Green Dot Guessing

[Box_O_Rocks]

There were some Defensive Green Dot guesses thrown out in the Gasper on Tank Williams thread - http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=89603 - may as well open it up for more guessing. There will be two defensive players authorized to wear the dot, each player will have two helmets - one with the communications system and one without - only one communications helmet can be on the field at a time. So, who are your two candidates, and why?

 

[PonyExpress]

Vrabel and AD.

Vrabel: plays every defensive package, coach on the field.

AD: Team Captain of the future.

 

[fgssand]

Vrabel and AD.

Vrabel: plays every defensive package, coach on the field.

AD: Team Captain of the future.

Rodney and Bruschi

 

[JoePats]

Rodney and Bruschi

I doubt either will play enough. Bruschi only played what, half the snaps, before Colvin got hurt last year? And Mayo and Hobson are now in the mix so its basically those three for two spots at ILB. And in Rodney's case, I could see BB not using him that much in 3rd and long situations, and Bruschi doesn't play in 3rd and longs either. Rodney makes more sense than Bruschi, as he could be used as a roving LB in a dime package easily.

I'd say Vrable and AD as well.

 

[Wildo7]

Vrabel and Seymour.

 

[Metaphors]

I honestly don't have clue #1 as to who get the magic helmets. Is there a particular place on the field where defensive play calls need to be made? For example, AD and Sey are on the field most of the time, but does their alignment on the field make it hard to communicate to everyone?

 

[BradyFTW!]

I'd guess Vrabel and Thomas for now, since at least one of them will pretty much always be on the field. Within a couple years I expect that Mayo will be wearing one, though.

 

[jczxohn1]

I honestly don't have clue #1 as to who get the magic helmets. Is there a particular place on the field where defensive play calls need to be made? For example, AD and Sey are on the field most of the time, but does their alignment on the field make it hard to communicate to everyone?

MLB would be the most likely spot, and is traditionally the one who has called the play in the past, at least according to T Johnson. My guess would be Bruschi and whoever subs for him in the rotation. Certain formations may not even require a green dot on the field, as BB indicated he thought most teams will rely heavily on hand signals anyway. As communication is shut off the last 15 sec, the green dot may serve no more purpose than to tell the wearer which coaches' hand signals to pay attention to.

 

[PatsFan37]

If it needs to be on an ILB, I guess we'll have to see who that's going to be. Is Tank only a situational ILB, not on the field at all on first down? Does he play SS on first down and ILB on obvious passing downs? Is he on the field at all in a hurry-up defense when substitutions are not allowed?

If a safety can make the calls (or come up to the ILB and relay them, then move back into position) would it be a SS who plays closer to the line? Would that be Sanders, playing opposite Meriweather most of the time? Of the ILBs and safeties, I would think Meriweather will be on the field the most, as he has the most range of all the safeties.

There are so many options and the positions and formations are so flexible that it's impossible to know until we've watched a few preseason games to see who plays where. Then we can use logic to back up our guesses before we're proven wrong.

 

[fgssand]

I doubt either will play enough. Bruschi only played what, half the snaps, before Colvin got hurt last year? And Mayo and Hobson are now in the mix so its basically those three for two spots at ILB. And in Rodney's case, I could see BB not using him that much in 3rd and long situations, and Bruschi doesn't play in 3rd and longs either. Rodney makes more sense than Bruschi, as he could be used as a roving LB in a dime package easily.

I'd say Vrable and AD as well.

I'll stick with Bru & Rodney.....

I think the guys that best know the "D", they make the calls, they position people and they move people around pre-snap, I still feel it will be those two.

I think, in most cases, one or the other can usually be found on the field.

I do not know how you shuffle a helmet in or out, if say both are in on first down and then one wearing it (Bru) goes out and the one you want to wear it (Rodney) is still on the field? I guess a sub brings one in and someone running off brings the other one off? Or, if both are in with miked ones on, in order to avoid penalty, Rodney plays without a helmet for a play (kidding).

 

[PatsFan37]

I do not know how you shuffle a helmit in or out, if say both are in on first down and then one wearing it (Bru) goes out and the one you want to wear it (Rodney) is still on the field? I guess a sub brings one in and soemone running off brings the other one off? Or, if both are in with miked ones on, in order to avoid penalty, Rodney plays without a helmit for a play (kidding).

This is tricky. I believe there's a rule stating that if a player is within the playing field, they cannot remove their helmet. Didn't McGinest almost get a penalty for removing his helmet when he ran down the field after that famous goal line stop against the Colts.

Does someone know the exact rule? Is there an exception for having a reason to remove it, like adjusting it (or exchanging it for another)? I would imagine the green dot thing would make for an exception.

 

[cavtroop]

This whole defensive headset issue really peeves me off. It must be driving Belichick absolutely nutso - we sub in players so often, that only allowing one player on the field with a headset at any time will be tough - players will be swapping helmets on/off based on packages, down/distance etc. Sometimes, the D wont even know who they are sending out until the O steps on the field, and by then it's too late to swap helmets, etc.

It's going to be ugly.

Having said that, I think AD and Harrison get it, with the Pats going some plays without anyone with a dot on the field.

 

[patchick]

This whole defensive headset issue really peeves me off. It must be driving Belichick absolutely nutso - we sub in players so often, that only allowing one player on the field with a headset at any time will be tough - players will be swapping helmets on/off based on packages, down/distance etc. Sometimes, the D wont even know who they are sending out until the O steps on the field, and by then it's too late to swap helmets, etc.

I totally agree, but of course there is an answer: hand signals. I'd much rather do it the old-fashioned way than trade helmets between plays.

 

[cavtroop]

I totally agree, but of course there is an answer: hand signals. I'd much rather do it the old-fashioned way than trade helmets between plays.

Very true. But, I'm worried about a situation where say AD is on the field, with a headset. Harrison needs to come in, but needs to swap helmets first - costing 10 seconds of time. He gets on the field, but either no in time to get into proper position, or not in time to read the O, and figure out his assignments, etc.

I think its going to cause some confusion. I wouldn't be surprised if BB goes with only one player with a headset, and relies primarily on hand signals to avoid the sub-in problems.

 

[jmt57]

The way I understand it, two players are assigned to be eligible to wear the defensive 'green dot' helmet before the game. However, only one may wear the 'green dot' helmet on the field at any given time. That means that player #2 is going to need to alternate between the plain helmet (if he's on the field at the same time as the primary 'green dot' player), and the green dot helmet (when the primary 'green dot' player is off the field.)

One alternative is to assign the green dot helmet to an ILB who will be on the field calling the majority of plays, and just use hand signals for when he is off the field. This eliminates the need for the other player to run back and forth exchanging his helmet. In that case the second green dot helmet can be assigned to a special teams player for defensive 4th downs who is strictly a backup, if the team wanted to go that route.

My guess is that the Pats would choose Vrabel and/or Thomas, as one of them will be on the field for just about every play, rather than Bruschi or Harrison.

 

[bradmahn]

It makes sense to just stick with hand signals for the play or drive when you are subbing out the green dotter. It avoids confusion and for a team that probably isn't too worried about the theft of hand signals, I don't think it will matter much.

On the other hand, I bet every team we play this year will do its best to make sure they have a green dot on the field at all times. ...

 

[Pats726]

Having said that, I think AD and Harrison get it, with the Pats going some plays without anyone with a dot on the field.

I think that might be the case...I can see using them on 1st..2nd down...but in transition, the hand signals..they may be more to that..old school...

 

[Gumby]

I'll throw a "surprise" selection out there.

Harrison &........
Meriweather.

I think this is the year we start seeing harrison's presence taper off. Merriweather doesn't get green dot full time; in case Harrison is on field - but when Harrison steps off and time permits Meriweather changes helmets.


Q: I assume you can change the 2 players each week and are not locked for the whole season?

Q2: Anybody know if that is just a game time announcement or has to be announced days prior like injury reports or something?

 

[jmt57]

Q: I assume you can change the 2 players each week and are not locked for the whole season?

Q2: Anybody know if that is just a game time announcement or has to be announced days prior like injury reports or something?

I couldn't find anything that definitively spells out answers to those questions, but I would think the two defensive players would be named the same way the offensive players have been - not locked in for the whole season, and are game time decisions.

I did find this article below on CHFF that directly took information that came from the NFL media pack announcing defensive radio helmets. The way it reads to me, it's as if it is meant to be for just one player, with a backup available due to injury. In other words, the concept is simply copying the QB radio helmet, put together as if that defensive player never comes out of the game. I don't see how a team will be able to switch players with the defensive 'green dot' helmet on the fly; they'll have to use traditional hand signals when the primary player is out of the game.

Here's the link to the article.

Two defensive players from each team will be identified and will be authorized to have receivers in their helmets, one as the primary and the other as the backup.

The primary player will have one “live” helmet on the field and a second “live” helmet stored in a secured trunk or container as a backup in case of a malfunction.

The backup player will wear his regular helmet on the field and will have a “live” helmet stored in the secured trunk or container in the event of an injury to the primary player.

At no time will two defensive players from the same team be permitted to wear “live” helmets, either on the sideline or on the field, after pregame warm-ups or during the game.

The secured storage trunk or container will be of exact and identical specifications and will be provided by the league to all 32 clubs. The backup “live” helmet for the primary player and the single “live” helmet for the secondary player, along with two spare battery packs, will be secured in the trunk. The trunks will be positioned behind the benches near the Motorola communication centers and will be designated as off-limits areas to players, coaches, and club personnel.The trunks will be clearly marked, and access will be controlled and monitored by NFL personnel or designees throughout the game.

The helmets will be tested in pregame, as is done with the coach-to-quarterback helmets, and the two backup helmets will be immediately secured in the trunk.

The NFL personnel assigned to the game or their designees will maintain a written log of the usage and return of the backup helmets and spare battery packs. The form will be sent to the league office each week for review.

 

[primetime]

Thomas and Sanders. I think Sanders will play more than Harrison this year, and it'd go down between AD and Vrabel for the linebackers.