Deflategate: “Our Long National Nightmare is Over?”

Showdown on the Horizon for Brady and Goodell

Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots, will appeal a four-game suspension for his alleged role in Deflategate at a June 23 hearing presided by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who handed down the suspension. The NFL Players Association had requested Goodell recuse himself from the hearing in favor of a third-party arbitrator, but the request was rejected.

To paraphrase President Gerald Ford, “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is ALMOST over.” While Watergate and the threatened impeachment of President Richard Nixon lingered in our political subconsciousness well into the 1980s one might suppose Deflategate has similar ramifications the way football fans, and the news media, have reacted.

Then again life must be pretty good on your side of the planet when Deflategate touches a chord while Baltimore investigates questionable police tactics, Ukraine remains a powder keg reminiscent of the Cold War and Florida endures the traveling circus also referred to as the Legislature. Did I mention I put together a Presidential exploratory committee in anticipation of a run in 2016? Just so you know.

My take on Deflategate and the alleged intentional deflation of game balls prior to NFL games is simple. Whether or not the rule affects play on the field is irrelevant. Rules are rules. At this time the NFL defines inflation parameters. However, by the hand of man or by the mysteries of time, space and game-time temperature, the game balls used by the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game (Jan. 18) versus the Indianapolis Colts were not inflated to the minimum standard. By rule the proper inflation parameters are 12.5 to 13.5 (psi) pounds per square inch.

No ‘Overinflating’ These AFC Championship Facts

What we know is the under-inflated game balls were used by the Patriots only in the first half of the game which resulted in a New England win. In the first half, with under-inflated game balls, Brady attempted 21 passes and completed 11 for 95 yards and one touchdown. He was intercepted once. For a quarterback of his stature, the statistics were pedestrian but effective enough to provide New England a 17-7 halftime lead.

The Colts became suspicious when linebacker D’Qwell Jackson intercepted Brady late in the first half. Upon being alerted Indianapolis general manager Ryan Grigson reportedly brought the matter to the attention of the NFL which advised its referees to check the inflation of game balls. Those game balls found improperly inflated were properly inflated and the game carried on.

In the second half, with the under-inflated balls now inflated within the required parameters, Brady attempted 14 passes and completed 12 for 131 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Patriots also outscored the Colts 28-0 and earned its sixth Super Bowl berth of the Brady era with a 45-7 win. Perhaps the Indianapolis front office should avoid game-time strategy and gamesmanship.

If the under-inflated game balls gave Brady and his receivers such an advantage, being the balls were easier to grip, throw and possibly catch, why didn’t Indianapolis defensive backs not have an easier time intercepting the ball? Was Indianapolis trying to cover for a lousy secondary or were its defensive backs like most defensive backs? Genetically disinclined to catch the ball. Otherwise, they’d be wide receivers.

Not Even If Zombies Attack

The episode reminds me of coaching youth sports and the rules we’d have to address. One particular rule involved the coaching box on the basketball court. You didn’t know there was a coaching box? Allow me to enlighten you. A regulation basketball court has a perpendicular line along the sideline where you’ll find the players benches and scorers table.

It’s been a bit since I needed to know so I checked the National Federation of High School Sports. Per its rules and regulations – also followed by middle and grade schools – a 14-foot coaching box is required directly in front of the players bench. Coaches have to stand inside the box. No snacks, no bathroom breaks, no running for the exits if zombies attack. As I wrote before, rules are rules.

The box is roughly centered between mid-court and the end line. The NBA and NCAA allow for a 28-foot coaching box extending to the end line. More latitude for complaining, I suppose. But I digress. I was coaching a girls 4th grade basketball team, full court and was totally unaware of the box. Why? Because I never ventured past the end our players bench. I was prone to fretting so wandering about got in the way.

I’ll never claim to have been a great coach though my girls rarely lost. Keep in mind the core eight players all excelled at sports in high school and three received college scholarship offers in three different sports. The girls were athletic beasts who cared so much for one another they played every sport together for nine years until high school forced them to make choices. So long as there was win at the end of the day – and they were together – they were happy.

“Are You Kidding Me” or Tick-Tack Rules

So one day my girls are rocking another 4th grade basketball team when at halftime one of my parents comes across the gym to the players bench – also a rules violation – to advise me the opposing coach was standing outside the coaches box. The parent wanted me to advise the referees and ask them to issue a technical foul. I did my best to hide a look of “are you kidding me?” as it would take the other team a week to close the gap on the scoreboard.

Consider the following about technical fouls. The reward is free-throw attempts. Also consider first 4th graders are horrible at shooting free throws – too many people watching and their arms are short. Second, we’re up by a million or something. And third. I didn’t care. Standing outside his coaching box apparently gave his girls no strategic advantage. Tick-tack rules exist to bring order to sports but don’t look to me to enforce the rules. It’s like ordering white or red wine. I know there are rules but I don’t happen to care. Just bring me an iced tea.

The NFL inflation rule is one of those tick-tack rules. The league responded to the Deflategate allegations – and subsequent investigation – by suspending Brady for four games in 2015, fining the Patriots $1 million and two upcoming draft picks and, depending who you believe, insisting on or accepting the team’s indefinite suspension of New England equipment assistant John Jastremski and locker room assistant Jim McNally.

Unless they had a side deal with Brady or Patriots owner, Roger Kraft, and that’s not beyond the realm of possibilities, they probably make real world wages so essentially they’re out of work and running out of dough. Losses are relative to your available resources, so guilty or not guilty, these two guys are taking a hit. The Patriots and Brady will feel little pain, no matter the outcome.

NFL Opponents Get Their Wish … But at What Price?

As such the rest of the NFL may rue the day Goodell handed down the penalties. For the penalties certainly weren’t about under-inflated footballs but rather the long-time arrogance of New England. Remember the Brady tuck rule, Spygate sideline videotaping controversy and most recent (and correct but since changed) interpretation of the pass-eligibility rule? Sure, the NFL believes under-inflated game balls will diminish the integrity of the game.

With the NFL’s multibillion dollar television contract, the Patriots can absorb the $1 million fine without cutbacks on multiply or sports drinks. However, some poor veteran making the league minimum probably will be cut at training camp for “losing a step” when in reality the team is using his salary slot to cover the fine. And the loss of two drafts picks in 2016 (first round) and 2017 (fourth)? Chump change. Whatever you want to say about New England, it knows how to evaluate talent and will deftly sidestep the losses with “finds” in the collegiate ranks.

Brady reportedly will make $14 million in salary and signing bonus in 2015. While it’s unlikely the Patriots will ask for a pro-rata refund of the $6 million signing bonus, the team won’t be obligated to pay Brady up to $2 million in salary ($500,000 per game) if the four-game suspension survives the appeal process. And if the suspension is reduced to two games, Brady will be out only $1 million. For an athlete who’s made more than $150 million in his career I’m certain he can absorb the hit, as well.

Now what of the rest of the league? What is the price for bringing the Super Bowl champions to justice? Teams and fans already are dancing on the sidelines now the “cheating” Patriots have been given their due. Or are they dancing? Should they be dancing?

Patriots Will Get Their Day of Reckoning

Let’s assume New England head coach Bill Belichick is without Brady for four weeks when the Patriots host Pittsburgh (11-5 in 2014), travel to Buffalo (9-7), host Jacksonville (3-13) and, after a bye week, travel to Dallas (12-4). Pittsburgh and Dallas are daunting opponents but Buffalo is a mirage and Jacksonville remains Jacksonville so let’s assume New England emerges from the suspension only 2-2. It has another 12 games to recover.

Now the Patriots, assuming they make the playoffs (missing out only two years out of 14 during the Brady era), have a Brady with four-games less fatigue on his arm, four-games less hits on his body from opposing defenders and four-games less mileage on his legs. Now imagine Brady, regardless whether he was involved or not involved in Deflategate, taking the opening snap against a first-round playoff opponent. With a four-game chip on his shoulder. Against Indianapolis.

Under-inflated game balls. Yea, good catch.

Copyright © 2015 by Jeffrey Rembert. All Rights Reserved.