1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Ted Wells: “More probable than not” Patriots manipulated balls

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by brandon27, May 6, 2015.

  1. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

    72,252
    43,684
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    We knew they cheated, everyone did. When they win, they're cheating, this is not news.

    What is news, however, is that Ted Wells is softening this thing up as much as possible. I mean after those texts and other info, we get "more probable than not"?

    That evidence screams flat out guilty. This whole thing is horse ****.
     
    finfansince72 likes this.
  2. Lloyd Heilbrunn

    Lloyd Heilbrunn Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    9,580
    17,697
    113
    Sep 13, 2011
    Jupiter, Fl.
  3. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

    4,052
    2,347
    113
    Dec 9, 2007
    My wife says FU go get burger king :(
     
  4. GARDENHEAD

    GARDENHEAD Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    11,681
    10,413
    113
    May 7, 2008
    New Orleans
    I read the article on deadspin and thought those texts were satire! What morons!
     
  5. 305

    305 Brawndo Club Member

    7,668
    3,937
    113
    Dec 7, 2007
    Get off my lawn.
    It's official, Goodell will only bring a 6 pack of wine coolers to the next Kraft family cookout. Also, in a swift action Roger has threatened NOT to foot the bill for Toms next spa date.
     
    MonstBlitz, MikeHoncho and Fin D like this.
  6. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

    21,176
    10,130
    113
    Jan 14, 2008
    Hornell, NY
    The scientific stuff in the report should shut up all the Patriots fans claiming "Nature did it!"
     
  7. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

    79,599
    159,162
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    I found pages 111 and 112 to be pretty damning.
     
    MonstBlitz and bran like this.
  8. MikeHoncho

    MikeHoncho -=| Censored |=-

    52,652
    25,565
    113
    Nov 13, 2009
    Looks like Mcnally will be the patsy on this, despite the organization actually refusing to fully cooperate.
     
    Bpk likes this.
  9. 305

    305 Brawndo Club Member

    7,668
    3,937
    113
    Dec 7, 2007
    Get off my lawn.
    And then he can write a book on the patriots locker room and make a mil or two... He'll be ok, and I look forward to hear more haha
     
  10. bran

    bran Senior Member

    4,525
    1,505
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    New Hampshire
    sadly i think its going to be a slap on the wrist for brady and the patriots. belichick should be suspended as well since the precedent is now there for that. this whole report is damning, especially the part with the independent study on the psi of footballs in weather conditions and how the colts mentioned how the whole league new the patriots were doing this.
     
  11. PhinsMondayNitro

    PhinsMondayNitro Active Member

    608
    127
    43
    Sep 18, 2014
    Tom Brady's legacy is tainted & I love it! How many scandals has there been involving the Patriots?
     
  12. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

    79,599
    159,162
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    This is all going to go down worse than it should because of the non-cooperation and the lying to investigators.

    The Falcons piped in crowd noise. That probably has about as much effect on the game as what the Patriots did. But they got off with a slap on the wrist because they fully cooperated in every way, fessed up to it immediately even before the investigation concluded.

    Patriots are going to get a more severe punishment than they otherwise would. This could be nothing more than a $25,000 fine.
     
    Bpk likes this.
  13. jboogie

    jboogie The sky is NOT falling!

    Don't suspend Brady, just suspend all the starters on the offensive line for the season.
     
    xphinfanx likes this.
  14. CashInFist

    CashInFist Well-Known Member

    10,069
    2,624
    113
    Nov 30, 2007
    West Virginia
    I f**king HATE the Patriots...
     
    jaymoney likes this.
  15. MikeHoncho

    MikeHoncho -=| Censored |=-

    52,652
    25,565
    113
    Nov 13, 2009
    The Wake/Suh dongs shall feast.
     
    Rocky Raccoon likes this.
  16. LiferYank

    LiferYank New Member

    3,088
    765
    0
    Oct 1, 2012
    If they had any intention of punishment they would have done it before the draft not after.
     
    Hiruma78 likes this.
  17. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

    5,818
    4,664
    113
    Jan 15, 2008
    Let's see if Goodell has any balls. Anything less than a year's suspension will be disappointing to me.
     
    Wayne Kjelsrud likes this.
  18. LiferYank

    LiferYank New Member

    3,088
    765
    0
    Oct 1, 2012
    They won the Super Bowl again do you really think they give a damn?
     
  19. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

    5,818
    4,664
    113
    Jan 15, 2008
    This doesn't make sense. Didn't the report just come out today?
     
  20. Wayne Kjelsrud

    Wayne Kjelsrud New Member

    4,949
    39
    0
    Dec 15, 2007
    Rawlins, Wyoming
    And that should be taken away too along with there bounce money's !!!
     
  21. LiferYank

    LiferYank New Member

    3,088
    765
    0
    Oct 1, 2012
    McNally: Tom sucks...im going make that next ball a f----- balloon
    Jastremski: Talked to him last night. He actually brought you up and said you must have a lot of stress trying to get them done
    Jastremski: I told him it was. He was right though
    Jastremski: I checked some of the balls this morn... The refs f----- us...a few of then were at almost 16
    Jastremski: They didnt recheck then after they put air in them
    McNally: F--- tom ...16 is nothing...wait till next sunday
    Jastremski: Omg! Spaz

    "More probable then not" my ***.... Sick and tired of the kitten gloves for the Pats.
     
  22. Phins_Fan_87

    Phins_Fan_87 Phins and Heat fan Club Member

    7,503
    4,979
    113
    Mar 9, 2013
    Weston
    should be 4 games for brady and a future first round pick
     
  23. PhinFan1968

    PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member

    Dude, its really gonna come down to how hard some media/reporters want to treat this. If they sugar-coat it like Wells, it'll be a f*cking travesty and they won't feel any pain from this. If a few reputable, respected sports journalists take the hardcore road, it could get uglier for them. How much does the NFL control all that is my question.

    Appears Troy Vincent will be deciding the punishment...come on Troy...you know we loves ya. Full year suspension for Marcia, lose first 2 2016 draft picks, and a $5M fine on the organization. Anything less is a joke IMHO.

    And no...I don't think they'll catch that much, but I can dream...
     
  24. CashInFist

    CashInFist Well-Known Member

    10,069
    2,624
    113
    Nov 30, 2007
    West Virginia
    Troy Vincent will be deciding the punishment? I thought Goodell did that?
     
  25. Itsdahumidity

    Itsdahumidity X gonna take it from ya

    2,073
    1,194
    113
    Dec 10, 2007
    well, they are [strike]pu[/strike] kittens.
     
  26. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

    21,176
    10,130
    113
    Jan 14, 2008
    Hornell, NY
    Anyone seen McLovin? :lol:
     
    McLovin, resnor and CashInFist like this.
  27. surferosa

    surferosa Balance and Vision

    842
    474
    0
    Mar 23, 2008
    Im upto page 20 of the report. As bad as the news headlines are for Brady, the report is that much more damning. They kill Brady in the report and leave no room for any alternative possibilty other than his complicit involvement. There are a whole web of lies they have uncovered. This is nuts

    During his interview, Brady denied any knowledge of or involvement in any efforts to deflate game balls after the pre-game inspection by the game officials. He claimed that prior to the events surrounding the AFC Championship Game, he did not know McNally‟s name or anything about McNally‟s game-day responsibilities, including whether McNally had any role relating to game balls or the game officials. We found these claims not plausible and contradicted by other evidence. In fact, during his interview, Jastremski acknowledged that Brady knew McNally and McNally‟s role as Officials Locker Room attendant.
     
    Idahophin and MonstBlitz like this.
  28. surferosa

    surferosa Balance and Vision

    842
    474
    0
    Mar 23, 2008
    Tom Brady...declined to make available any documents or electronic information (including text messages and emails) that we requested, even though those requests were limited to the subject matter of our investigation (such as messages concerning the preparation of game balls, air pressure of balls, inflation of balls or deflation of balls) and we offered to allow Brady‟s counsel to screen and control the production so that it would be limited strictly to responsive materials and would not involve our taking possession of Brady‟s telephone or other electronic devices. Our inability to review contemporaneous communications and other documents in Brady‟s possession and control related to the matters under review potentially limited the discovery of relevant evidence and was not helpful to the investigation.
     
  29. surferosa

    surferosa Balance and Vision

    842
    474
    0
    Mar 23, 2008
    As noted, there was a significant exception to the cooperation provided by the Patriots. Although we requested a follow-up interview of Jim McNally after our initial interview, counsel for the Patriots refused our request. We offered to conduct the interview at any time or location that would be convenient for McNally, and explained—both in writing and in-person during other meetings—that our follow-up questions would be limited to subject matter directly relevant to the investigation that was developed following our initial interview with McNally.

    McNally was one of the earliest Patriots personnel interviewed by our investigative team and a number of important follow-up questions had arisen based on subsequent interviews and information discovered after our initial interview of McNally. Counsel for the Patriots, however, declined to produce McNally, and communicated an unwillingness even to advise McNally of our request for a follow-up interview. We do not know definitively whether McNally was, in fact, informed of our request. The investigative process would have benefited from further questioning of McNally on certain topics, and we believe that the actions of the Patriots and their counsel in this regard are inconsistent both with the club‟s public pronouncements of full cooperation with the investigation and its obligations under Section 2 of the Policy on Integrity of the Game & Enforcement of Competitive Rules.

    We made written requests to counsel for the Patriots on February 28, March 2, 3, 9 and 17 for a follow-up interview with McNally. Counsel for the Patriots repeatedly refused to make McNally available for a reinterview claiming, among other things, that McNally lived more than an hour away and already had missed work at his full-time job to attend earlier interviews. In addition, counsel for the Patriots asked that we provide in advance the subjects we proposed to cover, submit written interrogatories, and stated that “you have given me very little incentive or basis to try to get him back once more.” As noted above, we offered to meet with McNally at any time and any location that was convenient and explained that it would not be appropriate from an investigative standpoint to disclose in advance the specific subjects we intended to cover. We cautioned counsel for the Patriots in writing that: the “refusal to make Mr. McNally available for a brief follow-up interview raises serious concerns and is inconsistent with the obligations of the Patriots under the League Rules to provide „full support and cooperation‟ in the investigation. We also believe it is inconsistent with the public expressions of cooperation by the Patriots.” Counsel for the Patriots continued to refuse to make McNally available as requested.


    Patriots personnel explained that the footage captured by security cameras in Gillette Stadium isoverwritten every 10 days as a regular practice. We were, therefore, unable to review footage filmed during prior Patriots home games, which may have proved useful.
     
  30. Jt0323

    Jt0323 Fins Up! Luxury Box

    12,967
    7,293
    113
    Dec 7, 2007
    Las Vegas
    Probably get a slap on the wrist.
     
  31. surferosa

    surferosa Balance and Vision

    842
    474
    0
    Mar 23, 2008
    This just gets crazier and crazier. Dont know if there's a correlation here, but the evidence is really piling up!

    McNally‟s responsibilities with the Patriots previously came under review by the NFL in connection with an incident involving game balls in 2004. According to a letter dated November 2, 2004, from then-NFL Director of Game Operations Peter Hadhazy and a memorandum dated October 25, 2004, from Richard Farley, the NFL Security Representative assigned to New England, that incident involved Patriots ball boys relaying supposed “approved” game balls that actually were non-approved practice balls to a game official during an October 25, 2004 regular season game.
     
    unluckyluciano and Itsdahumidity like this.
  32. resnor

    resnor Derp Sherpa

    16,327
    9,874
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    New Hampshire
    I found it interesting in the texts after the Jets game, Brady was quoted as complaining that the balls were over-inflated, starting that they were supposed to be 13psi. So, apparently, he didn't always want then under-inflated.
     
  33. CashInFist

    CashInFist Well-Known Member

    10,069
    2,624
    113
    Nov 30, 2007
    West Virginia
    I don't think so. Not this time.
     
  34. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

    21,176
    10,130
    113
    Jan 14, 2008
    Hornell, NY
    Damn, surferosa is way ahead of me and ruining all the good parts. :lol:
     
  35. Jt0323

    Jt0323 Fins Up! Luxury Box

    12,967
    7,293
    113
    Dec 7, 2007
    Las Vegas
    I really hope not. Brady should atleast get a 2 game suspension, team should lose 1st or 2nd round pick. I think first to send them a message. Not the first time they were found cheating. They need to hit them hard to make sure they dont do this again. And a heavy fine
     
  36. CashInFist

    CashInFist Well-Known Member

    10,069
    2,624
    113
    Nov 30, 2007
    West Virginia
    Only 2 game suspension? I'm thinking 6 minimum.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  37. Itsdahumidity

    Itsdahumidity X gonna take it from ya

    2,073
    1,194
    113
    Dec 10, 2007
    exactly. sending them a message? 2 gms and/or 2nd rd pick would be incentive for them to continue cheating.
     
    Agua likes this.
  38. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

    21,176
    10,130
    113
    Jan 14, 2008
    Hornell, NY
    This is the most damning info yet I think and provides a sound basis for the league punishing the entire organization.
     
    RickyNeverInhaled likes this.
  39. surferosa

    surferosa Balance and Vision

    842
    474
    0
    Mar 23, 2008
    Based on prior experiences at Gillette Stadium, it was the expectation of Anderson and other members of the officiating crew that the bags of game balls would remain in the Officials Locker Room until shortly before kickoff, when Anderson, as referee, would walk with them to the field.

    At approximately 6:25 p.m., Anderson announced that kickoff for the AFC Championship Game was being delayed 10 minutes, from 6:40 to 6:50 p.m., to allow for the conclusion of the NFC Championship Game, and that the rest of the pre-game schedule would be adjusted accordingly.

    According to Richard Farley, the NFL Security Representative assigned to New England, at the time of Anderson‟s announcement, Jim McNally was sitting on a trunk pushed against the back wall of the sitting room of the Officials Locker Room, with the bags of game balls in close proximity. Farley recalls seeing the bags in the dressing room area earlier in the afternoon, and understood that at some point they must have been moved to the front sitting room. Anderson also recalls that McNally, with Anderson‟s permission, had moved the ball bags from the dressing room area towards the sitting room area shortly after the officials returned from the players‟ walk-through. Anderson understood that McNally was moving the balls to the sitting room area of the locker room, so that it would be more convenient for the officials to pick them up on their way out to the field. Anderson said that it is typical for locker room attendants throughout the League to help move the game balls towards the front of the locker room, but that the footballs do not leave the locker room until the officials give express permission for them to be brought to the field at or near the time the officials also walk to the field.

    By 6:35 p.m., all of the members of the officiating crew other than Anderson, Veteri, Blakeman and Yette had left the Officials Locker Room. When the remaining officials walked into the sitting room area on their way to the field, all four were surprised to find that the ball bags were not there. Both Anderson and Veteri immediately asked Farley where the footballs were. Farley checked for the ball bags in the back part of the locker room (where he saw the bags of back-up balls) and in the adjacent Chain Gang Locker Room, but could not find them. When it was suggested that McNally had or may have taken them to the field, Anderson responded that “he‟s not supposed to do that.” Anderson also stated that “we have to find the footballs.” Blakeman recalls that although Anderson is usually calm and composed leading up to a game, Anderson was visibly concerned and uncharacteristically used an expletive when the game balls could not be located. The other officials were similarly surprised and concerned. None of the officials in the locker room at the time realized that the game balls had been removed from the locker room until they were ready to go to the field for the start of the game, and all expected that the balls would not leave the locker room until it was time for them to take the field.

    Although the officials were concerned about the situation, with kickoff approaching, they decided to take the field. Farley and the officials left the Officials Locker Room and walked to the field at approximately 6:36 p.m. As seen on the security footage, Farley walked approximately 10 seconds ahead of the officials because, as he explained, he was in a hurry to reach the field to look for the footballs. As soon as he reached the field, Farley looked for McNally by the instant replay booth, where McNally regularly arrives with the game balls, but did not see him. He did, however, see John Raucci, Director of Investigative Services at the NFL, shortly after stepping onto the field and asked if Raucci had seen either McNally or the game balls. Raucci said that he had seen neither. In an effort to ensure that the teams had footballs on the field for the start of the game, Farley headed back toward the Officials Locker Room to get the back-up balls. He is seen on the security footage at approximately 6:42 p.m. walking back down the tunnel leading to the field with the bags of back-up balls. Farley reported that prior to the AFC Championship Game, he has never been in a situation where the game balls could not be located or where he had to retrieve the back-up balls from the Officials Locker Room prior to kickoff.

    Shortly after taking the field, after Farley had returned to the Officials Locker Room for the back-up balls, Anderson and the other officials noticed that McNally and the game balls were on the field. When Farley returned to the field with the back-up balls, he learned the same thing. He returned the back-up balls to the Officials Locker Room shortly before kickoff, and the game began at approximately 6:50 p.m. with the proper set of game balls
     
  40. surferosa

    surferosa Balance and Vision

    842
    474
    0
    Mar 23, 2008
    Smoking gun....

    What the officials and Farley did not realize at the time was that at approximately 6:30 p.m.—twenty minutes prior to kickoff—Jim McNally removed the two bags of game balls from the Officials Locker Room. He is seen on the security footage at 6:30:35 p.m. walking away from the locker room and turning left into the center tunnel that leads towards the field. At the end of that tunnel on the left-hand side, just before reaching the doors that lead to the field, is a relatively large, single-toilet bathroom that locks from the inside. McNally entered that athroom with the game balls, locked the door, and remained in the bathroom with the game balls for approximately one minute and forty seconds. He exited the bathroom at approximately 6:32:27 p.m., and took the bags of game balls to the field. McNally did all of this without the knowledge or permission of Walt Anderson or the other members of the officiating crew.

    According to Anderson, other members of the officiating crew for the AFC Championship Game, and other game officials interviewed during the investigation, the removal of the game balls from the Officials Locker Room by McNally without the permission of the referee or another game official was a breach of the standard operating pre-game procedure. No official could recall another time that McNally had removed game balls from the Officials Locker Room and taken them to the field without either receiving permission from a game official or being accompanied by one or more game officials.

    Following the AFC Championship Game, McNally was asked to explain his actions on a number of occasions, including during three interviews with NFL Security. McNally told NFL Security representatives that he “decided to walk the balls out to the field,” and was “not certain why [he] chose to go out to the field at this time or without an escort.” McNally also told NFL Security during this interview that he walked directly to the field and that nothing unusual occurred during the walk from the locker room to the field. According to the interview report from a telephone interview with NFL Security on January 19, McNally stated that he stopped to use the bathroom on the way to the field and took the game balls with him into the bathroom.
     

Share This Page