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(SportsNetwork.com) - Its no Perry Mason moment, but its becoming pretty clear that those dastardly New England Patriots got their hands caught in the cookie jar again. Deflate-gate, though, is a less-than-inspiring sequel to the blockbuster that was Spygate. Nonetheless 11 of the 12 footballs the Patriots provided for this past Sundays AFC Championship Game rout over Indianapolis were underinflated, according to the preliminary findings of an NFL investigation. ESPN, citing league sources close to the inquiry, reported the balls were each two pounds below the league-mandated 12 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds per square inch (PSI). We are not commenting on the matter at this time, NFL spokesman Michael Signora told SportsNetwork.com in an email late Tuesday evening. Those comments are coming, though, and heres what we know: The Patriots defeated the Colts, 45-7, in rainy weather to earn their eighth Super Bowl berth in franchise history. Indianapolis was tipped off to the Pats shenanigans with the footballs in the second quarter when veteran linebacker DQwell Jackson picked off Tom Brady. Jackson noticed an abnormality and gave the ball to a member of the Colts equipment staff, who brought it to the attention of coach Chuck Pagano. Pagano then relayed the information his general manager, Ryan Grigson, in the press box and Grigson alerted NFL director of football operations Mike Kensil, who in turn told the on-field officials at halftime. On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, the officials held things up and eventually switched out the game ball. Of course, the Patriots led, 17-7, at halftime with the advantage and blitzed the Colts, 28-0, after the officials became aware of the issue. So whats the problem? In theory, a softer football is easier to throw and catch, especially in poor weather conditions, although everything really relates to the quarterback in question. Aaron Rodgers, for instance, prefers an overinflated football, something CBS broadcaster Phil Simms said during a Packers-Patriots game in November, and A- Rod himself confirmed at his season-ending press conference on Tuesday. (Rodgers) said something (that) was unique, Simms said. (Rodgers said) I like to push the limit to how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do and see if the officials take air out of it. Because he thinks its easier for him to grip. He likes them tight. Rodgers, who has very big hands, is the exception to the rule, however. There is no advantage in a maximum amount of air in the football, Rodgers claimed. There is with a minimum. A soft football is an advantage if you have smaller hands to throw the football. Simms agreed with that take. Everybody wants it smaller and soft so they can dig their fingers into it, the ex-Giants QB surmised. Including Brady, who tried to laugh off the controversy on Monday. I think Ive heard it all at this point, Brady said. Its ridiculous. I dont even respond to stuff like this. Unfortunately for Tom Terrific, there is a gotcha moment when he discussed his love of a deflated ball when talking about a Ron Gronkowski touchdown on WEEI Radio in Boston back in 2011. When Gronk scores, he spikes the ball and he deflates the ball. I love that, because I like the deflated ball, Brady said at the time. The real question is how did the underhanded, evil genius that is Bill Belichick actually pull off his latest caper. Well, its not all that hard to do. Heres the mechanics of game day when it comes to the actual footballs being used: The NFL rule book states that each team must provide game officials with 12 footballs before every game, and the balls are required to be inflated between the 12 1/2 and 13 1/2 PSI. Its the referees responsibility to inspect the game balls just over two hours before kickoff and he places a special marking on each ball which passes inspection before giving the approved balls to attendants on each team, who are supposed to maintain custody of the balls on each sideline. Each team uses its own footballs on offense and clubs are permitted to slightly doctor them to their QBs preference. Things like rubbing up the football with dirt to make it less slippery are commonplace as is adjusting the inflation levels. Former quarterback Brad Johnson even admitted to bribing attendants to have the footballs doctored to his specifications before the 2003 Super Bowl. Johnsons Buccaneers beat the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII and the Florida State product claimed he paid $7,500 to have 100 different balls scuffed. I paid some guys off to get the balls right, Johnson told the Tampa Bay Times. I went and got all 100 footballs, and they took care of all of them. Before you kill Walt Anderson, the AFC Championship Game referee, understand the difference between say 10 1/2 PSI and 12 1/2 isnt all that noticeable unless youre tipped off. And for those questioning how the Pats could possibly underinflate that many footballs under those strict guidelines, understand its as simple as sticking an inflation needle in the football for a few seconds. The reality here is this is much ado about nothing and a convenient excuse for those jealous of the Patriots success to pounce. And green is never the most flattering color for the envious. Cheating in the NFL didnt start with a disgruntled Eric Mangini skirting omerta to reveal Spygate and it certainly didnt end there as well. Johnson was pretty up-front with his bribery technique on the games biggest stage and to this day Bill Parcells claims the Bill Walsh 49ers used to play games with the communication system in the playoffs. This kind of stuff has been going on in the NFL for quite some time, but it takes different forms, Parcells said on ESPN back in 2011. I know from past history in two playoff games, one of these teams that was famous for using a script, which they rehearsed with their team prior to the game -- they knew exactly what they wanted to do -- mysteriously, two years in a row, when the game started, their phones went down, which mandates that the other side put their phones down. Now, let me get this straight. Youve got your script rehearsed, you know what youre going to do, the defense doesnt know whats coming, but they have to take their phones off? Parcells, himself, was known to play games at the old Giants Stadium and open or close the end-zone gate on windy days in an effort to help his own kicker or hinder the oppositions. There arent many people in this league who believe the Saints side of the things when Mickey Loomis was accused of bugging the oppositions coaching box at the Superdome, and both the Cowboys and Redskins were heavily punished for blatantly skirting salary-cap rules a few years ago. Remember Norv Turners Chargers and Stickum? Or how about Bill Romanowskis revelation that he spent an hour before games using a Q-tip to apply silicone to his gloves for added grip, and Vaseline to his uniform so blockers would hit him and slide off. And dont even get me started on PEDs. Despite all of that, Belichick is the only guilty party when it comes to public opinion and Roger Goodells lack of credibility from all the leagues previous peccadilloes this season almost forces the commish to be heavy-handed in doling out a punishment for this crime. And that just plays into the narrative of the uneducated who believe Beli- cheat is the only scourge among his noble peers, an aberrant who has stained the Patriots legacy. The truth is far less sexy. NASCAR rules have always applied in the NFL -- if you aint cheatin, you aint tryin. And the Patriots? Well, they are always trying. Joe Montana Chiefs Jersey . - Chris Davis hit a two-run double, scoring Nelson Cruz in his Orioles debut in Baltimores 9-7 win over to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Patrick Mahomes Chiefs Jersey .C. -- Only two Syracuse teams have won their first 20 games, and C. http://www.thechiefsshoponline.com/Youth-khalen-saunders-chiefs-jersey/ . Anaheim Ducks Reassign D Colby Robak to Norfolk Admirals (AHL). - Team Website D Eric Brewer (foot) removed from injured reserve. Harrison Butker Jersey .ca MLB Power Rankings, the third consecutive week that the As have held top spot and the third straight week that they have been one ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays. Juan Thornhill Youth Jersey . However, Jim Popp isnt sure how long hell be able to admire wide receiver Duron Carter.ALLEN PARK, Mich. - As usual, Martin Mayhew chose his words carefully when assessing the off-season for the Detroit Lions — but the biggest issue facing the team is fairly obvious.Ndamukong Suh, Detroits All-Pro defensive tackle, can become a free agent now, and if he leaves, the Lions would have to scramble to replace his formidable presence in the middle of their defence.I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with him on Monday, said Mayhew, Detroits general manager. We had a good conversation. We look forward to working with him to try to get a deal done.Mayhew spoke to reporters for about a half-hour Thursday, recapping a solid year in which the Lions made the playoffs for only the second time in the past 15 seasons.Suh was a big part of Detroits 11-win season, helping the Lions become one of the leagues top teams against the run.Mayhew said Suh is open to staying in Detroit.We talked about that on Monday, had a good conversation with him, Mayhew said. He wants to be here and we want him to be here. As I said before, I think thats a pretty good combination. Well see how it all plays out.Mayhew said hes leaving all options open with Suh — including the possibility of using the franchise tag on him. The teams preference, though, is to reach a long-term deal.The fact that Detroit is coming off an encouraging season probably wont hurt.He likes to win, I know that, Mayhew said. I know he likes coach (Jim) Caldwell, I know hes very comfortable here in Detroit, so those things all play in our favour. At the end of the day money talks, so well have to step up in terms of pursuing him financially as well.Suhs situation — however its resolved — could have a major effect on the rest of Detroits plans this off-season.Defensive tackle Nick Fairley can also become a free agent, and the offence is coming off an uneven season in which the line struggled to protect quarterback Matthew Stafford.Although he addressed Suhs uncertain future, Mayhew wouldnt talk much about the status of any individual players. Veteran offensive linemen Rob Sims and Domiinic Raiola have reached the end of their contracts, and offensive lineman Travis Swanson — a third-round pick in last years draft — may be ready for a bigger role.ddddddddddddMaking the playoffs was an important step in Caldwells first season as Detroits coach, but the Lions lost the regular-season finale at Green Bay with the NFC North title at stake. Then they fell 24-20 at Dallas in their post-season opener.We have to get better from a talent standpoint. We have to be a better football team, Mayhew said. I think were a good football team right now, but were not a great football team. We have to be able to go and win at Green Bay, which we have not done in a long time.Having a bye and having a home game would have obviously helped us in terms of the playoffs and advancing. In those games, the other team played better than we played and we lost.One thing Mayhew didnt want to do was dwell on the pass interference flag that was rescinded late in the loss to Dallas. The reversal by the officials cost the Lions what would have been a huge first down, and the Cowboys ended up rallying to win.I think that the focus on a couple bad calls takes away from the fact that two really good teams played an outstanding football game that day, Mayhew said. You know, when the penalty happened there were eight minutes left in the game when they got the ball back.We had every opportunity to do something to overcome that and do something positive to win that game and we didnt. ... Im from the old school of, No excuses, no explanations. Did you win the game? No, we didnt win it. They won it, they advanced. We hope to see them next year at some point.NOTES: Mayhew was asked about rugby star Jarryd Hayne, who visited Detroit recently during his tour of NFL teams. Were always on the lookout for players that can help us, Mayhew said. Well see what happens. Hes still out there and hes still looking at other teams as well. Im not sure whatll happen with him, but wed like to have him.___Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '