Deflate-Gate accusation draws more denials from Patriots

Photo courtesy of bostonglobe.com - New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is facing backlash after the NFL's recent findings that the Patriots were using footballs that were under the league's air-pressure requirement in the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts on Jan. 18.

    The recent developments of the Deflate-Gate investigation have called for some answers from the New England Patriots since the NFL confirmed that 11 of the 12 footballs used by New England were approximately 2 pounds per square inch (PSI) below the league requirement.

    Since the confirmation, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has denied any knowledge of the underinflated footballs, and mentioned that maybe the team's starting quarterback, Tom Brady, may have the answers the media and the league seeks.

    The league rule states that no footballs will be altered once they are approved, and if tampered with, the penalty is a $25,000 fine and possibly further punishment.

    According to WEEI.com, a source informed the website that the Patriots had a total of 24 footballs -- 12 of which were backups -- and they used 12 additional footballs for the second half of the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts after the original dozen did not meet the league requirement.

    Belichick indicated that kickers and quarterbacks have certain preferences about the footballs they use on the field, and if the questions are regarding New England's equipment, maybe the questions should be directed to Brady.

    According to New England's 14-year head coach, Brady can address his personal preferences about the footballs in better detail than he can.

    Belichick also declared his shock that the footballs did not meet the league standard for air-pressure, and stated that he had no explanation for it.

    Brady will have a press conference at 4 p.m. EST according to the team.

    In a 2011 interview with WEEI radio, Brady said he prefers underinflated balls.

    Belichick has a history of breaking league rules when he was fined $500,000 in 2007 for the infamous Spygate incident involving an assistant who spied on the New York Jets for defensive signals.

    The Patriots will meet the defending champion Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 49 for a 6:30 p.m. EST kickoff on Feb. 1 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.