It is widely known again the pretty much all QB's do this to some extent.. A few have admitted to it since this story broke.
Its a non factor to me.. Been happening in the league forever.. score at half with deflated balls 17-7 Pats.. 2nd half score with normal balls Pats 28 Colts 0… The balls didn't give anyone an advantage. Pure horse manure as far as Im concerned. This has been blown completely out of proportion and only because its the Pats. If this were the Browns and Brian Hoyer nobody would give a rats ass including the NFL.
We're all entitled to have our own opinion... IMHO, it's debatable that deflating balls wouldn't have an impact on a game. If that were the case, then why do it?? If you don't believe it makes a difference, why would you then willingly break the rule??
You can't have a situation where a team is playing with one type of a ball, and other teams are using their own types of balls... There has to be some rules or tolerances in place to ensure an even playing field. I don't know if the current psi tolerance needs to be tweaked, but regardless, the fact remains that there is a very clear rule and the Pats chose to skirt that rule.
They of course would've smashed the Colts no matter which balls were being used... but that's not at all at issue here. Heck, event the Colts players have admitted this. What's an issue is the integrity of a league, not to mention a franchise, an owner, a coach and a future HOF QB.