AFC Championship time....

[Mystro]

Oh baby, rain and wind already. So far a very entertaining football game day....

[antbkny]

Colts! Fu Tom Brady!

[sea-dweller]

Go Colts!

[HL65]

Love to see Colts win but can't imagine Pats losing. TB has that fire and wants to get to SB badly. So I pick Pats but love seeing underdog win! Best of luck to fans of both teams and should be another fun game.

[GradyPhilpott]

Comcast is kind enough to let me stream the game on my computer.

I still haven't gotten my TV set up from when I moved nearly three months ago.

[linesiders]

Big front coming through - might make the 4th Quarter Nasty

[jjnd08]

Colts just don't have all the pieces of the puzzle yet. They'll get there soon.

[seand442]

Originally Posted by jjnd08

Colts just don't have all the pieces of the puzzle yet. They'll get there soon.

Very true. Luck will get them there, eventually. Just not this year.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by antNYC

Colts! Fu Tom Brady!

[antbkny]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

Hahaha

[wantonebad]

I realize that from a national perspective, and a perception stand point that I have few in agreement with me but this is a very solid win by a classy,(yes I said classy) organization. They may have very little chance of beating Seattle but I'm very excited about that "little chance". Congratulations to the Kraft family, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and to the fans of the New England Patriots!!

I know BB and the Pats are perceived as cheaters and as far as the rules are concerned I cannot dispute that point, they cheated. But keep in mind that the actual advantage they gained changed very little, and while they were very arrogant about what they did, and thumbed their noses at the rules they did so from a point of interpretation, not purposeful circumvention. At least that's my very biased opinion. The SB should be very entertaining!! GO PATS!!!

[SUBversive]

So much for the colts.

[GradyPhilpott]

I didn't see the last game that NE played, so I only heard about the eligibility thing, but from what I saw tonight, it seems to me that while totally unexpected, what they did was perfectly legal.

I remember forty years ago when Tommy Prothro would pull stunts like that.

Anyway, the Colts were so over-powered in every aspect of the game that I doubt making linemen eligible just before a play made any difference in the outcome of this game.

It was a very enjoyable game to watch, especially for a blowout.

I just hope that Studebaker is okay. They didn't say much after he left the field.

[bdex75]

We are huge Colts fans and agree that they are just not there, yet. They need to quit doing silly things like trading the farm for a troubled Running Back that averages 2 yards a carry and doesn't even show up in the playoffs. Shore up the D and get a big time RB and they are close. That and don't even think of resigning Cribbs and the meathead above (richardson).

The lineman eligible play is the oldest trick in the book. And the fact that the Colts were not prepared for that after last weekend was sickening.

We need an Edelman. Reggie was that guy for us for years. He is just not the same and I wonder if he will retire in the offseason. I hope he stays in Indy and with the team. Class guy.


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[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by bdex75

We are huge Colts fans and agree that they are just not there, yet. They need to quit doing silly things like trading the farm for a troubled Running Back that averages 2 yards a carry and doesn't even show up in the playoffs. Shore up the D and get a big time RB and they are close. That and don't even think of resigning Cribbs and the meathead above (richardson).

The lineman eligible play is the oldest trick in the book. And the fact that the Colts were not prepared for that after last weekend was sickening.

We need an Edelman. Reggie was that guy for us for years. He is just not the same and I wonder if he will retire in the offseason. I hope he stays in Indy and with the team. Class guy.


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Agree with all of this.

Really need to beef up the front 7, and get a better FS.

Free up cap space by cutting Richardson. I think it's time for Reggie and Nicks to retire. I think they need a couple of OL upgrades to add some power to the running game.

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by jjnd08

Agree with all of this.



Really need to beef up the front 7, and get a better FS.



Free up cap space by cutting Richardson. I think it's time for Reggie and Nicks to retire. I think they need a couple of OL upgrades to add some power to the running game.

Wasn't Richardson's deal a one year deal?? Forgot about Nicks but yes same as Reggie.

I think there is going to be some big time WR talent in free agency and the draft is stacked with good RB and WR talent. Irsay needs to do some shopping.

Maybe Peyton will be looking for a QB coach or OC spot?


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[520Matt]

Pats fan here

[HL65]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I realize that from a national perspective, and a perception stand point that I have few in agreement with me but this is a very solid win by a classy,(yes I said classy) organization. They may have very little chance of beating Seattle but I'm very excited about that "little chance". Congratulations to the Kraft family, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and to the fans of the New England Patriots!!

I know BB and the Pats are perceived as cheaters and as far as the rules are concerned I cannot dispute that point, they cheated. But keep in mind that the actual advantage they gained changed very little, and while they were very arrogant about what they did, and thumbed their noses at the rules they did so from a point of interpretation, not purposeful circumvention. At least that's my very biased opinion. The SB should be very entertaining!! GO PATS!!!

I wouldn't want to bet agains the Pats as long as they have TB at QB they will be tough to beat. After what I saw last night I would be worried if I were the Seahawks. I wouldn't be surprised if TB finally gets his 4th ring. While I am not a Pats fan I respect the team and think they are one well run machine. I also think Bill B is the best coach in football and his game prep and work ethic is second to none. I expect a great SB but saying Pats have little chance to beat Seahawks is crazy my friend! Anything can happen on any given Sunday and the Pats are one heck of a team! Good luck to fans of both teams should be a blast!

[azguy]

Go Pats, Seattle better play better than they did yesterday or they'll be in HUGE trouble.

I give the Pats a very god chance to get #4

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I realize that from a national perspective, and a perception stand point that I have few in agreement with me but this is a very solid win by a classy,(yes I said classy) organization. They may have very little chance of beating Seattle but I'm very excited about that "little chance". Congratulations to the Kraft family, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and to the fans of the New England Patriots!!

Agree, most people from outside think it is a cheating team but it really is a class organization from top to bottom that has created the lion's share of trends and tactics over the past plus decade. Bellicheck may truly be the best NFL coach ever.

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I know BB and the Pats are perceived as cheaters and as far as the rules are concerned I cannot dispute that point, they cheated. But keep in mind that the actual advantage they gained changed very little, and while they were very arrogant about what they did, and thumbed their noses at the rules they did so from a point of interpretation, not purposeful circumvention. At least that's my very biased opinion. The SB should be very entertaining!! GO PATS!!!

Patriots were accused of being cheaters for the legal eligible ineligible receivers during the Ravens game. Worked 2 out of 3 times. Failed last night and cost them a penalty at one point when some refs thought a player did not call himself ineligible.

Now as of this morning, people are saying the Pats underinflated the footballs. Interesting to see what develops here but if the Pats were under-inflating balls, you might think the refs would notice while handling them after every play - right?

The Pats are always under the most scrutiny of any team in the NFL. As Pats fans, we are used to hearing that scrutiny.

[Tripp11]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Now as of this morning, people are saying the Pats underinflated the footballs. Interesting to see what develops here but if the Pats were under-inflating balls, you might think the refs would notice while handling them after every play - right?

That's exactly how it was discovered, and at least one ball (if not more) were taken out of play by the officials and turned over to the NFL. I heard this confirmed on talk radio today when they interviewed the NFL Head of Officiating.

This article also briefly discusses, per "league sources".

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...lts-pats-game/

Plus, the conditions weren't really ripe for "feel". It was wet and windy; although the temperature was in the mid to high 40's most of the game.

[antbkny]

Wow, 11 of the 12 balls were under inflated by 2lbs. Shame shame
Pats.

[bdex75]

As a lifelong Colts fan I say this. If the balls between the legs of the fellas wearing white Sunday night were a little more inflated this would be a non issue. The colts balls were legal and they scored 7. Don't think that would have held up in the end. That being said, the Patriots cheated and should be punished to the fullest extent of the rule book as a repeat offender. The Saints had a little in house game and it cost them most of their staff for a year. We shall see. I bet the NFL is pissed at Belicheat.


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[mannyv11]

Lol

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by bdex75

As a lifelong Colts fan I say this. If the balls between the legs of the fellas wearing white Sunday night were a little more inflated this would be a non issue. The colts balls were legal and they scored 7. Don't think that would have held up in the end. That being said, the Patriots cheated and should be punished to the fullest extent of the rule book as a repeat offender. The Saints had a little in house game and it cost them most of their staff for a year. We shall see. I bet the NFL is pissed at Belicheat.


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Pats under inflate a football and " should be punished to the fullest extent of the rule book as a repeat offender" . The Saints have a bounty on opposing players where they get paid by a coach to injure another player and it is a "little in house game". Your words.

Pats issue was a misdemeanor and should be penalized as such - like going 15mph over the speed limit. Saints was like a hit and run - actually not kike - it was a hit & run

[Ed Rooney]

Pats players and fans say it's no big deal, so nothing to see here. These aren't the droids we're looking for.

[Angrypuppy]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Pats under inflate a football and " should be punished to the fullest extent of the rule book as a repeat offender" . The Saints have a bounty on opposing players where they get paid by a coach to injure another player and it is a "little in house game". Your words.

Pats issue was a misdemeanor and should be penalized as such - like going 15mph over the speed limit. Saints was like a hit and run - actually not kike - it was a hit & run

I get what you're saying, but I wouldn't equate what the pats did to creeping over the speed limit.

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Pats under inflate a football and " should be punished to the fullest extent of the rule book as a repeat offender" . The Saints have a bounty on opposing players where they get paid by a coach to injure another player and it is a "little in house game". Your words.



Pats issue was a misdemeanor and should be penalized as such - like going 15mph over the speed limit. Saints was like a hit and run - actually not kike - it was a hit & run

Keep getting caught speeding 15 mph over the limit and see how long it is no big deal. And I would more equate cheating in a professional sport to a DUI rather than speeding.

There was a slight bit of sarcasm there with bounty gate. The Saints coaches were fired and/or suspended and fined an large amounts of money, as they should have been. I played football from the age of 6 until my senior year of college. And trust me when I tell you, coaches do not need to pay players to hurt other players. If I had a bad wrist or ankle you had to tape them both up. Bad knee or elbow, better wear braces on both limbs. If you didn't the opposing teams players would give the hurt one a twist every chance they had. Guys will do anything to win. I have had eyes gouged, hands stepped on and twisted, fingers bent backwards at the bottom of a pile, people spit in your face etc etc. We actually had an OL that we were playing against in HS pee while in a pile. But that was not cheating. Dirty, darn right, but legal. Now getting a betting pool going on it, obviously out of line.

I would imagine that, in the eyes of the league, this is spitting in their face. I see the words "integrity of the game" coming out of the commissioners office pretty soon. I will stand behind my original point. He is a repeat offender and should be punished as such.

What hasn't fully come out yet, from what I have seen, is what the result of the officials inspection of the balls were before they were handed back to the member of the Patriots staff. That will be what will decide how big of a hammer they hit them with.




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[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by bdex75

Keep getting caught speeding 15 mph over the limit and see how long it is no big deal. And I would more equate cheating in a professional sport to a DUI rather than speeding.

There was a slight bit of sarcasm there with bounty gate. The Saints coaches were fired and/or suspended and fined an large amounts of money, as they should have been. I played football from the age of 6 until my senior year of college. And trust me when I tell you, coaches do not need to pay players to hurt other players. If I had a bad wrist or ankle you had to tape them both up. Bad knee or elbow, better wear braces on both limbs. If you didn't the opposing teams players would give the hurt one a twist every chance they had. Guys will do anything to win. I have had eyes gouged, hands stepped on and twisted, fingers bent backwards at the bottom of a pile, people spit in your face etc etc. We actually had an OL that we were playing against in HS pee while in a pile. But that was not cheating. Dirty, darn right, but legal. Now getting a betting pool going on it, obviously out of line.

I would imagine that, in the eyes of the league, this is spitting in their face. I see the words "integrity of the game" coming out of the commissioners office pretty soon. I will stand behind my original point. He is a repeat offender and should be punished as such.

What hasn't fully come out yet, from what I have seen, is what the result of the officials inspection of the balls were before they were handed back to the member of the Patriots staff. That will be what will decide how big of a hammer they hit them with.




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well said and fully agree.

I'm a Colts fan, but the Colts could have played with a Nerf ball and lost.

But cheating is cheating. Bellicheat might pull a Lane Kiffin and blame a low ranking person on the staff and make them the sacrificial lamb.

[wantonebad]

Clearly something happened, and the investigation is going to reveal whatever that is. I think the information leaks so far and the rampant speculation is doing no one any favors not the incensed Colts fan's or the cocky Pat's fans.

These two teams have a history of gamesmanship and accusations dating back years. Piped in noise, wide receivers being bullied by aggressive corners leading to rule changes, handshake snubs and so forth. Bottom line is Pat's fan's and Colt's fans commenting on this issue is pointless and biased IMHO, we all have axes to grind. I'd choose for the investigation to unfold and the NFL to rule before anyone screams innocent or guilty, once that happens then we can address it. There very well may be an explanation or an extenuating circumstance, if there isn't then someone on the patriots staff up to and including BB should answer to it directly and be subject penalty and or dismissal.

Before we talk about that though I want the truth to be discovered and disclosed, if at all possible.