By Mattew Woods
Staff Writer
1. Deflate-Gate: Who Let The Air Out?
As it has been well documented throughout the week, the NFL has been investigating the New England Patriots for tampering with the footballs used during the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts last week.
The case was brought to the league at halftime, when the balls were taken for inspection following them being questioned or the amount of air inside the balls. The NFL measured the air in the footballs to be around 11 pounds per square inch; well under the lowest air pressure allowed by the NFL. For the second half of the game the footballs were replaced with others that had the required amount of air pressure.
Following the news of the investigation last Monday, and that 11 of the 12 footballs the Patriots provided were underinflated, Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, and head coach, Bill Belichick, addressed the media, both denying they had any knowledge that the footballs were in violation of NFL rules.
Taking everything we know from what the investigation into the case is telling us thus far, we are able to eliminate many instances that have been discussed, while really narrowing down who may be at fault.
There is no doubt that the weather did not play a factor. Yes, it was cold, and we all know that if we leave a ball out in the cold too long that it can lose air pressure. However, it doesn’t explain why the balls in the second half, when it was even colder, did not have the same effect, thus proving that the footballs were tampered with at some point.
We can also eliminate the officials were the cause. In a statement released by the NFL on Friday, “Prior to the game, the game officials inspect the footballs to be used by each team and confirm that this standard is satisfied, which was done before last Sunday’s game.” So, in this case, the NFL is telling us that the officials did their job prior to the game and that the footballs, at that point, were between the NFL’s required air pressure standard, which ranges between 12.5-13.5 PSI.
It all comes down to three very important people in this investigation. Brady seems to be at fault the most in this situation. Other than the center, the quarterback handles the football the most out of any player on the field. Former NFL quarterback of 19 years and current NFL analyst for ESPN, Mark Brunell, has made it known that there is no way a quarterback doesn’t feel the difference of the PSI in a football and that Brady is involved in this controversy directly.
“Based on my experience as a quarterback and understanding the process of getting the ball prepared and getting it in the right condition and getting it onto the field during game day, I expected something totally different from Tom,” Brunell said. “I just didn’t believe that he had nothing to do with it.”
Another who may be involved directly is Belichick. However, during his press conference, Belichick seemed sincere and believable. A head coach has so many important things to worry about on a game day, it seems highly unlikely that the head coach would take time out of his schedule to make sure the conditions of the footballs benefit his quarterback and team.
The only other person who may be directly involved in this would be the ball boy. It is highly unlikely that the ball boy would take it on himself to deflate the footballs unless, of course, he was directed to. Who else would direct him than Brady himself?
All signs point to Brady being the culprit. Brady has been on record in the past, saying that he prefers an underinflated football because it allows him to get a better grip and spin it better.
As of Saturday, of the over 40 people interviewed by the NFL and attorney Ted Wells, none of them have been Tom Brady or Bill Belichick. It’s as if the NFL is gathering information, with signs pointing at one if not both being involved.
The NFL’s investigation will most likely continue through the Super Bowl; thus reducing the chance that Brady or anyone involved will be suspended for the game set for February 1st.
In 2007, the Patriots were caught cheating as they took videotape prior to their game against the Jets that resulted in loss of draft picks and heavy fines. If the NFL’s findings reveal the Patriots are at fault, expect more harsh consequences to head their way.
Either way, “Deflate-Gate” will leave a mark on the legacies of both Brady and Belichick.
2. Gordon to End Legendary Career
Four-time champion, the third-winningest driver, and one of NASCAR’s all-time greats, Jeff Gordon, announced he will be retiring following the 2015 season. Gordon and his famous No. 24 Chevrolet, grabbed 92 checkered flags in his 23-year career, the most wins in the modern racing era (since 1972).
Gordon spent his entire career racing for Rick Hendrick at Hendrick Motorsports. He won 4 Winston Cup’s in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001. Gordon also has three Daytona 500 victories, a record five Brickyard 400 victories, and is also the winningest road course and restrictor plate driver in NASCAR history.
Last season was a revitalizing one for Gordon as he racked up four wins, 14 top-5’s and finished sixth in the point standings, missing the final round of the chase by one point. Gordon looks to continue the momentum in 2015.
What he did for the sport of NASCAR is what many athletes try to do in their respective sports. That is, take the sport to the next level. Gordon took NASCAR to a place they couldn’t have imagined, single-handedly taking the sport into the mainstream; enough so that he had the privilege of hosting “Saturday Night Live.”
Now 43, Gordon will retire at the age of 44 at the end of next season, making him the youngest retired driver with 80 wins or more; the next closest retired at the age of 50.
There is no doubt that Jeff Gordon changed NASCAR for the better and hopefully can end his career with a Sprint Cup Championship.
3. Super Matchup
Glendale, Arizona is the site of Super Bowl XLIX featuring the controversial yet consistent New England Patriots and the defensively sound Seattle Seahawks.
The Patriots look to overcome “Deflate-Gate” and hush the doubters. Tom Brady aims to win his fourth ring and perhaps solidify himself as the best quarterback of all time. Out of all the teams the Patriots have had over the last decade or so, we may be looking at the best team they have ever had.
The Seahawks on the other hand, enter the Super Bowl with a bit of the injury bug. Cornerback, Richard Sherman (Hyperextended Elbow), and Earl Thomas (Dislocated Shoulder), are both expected to play despite their injuries stemming from the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers.
The game will give us fantastic matchups on both sides of the ball for each team.
The Patriots cerebral offense takes on the Seahawks “Legion Of Boom”, a defense notorious for shutting down opposing offenses. The Seahawks will most likely try to get pressure on Brady in the pocket and force him into making bad decisions that the Seahawks secondary can take advantage of.
The Seahawks offense relies on a heavy running game involving running back, Marshawn Lynch, and quarterback, Russell Wilson. However, the game plan of the Patriots has to be to stop the Seattle running attack and force Wilson to throw the ball, especially considering the fact he is coming off of a game in which he threw a career worst four interceptions.
The game also features two head coaches that have won a title before. Pete Carroll looks to have the Seahawks be the first team to repeat as Super Bowl Champions since the Patriots in 2003 and 2004. Belichick, in his sixth Super Bowl, looks to avenge the last two losses to the New York Giants in the big game and finally get his fourth ring.
One thing is for sure, this game is going to be competitive and if the Patriots lose, it’ll be a very deflating loss.
4. A-Rod Taking Advice From Fellow PED User Bonds
Nothing screams the word “suspicious” quite like Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds “bro-ing out”. Two of the most famously known PED users have been hanging out and Bonds has been giving hitting advice to Rodriguez.
The so-called “Home Run King”, Bonds has been giving Rodriguez hitting instruction as he prepares to return from his season long suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis steroid ring in Miami, Florida.
If one thing is for certain, it’s that Rodriguez still cares about the game and wants to get better. Or so we think. He could be asking Bonds if he’s got any other ways to take steroids and avoid being caught.
Rodriguez is also getting used to a new, and perhaps permanent role, of designated hitter. The re-signing of third-basemen Chase Headley almost solidifies the fact that Rodriguez’ days of being an everyday player are over.
The soon to be 40-year old Rodriguez is owed $61 million over the next 3 seasons and the Yankees most likely will keep him in order to avoid eating his large salary.
5. The Passing of “Mr. Cub”
Hall of Famer, and former Chicago Cub, Ernie Banks, passed away Friday evening at the age of 83. “Mr. Cub”, as he was known, spent all of his 19 MLB seasons with the Cubs, winning two MVP awards despite being on a losing team the majority of his career.
Banks was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. During his career, Banks was one of the most feared sluggers of his time and by the end of his career totaled 512 home runs, which included four consecutive seasons with at least 40 home runs.
Discovered playing for the Negro League team, the Kansas City Monarchs, in 1953, the Cubs bought Banks from the team for a mere $10,000. After that deal was done, the rest was history.
Even though he had never reached the postseason in his entire career, Banks continued to lead the MLB in many statistical categories that included the likes of Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. He is also famous for coining the term, “Let’s play two.”
Banks will be remembered for his consistent play on the field, as well as his willingness to engage with fans.
