[frankbmd]

The ability of each team in the NFL to coddle, fondle, inflate or deflate and rub their own balls before a game seems like a problem with a simple solution.

In baseball Lena's Mud has been used for decades to prep the game balls which I believe remain in control of the umpires before and during the game. Both teams' pitchers are presented with balls from the same box(es) during the game and the balls become an issue only when a pitcher doctors the ball in some manner, such as formerly with a hocker of spit and more recently with a concealed foreign substance or cut.

In football putting game balls under the control of each team seems to invite skullduggery, in which the Patriots seem inclined to participate.

I say "level the playing field", and let the NFL and officials prepare the balls for both teams. If Goodell had the balls to do it, the problem would be solved.