Part of me wonders if Rocko and Guido showed up on the editors doorstep to break some kneecaps or something. I know that the 2001 Pat’s victory over the rams was shocking, but so was the Giants’ victory this year. Yet no one thinks (myself included) the Giants did anything but play some stellar football that day. This sport is one in which nothing is guarenteed, and even great teams can fall anyone. I actually saw one football journalist suggest that the Pat’s should forfiet every game that was taped (Around the Horn maybe?). What kind of a rediculous statement is that? Even if the pats knew the exact play called every time by the defense, they still need to make the plays. The line still needs to block (sure it might be a bit easier if you know where the extra man will come from, but its not a guarentee), the QB still needs to make the throw, the WR still needs to catch the ball and turn downfield.

The only positive to come from all of this is a much needed rule change was enacted as a result. The Defense can now get wired communication with the sideline. I am not sure if this will help much, as you can only have 1 such wired player at any one time. With defenses doing so much changing up of player packages in today’s game, this might not help at all.

I don’t see this being much of an advantage to the Pats for instance. I will use them as an example cause I know the players well enough to talk about it, but I am pretty sure most teams will be the same. One can assume the guy you want wired will be the Mike linebacker, or in our case Teddy. Rodney is another possiblitty, but Teddy being in the middle of everything makes the most sense. If we rotate Teddy out, who do you want to have the sound? Vrabel, Harrison, and Thomas are all excellent choices, but none can be used since you can only have 1 wired guy on the field at all times. The most likely guy to come in and replace Teddy will be Mayo at the start of the season and at the end probably Seau (as Mayo takes over the starting roll). At the start of the season, do we really want Mayo to be responsible for taking over that level of communication?

It will probably come down to Teddy playing a majority of the downs, which works, but isn’t all that optimal. I wish the NFL would have thought about the rule a bit more before putting that kind of limitation on the communication. Just let 2 people be on the field at the same time. WHO CARES?! 1 person will still have to lead the defense, you can’t have 2 people try to relay information, it will get things confused (telephone game anyone?). So in the end, 90% of teams will still only use 1 guy to relay whatever information the coaches send in.

Sorry for the tangent, but I have been thinking of this subject for a while, and it has bugged me a bit (as I am sure you can all tell now).