Re: Tom Brady
 

That's why they instituted the "Infield Fly Rule" 114 years ago. ;)

Re: Tom Brady
 

:lr :lr :lr


Now if he had said players in general and mentioned Arod yelling "I've got it" as he rounds second on a popup to to short...that would have had nothing to do with the topic, just can't forget what a hack he is. :lr

Re: Tom Brady
 

It is ludicrous to equate deeks and fakes, which play a part in most sports, with doctoring a ball or other such tactics like corked bats. The first is a legal strategy, the second a violation of rules.

For instance, a catcher will be lauded for his ability to "frame" or "pull" a pitch back into the zone in an attempt to fool the ump into believing a ball is a strike. "Good" catchers will try this dozens of times a game, and will get away with it on some of those. Is this cheating? Ehhh, OK, strictly speaking it is. Is it illegal? Not in the least.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Yes, I know, but players still try.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Before 1920 it was the duty of every pitcher to doctor the ball as soon as he got it. They would scuff it, cut it with a bottle cap, spit tobacco juice on it, use vasoline, etc., they used one ball for the whole game, unless it was lost over the fence, which was rare. In the 1860's players were expected to be gentlemen and honest about their play. In those days, players would say if they were out or not. Getting back to my point: the constant rule changes of football are difficult to keep up with for the casual fan and makes the game needlessly complicated.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Thanks for the history lesson. When did they change the rule about the pressure of a football?

Re: Tom Brady
 

I don't know, I tried looking it up, but I'm glad that the League will be handling the balls from now on, so I hear.

Re: Tom Brady
 

The League always took care of the balls for both sides up until not many years ago.
I can't tell you how many years, but I bet Stephen can.
Why would the league give that responsibility back to the teams?
Simple. So the teams can cater balls to the QB's liking. It's a touchdown league, and that's what people want to see.
I'm fine with that.

Fact is, every team benefited from the change. Then someone got pissed and pointed a finger. The rule is written, and it needs to be enforced as such.
Watch how fast the rule changes now.

Re: Tom Brady
 

This discussion on sports is excellent!!!!

Without debate, I think?, sports are a collection of rules and since sports have been invented, flexing the rules a bit and not getting caught gives you an advantage. When your caught, sucks to be you, but it's hard to honestly say that's the ONLY thing your bending the rules on which in this case is why I think the penalty was ridiculous because this is the second time getting caught bending the rules and they need to get smarter in hiding problems.

It's hard for me to imagine that the Colts for example aren't bending the rules somewhere and let's just start at the drug policies. Drugs in sports are a reality because humans seek an advantage especially when a great deal of money or fame is on the hook. There have been many articles written about how teams cheat the drug rules to the point of catheters being used to put IN fresh untainted urine and the team doctors assisting in this process as well as the same doctors helping collect samples to be tested. hmmm......

Anyway, I think sports represent the gladiators of today and as gladiators, I respect their desires to push to insane limits but I also respect the desire to create an even playing field. So if you get caught, suck it up, pay the fine, and cheat smarter.

My two cents.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Really? I watch a lot of baseball, and can;t remember the last time I saw anything resembling that. Go figure.

Some might opine that the NFL has been handling the balls for quite a while now. :r

Re: Tom Brady
 

Too bad the league can't handle the nuts also.

Re: Tom Brady
 

;)

Re: Tom Brady
 

Really? I think I last saw it about two years ago. Shortstop dropped an easy pop-up and shuffled the ball to second; it was called, but he tried. I forget who it was. Umps often forget to call it in the air. The trick is to make the catch look harder than it is.

Re: Tom Brady
 

They still try. :r

MIAMI (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles' bullpen was already stretched thin in the 12th inning when left-hander Brian Matusz was ejected for using a sticky substance that was on his right arm.

His replacement, T.J. McFarland, then gave up the game-winning single to Martin Prado in the 13th, and the Orioles lost to the Miami Marlins 1-0 Saturday.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter shrugged off the impact of the ejection, saying Matusz would have faced only one more hitter anyway.

''He wouldn't have pitched the next inning,'' Showalter said.

Matusz might not pitch again for a while. The Brewers' Will Smith was suspended for eight games Friday by Major League Baseball for having a foreign substance on his arm in a loss to the Braves.

Matusz entered the game in the 12th with the score 0-0 and retired the first two batters before new Marlins manager Dan Jennings approached home plate umpire Jordan Baker. Baker and crew chief Paul Emmel then went to the mound to inspect Matusz's arm.

''I went out there and told the pitcher I was going to touch his right forearm,'' Emmel said. ''That's where he was touching before he went to the ball. I detected a foreign substance, so the pitcher was ejected.''

Re: Tom Brady
 

2007, the same year the Patriots started their amazing run and amazing lack of fumbles for that matter.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Gee, I thought they started their amazing run in 2001. :D

Actually, I think that was after "Spygate" when they went on their "F*** the NFL tour"; I expect another one this season. You know how powerful bulletin board material is and they have plenty this year.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Darren, again I am confused. That Orioles pitcher was ejected and will likely face suspension for doctoring the ball. OK, it happens several times a season. He doctored the ball, and should face the music. But how does citing this defend your contention that Tom Brady and the Pats should NOT face any consequences for THEIR actions?

Re: Tom Brady
 

I see your confusion; I wasn't contending anything, just an amusing anecdote.

Since you brought it up, this sort of thing seems to happen more often in baseball, but it almost never becomes a federal case. Did the Orioles get fined? His pitching coach and manager MUST have known. What about his catcher? He HAD to know. The clubhouse boys? Did they get suspended? No. I just think that football, or at least the front office, has gotten prissy.

On another note, I've decided to let it go and wait for the payback that Belichick will inflict upon the league, on the field. Brady's four game suspension will just be "tacklin' fuel". The players are furious and will take it out on everyone. Ya know...an evil genius like Belichick might just have set this up as a false flag op. Enormous motivation to beat everyone like a red-headed step-child. Gonna be a great season! :banger

Re: Tom Brady
 

I always feel it is wiser to do your talking on the field, and let the rest of the crap go. :tu

Re: Tom Brady
 

:tu

Re: Tom Brady
 

I like to take a crap on the field, and then talk incessantly about it.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Don't you mean ice? :D

I think that field of study is called Scatology. Hey, I guard an empty dorm at night; I need something to do.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Way too much equipment to take off to take a dump on the rink, Darren. ;) :r

Re: Tom Brady
 

I can't even stand on skates, nevermind squat, and I grew-up in a hockey town. :fp

Re: Tom Brady
 

Classic Brady. Classic Patriots.
Tom, we want you to turn over your phone with the messages
Tom to his assistant right after that, destroy the phone.

What a jack @ss. Deserves way more than four games.

I will bet no appeal, no suit.
If he is stupid enough to sue, they will have legal subpoena for those records.

Re: Tom Brady
 

It worked for A-roid … oh wait nm.

Re: Tom Brady
 

I can feel Giselle's Spidey senses going off.

Tiger found his second wind.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Of course, Belichick will use this as the ultimate bulletin board material. I'm predicting another Super Bowl win. Thanks for the "Tacklin' Fuel" NFL! :banger

Re: Tom Brady
 

You think he secretly videotaped the hearings? :D

Re: Tom Brady
 

Tom can get in a little extra golf. No harm.

Re: Tom Brady
 

I also want to have Tom Brady's babies.

Re: Tom Brady
 

According to early reports, not saying these are accurate, but the NFL was ready to agree to a one game suspense with items being turned over, Brady demanded everything be sealed and no details given to the press. NFL said go eff yourself, 4 games, case closed.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Well the only problem here is that Brady *and the rest of the league* will be using balls that are inflated correctly, making fumbles and dropped catches for the patriots closer to the league average and not have overly incredible numbers in those areas which make a huge difference. Other than that .. .yes it's wonderful cork board material. :lr

Re: Tom Brady
 

Do you really think that his success is simply because of somewhat under-inflated game balls?
We'll know by the end of the season. I wonder what people will blame if I'm right? The only thing left to blame would be some arcane pact with the devil.:hy
I'm sure some disgruntled losing team will find a rule against that; I'm thinking "too many entities on the field". :lr

Re: Tom Brady
 

Who's to say what the other teams are doing or have done to their footballs since accounting of the footballs has been so poor in the past. Do you really think it's only Tom Brady who wanted his footballs out of spec?

This is a big nothing case and suspending Tom Brady 4 games is going to ensure Pats team even more hungry to win another Super Bowl.

If you have $50 to spare, bet now on the Pats winning the the Super Bowl next season....

Re: Tom Brady
 

now THAT'S funny!!...:r

Re: Tom Brady
 

No way I dare take you up on that bet.
If there is one thing I will bet on for sure is that they WILL come up with yet another creative way to be in the news for cheating.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Brady's new phone text messages released.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...c11758c47f.jpg

Re: Tom Brady
 

Brady's getting KILLED where it's going to hurt the most: his reputation & legacy.

I can't imagine a scenario where sports fans (at least those in the 44 states outside New England) don't think of him in the same way as they do Barry Bonds & A-Rod. When he trashed his phone, he trashed his reputation. No longer matters what the courts say, in the court of public opinion, he's done.

Re: Tom Brady
 

:tu

Re: Tom Brady
 

"But my lawyers said...and I'm a union guy, so you can't.....and....blah blah blah..."

Reading his 'statement', my eyes rolled so far into the back of my head that I'm still staring at the ceiling and laughing...

Re: Tom Brady
 

So true.
If he didn't want to set a precedent by turning over his personal phone, lock it up in a safe and wait for the court order, if one ever did come.

Re: Tom Brady
 

I was waiting for the fans to get all over his jock in support once the suspension was upheld. I do agree though since there is a considerable amount of money at stake teams will do whatever they think they can get away with to win. It just turns out Brady and the Patriots are under this illusion they wont be caught or wont be punished when they are. I also still believe the NFL plays favorites depending on who is in trouble or how much trouble. Drunk driving and heroin possession is only 2 games? Steroids first offense 1 to 10 games, second offense 4 games to life reduced to one season. There are numerous other references that could be made as well. Simply put he got caught he tried to hide it and got caught hiding it. He should have just manned up from the beginning admit it and defied the NFL to treat him unfairly according to their already warped sense of right and justifiable punishment.

Re: Tom Brady
 

For all those who say Brady's reputation is done; would you trade your QB for him right now? If not, why?

Re: Tom Brady
 

I wouldnt but that is because while I believe he is a great QB he is at the twilight of his career while our QB is at the beginning. However he would be a kick ass back up! I still dont like him though.

Re: Tom Brady
 

I said his reputation in the public arena is done -- doesn't mean he's not a fantastic QB. I'm a Bills fan. I'll take Brady over the flotsam & jetsam my team's assembled at that position. Hell, I'll take Garoppolo.

This isn't about Brady's abilities on the field. It's about his legacy. Four Super Bowl titles; MVP in 3 of them -- all tarnished because of this. Outside of New England, he's basically A-Rod in shoulder pads.

Re: Tom Brady
 

Nope.
Wouldn't do it before either.
Mine has beaten him twice in Super Bowls.:=:

Re: Tom Brady
 

Tom Brady can use my balls.

Re: Tom Brady
 

I will trade Jay Cutler for him, and even throw in George Halas' frozen head, Moses. :D

Re: Tom Brady
 

Including Aaron Rodgers, who unequivocally stated he sneaked over-inflated balls into games...yet not a single NFL fan or league official seems to care.