Radio frequency an issue for Panthers D

from Lou's blog...

http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2007/03/radio_frequency.html

Just got off a conference call with Rich McKay, the co-chairman of the NFL’s Competition Committee, in which the agenda for next week’s owners’ meeting was discussed.

There was a lot of talk about the probability that the league will implement a more stringent policy for player conduct to deal with off-field issues and a lot of talk about some proposed rules changes.

One proposed change in particular could be particularly interesting for the Panthers. For the second straight year, there will be a proposal to allow teams to use a radio communications system from a coach to a defensive player. The proposal wasn’t approved last year but, with some upgrades in technology, its chances are believed to be better this time around. The logic is coaches can communicate with quarterbacks through a similar system and the playing field needs to be leveled.

The proposal would allow one defensive player to be designated before each game to wear the radio helmet. If that player leaves a game, no other defensive player can wear a radio helmet. That’s where the playing field could get tilted for the Panthers.

Generally, the middle linebacker is the one who calls the defensive plays and, theoretically, he’d be the most likely to wear the radio. But the Panthers might be in a unique situation here because Dan Morgan is their middle linebacker.

You know the history: Morgan’s had injury problems throughout his career and missed almost all of last season after repeated concussions. The chance of Morgan staying on the field for an entire game is always iffy.

Logic would say safety Mike Minter would be the safe alternative because Minter has missed only a handful of plays the last few years. But Minter’s nearing the end of his career. The Panthers want to get a lot younger at safety and Minter’s playing time could drop dramatically.

If the proposal passes and the Panthers want to maximize whatever advantage they would get out of the radio, they might have to designate outside linebacker Thomas Davis or defensive end Julius Peppers as the player to wear the helmet. Peppers rotates out of the lineup some to stay fresh and Davis isn’t the most experienced player. But Davis and Peppers probably will be on the field more than any other defensive players.

 

Dan - "coach, the helmet radio is making a buzzing sound in my ears"
Coach - "Dan, you haven't worn a helmet in 7 weeks."

 

from that article above

 

Doh!

 

that's some good shit right there.

 

Quality. Damn I laffed.

 

Can't let Morgan wear it anyway. The way he is he would get electrocuted or something.

 

If one and only one player can wear it, and he gets hurt, then the other team has a big advantage. I bet this doesnt pass. Even though the O has an advantage over the D in this respect now, its the same for both teams.

 

It should be portable so it could snap into the chosen defenders helmet.