the balls to begin with. So the ball boys prep the balls to the QB's liking and deliver them to the refs for them to approve. Once approved, nothing happens to them. So the Pats have fully "approved" balls and didn't mess with them at all. This is 100% on the NFL.

http://boston.barstoolsports.com/random-thoughts/the-plot-thickens-the-reason-the-nfl-is-remaining-silent-is-because-the-refs-never-properly-tested-the-footballs-in-the-first-place-according-to-nfl-ball-boys/