Rule 17, Section 2, Article 3

[Boffo97]

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/20_Rule17_Emergencies_UnfairActs.pdf

Section 2 Extraordinarily Unfair Acts

PENALTIES FOR UNFAIR ACTS
Article 3

The Commissioner’s powers under this Section 2 include the imposition of monetary fines and draft-choice forfeitures, suspension of persons involved in unfair acts, and, if appropriate, the reversal of a game’s result or the rescheduling of a game, either from the beginning or from the point at which the extraordinary act occurred. In the event of rescheduling a game, the Commissioner will be guided by the procedures specified in Rule 17, Section 1, Articles 5 through 11, above. In all cases, the Commissioner will conduct a full investigation, including the opportunity for hearings, use of game videotape, and any other procedure he deems appropriate.

 

[jrry32]

LOL

Keep dreaming on that one. They'll get a slap on a wrist. May lose a draft pick at most.

NFL isn't going to reverse a game unless something extraordinary happened...like if somebody proved that NE paid Colts players or referees to shave points or something crazy like that.

 

[Corbin]

lol my ass they will penalize them!

 

[Stranger]

f appropriate, the reversal of a game’s result or the rescheduling of a game

It's about time the NFL calls the Cheatriots to the carpet.

But alas, all we'll get it more and more and more spin. Time to keep your wallets in your pockets and your TV's off, for that's the only thing they'll react to.

 

[LetsGoRams]

Too bad the Ravens didn't say something if they suspected something. That would / could have been a much closer game that could've fallen under this rule. But doubt a 45-7 game would be affected much by some slightly deflated balls.

 

[thirteen28]

There's no way in hell now that they will overturn the results of the game. But you can bet your asses that the NFL is really hoping and praying that Seattle wins, because if a team caught cheating in a conference championship game wins the Super Bowl, it is really going to look bad for the league.

That being said, it's also going to look bad if they give the Patriots nothing more than a slap on the wrist given that this is the second time they have been caught cheating. I think Belichek ought to get suspended for the entirety of next season, and I think the Patriots need to forfeit at least their first three picks of the draft ... maybe their entire draft. The NFL needs to put the hammer down on that franchise and do it hard.

And Kraft, if he had any decency (quit laughing, this is hypothetical) would fire Belichek for bringing disgrace on his franchise and the league.

 

[jrry32]

Too bad the Ravens didn't say something if they suspected something. That would / could have been a much closer game that could've fallen under this rule. But doubt a 45-7 game would be affected much by some slightly deflated balls.

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/...-indianapolis-colts-deflated-footballs-012115

Interesting.

 

[mr.stlouis]

Why oh why did they not do something about that game?

 

[Blue and Gold]

Too bad the Ravens didn't say something if they suspected something. That would / could have been a much closer game that could've fallen under this rule. But doubt a 45-7 game would be affected much by some slightly deflated balls.

Sounds like they did tip the Colts off on ballgate

 

[Boffo97]

This was less about any hope that the proven integrity-less Goodell would take any appropriate action and more just to establish that, yes, the NFL would have the authority to take such action. Often, the argument is that the NFL doesn't have the power to do so.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Sounds like they did tip the Colts off on ballgate

psi-gate

 

[thirteen28]

Well, this won't look good either:

http://www.brobible.com/sports/article/roger-goodell-robert-kraft-photo-deflategate/

 

[Boffo97]

psi-gate

That sounds like some sort of psychic related controversy. Perhaps Belichick brought in Dionne Warwick and the Psychic Friends Network to deduce opponent's plays...

 

[snackdaddy]

The way they swept spygate under the rug, you have to expect the same here. They'll just downplay it, let it die down and soon its over. Then Belicheat will be working on the next deception.

 

[V3]

I wouldn't change the result of the Indy game but I would change the results of the SB they cheated the Rams, Panthers, and Eagles.

The punishment I'd give NE for the Indy game would be a lifetime ban for Belicheat(it's gone on too long), a 1 game suspension for Brady(the SB), and take away their first round pick.

I'm fuckin sick and tired of cheating in the NFL. Make an example or it'll never stop. It's not like they weren't warned before this.

 

[Mojo Ram]

The way they swept spygate under the rug, you have to expect the same here. They'll just downplay it, let it die down and soon its over. Then Belicheat will be working on the next deception.

Yep. For the casual fan the season is over from February until September. That's plenty of time for people to "forget."
Goodell already has his PR team in full blown damage control mode right now because there's one game left to be played. After that he'll swiftly hand out a slap on the wrist...and the masses will forget over the course of the next eight months.

 

[-X-]

They should make the patriots play with footballs that are overinflated by 2 pounds for the whole season this year.
For starters.

 

[LumberTubs]

The Colts got absolutely humped and would've lost regardless of the balls used by the Pats so I don't have a huge problem with waiting until after the super bowl for the punishment to be decided.

However there is clearly a culture within that franchise that considers itself to be above the rules and which has little regard for the integrity of the league and the game as a whole.

There's no doubt in my mind that Belichick is the driving force behind it because he's the constant and to this point, Kraft and the league have done very little to set him straight. I wouldn't trust Kraft to do anything about it but the league has to. They took draft picks and fined them last time and the message clearly didn't get through so simple common sense would surely dictate that the punishment this time round should be greater.

What that punishment should be? I don't know. A complete removal of all of their 2015 draft picks? Season long suspension for Belichick? Whatever it is, I think it needs to be hard and decisive because this franchise has not learned nor will it learn if the league doesn't take proper action.

Having said all of that, I have little to no faith that the NFL will do what needs to be done.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

The Superbowl cannot be delayed. It is booked in advance because there is much planning to do to get it all set and ready. Kind of like a wedding.

I would Love to seethe fans abort it. I am not watching. Goodell needs a message sent and that is the best way.

 

[Akrasian]

Something major needs to be done. The NFL is unlikely to do it, though.

But what I'd like to see is
1) Remove $31 million cap space from NE next season (and every other team in the NFL gets $1 million extra cap space, so the players in the league aren't being punished)
2) Take away 7 draft picks over the next 7 season (the first this year, second next year and so on). Also, they are not eligible for comp picks during that time.
3) Belichick gets a year suspension, after which he can apply for reinstatement (with nothing guaranteed).
4) The officials in the Super Bowl call the Patriots tightly, and the Seahawks lightly (oh wait - it's the Seahawks - that would happen anyway).