Patriots’ Activity Apparently Took a Lot of Balls

January 21, 2015 @ admin → No Comments

Midweek musings: To those who contended that any allegation of the New England Patriots’ underinflating the footballs in Sunday’s AFC championship game was a lot of hot air, take a deep breath. The NFL reportedly has determined that was not the case. Nor was it it a lot of cold air. Seems that the Pats underinflated 11 of 12 balls used in the contest against the Indianapolis Colts. Not that the game officials noticed or anything.

Video below of Playboy’s Stephanie Branton.

* Meanwhile, the Colts, who lost 45-7, still are deflated.

* Whoever was in charge of Patriots footballs will claim — as a defense — that inflation could harm the economy. Then whoever that party might be will clarify by not claiming to be economist. Or very good at inflating footballs.

* And a reminder that in professional sports (as well as elsewhere), there are some with the mindset that it’s not cheating if you don’t get caught. The flip side of that is the punishment should be substantial if you do get caught. Especially for repeat offenders. And if the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick don’t lead the NFL in all-time malfeasances, then they’re awfully close.

* So do cheaters bend (and break) rules because they are smarter or dumber than the rest of the competition? Because they are better or worse than the rest of the competition? Or because somehow they never were taught anything about the concept of fair play?

* Punishment should be severe. Fining a team is virtually meaningless because there’s so much money in every NFL team’s treasury. Taking away draft picks is of minimal consequence because there are so many players out there. Not that the NCAA generally is an organization that gets things right, but a reduction of the number of players on a team’s roster might work.

Videos below of model Lina Posada.

* Speaking of hot air (as we were several paragraphs ago), let’s consider the case of former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher. He told the “Waddle and Silvy” radio show that he felt uncomfortable being at Halas Hall while Phil Emery — the general manager who didn’t meet Urlacher’s contract demands — was around. Who knew Urlacher was such a sensitive soul?

* Urlacher: “I have no problem with the franchise. I have a ton of respect for the McCaskeys, the coaches, everyone. I have no problem with that. The only problem I had was with Phil Emery for the way he treated me in the [contract] situation. There was no hate from me towards the McCaskeys or any ill will towards them. It’s just [my career] didn’t end the way we drew it up, but whose career does? Except for like Ray Lewis or Jerome Bettis … or John Elway.”

* Memo to Brian Urlacher: You aren’t the first and won’t be the last to have your career end other than the way you imagined. Meaning you have a greater sense of imagination than you do of reality. Welcome to the club.

* One more thing for Urlacher to remember: The Bears apparently gave their veteran middle linebacker a take-it-or-leave-it offer. And he left it. So it’s the Bears’ fault — and not his and/or his agent’s — that he wasn’t playing in 2013? Next time (not there’s going to be one), he might want to check his ego at the door. Or at the bargaining table.

* Well, Marc Trestman wasn’t out of a job for long. The recently deposed Bears coach is going to be the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator. Something says working with a quarterback such as Joe Flacco will be more enjoyable than dealing with Jay Cutler.

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