"DeflateGate" Update: Suspension Upheld! Brady Accepts 4 Game Ban.

[beanfigger]

I agree that it probably doesn't impact their induction but I wouldn't rule out the possibility. Who knows what happens with the HoF by the time they're inducted. Furthermore, you could technically argue that these are on-the-field transgressions due to how they potentially impacted the actual games.

I'm just playing devil's advocate here, but it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

Just saying, allegations and overturned suspensions will not be enough. If something more happens and they actually get personally punished significantly, their busts are already chiseled.

[BmoreBird22]

Different Halls. Baseball Hall voters are told specifically too consider off the field stuff. Football Hall voters are told not to. It'll take a lot more than allegations and overturned suspensions to keep them out.

They're told not to unless it's extreme. That's all I'm saying

[salamander]

The Pats start off the season true to form with the Steelers head sets getting the Patriots radio station so they can't get their play calls and communications? This is NOT the first time this has happened up in Gillette Stadium. At least the refs made the Pats head set be turned off til the Steelers got fixed. It's always something with the Pats.

[K-Dog]

The Pats start off the season true to form with the Steelers head sets getting the Patriots radio station so they can't get their play calls and communications? This is NOT the first time this has happened up in Gillette Stadium. At least the refs made the Pats head set be turned off til the Steelers got fixed. It's always something with the Pats.

God I hope that is a joke.....

[salamander]

God I hope that is a joke.....

No joke. Headsets fixed once refs made Pats turn theirs off.

[K-Dog]

No joke. Headsets fixed once refs made Pats turn theirs off.

If it is what it sounds like that is really really sad. 

[Edgar]

Patriots lead the NFL in fumbles.

[K-Dog]

Patriots lead the NFL in fumbles.

Well to be fair they also lead the NFL in wins so far this season.

[Grapple Raven]

Honestly that pre-game show was revolting, disgusting and vomit worthy. 

 

"All we do is win, win, win no matter what...", dragging out all four of their questionable Super Bowl trophies. That was double entendre at its best, thumbing their nose at Goodell and the rest of the League. 

 

Love the new move by the Pats with the loose helmet trick to get a play called back via a penalty. That players helmet was so loose the wind could have blown it off.

 

Brady was caught twice uttering profanity on National TV yet again, however I bet he doesn't apologize this time.

 

Not to mention the headset communication snafu yet again.

 

Seems like the "Patriot Way" is alive and kicking~~~ seems they are even more determined to continue their culture of cheating.

 

 

Did I mention how much I loathe their cheating QB, coach and owner?

 

 

PS:  I loved how the camera caught Big Ben squeezing the football! lol

[ravensdfan]

Honestly that pre-game show was revolting, disgusting and vomit worthy. 

 

"All we do is win, win, win no matter what...", dragging out all four of their questionable Super Bowl trophies. That was double entendre at its best, thumbing their nose at Goodell and the rest of the League. 

 

Love the new move by the Pats with the loose helmet trick to get a play called back via a penalty. That players helmet was so loose the wind could have blown it off.

 

Brady was caught twice uttering profanity on National TV yet again, however I bet he doesn't apologize this time.

 

Not to mention the headset communication snafu yet again.

 

Seems like the "Patriot Way" is alive and kicking~~~ seems they are even more determined to continue their culture of cheating.

 

 

Did I mention how much I loathe their cheating QB, coach and owner?

 

 

PS:  I loved how the camera caught Big Ben squeezing the football! lol

I refused to watch the pre-game hype. I knew it would be vomit inducing.

 

So here is what I read on the Steelers' website about the headsets. The refs went over to NE's sideline to disable their communications and miraculously, the Steelers' headsets then began working. As soon as the refs then headed back out to the field though, the Steelers' headsets stopped working. Not to mention I believe Tomlin called this issue a week ago before they even played the game.

 

I also counted at least two illegal pick plays they let Brady get away with. Clear taunting by Edelman three times. And then there is whatever Ben was yelling about on that false start penalty - the announcers said that the Patriots line was yelling a snap count. Don't know if that is legal or not tbh.

 

They are cheaters, liars and scumbags. I hope their season goes in the toilet and is flushed.

[rmcjacket23]

I refused to watch the pre-game hype. I knew it would be vomit inducing.

 

So here is what I read on the Steelers' website about the headsets. The refs went over to NE's sideline to disable their communications and miraculously, the Steelers' headsets then began working. As soon as the refs then headed back out to the field though, the Steelers' headsets stopped working. Not to mention I believe Tomlin called this issue a week ago before they even played the game.

 

I also counted at least two illegal pick plays they let Brady get away with. Clear taunting by Edelman three times. And then there is whatever Ben was yelling about on that false start penalty - the announcers said that the Patriots line was yelling a snap count. Don't know if that is legal or not tbh.

 

They are cheaters, liars and scumbags. I hope their season goes in the toilet and is flushed.

1. Its the Steelers website (unsubstantiated reporting), so obviously the "grain of salt" rule applies for obvious reasons. Other non-biased sites have refuted this as has the NFL.

 

2. Its up to the refs to make those calls. The Ravens run pick plays also that aren't called... so shouldn't we complain about ourselves for those.

 

3. The announcers got that perception wrong, as did Big Ben. Ben was yelling to the refs that the Patriots were shifting on the defensive line, which is legal. He thought it was illegal. He was wrong.

[Edgar]

Well to be fair they also lead the NFL in wins so far this season.

Yes.

Just curious how they fare as far as fumbling the football this year now that they are presumably using footballs that are regulation.

[rmcjacket23]

Yes.

Just curious how they fare as far as fumbling the football this year now that they are presumably using footballs that are regulation.

No worries. If they fumble at the same rate, I'm sure somebody will come up with some bogus explanation for why that occurred also.

 

When all somebody wants to do is get to the conclusion they want, they'll find a way to get there one way or another.

[BmoreBird22]

One thing to understand about the headsets is that they are provided by the NFL, so unless the Patriots knew the frequency for the Steelers headsets (at which point someone would probably try to hack them), then their radio broadcast wasn't a cheating tactic, at least it doesn't look that way

[Edgar]

One thing to understand about the headsets is that they are provided by the NFL, so unless the Patriots knew the frequency for the Steelers headsets (at which point someone would probably try to hack them), then their radio broadcast wasn't a cheating tactic, at least it doesn't look that way

As I understand it, it is the home team's responsibility to set up and maintain.

Could they possibly be so brazen? Tomlin thinks so.

Don't ask belichik. Electronics are "not my thing".

[Tank 92]

1. Its the Steelers website (unsubstantiated reporting), so obviously the "grain of salt" rule applies for obvious reasons. Other non-biased sites have refuted this as has the NFL.

 

 

 

ahhh jacket, either you just don't get it, or you are just ignoring the facts for the sake of an argument. It's a well known FACT that opposing teams have had various headset issues at Gillette for years.  It's a documented FACT, not anyone's opinion.  They are a corrupt, scum bag cheating organization.

 

 

 

Unethical behavior surely isn't going to matter to a smart voter, because they would understand that ethics is based on a person by person belief and manner. 

 

You are confusing personal ethics with organizational ethics. In sports throughout the world there is an accepted code of ethics that teams and sports organizations are expected to follow in the spirit of sportsmanship and maintaining a level playing field for all(before you bring up minor transgressions like holding, pick plays, etc. that's not what we are talking about here). When teams cross the boundaries and continue to do so it threatens the integrity and viability of the sport. It's ruined sports such as professional soccer in Italy and horse racing in the US. Some governing bodies address these issues before it's too late(an example is the EPL in England which has levied stiff penalties for purposeful "diving" to deceive refs into awarding penalty shots).

 

It's my opinion that as more and more(and there certainly is more) of the pats scubaggery comes to light that the NFL will have no choice but to address it to maintain the viability of the sport. Team owners have now certainly become tired of it(who do you think pushed for the 4 game suspension? Goodell on his own?  NOT) and soon fans will become fed up as well. Again, just my opinion, but I think that sometime in the near future the pats org will get what's coming to them and it will put into question any and all of their "accomplishments".    

[berad]

One thing to understand about the headsets is that they are provided by the NFL, so unless the Patriots knew the frequency for the Steelers headsets (at which point someone would probably try to hack them), then their radio broadcast wasn't a cheating tactic, at least it doesn't look that way

 

The NFL declared it a "stadium power infrastructure issue" whatever that means... sounds like baloney. Either way, who is responsible for the stadium power infrastructure?

[rmcjacket23]

ahhh jacket, either you just don't get it, or you are just ignoring the facts for the sake of an argument. It's a well known FACT that opposing teams have had various headset issues at Gillette for years.  It's a documented FACT, not anyone's opinion.  They are a corrupt, scum bag cheating organization.

 

 

You are confusing personal ethics with organizational ethics. In sports throughout the world there is an accepted code of ethics that teams and sports organizations are expected to follow in the spirit of sportsmanship and maintaining a level playing field for all(before you bring up minor transgressions like holding, pick plays, etc. that's not what we are talking about here). When teams cross the boundaries and continue to do so it threatens the integrity and viability of the sport. It's ruined sports such as professional soccer in Italy and horse racing in the US. Some governing bodies address these issues before it's too late(an example is the EPL in England which has levied stiff penalties for purposeful "diving" to deceive refs into awarding penalty shots).

 

It's my opinion that as more and more(and there certainly is more) of the pats scubaggery comes to light that the NFL will have no choice but to address it to maintain the viability of the sport. Team owners have now certainly become tired of it(who do you think pushed for the 4 game suspension? Goodell on his own?  NOT) and soon fans will become fed up as well. Again, just my opinion, but I think that sometime in the near future the pats org will get what's coming to them and it will put into question any and all of their "accomplishments".    

1. Yes, just like its a well known fact that other teams have had headset issues in other stadiums with other organizations in the NFL on an annual basis. It has occurred at one M&T Bank Stadium as well.

 

The reason this is a topic of discussion is because the Patriots have lost the benefit of the doubt when it comes to anything perceived as "shady". They did it to themselves, but then again, they also can't control (literally) what they can't control, nor do I think they care to for obvious reasons. Its sort of refreshing to me to finally see organizations stop playing the PR game when it comes to trying to explain things that they can't control.

 

2. No, I'm not confusing them at all, because my response is 100% about personal ethics and 0% about organizational ethics. Organizational ethics, by definition, is the organizations problem, not my personal problem or any other voter's personal problem. 

 

There's plenty of people on here who thinks the Patriots usage of "questionable formations" is unethical. That, by definition, is personal ethics. A voter may agree with that or he may disagree with that, which again, makes that personal and subjective. He may not even choose to think that allegedly deflating footballs is unethical for whatever reason, and the voter is more than allowed to think that way.

 

You sort of made my point for me in regards to ethics by referencing the code of conduct. The precise reason why organizations create a Code of Conduct (typically its actually written and documented) is because those organizations understand the inherently subjective nature of ethics. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to remove the subjectivity of certain conduct or "ethical" decisions.

 

If ethics were just some 100% agreed upon concept by literally everybody, then there would be no need for a Code of Conduct, because it would serve no purpose. It would just be implied.

 

Ethical issues that are agreed upon by the masses as unethical turn into LAWS, thus making them illegal. Once they become illegal, there's no more debate over right and wrong, thus eliminating the subjectivity.

[rmcjacket23]

The NFL declared it a "stadium power infrastructure issue" whatever that means... sounds like baloney. Either way, who is responsible for the stadium power infrastructure?

Most likely a company that the Patriots outsource that to...

[The Mom Gene]

 

There's plenty of people on here who thinks the Patriots usage of "questionable formations" is unethical. That, by definition, is personal ethics. A voter may agree with that or he may disagree with that, which again, makes that personal and subjective. He may not even choose to think that allegedly deflating footballs is unethical for whatever reason, and the voter is more than allowed to think that way.

 

You sort of made my point for me in regards to ethics by referencing the code of conduct. The precise reason why organizations create a Code of Conduct (typically its actually written and documented) is because those organizations understand the inherently subjective nature of ethics. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to remove the subjectivity of certain conduct or "ethical" decisions.

 

If ethics were just some 100% agreed upon concept by literally everybody, then there would be no need for a Code of Conduct, because it would serve no purpose. It would just be implied.

 

Ethical issues that are agreed upon by the masses as unethical turn into LAWS, thus making them illegal. Once they become illegal, there's no more debate over right and wrong, thus eliminating the subjectivity.

 

Ethics are not an opinion, per se'.  Yes, there are a crap ton of people that believe the "ineligible receiver plays" were unethical... because they were.  If they weren't, then why was the rule changed.  You won't find anyone out there that believes that a receiver that lines up on the line of scrimmage, during a no huddle offense, as an ineligible, and subsequently "quick snaps" so that the defense doesn't have time to adjust is unethical.  There were So many so, that it was voted on and changed by a unanimous decision by all 31 other owners...  No doubt in my mind they knew what they were doing...  That vote was unanimous... All but 1 team, and that team was the P*triots..

 

If we are going to debate what the term "ethics" means, then this battle could go on for a very long time.  So LET'S DON'T!   Because the only people that would disagree are shady and "unethical people"; and they will always try and skirt the rules.  Just like the P*triots.

[BmoreBird22]

As I understand it, it is the home team's responsibility to set up and maintain.

Could they possibly be so brazen? Tomlin thinks so.

Don't ask belichik. Electronics are "not my thing".

 

 

The NFL declared it a "stadium power infrastructure issue" whatever that means... sounds like baloney. Either way, who is responsible for the stadium power infrastructure?

I just know that the NFL provides them. As far as maintaining them and making sure the frequencies are set and all, that could be the home team. I don't know. Apparently this happens a lot, so it could be worth looking into if the league is still upset over losing "deflate gate".

[hawkprey]

I have to agree with the claim that problem was due to weather. My TV had the same malfunction. I put on football, instead got a re-run of an old Batman where the Joker tries to re-wire the city's radio so everyone gets the wrong signal.

[Tank 92]

1. Yes, just like its a well known fact that other teams have had headset issues in other stadiums with other organizations in the NFL on an annual basis. It has occurred at one M&T Bank Stadium as well.

The reason this is a topic of discussion is because the Patriots have lost the benefit of the doubt when it comes to anything perceived as "shady". They did it to themselves, but then again, they also can't control (literally) what they can't control, nor do I think they care to for obvious reasons. Its sort of refreshing to me to finally see organizations stop playing the PR game when it comes to trying to explain things that they can't control.

2. No, I'm not confusing them at all, because my response is 100% about personal ethics and 0% about organizational ethics. Organizational ethics, by definition, is the organizations problem, not my personal problem or any other voter's personal problem.

There's plenty of people on here who thinks the Patriots usage of "questionable formations" is unethical. That, by definition, is personal ethics. A voter may agree with that or he may disagree with that, which again, makes that personal and subjective. He may not even choose to think that allegedly deflating footballs is unethical for whatever reason, and the voter is more than allowed to think that way.

You sort of made my point for me in regards to ethics by referencing the code of conduct. The precise reason why organizations create a Code of Conduct (typically its actually written and documented) is because those organizations understand the inherently subjective nature of ethics. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to remove the subjectivity of certain conduct or "ethical" decisions.

If ethics were just some 100% agreed upon concept by literally everybody, then there would be no need for a Code of Conduct, because it would serve no purpose. It would just be implied.

Ethical issues that are agreed upon by the masses as unethical turn into LAWS, thus making them illegal. Once they become illegal, there's no more debate over right and wrong, thus eliminating the subjectivity.

lol.......you're just spewing gibberish about "illegal formations" and such to try to confuse the issue. That's hardly what is being discussed. Does there need to be a written rule that makes it wrong to secretly tape an opponents practices? To go into their locker room and steal play sheets? To go in front of millions of people and lie through your teeth?

It is an unwritten code of ethics and it's called fair play and sportsmanship. Agreed upon by the masses? OK, yes. Doesn't need to be written. It's an agreement that has existed since the beginning of organized sports and doesn't need to be put in writing to be considered "right or wrong". It's the foundation that all organized sports are built upon and when egregiously compromised it ruins the viability of that sport.

The patsies will forever be accused of anything and everything whether factually true or not, but that's not the accusers fault. When you have been caught cheating you are labelled as a cheater, and rightfully so. The right thing to do to clear yourself would be to make a concerted public effort to clean up your act, but that has never happened with them. They continue on and thumb their noses and play dumb. Mark my words, it will catch up to them sooner or later.

Edited September 11, 2015 by Tank 92

[ravensdfan]

Eh the NFL has launched an investigation into the headset issue.

 

Yes, the NFL supplies the equipment however, it is the home team responsible for the power infrastructure, wiring, etc. Easy to jam radio signals. If it was truly an overall weather event, infrastructure issue - the Patriots would have had issues as well. Belicheat said they did, but nothing was reported until AFTER they were accused.

 

Most telling is Tomlin called this issue a week prior to playing the game and several other teams have reported the same issues at the Pats home stadium.

 

Either way - several illegal picks, Edelman flapping his gums in everyone's faces and no taunting penalty and whatever occurred on that false start penalty that had Ben fired up- they are scumbag cheaters.

Edited September 11, 2015 by ravensdfan

[Grapple Raven]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13629657/pittsburgh-steelers-reportedly-file-complaint-nfl-headset-failure-new-england-patriots-game

 

Gotta love Aaron Rodgers' response to a similar situation earlier with this same issue...it was hilarious.

 

"Well, it was a good start for us. Tom was very calm on the headset and he enunciated well," Rodgers said. "We had a headset issue at one point, but that's kind of preseason."

 

However Tomlin is laying the ground work here by filing a written complaint with the NFL. Since Tomlin also has a seat on the NFL's Competition Committee I imagine this will carry some weight.   I am starting to get the feeling here that there will be a lot more of these formal complaints against the Patriots to establish a pattern of behavior on their end.  Smart move!  Its about time...lets just hope others follow suit with the example that Tomlin set here.  It kind of reminds me of an "unofficial memo", if you get my drift, lol.

 

 

I found Mike Pereira explanation of the rule concerning headset communications very interesting:

 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl-video-special/pereira-explains-steelers-headset-situation/vi-AAeaLM4?ocid=U142DHP

 

The coach to QB system ruling where no rules of equity apply appears to me to have the Patriots handy work all over it, lol. How nice that Brady's helmet isn't affected so he can get the all the calls from Ernie Adams though his QB helmet from the press box, lol.  Since Adams isn't considered a coach, he wouldn't be affected by the equity ruling that applies to the coach-to-coach system.  How nice for the Patriots, isn't it???  Rules in NE must be in fine shape...they are surely exercised and stretched enough, lol.

[cobrajet]

Wind-gate. I just heard that the Patriots turned on giant wind turbines last night at Gillette Stadium in the first half of the game whenever the Steelers attempted a field goal.

[Edgar]

I just know that the NFL provides them. As far as maintaining them and making sure the frequencies are set and all, that could be the home team. I don't know. Apparently this happens a lot, so it could be worth looking into if the league is still upset over losing "deflate gate".

The home team is responsible to set and maintain.

In fact, there are two people from each team on field who test the system for at least two hours before kickoff from every spot on the field. One has the qb helmet and one the linebacker helmet monitor system. They test thoroughly up and down the sidelines and from every spot you can imagine all the while checking upstairs and the sidelines headsets.

I'm guessing the steelers system was working before kickoff.

[Grendelwulf21]

Wind-gate. I just heard that the Patriots turned on giant wind turbines last night at Gillette Stadium in the first half of the game whenever the Steelers attempted a field goal.

I heard they actually have a weather control machine

[DomMcRaven]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13629657/pittsburgh-steelers-reportedly-file-complaint-nfl-headset-failure-new-england-patriots-game

 

Gotta love Aaron Rodgers' response to a similar situation earlier with this same issue...it was hilarious.

 

"Well, it was a good start for us. Tom was very calm on the headset and he enunciated well," Rodgers said. "We had a headset issue at one point, but that's kind of preseason."

 

However Tomlin is laying the ground work here by filing a written complaint with the NFL. Since Tomlin also has a seat on the NFL's Competition Committee I imagine this will carry some weight.   I am starting to get the feeling here that there will be a lot more of these formal complaints against the Patriots to establish a pattern of behavior on their end.  Smart move!  Its about time...lets just hope others follow suit with the example that Tomlin set here.  It kind of reminds me of an "unofficial memo", if you get my drift, lol.

 

 

I found Mike Pereira explanation of the rule concerning headset communications very interesting:

 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl-video-special/pereira-explains-steelers-headset-situation/vi-AAeaLM4?ocid=U142DHP

 

The coach to QB system ruling where no rules of equity apply appears to me to have the Patriots handy work all over it, lol. How nice that Brady's helmet isn't affected so he can get the all the calls from Ernie Adams though his QB helmet from the press box, lol.  Since Adams isn't considered a coach, he wouldn't be affected by the equity ruling that applies to the coach-to-coach system.  How nice for the Patriots, isn't it???  Rules in NE must be in fine shape...they are surely exercised and stretched enough, lol.

The bolded statement still makes me laugh after the Jacoby Jones incident. 

[beanfigger]

The team has put in motion a proposal that will change their name to the New England Gates. It just makes too much sense not to, according to those in charge.