I don’t understand how the National Football League makes their rules. The latest rule debate: Who controls the footballs on game day. I’m at a loss to figure out how there are option for who controls the footballs on game day. Shouldn’t it be the referees?

Currently, the teams show the balls to the referees before the game to make sure there are no irregularities. Then the refs give the balls back to the teams? How is that quality control? Doesn’t that give the teams the opportunity to adjust regulation after approval?

DEFLATE-GATE! This is how we got to deflate-gate…

Apparently, the New England Patriots are accused of letting excess air out of their game balls during the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts. 11 of 12 balls were confirmed at 10.5 PSI. Regulation for NFL game balls is between 12.5 and 13.5 PSI.

The process on game day is that the teams get to bring 12 balls for play, an additional 12 balls for back-up and the manufacturer sends another 8 directly to the refs. Those 8 are used for kicking only and the refs keep them… So again, why is it the refs don’t keep them all?

The refs check all of the balls 2 hours and 15 minutes before the game. The teams get 45 minutes to warm up with the balls, then they give them back to the teams for their ball coordinators to manage. Is the window of opportunity not more obvious…

The NFL has egg on their face over this one…

There has been the suggestion by the Patriots that cold temperatures can affect PSI. But, that was refuted by the fact that the Colts balls were not affected. Tom Brady also pleaded the fifth on any wrong-doing with regard to the deflated balls…

I defy anyone to tell me an NFL quarterback doesn’t know the EXACT feel of a football that’s off by so much as .1 PSI. YES, they’re that sensitive… It’s the only thing they do for a living… They should be that sensitive…

AND, as it turns out, the quarterbacks can exercise a preference for a PSI as long as it falls within the range of 12.5 and 13.5. So, theoretically, game balls that the offense uses to their preferences may put them at an unfair advantage. It should be about the play, not the equipment. The playing field is not level. Shouldn’t all balls be the same, no matter which team has them? That keeps everyone honest, right? Hmmm…

And don’t the refs check the balls periodically during the game to make sure they’re up at regulation? No, that’s not too much to ask… Do you know how much NFL referees get paid for 6 months or work? $173,000 on average and rising… $201,000 by 2019.

Bottom line is this: Not brain surgery. All footballs should be at the same PSI, checked before each game, given to refs for quality control after warm up and monitored by the refs during the course of play for accuracy. A PSI check takes 5 seconds. Job well done.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it… Let’s see what the NFL comes up with…