After every play, two or three officials handle the ball and are able to determine its fitness for use. Once they put the ball in play, they have certified it meets all relevant NFL standards, or is close enough to not matter. So, by definition, there were no violations, unless, of course, you want to accuse the officials of being coconspirators in a fraud.

The fact that this has been going on throughout the Belichick/Brady era only means that they have established a common law right to do it. Remember the common law? If you trespass on your neighbor’s property for 20 years you have established a right to do so.