Spygate: More Radio Communications Issues

by Johnny
(Boston)

Regarding: Goodell Seeks Harsher Spying Penalties
March 8th, 2008

Here we go again, another case in point that Spygate is really all about the radio communications.

I read with great interest that the new procedures implemented by the NFL addressed COMMUNICATION DEVICES. “Competition committee members also suggested Friday that the memo is less about Spygate than it is about finding a way to keep up with advances in technology.

“When we met with commissioner, the discussion was how we proceed in an era when technology is expanding exponentially,” Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian said. “The question is how do we keep on top of that. This is far less about what happened in the past and how we deal with it in the future.”

“Enforcement would include spot checks of team offices, including locker rooms, coaches’ booths and in-stadium communication systems and equipment as well as “enhanced monitoring of team practices.”

I mean, the defensiveness relative to the unanswered questions regarding radio communications is stunning. These guys can’t help from falling over themselves. To paraphrase what Polian was really saying: “We are focusing on the future, because we were asleep at the switch regarding the Patriot’s past use of technology.”

The radio cover-up gains credibility with each statement or media dodge by the NFL. The Patriots and the NFL set up the videotaping as their “firewall” against the media firestorm resulting from the cheating.

As outlined in my earlier post (Radio Communication is Real Spygate), I believe that the last second radio communications via the QB radio set is what really gave power to the intercepted signals (with a power assist from Ernie Adams who was monitoring it all). Most of that communication took place during the 15 seconds preceding the rundown of the play clock. While those communications would ordinarily be precluded by the shut off of the official NFL radio frequency for those 15 seconds, the Patriots were using ANOTHER frequency that could not be shut off and could not be monitored by NFL technicians. In this context, the stolen defensive signals take on a whole new dynamic which the NFL certainly didn’t want to address publicly.

Yet the Patriots were still a step ahead of the NFL technology whizzes. That’s why they set up a their own “firewall”… just in case anyone caught on to their cheating. They decided to mess with the authorized frequencies from time to time.

Sure, the NFL might have questions and even turn off BOTH teams’ official frequencies from time to time as a result of such interference. However, it also serves as great SUBTERFUGE and firewall protection if the use of alternative frequencies was ever questioned by the NFL. The Pats could simply say that the official frequencies weren’t reliable and their techs simply wanted to make sure the other team wasn’t getting an unfair advantage.

Sounds speculative? You’re damn right, and I’m sure parts of it are off the mark. However, I wonder whether it would seem all that Machiavellian to Ernie Adams and Sneaky Bill.

The press needs to keep working on this and I have confidence that they will. The NFL isn’t going to make it an easy story, but their and the Patriot’s bungling are undoubtedly cultivating it to become a bigger one.

PS- Based on Arlen’s Specters most recent statements today, he’s not buying into Roger’s game.

— Posted by Johnny



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