Dear Ohio (A letter regarding the college football championship game)

[mauve]

Dear Ohio, Ohio Buckeyes, and Ohio Buckeyes fans,

Congratulations on beating Alabama, the former #1 college team in the US! And congrats on making it to the very first college football championship game!

I just wanted to say you've done a great job for getting this far! Take pride in that achievement! Because my Oregon Ducks are going to kick your sorry asses back to Ohio at Monday's game. :smug:


Deepest condolences,

Mauve

PS: I'm sure you're all wonderful people, but I'm afraid the Ducks and their Heisman trophy winner are going to have to crush you and your dreams now.



College football championship game. Discuss.
You are welcome to use this space to gloat if Ohio somehow beats Oregon.

[Solid Snake]

My grandmother's a diehard Ohio State fan, going to have to oppose this on principle.

[MSperoni]

I only know NFL. College has never really interested me. But I know a little. I'll be pro Oregon.

[Solid Snake]

Et tu, Speroni?!?

[mauve]

Woohoo!

[Nique]

I forget that some of you are also Oregonians.

[MSperoni]

Et tu, Speroni?!?


They have a cool looking uniform!


Also there was an incredibly brief time when I tried getting into college football and I picked them as my team to follow. I happened to be watching them when they won this really close game (can't even remember what team they were playing) so...I dunno. It was ages ago.

But don't worry, Snake, this might be the first year I cheer for your Patriots in the AFC playoff picture. I don't want the Broncos in the Superb Owl.

[Solid Snake]

But don't worry, Snake, this might be the first year I cheer for your Patriots in the AFC playoff picture. I don't want the Broncos in the Superb Owl.

...Okay, I like you again.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Remind me, football's the one with the round orange ball that you have to get around all the bases, right?

[phil_]

No, that's basketball, except the bases are called "defenders" and you have to put the ball through a hoop. It's also what I prefer to watch college sports-wise, because it's a more entertaining game.

[Flarecobra]

Didn't some Ohio town change it's name for this?

[Aerozord]

*lives in ohio* who did what now?

[MSperoni]

Fuckin' nerds.

[Bobbey]

Pardon my Canadian-ness, but is college football really that big in the US? I mean, I wouldn't even be able to name college hockey teams in Canada.

Is it almost as big as the NFL or is it more of a niche of sorts only appreciated by people who are in college/were recently in college themselves?

[Aerozord]

Pardon my Canadian-ness, but is college football really that big in the US? I mean, I wouldn't even be able to name college hockey teams in Canada.

Is it almost as big as the NFL or is it more of a niche of sorts only appreciated by people who are in college/were recently in college themselves?

Football is a big deal in the US period. Its just a matter of tiers but to a degree even high school football gets quite abit of attention at the local level.

[Flarecobra]

Pardon my Canadian-ness, but is college football really that big in the US? I mean, I wouldn't even be able to name college hockey teams in Canada.

Is it almost as big as the NFL or is it more of a niche of sorts only appreciated by people who are in college/were recently in college themselves?

The 2 weeks of championship games should say it's a bit of a Thing here.

By the way, Found that story about an Ohio town changing it's name. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/07/oregon-ohio-name-change-football-buckeyes-ducks_n_6429858.html)

[synkr0nized]

I am so glad they are trying out a bracket championship system, and I am going to be so glad when Ohio loses.

[Flarecobra]

And when was the last time a major Ohio team won a championship?

[MSperoni]

College isn't AS big of a deal as NFL but it's pretty huge, and in some places it's more popular than others.

College basketball is like the exact opposite. The NBA is aching for ratings but NCAA hoops is nuts. The March Madness tourney is the high point.

[RickZarber]

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/iILbTW.jpg

[POS Industries]

Ohio here.

What's a foosball?

[Aerozord]

they are talking about handegg

[POS Industries]

Is that related to the Superb Owl?

[mauve]

College isn't AS big of a deal as NFL but it's pretty huge, and in some places it's more popular than others. Oregon doesn't have an NFL team, so the Oregon Ducks (and to a lesser extent, the Oregon State Beavers) are INCREDIBLY popular. If they have a good season, even people who don't care about football are college football fans.

[MSperoni]

There's the Portland Trailblazers!...who are 28-8 right now. Is this the year of the Oregonians??

[synkr0nized]

And when was the last time a major Ohio team won a championship?

That only reinforces their state-wide love of Ohio State, making it more nauseating.

[Solid Snake]

That only reinforces their state-wide love of Ohio State, making it more nauseating.

Am I the only one here rooting for Ohio State? Daaamn.

[Flarecobra]

Oregon state wide receiver suspended for national championship game. (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/report--oregon-wr-darren-carrington-suspended-for-national-championship-004321519.html)

[synkr0nized]

Oregon state wide receiver suspended for national championship game. (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/report--oregon-wr-darren-carrington-suspended-for-national-championship-004321519.html)

He's gotta practice for his NFL career both on and off the field. Developing a criminal record is just as important as making amazing catches.

[POS Industries]

That only reinforces their state-wide love of Ohio State, making it more nauseating.
Hey remember when LeBron had to leave Ohio to get some championship rings and only came back once he was satisfied?

Because we here in Ohio have completely forgotten and all is forgiven. :smug:

[rpgdemon]

So, a friend of mine is a huge Buckeye fan, always wants to see them win.

As such, I'll be rooting against them. :) The facebook posts will be much more interesting that way.

...Okay, I like you again.

Payton's really getting near the end of his career, I think.

But, people need to get over the fact that the Patriots' won a lot. We haven't been in a superbowl in, like, TWO YEARS. That's a lot for us, guys. We're jonesin' for it.

Superbowl Prediction: Pats vs Packers, and RPG will be very concerned at a superbowl party.

[MSperoni]

Hey remember when LeBron had to leave Ohio to get some championship rings and only came back once he was satisfied?

Because we here in Ohio have completely forgotten and all is forgiven. :smug:

Sports people's ability to forgive and forget seems morally inconsistent to me...

A dude can be drunk, get in a wreck, injure a family of six, apologize, and people are like "D'awwww he learned his lesson!"

Then Vick gets involved with people who are involved in dog-fighting, serves his time in prison for two years and it's like "UNFORGIVABLE! HE SHOULD BURN IN HELL FOREVER!!"

And then you got a guy who doesn't do ANY of that, and all he does is insult his coach or the team's beloved quarterback, and it's like "HE'S NO GOOD FOR THE TEAM HE CAUSES ISSUES IN THE LOCKER ROOM FIRE HIM FOR LIFE!!!"

Or a guy beats his wife and they get it on film, and it's like "Is he a good player?...well, she probably deserved it. Give the poor guy a second chance."

Sports are weird.

Luckily Tim TeBow knelt and prayed for us all so we'd be okay.

[Aerozord]

Then Vick gets involved with people who are involved in dog-fighting, serves his time in prison for two years and it's like "UNFORGIVABLE! HE SHOULD BURN IN HELL FOREVER!!"

I have not see a single football fan that hasn't forgiven him for it.

But as a non-football fan he is a horrible human being that should burn in hell forever

[greed]

I forget that some of you are also Oregonians.

I am surprisingly sad the plural isn't "Oregoners".

[synkr0nized]

I have not see a single football fan that hasn't forgiven him for it.

What?
I know plenty of football fans that have not "forgiven" Vick besides myself. Maybe you mean his team's fans? That generalization may be slightly less incorrect.

Nor am I pleased when players beat/abuse/rape their partners and get a pass on that.

[mauve]

I am surprisingly sad the plural isn't "Oregoners". Despite how it's spelled, Oregon isn't pronounced Or-A-Gone or Orr-Gone. It's pronounced Ora-gun or Oreh-Ghin. "Oregonians," however, is pronounced "ora-GO-neans."

[MSperoni]

What?
I know plenty of football fans that have not "forgiven" Vick besides myself. Maybe you mean his team's fans? That generalization may be slightly less incorrect.

Nor am I pleased when players beat/abuse/rape their partners and get a pass on that.

Vick is fairly despised around the league. Even by his team's fans. Not all, obviously, but I think even now it's about 50/50. He's never going to get any major endorsements again. The dog-fighting incident was seven years ago, and based on the speed of media these days, it's amazing people remember it at all.

Vick was the most popular player at the time, sold the most jerseys, was a franchise dude and top-tier game changing quarterback. Yet the Falcons completely cut ties with him after the incident. That's insane based on precedent. I mean, Ray Lewis was found guilty of obstruction of justice in a murder of two people and he not only stayed on his team but he's respected/beloved. I think what Vick did was horrible. I think Ray Lewis lying to the police to protect his murderer buddies was also horrible (or at least grossly irresponsible). What I think is "insane" is what seems to be a morally inconsistent reaction the league/fans have. Being involved in the murder of dogs, being involved in the murder of people, you'd think people would have an equal amount of outrage, but Vick seems irredeemable and Ray Lewis was forgiven almost overnight.

From what I've seen Vick seems to realize what he did was wrong and is trying to make amends for it. And he's been behaving really well. Which is unique among athletes. That or he's just a lot better now about not getting caught and is really good in front of a camera to make himself look remorseful.

I'm fairly neutral regarding Vick these days.

Ohhh NFL...you so crazy.

[Aerozord]

I just have to check something, are you saying you think Vick should be forgiven?

[MSperoni]

I'm fairly neutral regarding Vick these days.

So to elaborate: I'm not a fan. I'm not a hater. He doesn't occupy much of my brainspace.

I think his prison sentence wasn't long enough though. Fairly slap on the wrist considering the crime.

Still, most people are only sorry because they got caught. But I think Vick realizes he was a shitbag, knows he deserved punishment for it, and is doing better. As far as I know he hasn't repeated any offense and that's enough for me to be like "Okay...I won't hate you. You've been given a shot at redemption so don't fuck it up. But I've got my eye on you."

Assuming I'm paying attention that is. I don't keep up on sports news like I used to.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Pardon my Canadian-ness, but is college football really that big in the US? I mean, I wouldn't even be able to name college hockey teams in Canada.

Is it almost as big as the NFL or is it more of a niche of sorts only appreciated by people who are in college/were recently in college themselves?

College football is really popular largely because it fills a niche in a lot of states that just don't have an NFL team of their own.

[MSperoni]

Packers won! So that's good.

If the Colts win I will cheer for them against the Patriots.

If the Broncos win I will cheer for the Patriots against them.

Ultimately though I want the Packers to win the Superb Owl.

[Solid Snake]

If the Colts win I will cheer for them against the Patriots.

If the Broncos win I will cheer for the Patriots against them.


Damn it, now I have to change who I'm rooting for halfway through the freakin' game just so my team benefits from Speroni Magic next week!

Matt, why can't you just root for Snake's beloved team to win?!?

[MSperoni]

Well, I've been a Packers fan for years so I'm cheering for them to win it all.

But the reason I'm pro-Colts on the AFC side of things is because they're the underdog.

EDIT: 'Dem Colts!

[synkr0nized]

I had a Packers Starters jacket in middle school. Whenever my brother and I played football video games, he'd take first pick and select the Steelers, so I settled on picking the Packers. I guess it kind of stuck -- I cannot recall why I wanted the green and gold jacket instead of a proper black and gold, but maybe that's why.

I don't follow them strongly, but I like to see them do well. Green Bay definitely has a proud history. So I'll be rooting for them to beat Seattle and represent the NFC.

[Solid Snake]

All I want is The Immaculately Handsome Professional Quarterback Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr. to Prove Once and FOR ALL that He Is the GOAT by Demolishing Everything that Stands in his PUNY PATH and for Evil Imperial Mastermind Emperor William Stephen Belichick to UTTERLY DESTROY ALL PUNY WEAKLINGS who Dare Defy His Majestic Rule while the Gronk SMASHES and Minitron CRUSHES all Corners and Revis Island BECOMES THE NEW BERMUDA TRIANGLE NO ONE EVER ESCAPES and Browner DEMOLISHES EVERY REF WHO DARES PENALIZE HIM and McCourty Intercepts Every Pass Thrown His Way like the DIABOLICAL AGENT OF CHAOS he is and Gray and Blount are like unstoppable ROAD RUNNERS Destined for the End Zone and Vince Wilfork is a HUNGRY HUNGRY BEAST OF A MAN who gobbles up Lucks and Rodgers and Wilsons for Breakfast and then Runs for President of the United States and Instills Martial Law

And when the fans of all other teams shall weep in despair and know that the New England Patriots own the very contours of their souls for all eternity, when Matthew Speroni is so moved to tears that every artwork he subsequently draws is nude renditions of his newly beloved Tom Brady, when Mauve realizes that the New England Patriots are so worthy of her undying affections that she tosses aside all interest in Oregon collegiate football, when statues with Brady and Belichick's likeness are built even in enemy territory, in New York and Denver, when Eli Manning realizes that he did not truly deserve those two Super Bowl rings he stole and offers to generously return them to New England, then, ONLY THEN, shall I be satisfied

[Flarecobra]

Well, since the 'fins didn't make it, and the Panthers and Bengals are out...

Green Bay?

[MSperoni]

If it's a Greenbay vs Patriots Superbowl we should have some weird NPF bet where like...if the Pats win I have to draw Snake a pic of Brady and if the Packers win Snake has to...I dunno...join 8chan and post a Snakepost there about how great 8chan is.

Also the Oregon and Ohio State game is starting!

[Solid Snake]

if the Packers win Snake has to...I dunno...join 8chan and post a Snakepost there about how great 8chan is.

Even more disgusting than that: If the Packers win, you draw a picture of Vriska and I making out.

EWW, YUCK

[MSperoni]

How about I draw you and Brady making out?

Also in light of some new info, I've found out Ohio State is a Cinderella Story/underdog playing with a third string qb so I think I may have to switch sides.

Sorry, Oregonians.

[Solid Snake]

How about I draw you and Brady making out?


Serious Answer: While that would be even hotter than Franny and I, when it comes to these kinds of pictures I feel much more comfortable with drawings featuring myself and fictional characters, as opposed to drawings of me featuring myself and other real-life human beings.

Assuming-We're-Joshin'-Around Answer: Awww yeah Brady-Snake makeouts

[MSperoni]

What about a picture of Franny making out with Chie?...

Then again that's not very funny. The loser should have to do something all of NPF could laugh at.

I guess we should wait to see if the Packers and Patriots make it to the Superbowl before we set up any weird bets.

[Flarecobra]

The Ducks have struck first blood.

EDIT: And with 5 minutes in the 1st quarter, Ohio State matched them.

EDIT2: And Ohio State has pulled ahead.

[MSperoni]

When a duck smells blood it GOES FOR THE KILL...


but Ohio State has tied things up.

[Flarecobra]

And in the Half, OSU is up, 21-10.

[mauve]

Oh noooooo my alma mater!!! Get working, Ducks!! This is the only time of the year I'm even vaguely interested in football! Make it worth my while!!!

[Flarecobra]

The Ducks pulled back within one.

[MSperoni]

agh! I can't get ESPN in my room thanks to my stupid old TV so I can't watch it :(

[Flarecobra]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/ohio-state-buckeyes-oregon-ducks-201501120060/

Try that. At least you can follow it.

[Solid Snake]

Go Ohio State!!!

[Flarecobra]

A little over 4 minutes left in the game, Ohio State is up by 15.

EDIT: OSU has won.

[mauve]

Awwwwwww. :(

I am disappoint.

[MSperoni]

I like to think my switching sides the minute before the game started gave Ohio the karmic boost to win.

Once again, I feel bad for the Oregonians, but my rooting interest in this game was for the team I presumed to be the underdog. Up until ten minutes before the game started I thought that was The Ducks. But I learned Oregon was a 6.5 point favorite, and Ohio was playing with a third string quarterback...soooo...

NOW WE CAN FOCUS ON THE NFL!

As much as I want to see the Packers in the Super Bowl, with Rogers being injured and the Seahawks being a freakin' juggernaut, I doubt that'll happen.

I'm predicting a Seahawks vs Patriots Super Bowl with the Seahawks winning due to some miraculous/controversial play or bullshit referee decision.

Which is how the Packers were able to beat the Cowboys. But that's how the Cowboys were able to beat the Lions, so I guess it was poetic justice for them.

Also I hate the Cowboys so *thhhpppppbbbbt*


EDIT: Now that Rex Ryan is outta the picture, who will the Jets get as a head coach? I heard they went for John Fox and failed. 'Course I have a feeling the Jets are a team run way too heavily by the GM/owners instead of the coaching staff so who in their right mind would want to go there except the mad and/or desperate?

Anyway, my mom's been a Jets fan for like 46 years so it came up earlier in coversation. She even said something about Kyle Shanahan or the Seahawk's Defensive Coordinator. Something tells me the Seattle dude's got bigger fish to fry at the moment...

EDIT2: I should probably keep up with Packerz Newz instead of Jets news. Watching the Jets struggle is like watching a fish flop around dying in a shallow pool of water. They try so hard.

EDIT3: Maybe we should make a "Sports" section in NPF. It would be ...probably me and Snake and occasionally one or two other people.

[Solid Snake]

I'm predicting a Seahawks vs Patriots Super Bowl with the Seahawks winning due to some miraculous/controversial play or bullshit referee decision.


You know how I recently lost my mind over Vriska?
...This would be like ten times worse.
I'd probably just post nothing but Walls of Cuss Words for several weeks.

...However, I don't think that's going to happen. Given the Patriots' inability to reach the Super Bowl in recent years whenever the Giants are not also in the playoffs, I predict that Andrew Luck will have an ascendant game and the Colts will pull off a bullshit victory against the Pats that will have me in an apocalyptic mood two weeks earlier!

[Overcast]

I was hoping that the Broncos would make it to the superbowl this year, so my Seahawks could allow them to get all the way to the end and embarass them horrificially again. Instead it looks like it'll have to be some other AFC team, but hey a blowout is a blowout right?

[Aerozord]

What the hell is wrong with football fans? (http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/chi-ohio-state-fan-reaction-20150113-story.html)

[POS Industries]

My cousin Ally, ladies and gentlemen. (http://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/ohio-state-buckeyes-run-over-cheerleader-while-taking-the-field-cause-missing-o-011215?cmpid=tsmfb%3Afscom%3Afoxsports)

[Solid Snake]

My cousin Ally, ladies and gentlemen. (http://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/ohio-state-buckeyes-run-over-cheerleader-while-taking-the-field-cause-missing-o-011215?cmpid=tsmfb%3Afscom%3Afoxsports)

Really?

[POS Industries]

Really?
Yeah, by law.

[MSperoni]

GB is ahead 16-0, so if they can keep it up and win, that'll be pretty nice. Seattle is dangerous though. I'm not confident yet.

But if GB does win, we'll be one step closer to a Packers and Patriots Suberbowl!

Is this still the Football Thread?

---------- Post added at 04:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:45 PM ----------

Tricky! Seattle does a fake fieldgoal and now it's 16-7!

---------- Post added at 04:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:10 PM ----------

Lynch is doing it all for Seattle. The rushing game is basically the same between the teams, but the only TD Seattle has is via a fake field goal. A pass thrown by the Punter of all people.

This is still a long ways from being over though...

---------- Post added at 04:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:46 PM ----------

Another interception! Seattle has had five turnovers today...

It's looking good for Greenbay...but there's five minutes left. A lot could happen.

[rpgdemon]

Oh MAN, I feel so bad for Bostick.

---------- Post added at 07:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:06 PM ----------

I really hope that GB's defense holds them, just so that the poor guy doesn't beat himself up too bad. He looked super down on the sidelines.

---------- Post added at 07:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:08 PM ----------

I feel like GB's super demotivated now. Their defense just collapsed.

---------- Post added at 07:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------

1:45 to score a field goal and win it for GB still. I was actually super surprised Seattle didn't go for the 2 point conversion on their last TD to avoid this situation.

---------- Post added at 07:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 PM ----------

So, they made the conversion this time, still would have gone for it the other time, too. Maybe I'd be to risky of a coach.

---------- Post added at 07:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:11 PM ----------

They really are playing those timeouts close to the chest.

---------- Post added at 07:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------

Dangit I really need to go grocery shopping, and now they're in overtime.

[MSperoni]

Overtime!

[rpgdemon]

Welp, there is the game. As I said, Green Bay's defense just fell apart. It's like they just didn't care anymore.

[MSperoni]

Well shit.

I guess I'll be cheering for the...


PATRIOTS!!


(I've decided to change stripes again)

[Overcast]

Everything happened, my soul lifts in exaltation in this most glorious of comebacks. This will be signficantly more interesting than the real superbowl, a sever conversation between immense defenses and still fairly capable offenses culminating in an overwhelming show of force on one end. Beautiful, and best of all my team won. Go Seahawks.

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

Typically I don't care about sports at all, but I do appreciate that when the seahawks win the morale at my job tends to be significantly higher due to the boss lady, who is a die hard football nut, being in a good mood.

So, go seagulls making all those three point field point goal units?

[MSperoni]

This will be signficantly more interesting than the real superbowl.

I tend to prefer the Championship games. The Superbowl rarely lives up to its hype.

[rpgdemon]

Well shit.

I guess I'll be cheering for the...


PATRIOTS!!


(I've decided to change stripes again)

Woo, good choice.

[Red Mage Black]

I was at the hospital waiting for my ride and watching the game. Seahawks wow, talk about an 11th hour comeback.

Wonder how the Pats will fare. To tell the truth, I rather face Seattle than Green Bay.

[Solid Snake]

Well shit.

I guess I'll be cheering for the...


PATRIOTS!!


(I've decided to change stripes again)

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

[Flarecobra]

...Fuck.

[MSperoni]

Colts got wrecked!

Beasted!

Bodied!

Blown up!

That was sick!

[Flarecobra]

And now the Patriots are being investigated for cheating again, via slightly deflated balls. (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/deflating-feeling--report-puts-patriots-on-defensive-over-footballs--culture-since-spygate-scandal-080638511.html)

[Solid Snake]

And now the Patriots are being investigated for cheating again, via slightly deflated balls. (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/deflating-feeling--report-puts-patriots-on-defensive-over-footballs--culture-since-spygate-scandal-080638511.html)

Pft. Utterly ludicrous. Sad you'd even bring this up.

Yes, of course the Patriots would risk deflating the balls during the game, when the Referees handle the balls between snaps, when the Refs can replace said balls at a moment's whim whenever they notice it's off, and in a game where the Patriots ran the ball down the Colts' throats.

Like, if the Pats were even sinister enough to try to pull that shit, they'd pull that off in the Baltimore game, when they literally threw the ball every down. There's no advantage to deflated balls when you're engaging in a run-heavy gameplan. Hell, there's arguably no advantage to deflated balls even when you're passing -- in cold weather, for example, Aaron Rodgers is on record claiming he prefers throwing well-inflated balls.

Of course, there's also the fact that severe changes in temperature and other environmental factors like, say, heavy rain, can absolutely deflate balls, and the league even admits that, but nnnoooo, clearly this is a sign that Belichick and Brady are manically rigging the system, against a team they've repeatedly blown out anyway. And absolutely, if you're going to try to cheat, you're going to try to cheat in a way that's incredibly easy for the Refs to counteract, because if there's one thing Belichick's known for it's being dumb as a sack of bricks.

But, keep on hating, haters! Your irrational accusations of cheating and your guilty-until-proven-innocent attitude will only inspire the Patriots to give you a big middle finger as they kick the crap out of the Seahawks.

[Flarecobra]

Well, considering the condtions, I severely doubt that it can affect the balls like that. And since the teams provide the balls their offense uses... if it were the conditions, then both teams would be affected. And there IS an advantage with slightly under-inflated balls in terms of gripping a wet ball. And at no point did I ever say the patriots were guilty of it. Just that they were under investigation. (Though I do admit a personal dislike of them.)

[YHWH]

I love all my children equally. Except for Patriot fans.

Go Seahawks!

[MSperoni]

BeliCHEAT you sonofabitch! I root for your damn team ONE TIME and you cheat!?

GO SEAHAWWWWRRKKSSSSRRGJVLEMEBDJ!!!



(is this another one of those bullshit things like in the World Series where Cardinal fans were whining about "pine tar" when they got beat by the Red Sox? Pfft)

(I will still probably cheer for the Pats. Or neutral.)

(typing posts on my phone sucks)

Aaron Rodgers is on record claiming he prefers well-inflated balls.



WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT KIND OF BALLS AARON ROGERS PREFERS???

[Solid Snake]

I love all my children equally. Except for Patriot fans.

Go Seahawks!

God damn it God, stop making me want to convert back to atheism.

---------- Post added at 05:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 PM ----------

And at no point did I ever say the patriots were guilty of it. Just that they were under investigation. (Though I do admit a personal dislike of them.)

The initiation of the investigation itself was handled incredibly poorly, even by NFL standards, and this is the same NFL that botched the far-worse-Ray Rice domestic assault investigation. Like, when the NFL decides to announce an investigation they generally should do so impartially, and if they had done it by the books it's possible the public would be objective about this B.S., but this time for some idiotic reason some anonymous NFL official tipped an Indianapolis Colts beat writer about the investigation before the NFL even bothered to tell Belichick and the Patriots that they were being investigated -- hostile journalists got to take their crack at Spygate jokes before anyone even really knew what the hell was going on. The anonymous NFL source didn't even bother to tip off the Boston media or even like an objective third-party source, a national sports columnist like Peter King.

I hate Peter King, don't get me wrong, he's an NFL shrill who defended the NFL to idiotic lengths when it botched the Rice investigation, but the benefit of having objective and impartial minds handle initial reporting of the story is that it prevents the inevitable bullshit Spygate comparisons when the situation is, in fact, not even remotely comparable to Spygate. The Pats were guilty until proven innocent from the start because a biased Indy reporter got to shape initial reporting on the story and the Daily Mail and other bush-league second-rate journalistic hubs crafted the narrative before ESPN or Sports Illustrated could, and the Patriots organization wasn't even in a position to respond because they didn't know until later today that there was an investigation they needed to cooperate with.

[synkr0nized]

We should ban all OSU and Patriots fans.

[Solid Snake]

We should ban all OSU and Patriots fans.

You know that song I wrote about Andrew Hussie?
Go back and just replace "Andrew Hussie" with "Synk."

[MSperoni]

AS NEW GLORIOUS SUPREME FORUM OVERLORD I'LL BE THE ONE WHO DECIDES WHO GETS BANNED AND WHO DIES.

---------- Post added at 05:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

I mean... "doesn't get banned"...

not "dies".

I don't have that power. Yet.


But as for the Pats and this "investigation"...I'm not the biggest Patriots fan in the world but this does seem a little thin. Just a lot of muckraking to create extra drama and help Colts fans cope with their ass-kicking. The whole thing will probably be dropped by this time next week.

[Flarecobra]

So, who do you got for the Pro Bowl?

[MSperoni]

NFC!

...not that it matters.

[rpgdemon]

People love to bring up spygate when that itself was another non-issue blown up to extremes.

Everyone was reviewing tapes illegally, and the NFL essentially said, "Okay, we know we SAID it was illegal before. But now we REALLY REALLY mean it. We're going to start enforcing this rule"

No one believed them (As they hadn't been doling out punishments for it in the past) and they decided to make their point by laying on a heavy punishment to the Pats. NFL officials have since gone on record saying that they regret making such a show out of the punishment.

[Solid Snake]

But as for the Pats and this "investigation"...I'm not the biggest Patriots fan in the world but this does seem a little thin. Just a lot of muckraking to create extra drama and help Colts fans cope with their ass-kicking. The whole thing will probably be dropped by this time next week.

It's been confirmed now that the source of the original leak was someone in the Colts organization...not even an 'independent' NFL staffer or official. Sore, sore losers.

[MSperoni]

Pfft. Figures.

[Overcast]

Ignoring if this is an actual deal I hope that it will provide a reason for South Park to bring back Mr. Cartminez.

[Flarecobra]

It's been confirmed now that the source of the original leak was someone in the Colts organization...not even an 'independent' NFL staffer or official. Sore, sore losers.

It was reported during the game, before the half, when the Colts got an interception, and the player mentioned to the officials that it felt underinflated. And before the 3rd quarter started, officials were seen removing some balls from play.

Either way, the worst we'll see is probably a fine.

[MSperoni]

Ignoring if this is an actual deal I hope that it will provide a reason for South Park to bring back Mr. Cartminez.

HOW CAN I REACH THESE KIDS?! (or was it "teach"?)

[synkr0nized]

You know that song I wrote about Andrew Hussie?
Go back and just replace "Andrew Hussie" with "Synk."

In my head, I photochopped an image of Vriska giving a thumbs-up while holding a banner with the OSU logo inside a no/prohibited sign.

But then I didn't actually do that, so here's the text description about it.

[Flarecobra]

Investigation is over, most of the Patriot's balls were underinflated. (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/deflate-gate-report--11-of-patriots--12-game-footballs-were-under-inflated-043620937.html) Penalties will be determined later.

[Solid Snake]

The most crucial question still hasn't been answered, and that's causation.

[Flarecobra]

There's only one possible group of suspects at this point. The equipment managers and sideline attendants. And that's who the league needs to talk to. And the refs as well as to how they couldn't notice the difference in the balls in the first damn place. Especially since I think at least one of them will be officiating in the Super Bowl.

[shiney]

Either way, this is another big asterisk and black mark against the Patriots organization and Belicheck.

Not that they will change their ways. Under-inflate 11/12 balls but still compete in/win a superbowl? Only lose some draft picks and a likely slap on the wrist fine? ROI on that is immense.

Mind, I hate the Seahawks because my brother is an insufferable Hawks fan and this 12th man nonsense just gets on my last nerve. So this isn't coming from a "screw the Patriots" angle. Nevertheless, I can't help but find a cruel irony in a team named the Patriots systematically cheating their way to victory. THEY are America's Team. Dallas can sit down.

[MSperoni]

I dunno, Dallas being hyped beyond what they deserve via excessive marketing, as well as their ostentatious stadium with their Death Star sized TV makes them pretty American.

Like until this year they've won, like....one playoff game in the last fifteen years?

Not up on my Cowboy History though, so I could be wrong.

EDIT: They've won three playoff games since 1996

'course they have won five Superb Owls...so...

They were definitely the team of the early-mid 90s.

[Solid Snake]

Either way, this is another big asterisk and black mark against the Patriots organization and Belicheck.

Not that they will change their ways. Under-inflate 11/12 balls but still compete in/win a superbowl? Only lose some draft picks and a likely slap on the wrist fine? ROI on that is immense.

Mind, I hate the Seahawks because my brother is an insufferable Hawks fan and this 12th man nonsense just gets on my last nerve. So this isn't coming from a "screw the Patriots" angle. Nevertheless, I can't help but find a cruel irony in a team named the Patriots systematically cheating their way to victory. THEY are America's Team. Dallas can sit down.

Oh for fuck's sake.

All we know so far is the same thing the NFL knew Sunday evening: Eleven of twelve balls provided by the Patriots for the use of their offense, which were properly inflated well before the game started, were found to be under-inflated at half-time and were subsequently replaced.

Was Bill Belichick ultimately responsible? Did he know anything about this? We have no idea.
Was Brady 'in-the-know?' We don't know.
Was the under-inflation actually caused by the actions of another human being? We don't know.
Even IF it was caused by a person, presumably a Patriots staffer, was that individual intentionally deflating the balls or were they mishandled in a manner that was accidental? We don't know.
Independently of whatever happened on the Pats side of things, did the Refs screw up when weighing the balls initially, when weighing the balls at half-time, or when handling the balls in the first half? We don't know.
And if it was an intentional act by a Patriots employee, was it really some broad organizational conspiracy, or was it just a couple low-level staffers mucking about? We don't know.

Does that mean I'm claiming Belichick and/or Brady and/or other high-ranking members of the Pats coaching staff like Josh McDaniels are innocent? Hell no. I'm not that delusional. I'm just a Pats fan and an attorney who knows what due process looks like. And right now, no one in sports media seems in any way interested in due process.

(Oh, and: If the evidence actually firmly and beyond any shadow of doubt confirms Belichick's personal involvement in deliberately skirting the rules, as a Pats fan, I will be even more pissed with him than you are. Dude would've screwed my beloved team out of a chance to celebrate something they would've accomplished anyway for a negligible competitive advantage. And Belichick specifically promised Kraft and Pats fans in the aftermath of the whole Spygate debacle that he'd go straight and narrow and this kind of shit wouldn't happen again.)

This whole witch hunt about the Patriots being 'cheaters' would have a lot more veracity if the haters even bothered to wait until the NFL actually released the results of its investigation before jumping to conclusions. Right now at least, it's a lot more about blind hatred than anything else.

[Red Mage Black]

That's certainly an interesting Snake post and I agree. (I don't give the Pats the time of day as much as the Bruins, but I do cheer for them during the playoffs.) You kind of already posted my thoughts on the matter. I did have a question I was pondering for a bit though.

Would the results of the game have been any different if these deflated balls hadn't been a thing?

[Solid Snake]

Would the results of the game have been any different if these deflated balls hadn't been a thing?

Well, we know that all the balls the Patriots used in the second half were properly inflated.

[MSperoni]

This is all because they really need something to dramatize because it's a whole week and a half before the Superbowl and the sports shows need a ratings grabber. Pats are a good target because of the "spygate" thing and there needs to be a bad guy.

---------- Post added at 08:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 PM ----------

Well, we know that all the balls the Patriots used in the second half were properly inflated.

That's when they started to steam roll the Colts.

I suppose I'm a little sympathetic toward the Pats since the misplaced cries of "cheating" fell on my Red Sox in the wake of their whipping the Cardinals in their last Series win.

Though in the Sox's case, they weren't actually doing anything and it was disproved pretty quickly.

[Aerozord]

Its so amusing watching how worked up people get over a bunch of grown men throwing balls around.

Where is that popcorn eating emote? I thought we had one of those.

[Solid Snake]

Its so amusing watching how worked up people get over a bunch of grown men throwing balls around.

Where is that popcorn eating emote? I thought we had one of those.

You act like this is a strange and foreign phenomenon, when in fact human beings have been this way about sport teams forever. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nika_riots)

(BTW if we're going to divide into 32 factions and riot in support of our favorite sport teams, here's forewarning, New England Patriots fans gonna burn everything down, muttafuckas)

[MSperoni]

Yeah, I don't know why anyone would find something entertaining that involves action and fucktons of on the fly strategy. It's almost as if people LIKE that sort of thing!

*spends the next two hours playing fighting games and watching tournaments on youtube*

[Aerozord]

entertainment is one thing, obsession is another.

Do you, or anyone you know work for the NFL? No? Then a teams win or loss has no actual impact on you in any ways. People use sports as a ritual, treating their success or failure as their own.

Lets assume a team cheated like hell and unfairly won a game. What does this change?

Its fine to be upset about unfairness but perspective. None of this really matters, except maybe as Snake pointed out which city will has to deal with the resulting riots. Which wouldn't happen if people just chilled out over what is essentially a complex form of tag.

[MSperoni]

Awesome by Proxy is a dangerous thing! It is the reason for fandoms and waifus.

Also people bet on this stuff. So a team cheating might cause them some annoyance.

What does it change? It's called INTEGRITY goddammit.

[Krylo]

Yeah, I don't know why anyone would find something entertaining that involves action and fucktons of on the fly strategy. It's almost as if people LIKE that sort of thing!

Sure, but getitng all worked up and cussing each other out about it (or having riots) is like 10 degrees worse than punching someone in the face because they beat you at Mario Kart.

No one's going to say playing Mario Kart isn't fun (well, maybe some people are but fuck them), but if you become so invested in it that you cuss people out, or get physically violent when you don't win you need to step the fuck back and realize it's just a game.

Which is all football, futbol, baseball, hockey, or any other sport is. A game. And not even one you're playing. One you should be LESS invested in than Mario Kart.

I understand why it happens. People use the fandom around widely televised sports as a kind of surrogate tribalism, and, by extension, patriotism, that is centered around something inherently ridiculous so that it is less 'dangerous' and 'harmful' to society as a whole than getting this degree of tribalism going over their homes directly, and the sports themselves serve as a stand in for armed conflict.

However, it's important, I think, to remember the inherent ridiculousness of getting super pissed about a bunch of people you've never met losing a completely unimportant game against a bunch of other people you have never met, regardless of whether one side cheated or not.

You know, to keep things in check. So we don't flip cars, burn down buildings, or even tell our friends to fuck off over it.

[pochercoaster]

But without hockey, how else would Canadians work out their latent aggression?

Yeah, I don't know why anyone would find something entertaining that involves action and fucktons of on the fly strategy.

I tried to watch football once and it put me to sleep.

I also don't like Mario kart.

:(

[MSperoni]

Sure, but getitng all worked up and cussing each other out about it (or having riots) is like 10 degrees worse than punching someone in the face because they beat you at Mario Kart.

I only punched that kid that one time. He had it coming. Ask POS.

[Solid Snake]

You know, to keep things in check. So we don't flip cars, burn down buildings, or even tell our friends to fuck off over it.

It's fascinating to me the degree with which Deflategate has been used to demonize Patriots fans, as if somehow by merely supporting the team from the region of the United States in which we grew up we signed our souls to the devil and agreed to fully condone every action the organization took.

Which is kind of the other side of the equation as to why those riots take place, with individual identities subsumed under presumed allegiance to a team, and that team's identity and reputation eliminating the possibility of feeling any degree of empathy for said people -- those people become the opposing team in your mind.

Something I experience with alarming frequency given I'm living in enemy territory and all. Whenever the Pats play the Broncos I basically shut down my social life -- don't want to experience the badgering if we lose or the accusations if we win -- and even decent friends out here just kind of become "Broncos fans" and therefore 'enemies' in my mind, not so much from the perspective that I'm gonna do anything stupid or violent or senseless to them, but more from the paranoid perspective that my own individuality has been erased from their minds -- that I'm no longer 'Snake' for the week but instead am 'Patriots fan' and therefore 'not someone I'm going to have real meaningful personal dialogue with.'

And y'all know how over-defensive I can get, those weeks can be disastrous when I really dive headfirst into victim mentality.

[MSperoni]

People dont get us Snake. They never will.

[Krylo]

I also don't like Mario kart.
You are a MONSTER

I only punched that kid that one time. He had it coming. Ask POS.Did they say they don't like Mario Kart?

those people become the opposing team in your mind.

Yeah, that's pretty much the problem with the whole thing and why it's important to keep in mind what it actually is. So you don't do the same thing.

Unfortunately a lot of sportsball fans seem to forget this.

[MSperoni]

Did they say they don't like Mario Kart?

They made a sweeping generalization about something they've never partook in.

Partaked?

Partuked?

I dunno.

Maybe it was Mario Kart.

[Solid Snake]

People dont get us Snake. They never will.

<3

[Aerozord]

What does it change? It's called INTEGRITY goddammit.

If you want integrity, professional athletes probably aren't the best place to go. Unless you are one of those people that still thinks no one is on steroid or teams don't tweak everything to their advantage.

This isn't just for Football, its all sports of course. I don't know if they are upset that the illusion is broken or just looking for an easy target. Probably both. They can reinforce this idea that athletes are honorable and fair and sportsmanship by contrast. "This team cheats but of course WE never would" throwing in "we" because of course the other teams' fans want to try and pretend like their teams moral superiority is their own

[shiney]

I bet Aerozord track-jumps on Rainbow Road. What a shit.

[Aerozord]

I bet Aerozord track-jumps on Rainbow Road. What a shit.

The only true Rainbow Road is one without rails

[Red Mage Black]

If you want integrity, professional athletes probably aren't the best place to go. Unless you are one of those people that still thinks no one is on steroid or teams don't tweak everything to their advantage.

This isn't just for Football, its all sports of course. I don't know if they are upset that the illusion is broken or just looking for an easy target. Probably both. They can reinforce this idea that athletes are honorable and fair and sportsmanship by contrast. "This team cheats but of course WE never would" throwing in "we" because of course the other teams' fans want to try and pretend like their teams moral superiority is their own

I'd simply like to jump in here and say, Aero? That goes for pretty much everything in life with 'teams' and 'opposing sides'. Politics, Religion, Social Issues(Racism and bigotry in all forms), National Pride, Company loyalty... the list goes on.

In comparison to sports teams? If we're only covering North America at the moment, it's pretty tame by comparison when issues pop up within the medium. People will get a little zealous for their teams.

What you said in the quote: "This team cheats but of course WE never would" throwing in "we" because of course the other teams' fans want to try and pretend like their teams moral superiority is their own

Can be applied to anything and everything we see every single day and sports is, as I agree, not an exception to the rule in this regard, but I do find brand loyalty to a certain team to be one of the least dangerous forms of alliances one can make.

[Aerozord]

Its not a matter of who is the worse offenders, because this world isn't perfect. The issue is people are far more overzealous and overly invested in sports way WAY out of proportion to their relevance. Politics, social issues, company loyalty, these are things that actually have an impact on your life. If your company goes under you and your friends lose their jobs. If political or social issue goes one way or another the very structure of our society changes. Getting passionate, arguing, even rioting makes sense when someones immoral actions hurt these causes and directly affect your life.

Sports don't. It doesn't matter if someone cheats in a sport because the sport itself doesn't matter.

[MSperoni]

Sports are tied in heavily with a culture's identity and history. Like sumo in Japan or soccer in Brazil or Australian Football. And then there's the Olympics. In some cases it's the only shot a person has of getting out of poverty. They can be useful for breaking down barriers too, or giving people role modes. Or in the case of controversial figures like Muhammed Ali, heroes AND villains :D

For folks who have admitted to not spending any time watching sports, and wanna debate this without sounding ignorant, I recommend checking out some of ESPN's "30 for 30" documentaries to give yourself a better perspective. They're pretty good whether you're a fan or not. There is meaning here...weird as it can be sometime...

Radical fandom doesn't make sense, but radical ANYTHING doesn't make sense. I don't condone rabid fandom that leads to violence, but I sorta understand where it comes from (and in a lot of cases I think it's started by drunken crazies who don't even watch the games). But in other cases, like with my dad's obsession with the Raiders, the fandom is like a release after a long week of work. You go nuts on Sunday, and then when the game is over you go back to life as usual.

Anyway, it does matter when someone cheats. These things do matter whether you believe they should or not.

If you wanna make a thread debating the significance of sports and competitve games, like videogame tournaments, feel free.

Let's keep this thread on....uhhhh....The OSU game?

Maybe we should make a Patriots Seahawks thread too, come to think of it :)


Sorry for a typo laden shit post...doing this from my phone and typing from my phone suuuuucks. I swear half the time it doesn't even type the letters I press... or it will add letters.

[Flarecobra]

Why not just rename the thread? It'd be easier and we wouldn't have to split off a ton of posts.

[MSperoni]

What should it be renamed to?

"Deflated Balls: Korruption in Sports, Superbowl XLIX, and You "

[Flarecobra]

Or "NFL, things get silly here."

Especially since during the sports report today on the radio, folks started looking at Tom Brady as the culprit for the deflated balls. If you ask me, that's REALLY streaching things, and not in the right direction. If he was able of doing that, then he should really be working Vegas.

[MSperoni]

Yeah I heard that about Brady too. Maybe next they'll blame Obama.

I also heard that someone from the Ravens tipped the Colts off about it, and tried to inform the league, but they didn't do anything.

The Pats had more rushing attempts than passing, but a lot more yards in the air. Brady threw for about 230 yards with three TDs, so if conspiracy theorists wanna be like "OMG HIS NUMBERS WERE CRAZY HIGH" then I guess they have something to point to...

Still, I highly doubt Brady organized the scheme by himself.

[MSperoni]

Source (https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/558426298876305408/photo/1)

I knew there was something fishy about this guy.

[Solid Snake]

Dammit, I'm eventually going to have to sing the "I Hate Hate Hate" song about everyone here.

[Krylo]

Dammit, I'm eventually going to have to sing the "I Hate Hate Hate" song about everyone here.

http://i.imgur.com/HVUoLpP.jpg

[mauve]

Dammit, I'm eventually going to have to sing the "I Hate Hate Hate" song about everyone here.
Nope.
vAJRBIHkQFs
(Why is the Yellow Submarine animated version of this song not on youtube?!)

[shiney]

What rhymes with 'Speroni'?

Spumoni? Macaroni? Bony? PONY?!

Pony. Speroni. Colts vs Patriots. DeflateGate. Colts. Ponies. Speronies. My Little Speroni: Controversy is Magic.

It all makes sense.

I'll be in my underground bunker.

[MSperoni]

Making jokes about my last name is unwise.

Let's not be unwise now.

*pumps shotgun*

[rpgdemon]

More about the "Deflategate" incident. I find it really hard to believe, especially given that they didn't even play a pass-heavy game, that it was anything purposeful. Heck, one of the Colts players even said, had the Pats been playing with soap, they would have won, and the player who caught the interception said that he didn't notice anything about the ball.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/-bill-belichick-doubles-down-on-patriots--innocence-in-deflate-gate--dares-nfl-to-prove-him-wrong-225504102.html

[Solid Snake]

It has now been revealed that a 'person of interest' in the NFL's investigation is some lackey ball handler who apparently went to the bathroom for 90 seconds and must've somehow deflated 11 footballs in that meager timeframe.

This is a witch hunt.

[Flarecobra]

This is still a thing?

[shiney]

OK I still don't have a horse in this race but I hafta repost this strictly because come on this is funny (Headline from Fark):

Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable NFL team at $3.2 billion. The New England Patriots are second at $2.6 billion, after adjusting for inflation

[Nique]

I'm not really upset about the Superbowl, but I'm sick as shit of people trash talking about Seattle's "fairweather" fans.

I'm not super into football, but hey a team kind of near me went in for back-to-back superbowls, that's kind of neat! Maybe I'm trying to be into football now? Oops can't because if I open my mouth I'm suddenly "fake football girl"

---------- Post added at 11:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------

Basically just fuck sports fans. You're worse than comic book geeks.

[Krylo]

I'm not really upset about the Superbowl, but I'm sick as shit of people trash talking about Seattle's "fairweather" fans.

I'm not super into football, but hey a team kind of near me went in for back-to-back superbowls, that's kind of neat! Maybe I'm trying to be into football now? Oops can't because if I open my mouth I'm suddenly "fake football girl"

---------- Post added at 11:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------

Basically just fuck sports fans. You're worse than comic book geeks.

http://i.imgur.com/qZaUd4m.png

[synkr0nized]

Despite my ribbing in earlier posts, I did want to show up here and congratulate the Patriots and give you Patriots fans a thumbs-up.

I more or less enjoyed the game, was happy it was not a blow-out for one team, and am glad the AFC gets another win. ;)

[Flarecobra]

Not happy the Patriots won, but ignoring that last minute... that was one fun game to watch.

[walkertexasdruid]

Dear Ohio, Ohio Buckeyes, and Ohio Buckeyes fans,

Congratulations on beating Alabama, the former #1 college team in the US! And congrats on making it to the very first college football championship game!

I just wanted to say you've done a great job for getting this far! Take pride in that achievement! Because my Oregon Ducks are going to kick your sorry asses back to Ohio at Monday's game. :smug:


Deepest condolences,

Mauve

PS: I'm sure you're all wonderful people, but I'm afraid the Ducks and their Heisman trophy winner are going to have to crush you and your dreams now.



College football championship game. Discuss.
You are welcome to use this space to gloat if Ohio somehow beats Oregon.

A little late to the party (I have not looked at NPF in a few months), but BWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!!!!!!! Not only did my Buckeyes crush the Ducks, but they have three QBs that are better than the Heisman winner. :dance: