Deflategate <again>

[Nails]

Goodell getting crushed for destroying all the tapes involving spygate and then hammering Brady for destroying his own cell phone

[Nick Danger]

That's true. It's also not an impossibility that future Bellichick went back in time and told his present day self about the pass play. You can't say that it didn't happen.

All possibilities are not equally probable. There is a reason that Occam's Razor exists.

When time traveling, people rarely make contact with their past self. It upsets the time/space continuum...they usually leave a note.

[Grape Ape]

No, Roger destroyed the so called proof, no one else has seen the miraculous footage...

It exists along with the Loch Ness, Big Foot and other footage.
And yes, every team has its homers. My Bro-Inlaw is from Chicago, biggest homer I ever met for the Bears, Hawks, etc.
Other friends from other places are just as brutal...(My buddy from Baltimore is unreal with the "my team" stuff).

Nimrods everywhere, think they are part of a "insert name here"-nation"  

The homer level is different, especially in the context of the their obsession with the Yankees.  It's unreal.

As for the proof, I think this article is really exposing things were pretty bad:

On Thursday, the NFL announced the Patriots punishment. The entire official investigation had taken three days.

Privately, the NFL continued to act. The next week the league dispatched three executives, including general counsel Jeff Pash, to Foxborough. There they obtained eight videotapes of opposing teams and a stack of documents containing notes on other teams’ signals. Goodell ordered all the evidence to be destroyed.

This part of the report is unimpeachable—it comes directly from the Patriots’ counsel.

Inside a room accessible only to Belichick and a few others, they found a library of scouting material containing videotapes of opponents’ signals, with detailed notes matching signals to plays for many teams going back seven seasons. Among them were handwritten diagrams of the defensive signals of the Pittsburgh Steelers, including the notes used in the January 2002 AFC Championship Game won by the Patriots 24-17. Yet almost as quickly as the tapes and notes were found, they were destroyed, on Goodell’s orders: League executives stomped the tapes into pieces and shredded the papers inside a Gillette Stadium conference room.
Jeff Pash stomped the tapes!

Both the Pats AND the NFL look even shittier than they did during Deflategate.

[The Ugly]

My family originates from  New York (father's side) and Massachusetts (mother's side)

I can't stand when people think I am a bandwagon fan, just because I was born and raised in Florida.

It does not matter where you live. The sign of a true fan is sticking by the same team for life. I began watching all sports seriously in the early 90's.

I picked my favorite teams in football (Patriots) baseball (A's) and basketball (Pacers) as a kid, and I will stick with them until I die.

That is the definition of a true fan. Its not a requirement to follow the hometown team. It is a requirement to stick with your favorite team through the good times and the bad, for the duration of your life.

P.S. there is no such thing as having two favorite teams in the same sports league  

I also love how some people are fake fans of popular teams, yet can't name a few players or know any of the franchise's history.

That's the definition of an idiot. Lifelong Dodgers fan, but I check out every time they trade stupid (Strawberry/Davis, Sheffield, Manny, etc.) or become boring losers. Fuck them.

What are we, ten?

[Grape Ape]

That's the definition of an idiot. Lifelong Dodgers fan, but I check out every time they trade stupid (Strawberry/Davis, Sheffield, Manny, etc.) or become boring losers. Fuck them.

What are we, ten?

Trading for Beckett and Crawford in addition to AGon, AND giving up prospects was one of the dumbest trades ever.  Of course, Boston went right out and dumped almost 200M on Sandoval and Ramirez and went right to the same spot.

But Greinke/Kershaw/Pederson/Puig would be enough to keep me interested for awhile....

[The Abdominal Snoman]

When time traveling, people rarely make contact with their past self. It upsets the time/space continuum...they usually leave a note.

[King Shizzo]

That's the definition of an idiot. Lifelong Dodgers fan, but I check out every time they trade stupid (Strawberry/Davis, Sheffield, Manny, etc.) or become boring losers. Fuck them.

What are we, ten?

Why? I have no desire to jump ship to another team. Real fans understand that there will be ups and downs, first place and last place, shit moves and great ones.

You said you are a lifelong Dodgers fan, so I don't see where you disagree with me? It's not like you suddenly root for the Angels or Padres, right?

The bandwagon fans are the guys who like the Steelers one year, and then are spotted wearing Patriots gear a few years later. Or people in Washington who don't give two shits about football, are suddenly rabid Seahawks fans  

[The Ugly]

Trading for Beckett and Crawford in addition to AGon, AND giving up prospects was one of the dumbest trades ever.  Of course, Boston went right out and dumped almost 200M on Sandoval and Ramirez and went right to the same spot.

But Greinke/Kershaw/Pederson/Puig would be enough to keep me interested for awhile....

Yes, and I should be paying more attention now, I admit.

Guess I'm still burnt over Piazza - shit CRUSHED me, left me bitter for years. Made a lot more sense when I read his auto last year, the selfish, miserable fuck.

Lo Duca/Roberts later, too. And their longtime passive disrespect for Karros (L.A. franchise all-time HR king). Still yearn for the old Lasorda years: Garvey, Cey, Smith ... As dedicated and passionate as a punk kid could be.

[Hulkotron]

Yes, and I should be paying more attention now, I admit.

Guess I'm still burnt over Piazza - shit CRUSHED me, left me bitter for years. Made a lot more sense when I read his auto last year, the selfish, miserable fuck.

Lo Duca/Roberts later, too. And their longtime passive disrespect for Karros (L.A. franchise all-time HR king). Still yearn for the old Lasorda years: Garvey, Cey, Smith ... As dedicated and passionate as a punk kid could be.

Always struck me as an asshole, maybe it was the mustache.

[The Ugly]

Why? I have no desire to jump ship to another team. Real fans understand that there will be ups and downs, first place and last place, shit moves and great ones.

You said you are a lifelong Dodgers fan, so I don't see where you disagree with me? It's not like you suddenly root for the Angels or Padres, right?

The bandwagon fans are the guys who like the Steelers one year, and then are spotted wearing Patriots gear a few years later. Or people in Washington who don't give two shits about football, are suddenly rabid Seahawks fans  

No, I understand bandwagoning well, no problem with it at all. I was all about the Angels in '02, and Trout has me wanting to watch again. Did it again with Warner/Rams, Warner/Cards, and now with Manning/Broncs, what do I care? Gives me a reason to enjoy the game again, years after all my old Steelers retired.

Shit, quit the Lakers after Magic retired, too. Hated what they became after with Kobe/Shaq, and didn't care enough to follow anyone else. Haven't watched a game since.

I certainly understand the 'my team' thing, but I just find the "real fan" obsession childish anymore. I'd say it's maybe an L.A. thing, but it's probably just me.

And I know you're assuming, 'Eh, he was ever really a fan to begin with,' which couldn't be more wrong. I was beyond obsessed with the game: memorized careers worth of stats - even rival players, knew personal details, went to every game I could, the whole nine.

I remember watching Grogan connect with Francis on a snowy TV, bro. Then watching the long-necked fuck scramble like Tarkenton the rest of the game. Your boys, before you born.

In fact, just found an old fifth-grade extra credit assignment my mom saved: play-by-play narration (with color commentary and analysis) of the 1980 Super Bowl, Steelers vs. Rams. I understand fandom, trust me.

[The Ugly]

Always struck me as an asshole, maybe it was the mustache.

Had me fooled, even when others noticed it. DEFINITELY was, though, admitted as much in his book. Don't think he meant to; just seems too arrogant and detached to realize how it translates.

He was everything I would've hated at the time had I known.

[King Shizzo]

No, I understand bandwagoning well, no problem with it at all. I was all about the Angels in '02, and Trout has me wanting to watch again. Did it again with Warner/Rams, Warner/Cards, and now with Manning/Broncs, what do I care? Gives me a reason to enjoy the game again, years after all my old Steelers retired.

Shit, quit the Lakers after Magic retired, too. Hated what they became after with Kobe/Shaq, and didn't care enough to follow anyone else. Haven't watched a game since.

I certainly understand the 'my team' thing, but I just find the "real fan" obsession childish anymore. I'd say it's maybe an L.A. thing, but it's probably just me.

And I know you're assuming, 'Eh, he was ever really a fan to begin with,' which couldn't be more wrong. I was beyond obsessed with the game: memorized careers worth of stats - even rival players, knew personal details, went to every game I could, the whole nine.

I remember watching Grogan connect with Francis on a snowy TV, bro. Then watching the long-necked fuck scramble like Tarkenton the rest of the game. Your boys, before you born.

In fact, just found an old fifth-grade extra credit assignment my mom saved: play-by-play narration (with color commentary and analysis) of the 1980 Super Bowl, Steelers vs. Rams. I understand fandom, trust me.

Great, if you understand fandom so much then you wouldn't call serious fans idiots. So you quit on teams? Sounds more like a personal problem to me.

I also love how you throw it in my face that you were watching sports before I was born (like that is somehow my fault that I am younger). That is just a sign that you are getting old, pops. 

[The Ugly]

Great, if you understand fandom so much then you wouldn't call serious fans idiots. So you quit on teams? Sounds more like a personal problem to me.

I also love how you throw it in my face that you were watching sports before I was born (like that is somehow my fault that I am younger). That is just a sign that you are getting old, pops.  

Miscommunication, just sharing my enjoyment of older times. Thought you might appreciate it is all. And, no, I don't understand your type of fandom at all. That's sycophantic, more about you. When there's nothing left to cheer for, I move the fuck on. Sorry, not on the payroll.

Also quit on my band, sue me. Guitarist replaced the bass player with his fat kid, and their former rock god frontman evolved into an embarrassingly nebbish lounge act. Fuck 'em.

[King Shizzo]

Miscommunication, just sharing my enjoyment of older times. Thought you might appreciate it is all. And, no, I don't understand your type of fandom at all. That's sycophantic, more about you. When there's nothing left to cheer about, I move the fuck on. Sorry.

Do you fight other fans for your team, you one of those?

Also quit on my band. Guitarist replaced the bass player with his fat kid, and their former rock god frontman evolved into an embarrassingly nebbish lounge act. Fucking sue me.

You are definitely in the minority amongst sports fans with this statement. Would you at least admit that?

Besides, just because I have favorite teams, does not mean that I do not find other teams/players exciting to watch.

You are what is called a "Fair Weather fan".

[The Ugly]

You are definitely in the minority amongst sports fans with this statement. Would you at least admit that?

Sure, not unusual. Never really been comfortable with majorities.

Even though we're oversimplifying, I'll totally own 'fair weathered.' But it's never just losing that pushes me away; much more comprehensive than that.

But I've always been baffled by blind allegiance, yeah.

[The Ugly]

Let me ask you this, Shizz. If the Pats up and moved, do your cheers follow them wherever? Or is your loyalty to Boston and whomever takes their place?

Hypothetical: What if the Pats take their name, mascot, and uniforms and move to, say, Poughkeepsie; but Belichick, Brady, and the other players become the Idaho Aryans outta Sandpoint. For whom does the "real fan" then root?

Town, franchise, or players: What exactly makes the team your team?

[King Shizzo]

Let me ask you this, Shizz. If the Pats up and moved, do your cheers follow them wherever? Or is your loyalty to Boston and whomever takes their place?

Hypothetical: What if the Pats take their name, mascot, and uniforms and move to, say, Poughkeepsie; but Belichick, Brady, and the other players become the Idaho Aryans outta Sandpoint. For whom does the "real fan" then root?

Town, franchise, or players: What exactly makes the team your team?

The Franchise. The Patriots. Tom Brady is my all-time favorite player, but if he got traded to the 49ers tomorrow, the Patriots would still be my favorite team (although I would root for him to do well) It will be a somber time when guys like Brady, Belichick , and Kraft are no longer around, but the franchise is what is constant for me.

It would be exactly like when the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to L.A.  As long as they keep the Patriots name, then that is my team, no matter where they go, or who plays for them.

[The Ugly]

The Franchise. The Patriots. Tom Brady is my all-time favorite player, but if he got traded to the 49ers tomorrow, the Patriots would still be my favorite team (although I would root for him to do well) It will be a somber time when guys like Brady, Belichick , and Kraft are no longer around, but the franchise is what is constant for me.

Ah, uniforms. Fair enough. But I think it does muddy it up a bit. I'm reminded of Brooklyn and Cleveland, when their teams just bailed on them. I couldn't forgive that.

But we digress.

[King Shizzo]

Ok, fair enough. But I think it does muddy it up a bit. I'm reminded of Brooklyn and Cleveland, when their teams just bailed on them. I couldn't forgive that.

But we digress.

Not saying it wouldn't be weird, or sting a bit, but it's my team.

My worst nightmare would be to move the team and completely change the name and the colors. I couldn't comprehend that  

Imagine the Browns moving to Baltimore to become the Ravens, but Cleveland never getting a new Browns team.

That would be my worst nightmare scenario.

[The Ugly]

Not saying it wouldn't be weird, or sting a bit, but it's my team.

My worst nightmare would be to move the team and completely change the name and the colors. I couldn't comprehend that  

Yeah, gets confusing. "Team" becomes a little less distinct.

[King Shizzo]

Yeah, gets confusing. "Team" becomes a little less distinct.

Yeah, I never really thought hard about it until now. Imagine how it must have sucked for Houston Oiler fans to see the team move to Tennessee, and change the name and the colors of the team. Sure, they got the Houston Texans years later, but it wouldn't be the same for me.

The L.A. Rams moving to St. Louis wouldn't be as bad (in my way of thinking) Same team name, same logo, and the same natural transition of players.

[The Ugly]

Yeah, I never really thought hard about it until now. Imagine how it must have sucked for Houston Oiler fans to see the team move to Tennessee, and change the name and the colors of the team. Sure, they got the Houston Texans years later, but it wouldn't be the same for me.

The L.A. Rams moving to St. Louis wouldn't be as bad (in my way of thinking) Same team name, same logo, and the same natural transition of players.

This is where it hits home. My best bud is a lifelong fan, as was his dad. He followed them to St. Lou, and as a real fan would, sticks with them through thin and thinner (minus '80, '99, '01). Even flies in for a game every year.

I've given him shit about it forever. Of course, I'd jump on board if they started playing well again, like with Warner. Other thing is that sports aren't nearly as important to me as they once were.

[Nails]

[Nails]

Antonio brown steelers WR , his hair cut  

[blinky]

Antonio brown steelers WR , his hair cut  

hahaha perfect. I saw his interviewe before the game and was like wtf