The biggest scandal of the 2007 NFL season was the discovery by the New York Jets that the New England Patriots were videotaping their defensive signals. In the end, the Patriots were docked a first-round draft pick, and coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000.
But while every NFL player and coach now knows the league will deal harshly with the taping of signals, that doesn't mean signal stealing has stopped. In fact, during last night's Colts-Chargers playoff game, NBC announcer John Madden said the Chargers were convinced that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning had stolen their signals when the two teams played in November.
"Last time they used a lot of hand signals, and Ron Rivera, the defensive coordinator for the Chargers, thought that Peyton Manning had their signals," Madden said. "So this time they're trying to go without signals, or if they do, they've changed their signals. Now he's talking directly to middle linebacker Stephen Cooper."
As Mike Florio writes at Pro Football Talk, even if the Chargers were correct, Manning wouldn't necessarily be breaking any NFL rules by reading their signals. The Patriots broke the rules by taping signals, but if Manning figured out the Chargers' signals without the benefit of videotape, the NFL doesn't consider that cheating.
And Madden doesn't seem to think Manning is cheating either. Madden's on-air partner, Al Michaels, referred to it as "paranoia-gate," and Madden replied, "I think you're partly right. You say, how much of that is true? Peyton Manning knows a lot of things, but knowing all your defenses and signals? I think part of it is Peyton Manning being smart, the other part is paranoia."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-04-2009 @ 8:30AM
bigflyer said...
What is the difference between taping signals like Belechick did and do you think the Colts did not? They review game tapes from every aspect and angle.
Manning has a certain skill set within the pocket but chase him out of the pocket and he is very ordinary. He needs to know the defensive signals against him because he cannot scramble.
He is good at making commercials though and he will have alot of time this winter to make them.
Wait til Tom Terrific comes back.
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1-04-2009 @ 12:21PM
Matt said...
The Chargers won and they are still crying about something. That is why they will never be winners and will always be losers. They are the biggest cry babies in the NFL...always have excuses for everything.
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1-04-2009 @ 10:30AM
kevin said...
Matt, What are you talking about? Chargers WIN with out LT and I really dont hear anyone cryin but you...WTF is your problem. Dont like the game? Or just really sore after the spankin....
1-04-2009 @ 9:30AM
pcat 1173 said...
san diego could hand manning their defensive playbook and it wouldn't matter; it's a big game, and as we've all seen before, manning always 1) wets his pants in big games and 2) and points the finger after the forthcoming loss. hey smith, i know you worship the ground this hillbilly walks on, but when will you get it: he only cares about himself and his individual numbers/awards. san diego, while not my favorite team, played as a team. that's why they're moving on. btw, dungy is a horribly overrated coach and i'm tired of his whole "holier than thou" attitude. pleeeeeeeease retire!
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1-04-2009 @ 10:13AM
T said...
Yay!!!! The Colts are done! One Manning down and another to go.
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1-04-2009 @ 8:13PM
Paul said...
So as not to dump on the Patriots anymore - they all do it - they all do all of it.......Mangini wanted Belichick, so he ratted him out - that edge didn't help him. Now fat boy needs a job...
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1-04-2009 @ 11:08AM
Adam said...
I don't see what the problem is. If Manning figured out the signals without cheating, that just makes me more impressed with the ability of Manning. I mean, if a QB figures out that crossing your arms means cover-2, should they ignore that, or exploit it? Of course they should exploit it; that's part of the mental and strategy game of football.
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1-04-2009 @ 11:33AM
Bill said...
Matt: About the dumbest thing I've ever heard. The Chargers are not crying. They just changed the way they get defensive signals in. Get a life. If you're a Colts fan, go get in line to get your Indy 500 tickets.
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1-04-2009 @ 4:14PM
nate said...
The Pats fans are still sore because they were 11-5 and the 8-8 Chargers made the playoffs.............. they forget that the Chargers dismantled them in their head-to-head meeting earlier this year.
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1-06-2009 @ 1:53PM
theo verrated said...
Actually, you're wrong when you said that the Patriots broke the rules by taping signals. They broke the rules by having the taper standing on the sidelines; if he'd been up in a booth, they would have been 100% in line with the rule book.
I'm not saying that they didn't break any rules, nor am I making excuses for the team. Just pointing out an inaccuracy in your statement.
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1-06-2009 @ 2:55PM
JZ said...
Interesting that in the first season of Defensive players being wired to the Def coordinater so Belichick could not steal signals via his Spygate MO (actual reason for the innovation). Belichick AND his former assistant now head coaches could not make the Playoffs (Mangini, Crenell, etc).
Whats Ernie Adams doing now??
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