http://www.inquisitr.com/2169825/new-england-patriots-rumors-wells-report/
The latest “Deflategate” rumors around the New England Patriots center around a new study by a respected Washington think-tank, the American Enterprise Institute, that could lead to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell throwing out the four-game suspension against the Patriots future Hall of Fame quarterback, Tom Brady.
But critics of the Wells Report, including the Patriots themselves in their own study titled The Wells Report In Context, argue that Wells made serious errors, and the Patriots footballs used in the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts were not deflated at all — at least, not deliberately by human hands.
The study by AEI — a research institute devoted largely to conservative political causes — is the first truly independent, full analysis of the Deflategate controversy, because AEI was not hired either by the NFL or the New England Patriots to carry out the study.
“We have no financial stake in the outcome of Deflategate,” the report’s authors made clear.
An earlier AEI report on the New Orleans Saints “Bountygate” scandal played a part in the tossing aside of several suspensions in that case.
“Contrary to the report, the significant difference between the changes in pressure of the two teams’ balls was not because the pressure of the Patriots balls was too low,” the AEI researchers wrote in a New York Times summary of their findings, “but because that of the Colts balls was too high.”
The entire AEI report may be downloaded in PDF format at this link.
While Goodell refused a request by the NFL Players Association to step aside from Brady’s appeal hearing, set for June 23, he also said that “my mind is open” and that he could be persuaded by “new information or evidence.”
“Goodell will have to admit that he hired an investigator who did a poor job. Which would mean that Goodell did a poor job in hiring Ted Wells,” wrote NFL expert Mike Florio of the NBC-owned Pro Football Talk site. “Which could mean that Goodell will give no credence to the findings of AEI.”
While it’s all just rumors and speculation at this point, after June 23 the New England Patriots should know whether they will have Tom Brady on the field when September 10 rolls around as they open the NFL season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roger-i-abrams/the-end-of-deflategate_b_7588112.html The End of Deflategate Posted: 06/15/2015 2:45 pm EDT Updated: 06/15/2015 4:59 pm EDT
As Tiger Woods once said, "Sensationalism sells: Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story." A Patriots conspiracy was a good story. The media never let the facts get in the way. Troy Vincent, the NFL's Executive VP of Football Operations, did likewise and suspended future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady for one quarter of the 2015 football season.
Assuming someone actually read the entire Wells Report, its legalistic parts focused the attention of readers on the quantum of proof issue under the NFL Rules. It correctly applied the appropriate "preponderance of the evidence" standard, although it ultimately reached a conclusion that was less than resounding. Tom Brady, the Report said, was "at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities" of locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski.
The Deflategate controversy comes to a welcomed conclusion on June 23 when Commissioner Goodell will receive evidence presented by Tom Brady's attorney, Jeff Kessler.
American Enterprise Institute, the Washington-based, right-wing think tank. The AEI's full report is available online, but its conclusion is the equivalent of a completed 75-yard Hail Mary pass. The AEI, which certainly has no political agenda in this football dispute, concludes that the Wells Report is "deeply flawed." Anyone who read the Wells Report and the Goldberg response had already reached that conclusion. What is particularly telling about the AEI's study is that it offers an alternate explanation for the actual facts.
As readers of a certain age certainly remember, Deep Throat advised Woodward and Bernstein to "follow the money." Regarding the Deflategate contretemps, the more appropriate maxim is to "follow the science." The science in the Wells Report is unsound. That is exactly what Patriots owner Bob Kraft told the press back in January after he consulted with a Nobel Prize winner on the faculty of M.I.T. Commissioner Goodell might need a neutral expert to explain the methodology used by the various scientists who are involved in this scrum, but his ultimate conclusion, if he actually approaches the appeal with an open mind, is clear "beyond a reasonable doubt."
The AEI Report explains that the deflation of the footballs used by the Patriots in the first half of the American Conference Championship game was the result of the difference in temperature in the locker room and out on the field. "The Patriots balls were measured at the start of halftime, whereas the Colts balls were measured at the end of halftime, after sufficient time had passed for the balls to warm up and return to their pregame pressure." There is no direct or circumstantial evidence that the Patriots intentionally deflated the footballs below the limit set by the NFL rules.
The NFL cannot be blamed for the trap that the rival team set for the Patriots during the January playoff game. The Commissioner, however, has to find a way out of this mess. He need not blame Ted Wells, who had served his client well. He need not chastise Troy Vincent for the four-game suspension of the NFL's golden boy. He need only blame the science and conclude that it is insufficient to support any suspension. He can save face by imposing a fine on QB12 for not fully cooperating with the NFL's investigation by not supplying his cell phone. Any other outcome would add another self-imposed scar on the NFL's reputation and an unwarranted blemish on the reputation of one of the game premier competitors.
