"Deflation Situation"

By: Tim Thompson Jr. 

The most talked about conversation right now leading up to Super Bowl XLIX concerns itself with a possible cheating scandal conducted by the New England Patriots against the Indianapolis Colts. Detailing in which the Patriots used 11 out of 12 game balls that were deflated under the legal limit.

These findings leave many fans of the NFL wondering whether or not, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots knew about the deflation of the pre-game approved game balls.

In press conferences yesterday, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady denied all accusations and refused to know of any wrongdoing in the deflation of the predetermined game balls. The rule stated in the book requires the game balls to be weighed in the range of 12.5-13.5 pounds per square inch.

The questions many NFL fans and former players are asking right now are, what happened in between the time they were tested and the start of the game? And, did someone request for these balls to be tampered with for personal preference?

Brady in an all-out blitz press conference, looked as if he took a hit to the head and didn't know where he was and what to say. Brady elaborated on the fact that he doesn't squeeze a football to see if it's underinflated. Yet, he stood by a comment last fall that he likes a football inflated on the low side of the margins, to about 12.5 PSI.

After statements as such, this opened a conversation across the league on how truthful former players thought Tom Brady was being.

Mark Brunell, a former NFL quarterback and now an ESPN analyst did not find him to be believable. He stated, "I did not believe what Tom had to say. Those balls were deflated. Somebody had to do it and I don't believe there's an equipment manager in the NFL who, on his own initiative, would deflate a ball without the starting quarterback's approval. .... I started 151 games. There wasn't one game ball I didn't put my hands on. There is a protocol. There is a process."

Obviously, these are ones opinions and hopefully the NFL decides to get to the bottom of this for the integrity of the game. Overall, even at the end of the season one can't focus on the big game on Sunday because of the awakening of another NFL scandal.

Terrible year for the NFL.

Here are some more things for you to dissect and critique. Comment to discuss.

"I'm disappointed in you Tom Brady" - Jerome Bettis on NFL LIVE now

"The Best Ever" Fan escapes leap onto field

Awesome video. I keep replaying this over and over.

Avery ya Big Bully

Today, reports that New York Rangers player Sean Avery is out on bail after he was arrested in California on allegations he shoved an officer at his Hollywood Hills home.

Okay, first of all how hard did he push him?

Well, according to Lt. Jorge Pardo tells City News Service that a neighbor’s noise complaint sent police to the home at around 1 a.m. Friday. Pardo says Avery answered the front door, shoved an officer and slammed the door but cooperated when officers knocked a second time.

Good boy Sean, I guess this scenario shows a lot of coincidences to how you are when the referee tells you to shut your mouth, usually run your mouth a little to much and end up in the box, but this time the box is a jail cell.

The 31-year-old Avery was booked on suspicion of battery on a police officer. He was released about seven hours later after posting $20,000 bail.

The Rangers say they’ll discuss the matter with Avery and have no immediate comment.

Reciever Edwards signs with 1-year deal with 49ers

For the San Francisco 49ers, adding Braylon Edwards means a threat that they haven't had in years.

In adding Edwards, coach Jim Harbaugh a former Michigan man is bringing the former Michigan wide reciever back under his wing. Using methods taught in Ann Arbor the 49ers are hoping Edwards can contribute greatly to the team.

San Francisco signed the wideout to a $3.5 million, one-year contract Thursday, and he joined his new team on the practice field for the first time. Edwards showed up a little late, wearing wearing No. 81, the number formerly worn by Terrell Owens.

As stated on Yahoo.com

“Listen here, that number’s temporary,” declared Edwards, who has worn No. 17. “I’m not trying to be known as the next him.”

The Niners announced the acquisition of Edwards shortly after practice began, then he emerged from the locker room less than an hour into the workout to join newly signed quarterback Alex Smith and the others.

“Pretty crazy in the middle of practice to see him run out and jump in there,” Smith said. “It’s just another addition to a strange year. It’s great to see him. He’s a great player. The more he can add to this team the better.”

The 49ers will certainly count on the veteran receiver to make an immediate contribution for a franchise that hasn’t had a winning record or reached the playoffs since 2002.

And they’re counting on him staying out of trouble, too.

Video: Fix the Knicks by Knicks owner James Dolan

James Dolan is a clown, what a terrible song. The only thing that needs to be fixed about the Knicks is a new owner. We got the talent finally, the fans have always been there, we just need a new owner.

Rory McIlroy wants return into PGA Tour

Prior to winning the U.S. Open Championship, Rory McIlroy dropped his PGA Tour Membership in early 2011.

After the victory McIlroy is rethinking his decision as the confident golfer told Espn.com, "I feel as if I play my best golf over here".

In saying so, the Northern Ireland native said he plans to look for a home in Florida in a few weeks and accept the FedEx Cup playoff structure that had turned him off.

"I'm very comfortable in this country. I'm definitely looking towards coming back and playing a full schedule over here."

After winning the Quail Hollow Championship last year, the 22-year-old gave up his PGA Tour membership and competed on the European Tour. By doing that, he limited himself to just 10 events, including the four major championships and three domestic World Golf Championship tournaments.

McIlroy joked that the British Open and the weather were part of the reasons for him to reconsider membership, but ultimately feels that he performs well on U.S. courses.

"I feel as if my game really suits playing courses over here," he said. "I love Quail Hollow, Memorial, Akron. You play Match Play, Honda, Doral, Masters. You have your favorite events, and most of my favorite events seem to be on this side of the pond. I'm very comfortable over here."

"I'd like to give it a go again and obviously last more than one year and really see how it goes," he said.

Irish Eyes are Smiling as Michael Floyd is Reinstated

Today. University of Notre Dame senior wide receiver Michael Floy (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham) has been reinstated as an active member of the Fighting Irish football team, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly announced.

Floyd was suspended indefinitely from the football team on March 21.

As stated by Notre Dame Sports Information, Special to IrishIllustrated.com

"From the very beginning of this process, Michael knew what was expected for him to be a member of our football program," Kelly said. "I told Michael that football needed to become of less importance to him while he worked on personal growth. Over the last four months, Michael impressed those that had close contact with him including professional advisors. Based on my own observations, I am very pleased with the progress Michael has made since March. That is why I am comfortable reinstating him to our football team. Michael knows that he must continue on this positive track. I look forward to witnessing the development he has made based on lessons learned from this situation and how that will lead to better choices in the future."

"The last four months have been the most humbling stretch of time in my life," Floyd said. "I embarrassed myself, my family, the university, my football team and many more people. I know it will take time to earn the trust and confidence from everyone I let down last spring but I am prepared to do so and will strive to become not just a leader on the team again, but one also in the community. I am grateful for the opportunity to earn my degree this year from the University of Notre Dame and I look forward to reuniting with my football family this fall.