Rich Gannon, Boomer Esiason see deflated-ball story as overblown

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Former NFL quarterbacks Rich Gannon and Boomer Esiason shared their thoughts on the New England Patriots being investigated for using underinflated footballs.

In a piece written by Jason La Canfora on CBSSports.com, this is their take:

GANNON
"Ask any quarterback, and this is a non-issue. Everybody does something, to them. It's like a pitcher, he wants the ball a certain way. Take Tiger Woods, you wouldn't tell him after he's been hitting a 10.5 degree loft all week with a certain ball that, 'Hey, now we're going to switch your ball out.' That's his thing, and it's that specific feel that you want. That football is how we make our living and it sounds crazy, but it's a sacred thing. It's got to be a certain way."

ESIASON
"It really does seem totally ridiculous that this story has been blown so far out of proportion. If you look at the footballs that the quarterbacks are playing with and throwing for the last six or seven years, just realize that everybody is doing the same thing."

Meanwhile ESPN's Mark Brunell sees it a little differently.

In this video from SportsCenter, he explains how throwing a deflated football was easier for him in inclement weather.

"This is a huge advantage for a quarterback if he gets an opportunity to throw a ball like this because of the grip," Brunell said. "In cold, wet conditions, much like the AFC Championship Game, when you have a tough time as a quarterback gripping the ball, if you can have a ball like this, you can grip it and throw it further and with more ease. I could throw this ball 10 yards further because I can get more hand on the ball, I can squeeze it a little more. It makes a huge difference."