[vincesanity82]

NFL owners today approved a rule that allows coaches to communicate by radio with one defensive player, the same way they have for years with quarterbacks.
The rule change needed a three-fourths majority, and it narrowly passed when owners voted for it 25-7 at the league’s annual meeting. Last year the rule change failed, 23-9. The Packers, Raiders, Eagles, Rams, Seahawks, Buccaneers and Redskins voted against the proposal today.
The helmet-radio rule got increased scrutiny after the Patriots were caught taping the Jets’ defensive signals, signals the Jets wouldn’t have needed to use if they could have just told one of their players the call. Last year the Patriots voted against the proposal; this year they voted for it.
One defensive player will be permitted to listen to a coach’s defensive play calls through a radio in his helmet and then relay the call to his teammates. A backup will also be permitted to have the radio device in his helmet in case the first player gets hurt, but the two players can’t wear the helmets with radios at the same time.
Teams can decide for themselves which player will wear the technologically advanced helmet. NFL teams generally use an inside linebacker to call plays in defensive huddles, but the most important requirement in choosing a player to wear the helmet radio is choosing a player who stays on the field regardless of down and distance.

ProFootballTalk.com - Rumor Mill

[Seahawker 562]

I would think it was common sense to use ILB, guess not

[Geechee843]

it would depend on the team. the steelers for example would prolly give it to polamalu. the bengals...wait they dont have a defense. the titans on the other hand would prolly give it to painsworth while teh chargers would prolly give it to merriman. all depends on who the leader of the defense is and of course the down and distance factor

[bears9]

Good move, evens the playing field.

[Lefty Noob]

I don't like it, but then, I don't totally like the headset in the QB's helmet either. They shouldn't take the mental part of the game out of the players' hands, and this does that to a large degree. Let the QBs call their own plays and the defensive players call their own signals. Oh well, I guess that's a pipe dream these days.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I don't like it, but then, I don't totally like the headset in the QB's helmet either. They shouldn't take the mental part of the game out of the players' hands, and this does that to a large degree. Let the QBs call their own plays and the defensive players call their own signals. Oh well, I guess that's a pipe dream these days.

They dont call their own signals anyway so why not the headset. The idea is to eliminate the furor created last year over stealing signals. Coach Phillips of the Dallas Cowboys says he likes it. No more holding towels to cover the call.