Ted Wells' report found that it was more probable than not that the Patriots deflated footballs in the AFC Championship game. Well, the Patriots released a website this afternoon refuting the main points of Wells' report.
"The conclusions of the Wells Report are, at best, incomplete, incorrect and lack context," the introduction to the website states. "The Report dismisses the scientific explanation for the natural loss of psi of the Patriots footballs by inexplicably rejecting the Referee's recollection of what gauge he used in his pregame inspection. Texts acknowledged to be attempts at humor and exaggeration are nevertheless interpreted as a plot to improperly deflate footballs, even though none of them refer to any such plot. There is no evidence that Tom Brady preferred footballs that were lower than 12.5 psi and no evidence anyone even thought that he did. All the extensive evidence which contradicts how the texts are interpreted by the investigators is simply dismissed as 'not plausible.' Inconsistencies in logic and evidence are ignored."
Later on in the rebuttal, the Patriots claim that the incriminating texts that equipment manager Jim McNally sent calling himself "the deflator" had to do with the fact that he is trying to lose weight. Is it possible that someone gives them self the nickname "deflator" for trying to lose weight? Sure. Is it likely? No, especially not in the context McNally uses. The Patriots want the public to believe that McNally calls himself that to detract from the possibility that the texts had anything to do with deflating footballs.
The Patriots continued to attack the incriminating text messages by saying there is no evidence that Tom Brady likes his balls prepared a certain way. After all, the Wells report suggested otherwise because Goodell suspended him four games for cheating.
"There is no evidence that Tom Brady preferred footballs that were lower than 12.5 psi and no evidence anyone even thought that he did. All the extensive evidence which contradicts how the texts are interpreted by the investigators is simply dismissed as 'not plausible.' Inconsistencies in logic and evidence are ignored."
New England has made it clear that they are ready to go to war fighting this case. This is just the beginning of a long, vicious battle that will get nasty over the next few weeks.
