Deflate-gate is more than just a bunch of hot air
Should we be making such a big deal over this?
Is the NFL's latest controversy, over under-inflated footballs the New England Patriots used in Sunday's AFC Championship win over the Indianapolis Colts, just that ... a bunch of hot air?
The answers are yes (it’s a big deal), and no (it’s not hot air).
Deflate-gate, Ballghazi, or as ESPN's Keith Olbermann put it, CSI PSI ... no matter what name you use, it’s bad news for the NFL and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
No matter what becomes of the league's investigation into how the balls became under-inflated, a second cheating allegation even remotely linked to Belichick, regarded by many as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, may leave a permanent cloud hanging over his career.
Not to mention what it will do for the NFL’s already reeling image. (I was calling the league a joke ... well, as recently as Wednesday.)
I’m sure many are saying, “How important is the amount of air in the ball?”
And that’s a legitimate question. Not everyone agrees completely. But there seems to be a consensus that there are benefits to a flatter ball.
“Deflating the ball does give a team an advantage," scientist Ainissa Ramirez told National Public Radio on Wednesday.
Ramirez, who wrote the book “Newton's Football” about the science of the game, says an under-inflated football improves a player’s grip.
“Particularly during that game, which was very rainy, it's hard to hold the ball, it's hard to catch the ball,” she told NPR. “So by making it a little softer, it's easier to catch the ball.”
OK. I’ll buy that.
The cynic’s next argument is likely more tough to overcome, though.
“Yes, but would the under-inflated balls really make 38 points of difference?” the cynic would ask.
That’s exactly what a co-worker asked me. And the answer is no.
But if you assume the Patriots were behind the ball-doctoring, is it safe to assume they did it just this one time?
Is it out of the realm of possibility that they also did it the week before, when they came back to narrowly defeat the Baltimore Ravens 35-31 in the AFC Divisional Playoff?
An easier-to-catch football may not make 38 points’ difference. But how much difference could it make? Is 4 points out of the question?
That might be the pivotal question.
Because on Wednesday, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported, contrary to what had been told, the Colts and the NFL did not learn of the under-inflated balls as a result of D’Qwell Jackson’s interception of Tom Brady.
Instead, Glazer reports, the NFL was already planning to inspect the balls at halftime after being tipped off by ... you guessed it, the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, you can dismiss an accident or a coincidence. Now you have a pattern.
What does this mean for Belichick, the Patriots, the NFL?
It means win or lose on Super Bowl Sunday, Belichick’s reputation as an arrogant genius with little regard for the NFL’s authority will only grow. A cheater in many fans’ eyes.
Belichick, referred to by legendary coach Don Shula as Beli-Cheat, has already been caught videotaping opponents’ signals and failing to accurately provide injury reports to the league. Now this.
Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback ever, at least by numbers, will forever have Belichick’s cloud hanging over him, as well. His critics already like to point out that despite his talent, he hasn’t won a Super Bowl since videotape-gate.
But the worst hit will be to the NFL’s spiraling reputation. There’s no good way to handle this.
No matter what happens, the Patriots will play for the Lombardi Trophy in Arizona. And there’s no way around the fact that many will see that as cheaters getting a pass.
It makes it hard to get pumped up for the big game.
This story was originally published January 21, 2015 at 9:27 PM with the headline "Deflate-gate is more than just a bunch of hot air."