In the rivalry between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts, from Deflategate to the 2018 NFL season

Just as things seemed to be back to normal, Josh McDaniels came on the scene, first accepting to become the Colts 'head coach after the Patriots' loss to the Super Bowl LII in February. But then he retired to remain the offensive coordinator of the Patriots.

"The rivalry is back," said Ballard at the conclusion of his press conference about McDaniels' turnaround, unaware that his team's seven defeats against the Patriots could undermine the term "rivalry."

"I chuckled," said Tuesday quarterback Colts Andrew Luck. "I know Chris very well since the first day, I really appreciate him very much, he was honest, communicative and I think to be an excellent leader for this building." So that was his genuine comment, and that made me happy.Love when you see the authenticity of people, especially your leaders in this building. "

Whether it's a rivalry or just another match scheduled between an elite team and a player who finds its way, the status of the first game in New England since Deflategate adds a little spice to the match. primetime. We have talked to several current and former members of organizations about the persistent impact of Deflategate and the state of rivalry.

deflate

It started with the Colts' concerns about the under-inflated balloons after their Patriots clash on November 16, 2014. Before the rematch of the AFC title, Grigson, who did not want to comment on this story, said stated that he had addressed the league. about these concerns. Dr. Qwell Jackson chose a Tom Brady spends in the title game and wants to keep the ball for posterity, but a Colts staff member thought the ball was underinflated and warned former coach Chuck Pagano. The case grew and eventually ended up before a federal court of appeal before Brady agreed not to seize the Supreme Court and took his four-game ban to begin the 2016 season. He finished this season with another Super Bowl title and received Roger Goodell's MVP trophy.

Bill Polian, President and Vice-President of Colts, 1997-2011, current ESPN analyst: "I do not think it has been turned into a bigger contract than it should have been.It was a big problem.This happened at one time. There was a rule that was broken in. The league investigated and what happened next The Patriots' fans are very attached to that, and I'm convinced that the vis-à-vis the other side are very attached to it, no matter, no matter what you say. "

Pat McAfee, Colts punter 2009-16: "I think anyone with a brain could understand that Deflategate was turned into something much bigger than needed.If that was a close match and that there seemed to be a chance that we were able to win, I think it's but the fact that we have been overwhelmed and that this has led to a year and a half investigation with millions of dollars spent on both sides, I think that anyone with a brain would say that it was disproportionate. "

Qwell Jackson, linebacker of the 2014-16 Colts: "At first I did not know it was one thing, I thought it was a wrong story, but the more the story was known, the more I started to look at it, ask for it." Other people and ask my friends who were the recipients and everything else.It turns out that this is a big problem, especially when the weather changes, and that you are an outdoor team against a team You are hooked to football and you are capable of throwing football and being able to catch a football. "I do not want to catch a brick, as opposed to something a little bit more. spongy to catch … so it was a big problem, but not as big as the one described by the media … … we were outclassed.New England was the best team since the start of the game. We were in the game at the start, but the game degenerated, and it's not because of a ball I wish I could say that, but they surpassed us in every game. Football has nothing to do with the score. "

Rob Ninkovich, linebacker of the Patriots 2009-16: "I just think it was completely ridiculous – people who love the Patriots are all in this area, and there are many more people who hate the Patriots because they've been so good for so long situation – remove the balls in the second half and we completely destroyed them and it was with "properly inflated." It looks like there is always something going on because everyone wants to see the fall, whether by turning a football because it was underinflated.But then, we pump it for the second half, and we put another one in. 20 points something . "

Matt Hasselbeck, Colts Quarterback 2013-15"People do not know much about the mechanics that make it all happen with kicking balls, quarterback balls, all that, when they hear about things, talk on the radio, From a player's point of view, even today I do not think many people feel as if Tom Brady had cheated.I think you almost feel the opposite.However, he thinks that football should be, that 's how it should be, it' s more of the atmosphere, I think what has happened is that it 's It became a battle in court that made it bigger than it should have been, that did not help that the Patriots went to the Super Bowl. "

Rodney Harrison, Patriotic Safety 2003-08: "From the point of view of the players, and even to talk to other players, I do not think this is a problem, it may be more of a problem for the coaches, the superiors and the people who took part. Perhaps a little bitterness of Brady, I'm not sure, but most players – they are just trying to win a football game, and that's what they focus on. in the trap of politics and nonsense that goes with it. "

Trading partners: thawing of tensions

Vinatieri: "Football is football, I think if you have a grudge, or if you do something like that, you could hurt your team, you have to do what's right for this team, if you're negotiating with people, you do not want to, but help your team, you do it. "

McAfee: "I think with the success of the Patriots over the years, we rarely see a player leave the Patriots without being picked up elsewhere." It's a bit like that. "If Bill Belichick thought that one Player was good enough to be in a team, you'll be picked up elsewhere.It's also something to say when the Colts get rid of a guy, they end up at the Patriots.It's a sign of respect on both sides Phillip Dorsett has become an important player for the Patriots with Julian Edelman on the outside Dwayne Allen has become another blocker for Tom Brady in the offensive.I am not really surprised It's an affair as usual, but it's interesting to see how Colts fans hate the Patriots and see players play for both teams. "Reggie Wayne said. is found a little in New England. "

McDaniels' snub is reviving the rivalry?

Luck: "I will be honest, no, not personally [angry with how it went down]. I think – and I've said it before – that I felt bad for Mr. Ballard, for Chris, for saying something and something was not going on. It was a bit like he had stayed at the altar. But personally, no. … that is what it is and I am delighted to be with Frank. I think everyone in this locker room is. "

Ninkovich: "There's always been a story out there, obviously going back to Peyton Manning and all the Patriots 'and Colts' playoff games." When that change took place, and it was Andrew Luck, there was always this rivalry between Patriots and Colts, but we still have I remember the playoff game we just destroyed them in. We've always had their number since Manning left, they can talk about "Oh, the rivalry is back" and all that, but until luck comes away with a win, I do not think there's been a lot of rivalry. "

Vinatieri: "I do not think about it anymore, it's so far away that Frank is our coach, I'm glad he's here, he's guiding us in the right direction." There's no recoil to thinking about Josh's stuff. This might hold something for the fans at this point, but honestly, half of the players in this locker room were not even present at the time. last winter event .This is not such a big problem.

Hasselbeck: "When you're at Indy, you see that as a big rival, but when you're in the Boston area, you see the Colts as another team, it's like British Columbia and Notre Dame when I was playing in BC Stand up for Our Lady, and Our Lady thought nothing of us, they thought that USC was their rival. "

Bill Belichick, coach of the Patriots, on rivalry in general: "We have not played them for a few years and very few players who were there the last time we played them are still there. [There are] very few coaches, so there is a lot of turnover in the system, a lot of staff. We had a similar situation, maybe not so much, but we had a lot of turnover ourselves. We have a lot of players in our team who have not even played against the Colts, let alone those Colts. So, it's a totally different game and a totally different match. Honestly, I do not think any of those games, which were classic heavyweight fights, really have any relevance for Thursday night. "