If the Patriots took deliberate steps (purposefully letting air out of the footballs after they were inspected)

Did they get caught? Nope, not yet, or this would be over. Thing is, they still have no evidence of post-inspection tampering. And BB's and TB's confident defiance indicates they will likely not find any evidence.

I think every member of the Patriots organization should be shoved into a 300-style pit. Gillette Stadium should be razed, and where it stood should be salted.

Well Bully for them then!!!

Shula actually referred to BB as "belicheat" like some dimwitted internet commenter, so there you go.

I'm starting to feel that this is the case, that there wasn't some sneaky effort to deflate the balls post-inspection. Otherwise Bill & Tom wouldn't have come out so confidently defiant. You confess when you know there's even a small chance you might be caught.

That last picture killed me. I'm dead now. Not as cold as I thought it would be.

right! (according to my youth bball ref rules).

I'd honestly love to see them start scrapping their way to extra victories. That would indicate consistent effort and performance at both ends. Way more valuable than whatever we could get with another 3-6 pick. And it would make us more attractive this summer to potential FA's.

Boston's roster, both before and after the Green/Rondo trades is loaded with "if only" guys. Guys with real strengths and potential, who would be good-to-great "if only...". Although most of the time the continuation of that is "if only... they were the least goddam bit consistent game-to-game".

After the Green trade, Boston is now made up entirely of "the second guy off the bench". It can be confusing for other teams.

Oh that'll show up on GDP charts at the end of the quarter.

I think it does make a difference if they weer underinflated when initially presented, versus being tampered with afterwards. One is "trying to pull a fast one", because then they could be like "hey, they should have noticed during their inspection". The other is more sinister. They're both crappy, but there are…

then teams would smear poopies on the balls so that the other team would have to touch their poops.

...or as Microsoft Word '95 called it "The superb owl"

Actually, I'm a huge pats fan from way back in the Grogan days. I feel betrayed and can't even think about how my idealistic 10-year old son must feel about it. I would actually feel pretty good (assuming there was malfeasance) if they fessed up and forced the Patriots to forfeit their superbowl appearance. Or…

I'm also an overzealous Pats fan as well. This is so annoying. If they did it, then WTF Bill? Knock it off!!!!!! If they didn't, then, figure it the eff out and let's talk about the big game.

Plus, video taping opposing signals was and *still is* legal. Just not from the position on the field from where the Patriots camera's were. No video taping from that position was legal.

I respect the care with which you manifest your gun ownership, but I will disagree with the home invasion rationale.

Average Joes and Janes the world over feel essentially powerless. What is a firearm besides the ultimate power? You're a superhero, able to slay foes with a twitch of a finger.