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 As the National Football League investigates whether the Patriots
used under-inflated balls during their 45-7 rout of the Indianapolis
Colts in Sunday's AFC championship, Belichick is not really
interested in discussing the matter.
"Any questions on that you should talk to (the NFL) about,"
Belichick told reporters this week while promising to "cooperate
fully" with whatever the leagues wants.
There has been speculation the Patriots used under-inflated balls,
which might be easier to grip and catch, during the rain-soaked
game.
Whatever the outcome of the inquiry, Belichick, a three-time Super
Bowl winner as Patriots coach, already has a history of pursuing any
edge he can to win.
 And his counterpart in Seattle, Pete Carroll, could be forgiven for
wondering what unexpected roadblocks stand between his team and a
second consecutive Super Bowl title on Feb. 1.
In 2007, the NFL fined Belichick $500,000 over what became known as
"Spygate," after a the Patriots were caught videotaping defensive
signals from the New York Jets during a game.
The 62-year-old coach was even accused of deception by the Baltimore
Ravens following their playoff game two weeks ago though the NFL
later ruled that the Patriots did no wrong.
Baltimore cried foul when the Patriots used unorthodox offensive
formations during their comeback win that did not allow the Ravens
defense enough time to adjust to who was eligible to catch a pass.
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"We ran it three times," Belichick said unapologetically after the
game. "We had six eligible receivers on the field but only five were
eligible. The one who was ineligible reported he was ineligible."
Patriots fans argue their coaching staff were merely smart enough to
take advantage of the complex regulations that make up the NFL rule
book, and that the Ravens were simply slow to catch on to what was
happening.
"It was a real good weapon for us and we'll have something in store
next week," quarterback Tom Brady said after the Baltimore game.
Media reports have said the NFL will wrap up its deflated ball
investigation in the coming days. Whatever the outcome of the
inquiry, the Seahawks no doubt will be on guard.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Frank
Pingue)
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