How much drying of balls is allowed? Can you use a non-heated blower in addition to a towel? Where can you keep ball during a game? Only in a bag? Can a ball boy keep it under a jacket to keep it warm? Can they have a covered area to store the backup balls? How wet do balls really get in a rain game? Do balls that were previously soaked as part of they're "wearing in" process get more wet than balls that are more new and still have the shine on them?
The problem with these suppositions is that there is no discernible benefit to using a properly-inflated ball as compared to using an under-inflated one. By all accounts, a warm, dry ball at 12.5psi is harder to grip and catch than one at 10.5 - 11psi. Period, end of story. So why would the Colts (or anyone) go to any lengths to keep balls warm, dry and ensure that they remain fully-inflated throughout the game? If anything, and the deflation is just part of exposure to the elements during the game, all of the balls deflating somewhat shouldn't be a concern because if they all deflate roughly equally over the course of the game, neither team has a specific advantage.
About the only conspiracy theory you could logically advance here is that the Colts KNEW the balls would deflate naturally (and I don't think that anyone is disputing the physical science behind pressure and temperature changes), and they specifically did something to artificially keep all 12 of their balls at the proper pressure, so they could point to the difference and claim the Patriots were cheating. But why would you do that, knowing that it won't help you win the game anyway? So that along with contributing to the Pats' legacy of cheating, you can also establish your own as a bunch of whiny sore losers, or possibly cheaters yourself? Seems like a lose-lose proposition.
Do some quarterbacks like old balls (possibly all the way from pre-season use) vs. new balls (maybe new balls only slightly worn-in each week)?
Interesting that you bring this up. There's a recent WaPo article that brings to light the fact that Tom Brady himself spearheaded a proposed 2006 rule change allowing teams to provide their own balls, prepared to their players' (usually the QB's) preferences.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...on-manning-and-other-qbs-created-deflategame/
To quote Brady:
“Some like them blown up a little bit more, some like them a little more thin, some like them a little more new, some like them really broken in.”
So given that, according to the WaPo article I linked, that rule change was accepted, the NFL Rules digest is out of date, because it still says the home team will provide 36 balls for outdoor games, 24 for indoor games, and 12 special, new-in-the-box kicking balls. One of the arguments Eli Manning gave in support of the rule change was that it would be patently unfair if the home team could give the visiting team a shiny, new, slick ball at a critical point in the game and expect them to do as well with it.
This is the best reference to the full, current rule I could easily find (
http://heavy.com/sports/2015/01/rules-policy-deflated-balls-reason-patriots-air-pressure/):
Rule 2, Section 2 of the Rule Book addressed the preparation that goes into getting the game balls ready. This is a process that includes the teams providing their own balls and the refs checking and marking them.
Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the Referee two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game to meet League requirements. The home team will also make 12 backup balls available for testing in all stadiums. In addition, the visitors, at their discretion, may bring 12 backup balls to be tested by the Referee for games held in outdoor stadiums. For all games, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer to the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game.
These balls are to be specially marked by the Referee and used exclusively for the kicking game.
In the event a home team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper ball from the visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to the Commissioner.
In case of rain or a wet, muddy, or slippery field, a playable ball shall be used at the request of the offensive team’s center.
The Game Clock shall not stop for such action (unless undue delay occurs).
Note: It is the responsibility of the home team to furnish playable balls at all times by attendants from either side of the playing field.
I guess ostensibly, you could argue that, since the Pats employ the attendants on the visitor's sideline, they could have instructed them to do something to keep the visitors' balls from deflating, but again, to what end?
