Do underinflated Footballs Really matter?

Investigators found that 11 out of 12 footballs were underinflated by 2 pounds during the AFC Championship game. In contrast, reports found that the Colt's balls however were pumped to the league standards. What are some of the implications of this New England Patriots scandal and in what standing does that leave the team leading up to the Big Game?

The Pregame Football Protocol

There is a specific protocol that must be followed by all teams for dealing with game balls. During the week each team prepares about a dozen footballs for the week. Those footballs are taken to the league on Friday which are then inspected by officials. Just before the game, abut two hours or so, the referee would inspect each and every football.

Based on how involved the team is in preparing the game balls rising eye brows. Investigations continue with the Patriots and the NFL, however it's clear that something is going on.

It Comes Down to Personal Preference

How much the amount air in a football impacts the game is a complicated question. Many quarterbacks prefer a softer football, on the contrary though other quarterbacks actually prefer a harder, more standard football feel. Tom Brady when asked laughed at the suggestion that it helped them beat the Colts in the AFC Championship. So be that the weight of the football is no more than personal preference does it actually help win games?

Close to freezing temperatures means the football is going to feel closer to a rock than the ol' pigskin. Some players say they prefer the added grip that comes with deflating the balls a little bit. A slightly spongier ball has added benefits for the receiving end as well. On catching the football some have suggested more give than a regularly inflated ball, making it easier to grab out of the air.

Damages to the Patriots

In an ESPN interview with former NFL star Steve Young, he talks about the implications of the scandal and the patriots being involved. In summary Young states that the patriots have traditionally been a glowing example of execution and tactics on the field, but that this scandal undermines their leadership.

Negative public opinion of Bill Belichick shows that the team is already feeling some of the initial consequences of the bad press. Even though more evidence is bound to make things more clear, and could exonerate the coach, the legacy of the Patriots is without a doubt under fire.

Conclusion

In reality though the implications of the scandal have more of an impact than the actual deflation of the balls. Questions arise about the integrity about the Patriot's organization as a whole.

Hindsight is 20/20 and it's clear that no matter how limp the football was it's not going to fix a 38 point spread. What would be more interesting to find out is, how many games were won by 2 or 3 points or how many cold weather games were bested by the Patriots?

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