ask yourself why a QB would bother to conspire to deflate the balls if it made no difference?

 

These guys compete at such a high level, with such precision that EVERY detail matters. Differences in equipment of any type can and will effect how a player performs. It has a lot to do with comfort, confidence, repetition and in some cases superstition.

 

Let's hand Mickleson an off the shelf Top Flite tomorrow or throw a few extra PSI in the ball at the next Cavs/Bulls game and see what happens.

 

This isn't complicated. The rules are there, and Brady doesn't like them. The rules weren't bent, they were willfully and purposely broken.

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

Yes the Patriots cheat, and should be punished, but the rule is stupid. Let the QBs have the ball how they like it. I don't see how anyone gets an advantage then

[Mike Honcho 5,439]

Yes the Patriots cheat, and should be punished, but the rule is stupid. Let the QBs have the ball how they like it. I don't see how anyone gets an advantage then

So 12 game balls, you have one at 12 pounds, cause that's how Tommy likes to throw it, then another for running plays at 9 cause it makes it easier for the RB's to carry it, maybe one at 16 in case you decide to quick kick it on 3rd down? Or maybe for consistency there is a specific range and everyone just there.

[RLLD 4,275]

you guys are all 100% sure Walt Anderson can't be questioned and did everything by the book, right?

 

I mean, he would never lie to cover his own ass, right?

 

Maybe it was the Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, she snuck in and working with the seven dwarves sought to frame the poor patriots.....

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

So 12 game balls, you have one at 12 pounds, cause that's how Tommy likes to throw it, then another for running plays at 9 cause it makes it easier for the RB's to carry it, maybe one at 16 in case you decide to quick kick it on 3rd down? Or maybe for consistency there is a specific range and everyone just there.

 

If they want to tip everyone off by sending in the running ball, have at it. It would take away from audibles too. I just don't see the big deal.

[Mike Honcho 5,439]

If they want to tip everyone off by sending in the running ball, have at it. It would take away from audibles too. I just don't see the big deal.

 

 

Really, how do you know it's not the quick kick ball, or the "Gronkowski special", or a different passing ball? There's a reason for standardization of equipment.

 

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

 

 

Really, how do you know it's not the quick kick ball, or the "Gronkowski special", or a different passing ball? There's a reason for standardization of equipment.

 

 

 

Down and distance and score and personnel and time left on the clock would give me a fairly good idea.

[redtodd 7]

I just hope they force the Patriots to use balls with the proper inflation. The last time they had the proper balls they put up 28 points in on half against the Colts and crushed the #1 defense in a Super Bowl.

 

Bring on the legal balls!!!!

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

I agree. They should be allowed to have the balls the way the like them. They all don't have to wear the same shoulder pads.

[drobeski 3,061]

much ado about nothing

 

fake outrage to infinity and beyond

 

they hate em cus they aint em

 

factomundo

[RLLD 4,275]

 

 

Really, how do you know it's not the quick kick ball, or the "Gronkowski special", or a different passing ball? There's a reason for standardization of equipment.

 

 

Tom Brady thinks you should read the rulebook.....

[NewbieJr 541]

much ado about nothing

 

fake outrage to infinity and beyond

 

they hate em cus they aint em

 

factomundo

Same as Bonds, Braun, ARod, Lance Armstrong.... People only hate them because they're jealous, right?

[parrot 789]

you guys are all 100% sure Walt Anderson can't be questioned and did everything by the book, right?

 

 

I don't know that he lied about anything, but one of my favorite angles of the report is how early on they applaud his ability to recall details, and basically base everything going forward on those recollections, but then later summarily reject his best recollection on one of the key details - which gauge he used for the pregame check.

[drobeski 3,061]

Same as Bonds, Braun, ARod, Lance Armstrong.... People only hate them because they're jealous, right?

pretty much sums it up, eagle fans hate everyone with good reason, its called deflection.

[NewbieJr 541]

pretty much sums it up, eagle fans hate everyone with good reason, its called deflection.

LOLOL If you think the hate for cheaters is limited to Eagles fans, you're dumber than most plumbers.

[edjr 6,899]

FYI - I have tagged in drobeski and won't partake in this until a penalty comes forth.

 

Vegas has the over under at 3.5

[Cruzer 1,996]

I hear Hillary Clinton has come out and said Tom Brady needs to turn over his phone and text messages...

[edjr 6,899]

I hear Hillary Clinton has come out and said Tom Brady needs to turn over his phone and text messages...

right after Ted Wells releases his report on Bengazee

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

It's the texts, stupid.

[RLLD 4,275]

I hear Hillary Clinton has come out and said Tom Brady needs to turn over his phone and text messages...

 

[IGotWorms 4,063]

Maybe the different gauges thing really is a big deal.

 

Earlier today, I spent way too much time hunting-and-pecking my way through an item regarding the problems with the two pressure gauges used to measure the Patriots footballs at halftime of the AFC title game. I spent so much time focused on the nuances that I didnt give proper attention to perhaps the most obvious problem of all.

 

To summarize, the NFL had two air pressure gauges available at the game. One had a Wilson logo on the back and a long, crooked needle. The other did not have a Wilson logo, and a shorter, straighter needle.

 

The gauge with the logo and the longer needle generated higher measurements of the Patriots footballs at halftime, ranging from 0.3 PSI to 0.45 PSI higher for each of the 11 footballs. If that gauge the one with the logo and the longer, crooked needle were used to set the PSI for the balls before the game began, the measurements from that gauge are the right measurements to rely upon at halftime. And those measurements show that there was no tampering, because most of the footballs fell within the 11.52 to 11.32 PSI range for halftime, as predicted by the Ideal Gas Law.

 

Referee Walt Anderson didnt clearly recall which gauge he used to set the pressure in the Patriots balls at 12.5 PSI before the game. Page 52 of the Wells report reveals that it was Andersons best recollection that he used before the game the gauge with the logo and the longer, crooked needle. In other words, Anderson recalls using the gauge before the game that, based on the halftime measurements, leads to a finding of no tampering.

 

So how did Ted Wells get around the best recollection of Walt Anderson? Wells persuaded Anderson to admit that its certainly possible he used the other gauge. And the company hired to provide technical support for the Wells report concluded based on a convoluted explanation appearing at pages 116-17 of the report that it is more probable than not that Anderson used the other gauge.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/10/wells-report-disregards-andersons-best-recollection-on-a-key-piece-of-evidence/

[Eaglesin14 12]

Pats fans still grasping at straws.