NFL VP/Officiating Dean Blandino "finally spoke publicly on Thursday for the first time since the Patriots’ 'Deflategate' incident broke two weeks ago," and while he was "hamstrung because of the NFL’s investigation ... Blandino stated that the officials did everything properly before the AFC Championship game," according to Ben Volin of the BOSTON GLOBE. Blandino said that the NFL "will discuss logging the results of each ball test in the future, and, to his knowledge, this was not a 'sting' operation by the Colts and the NFL." Blandino: "The issue came up during the first half, as far as I know. There was an issue that was brought up during the first half, a football came into question, and then the decision was made to test them at halftime. There’s an investigation going on, can’t really get into specifics." He added that referee Walt Anderson "did everything properly in regard to testing the footballs before the game." However, he also "confirmed the results of each ball test were not 'logged,' and the NFL is essentially forced to take Anderson at his word." Blandino said of possible procedural changes, "Everything’s on the table. With the amount of attention this has gotten, the committee is going to review it, and we’ll see" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/30). Blandino also said that the 108 official Super Bowl XLIX footballs "will receive additional security this weekend." He said of Anderson's handling of the footballs prior to the AFC Championship, "My major concern is did we follow proper protocol? ... Walt gauged the footballs himself; it is something he has done throughout his career. Officiating is not part of the investigation." Meanwhile, NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Troy Vincent said that he and Blandino "will continue a process of streamlining the NFL rulebook this offseason." Vincent noted that the league is "continuing to discuss the viability of a developmental league and/or academy to help improve the training level of younger players" (ESPN.com, 1/29).
OUT OF AIR? In Boston, Steve Buckley writes if the NFL "has any integrity," it will "drop this investigation and allow the Patriots to concentrate on playing football." Buckley: "It’s that simple. Maybe the Pats did something fishy. Maybe they didn’t. We don’t know. What we do know is that the NFL isn’t up to the task of handling this issue, so it shouldn’t" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/30). In Detroit, John Niyo wrote this season "will end the way it began for the NFL, with its integrity in question and our intelligence insulted." But while that "might seem like a bad business model to follow, know this: The league also will end its season with boffo broadcast ratings for Super Bowl XLIX." Niyo: "Controversy sells. Comedy, too. And these past 10 days ... have provided us all with a bit of both." Deflategate "led the network nightly news last week, and also 'Saturday Night Live,' which just about says it all" (DETROIT NEWS, 1/29). In Utah, Doug Robinson wrote the end of the NFL season comes "not a minute too soon." This "wasn’t a football season; it was a prime-time reality TV show." Robinson: "Remember when the NFL could do no wrong? Now the league can’t do anything right. It’s a public relations nightmare" (DESERETNEWS.com, 1/28).
