VIDEO: Fan Complains After Catching Tom Brady Signaling Before Refs Reset Play Clock

It goes without saying that the majority of NFL fans outside of Foxborough genuinely believe that referees just enjoy seeing the New England Patriots win, and that they will do whatever it takes to make things easier for Bill Belichick's side. Well, one particular Pats cynic investigated a fourth down with under five minutes remaining in the first half of Sunday's tilt against the Cleveland Browns that's sure to add more gasoline to the fire, with logic tossed out the window. New England was delayed getting out of the huddle, and as the play clock continued to wind down, Tom Brady, as the skeptic notes, appeared to signal to the zebras to add a few more seconds. Just as No. 12 signaled, the clock evidently reset.

That just can't be a coincidence, right?

It's likely the reset was a result of the ref not yet having the ball ready, but it's certainly a bit puzzling considering they had plenty of time to dry the ball off AND the Pats still had 14 seconds to work with AFTER wasting 25 seconds in the huddle. Doesn't seem like a clock reset should be warranted if you spend all that time in the huddle and the ball isn't immediately on the field of play when you're ready to break.

It's clear as day that Brady pumped his fists so as to instruct the refs to give his offense a few more ticks to get settled, and they appeared to acquiesce. When the ref placed the ball on the ground after a lengthy delay, it looks like Brady was wise enough to ask for more ticks (though he obviously spent plenty of time game-planning before the ball was returned).

This isn't the first time we've seen this phenomenon, either.

So what's the explanation here? Did the ref take too much time setting the ball in the first place, and Brady wanted to let the squad know he'd been unfairly duped? Why did he get so much time added? That feels unnecessary.

We normally wouldn't acknowledge the cries of a bitter pessimist, but this fan is certainly onto something here. What that "something" is, we don't know, though.