re: So did the Patriots cheat against the Colts?

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'm told at one point the officials took a ball out of play and weighed it. Should hear more tomorrow on this subject.

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Because each team uses its own balls.

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According to NFL rules, home teams are required to provide 36 balls for outdoor games and make the balls available for testing with a pressure gauge prior to the game.

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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, however, laughed when asked about the report. "I think I've heard it all at this point ... it's ridiculous," Brady said Monday morning during his weekly interview with Boston radio station WEEI. "I don't even respond to stuff like this."

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Former NFL official Jim Daopolous, in an interview with ESPN on Monday morning, explained the process in which footballs are managed. Two hours and 15 minutes before each game, officials inspect 12 footballs from each team and put a mark on them to indicate they meet the proper requirements and are good for usage. Then those footballs are given to the ball attendant.

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"Officials check balls as they go into the game, and if the ball doesn't feel perfect, they can throw it out," Daopolous said. "There is always the possibility that balls can lose air due to the conditions."

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The NFL's game operations manual states: "Once the balls have left the locker room, no one, including players, equipment managers, ball boys, and coaches, is allowed to alter the footballs in any way. If any individual alters the footballs, or if a non-approved ball is used in the game, the person responsible and, if appropriate, the head coach or other club personnel will be subject to discipline, including but not limited to, a fine of $25,000."

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