[stupac2]

Like you BC, I thought that under inflation would benefit the running team and hurt the passing team. The USA Today article says the opposite.  It does seem to me that under inflating the balls could especially hurt the deep passing game, but I'm really not sure of that. 

really, Stupac, each team is responsible for their own balls? What an odd system for the visiting team that has to cart their balls with them then, presumably inflate them once they land, given the way elevation would, I assume, mess with the pressure.

With all the money floating around the league I can't believe that they can't just hire an additional person for each officiating crew to just check equipment.

Everything I've read says it helps the passing game by making the ball easier to catch. It would hinder the kicking game by making the ball not travel as far, but I don't think that would affect throws much (could work either way, by being lighter the ball would travel farther, but also be more susceptible to wind).

And yeah, apparently the home team provides some number of balls (I think 36), the refs check that they conform, then they're split between home and away. It's a pretty weird system, I have no idea why the refs aren't in control of the balls the whole time if this is an issue.

[stupac2]

Like you BC, I thought that under inflation would benefit the running team and hurt the passing team. The USA Today article says the opposite.  It does seem to me that under inflating the balls could especially hurt the deep passing game, but I'm really not sure of that. 

really, Stupac, each team is responsible for their own balls? What an odd system for the visiting team that has to cart their balls with them then, presumably inflate them once they land, given the way elevation would, I assume, mess with the pressure.

With all the money floating around the league I can't believe that they can't just hire an additional person for each officiating crew to just check equipment.

Everything I've read says it helps the passing game by making the ball easier to catch. It would hinder the kicking game by making the ball not travel as far, but I don't think that would affect throws much (could work either way, by being lighter the ball would travel farther, but also be more susceptible to wind).

And yeah, apparently the home team provides some number of balls (I think 36), the refs check that they conform, then they're split between home and away. It's a pretty weird system, I have no idea why the refs aren't in control of the balls the whole time if this is an issue.