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"I was just as surprised as anybody.
I didn't alter the balls in any way."
-Tom Brady
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If you're an NFL fan, there's no way that you haven't heard of the latest scandal concerning the New England Patriots. Actually, you've probably heard about Deflategate even if you aren't a football fan. But, everyone else is talking about it, so I might as well too. Basically, Tom Brady is accused of deflating the footballs for an unfair advantage. Even though, quarterbacks have been doing it for years. But, what's even more confusing is the fact that the balls didn't even seem to improve his gameplay. It seems to be more of a comfort issue for him.
Whatever. The rules are the rules, and with all the idiots getting into trouble in the NFL these days, Commissioner, Roger Goodell wants to look "tough." So, he got a chance to make a ruling that proves that no one, not even the NFL poster boy, Tom Brady himself is above the law. So, he suspends Brady for four games, docks a draft pick, and fines the Patriots. This is the same guy who suspended Ravens runningback, Ray Rice 2 games for beating up his wife, among other things. You might say that he is a tyrant who cares more about his legacy than the health of the league. But, this isn't a post about Goodell.
No, this is a post about the Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Back in 2007, the Patriots were docked a draft pick for Spygate, when they were accused of videotaping opponents practice sessions. What happened next? The Patriots started the season with a major chip on their shoulder. They blew out just about every team they played, and they ran the score up. One time, they played the Dolphins, and they pulled Brady out. Miami scored, and they but Brady back in, and preceded to "punish" the Dolphins for even trying. In an interview, Coach Bill Belichick was asked about it, and he sarcastically replied "Well, they are a good team who could have possibly come back." That year, Miami went 1-15. So, you figure it out. The Patriots were punishing the rest of the league with the blowouts. But, you know what they say about Karma. They won all their regular season games, and playoff games, but lost the Super Bowl to the Giants.
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| Only 4 games that year were not blowouts. |
The Patriots did that over losing one draft pick, and a chump change fine. Imagine the chip on their shoulder they will have after losing Brady for four games. I suspect Brady will want to set single game scoring records in each game. They likely will even shoot for a three digit score against the weak teams they play. They will want to make the blowouts of 2007 look soft.
And now, here is my personal opinion about Brady, and of course you all know I have no love for the Patriots at all. I am not sticking up for them in any way. I even have a family member who plays for them right now, and I still hate the Patriots. But, what Brady should have done was just admitted it. He should have just said something along the lines of "I had a little air let out of the balls. What's the big deal?" The NFL would have fined him, and that would have been the end of it. But instead, he denied it, and played the victim. If he had just manned up, people would have respected him for it. Including me. But now, the Patriots are looking at 4 games without Brady, and if they go 0-4, they may be out of the playoffs due to how competitive the AFC East is likely going to be.
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| I'm a misunderstood hero. I can't stand it when someone says bad things about me! |
So, what's going to happen? Just sit back and watch. Don't ever count the Patriots out, and I don't think they will go 0-4. But, that's why they play the game. Football's back! And, I apologize for my first football post of the new season being about the Patriots and Deflategate.
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