Some local hot air on Patriots and Deflate-gate

When it comes to deflate-gate, one thing is certain: Everybody has an opinion.

We were going to go to the sports bars and taverns to do this story, but that's what they always do, so we took a path less traveled and talked to a few folks whom you don't usually hear talking professional sports.

For those who continue their hibernation as the storm of the millennium bears down, Deflate-gate erupted a week ago today after an ESPN reporter announced that the NFL was investigating the possible deflation of footballs used by the Patriots during the first half of their drubbing of the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC championship game.

After two press conferences by Patriots Coach Bill Belichick and one by quarterback Tom Brady, the controversy continues to rage on TV gossip shows, Saturday Night Live and sports talk radio nationwide.

And, yes, even here in the Northern Seacoast.

"I haven't given it much thought, but you know I think we're putting a whole lot into nothing," said State Police Lt. Louis Nyitray, commander of Troop A in Alfred, which covers Lebanon. "I know you have rules, but I don't know. I believe the coach, but I'm not sure I believe Tom, because when asked if he was a cheater, instead of saying outright 'I'm not a cheater,' he said 'I don't believe I'm a cheater.'

Skip Wood atmospheric conditions could be to blame

Soon to be retired Lebanon Fire Chief Skip Wood was a little more charitable with Brady and the Patriots and drew on his experience in firefighting to provide a reasonable scenario for the footballs' deflation.

"I think there's a reason this could have happened," Wood explained. "We have issues with the air cylinders sometimes that we use in fires. In our tanks (SCOTs), we might lose 10 percent, if they were hot and got into the cool weather."

Wood added that the refs handle the ball every down, especially in the monsoon like conditions last Sunday, and should have been able to determine if a significant percentage of air pressure had been released.

Meanwhile, Karen Brown, Milton's rec director, doubted Brady would have ever noticed if the balls he used in the first half were underinflated.
"I would not know by handling a ball if it was underinflated a little, " she said, "and I can tell the Patriots would never know either. And the weight difference in an underinflated ball would be insignificant.
"Believe me, these players are so pumped up they would never notice. And that goes for young players like in Milton's rec league. The only thing they'd notice is if a basketball didn't bounce, and footballs don't bounce."

Rec Director Karen Brown players wouldn't even notice underinflated football

Brown added that the lopsided results of the Pats win proves it was the quality of the team, not an underinflated football that punched their ticket to Phoenix, Ariz.
Rochester Mayor T.J. Jean, a huge Patriots' fan, took a poke at the NFL, chastising league officials for not coming forward with the progress of their investigation more than a week after it started.
"I find it remarkably curious that the NFL has not spoken on this matter, Jean said.

Rochester Mayor T.J. Jean NFL doing a poor job with probe

"Down deep I want to believe the Pats had no knowledge on this issue and that it was something other than the coach or the quarterback that made the balls deflated.

"I think someone did deflate the balls, a conscious effort made, but all the same I reserve judgment, especially since the league has had no statement on this issue."

Jean said the league is currently under scrutiny as much as the Patriots.

"With everything the league has been through this year (Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice), you'd have thought they would've tried to get as far ahead of this story as they could."

Finally, Jean said it was said with less than a week to go till what could be one of the greatest Super Bowl ever, we're not talking about the matchups, just Deflate-gate.

"It's sad how this is detracting from one of the best Super Bowls we may ever see," he said.

Anthony Ejarque, the executive director at the Rochester Opera House and a co-owner of the Governor's Inn, said the media's coverage of Deflate-gate and the public's seeming preoccupation with the controversy is very sad.

ROH Exec. Director Anthony Ejarque story way overblown

"We're talking about Deflate-gate? That's what's important? I don't think it's worth the attention. I mean, if there's some fraud going, then, I guess. But I don't get the headlines, there's more important things in the world to be reporting on.

"That said, the Patriots are probably one of the best teams over a long period of time. This is a way to kick them in at the ankles, so they're going to do it."

Ejarque added that the Spaulding Steak and Ale would be doing "something special" for the game next Sunday and would have a great Super Bowl party despite Deflate-gate.