FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The two men most responsible for delivering wins for the New England Patriots both said Thursday they have no explanation for how footballs used to reach the Super Bowl were underinflated by 2 pounds per square inch. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said he has not been contacted by the NFL, even as league officials investigate whether the team cheated against the Indianapolis Colts. I dont know what happened, Brady said, answering questions from reporters hours after Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he almost never thinks about football pressure and doesnt know what happened, either. Unlike Belichick, who briefly answered questions after a long opening remark by repeatedly saying Ive told you everything I know and I dont have an explanation, Brady answered many questions and said he doesnt think about football conditions during games. I get the snap, I drop back, I throw the ball, Brady said. I dont sit there and try to squeeze it and determine that. He does, however, have his preferences — he likes the football to be pumped to 12.5 pounds per square inch of air pressure, he said. The NFL requires balls to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pound per square inch. To me, thats a perfect grip for the football, he said. I would never do anything outside the rules of play. With different approaches, Belichick and Brady sent a unified message: Both said they have no clue how the footballs were tampered with or switched, and started learning about the issue along with fans and everyone else. I have no knowledge of anything, any wrongdoing, Brady said when asked who on the Patriots was responsible for the underinflated footballs. Im very comfortable saying nobody did it as far as I know. Brady said he picks the game balls he wants to use several hours before kickoff, then doesnt think about them at all. He said he didnt know the protocol for handling game balls after he chooses them. Once I approve the ball thats the ball that I expect out there on the field, Brady said. It wasnt even a thought, inkling or concern of mine that they werent the same ball. Belichick said that before this week, he didnt give air pressure in footballs much thought at all. Ive learned a lot more about this process in the last three days than I knew or have talked about it in the last 40 years that Ive coached in this league, Belichick said during an 8 1/2-minute opening statement during an 11 1/2-minute news conference Thursday morning. While neither Belichick nor Brady took responsibility for the underinflated balls, neither absolved anyone besides themselves of potential wrongdoing. Softer balls are generally considered easier to throw and catch, and quarterbacks, specialists and equipment managers are known to have very individualized preferences in how footballs are readied for games. Belichick said he was unaware of the process for game balls until the accusations were raised. Belichick said he sometimes hears quarterbacks, kickers and other specialists talk about their preferences. I can tell you and they will tell you that there is never any sympathy from me whatsoever on that subject. Zero, Belichick said. Under league rules, each team provides 12 balls for use on offence. Referees approve the balls more than 2 hours before game time, then keep the balls until theyre turned over to ball handlers provided by home teams just before kickoff. Belichick said the balls used by the Patriots offence are inflated to the 12 1/2-pound range and any deflation would then take us under that. Going forward, he said, the Patriots will inflate footballs to a safe level to prevent them from dropping under allowable air pressure during games. The coach who has won three Super Bowls said he generally forces players to practice under bad-ball conditions. Anytime players complain about the quality of the footballs, I make it worse and that stops the complaints, he said. We never use the condition of the footballs as an excuse. We play with whatever or kick with whatever we have to use. The issue has drawn inflated reaction from around the game and its fans as the Patriots prepare to play the Seattle Seahawks on Feb. 1 in Glendale, Arizona, for the NFL title. Several players said it would not distract them in preparing for the game. Wed rather be celebrating our trip to the Super Bowl, special teams captain Matthew Slater said. Its important to us that we respect the game and deal with things in a way thats considered professional. But Brady said the topic of the sports integrity is serious. Everyones trying to figure out what happened but at the same time youve got to prepare for the Seahawks, he said. Wholesale Seahawks Jerseys .Y. -- It was as if Matt Moulson never left the New York Islanders. Cheap Seattle Seahawks Jerseys .J. -- The NHL reduced its penalty against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday for signing Ilya Kovalchuk in 2010. http://www.cheapseahawksjerseyselite.com/. - The Raiders have released guard Mike Brisiel after two disappointing seasons in Oakland. Cheap Seahawks Jerseys Authentic . "Rob brings a wealth of coaching experience, having worked both in Canada and overseas in player development," Canada Soccer technical director Tony Fonseca said in a release. Cheap Seahawks Jerseys China . The Laval Rouge et Or defensive back/kick-returner gained the invitation following his showing Sunday at an NFL regional combine in Baltimore.TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on Pau Gasol, the improving Raptors, Eric Gordon, Rajon Rondo, and tough times for the Bulls in Chicago. 1. PAU GASOL (Lakers): There are rumours out of L.A. that the Lakers are open to moving the big man. He and Coach Mike DAntoni dont see eye to eye about his role and how he needs to be utilized in the offence. Hes a wonderfully talented player yet when I was in L.A. eight days ago for the Raptors game I was surprised to see how little explosion and pop he had in his game. He played with little passion/force and for a guy thats getting paid big money thats inexcusable. Yes, you dont like your role but dont pout about it. Play through adversity. 2. RAPTORS ARE BETTER: Watching Toronto the past two games vs. Philly and at Chicago, this is a better team. More traditional playing inside/out, much better ball distribution, role definition and balance in the offence. In addition, the second unit has a little more pop in it with Patterson, Vasquez and Salmons along with Tyler Hansbrough. It will be interesting to see with this development to see the approach of GM Masai Ujiri to the trade prospects as they pertain to Kyle Lowry and Im sure folks will be calling about Amir Johnson who has a very reasonable contract and produces consistently. Both guys would be valuable pieces for contending teams. Do you sell, hold or buy? Fascinating stuff. 3. ERIC GORDON (Pelicans): His team has had a nice season at 11-11 so far. More importantly, hes played in all 22 games. Hes had injury issues over the years and many questions about his durability and love for the sport as well. Hes been very effective at 16 ppg and shooting a reasonable 44 per cent field goal percentage and 39 per cent three-point percentage so far. Coach Monty Williams has done a nice job bringing this young team along and showing patience. Having Ryan Andersoon back in the mix with his brilliant shooting and toughness helps.dddddddddddd How they ride out the Anthony Davis injury will be huge yet the presence of Gordon consistently has been a pleasant compliment to this growing team. 4. RAJON RONDO (Celtics): Cleared for contact yet probably a few weeks to a month away from playing. Theyre in first place in the Atlantic Division. Im sure GM Danny Ainge is just thrilled with that. What do you do? Hell be a huge trade piece for them when hes ready to go or do you play him when hes ready? Hes a terrific competitor and player and instantly makes a team much better. The minute hes healthy and ready to go the offers for him will come pouring in and Im sure Ainge hears daily from fellow GMs kicking the tires about his availability. Keep an eye on this one. 5. NATE ROBINSON & MARCO BELINELLI (Nuggets, Spurs): Was in Chicago on Saturday for the Raptors game and I feel awful for Derrick Rose and the Bulls fans. The building was silent and dead - the fans are in mourning about the direction of their team. The more I watched their team I kept saying to myself that theyve got so little offensive creativity and explosiveness that theyre going to labour to score and win consistently. They miss Robinson and Belinelli big-time. Both can score and create their own shot and opportunities for others. With all due respect to DJ Augustin, its going to take him some time to get comfortable and to find his confidence. Not sure what the direction GM Gar Forman wants to take this thing yet but based upon what Ive seen of this unit of late theyre so offensively challenged they are in trouble. You can defend until youre blue in the face - you still gotta put the rock in the basket. Shows how fragile this business is. Two years ago they were the up and coming team in the East, and now theyre barely staying afloat. 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