Would the New England Patriots have been brazen enough to sabotage an opponent’s headset communications Thursday night given all the scrutiny they have faced over the past six months? Former NFL head coach Brian Billick doesn’t think so, and he has a pretty good reason why.
Billick, who coached the Baltimore Ravens from 1999-2007, said on NFL Network Friday morning that he dealt with plenty of headset issues during his career, even during home games.
“It’s replete through the entire league,” Billick said. “There were times, even at home when I was with the Baltimore Ravens — one time I got a pizza delivery guy. I’m not a technician to know all these air waves and how they cross over.”
Billick added that there would be no benefit for a team to cut its opponent’s headset because the rule states that the home team would have to stop using their electronic communications as well. Although, the Steelers’ official website believes the Patriots had such an elaborate scheme that they were able to account for that.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly also said he has heard some bizarre things through his headset during games.
Chip: I've heard air traffic control in the headsets before. I've heard a lot of things. I think there are frequency issues. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) September 11, 2015
And how about that time Mark Sanchez lost his headset communication during a crucial point in a playoff game in Pittsburgh, of all places?
It seems quite obvious that electronic communication issues are somewhat common around the league, but this is how it’s going to be anytime something remotely unusual happens with the Patriots.
H/T The Big Lead
