Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advantage?

[naclone]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

I've seen many of those episodes (cool show - I love the one where there sunk a boat and filled it with ping pong balls and got it to rise back up).

But Mythbusters had a few logical flaws that showed they didn't fully understand the purpose behind corking. The main purpose of increasing batspeed isn't to hit the ball farther... With a corked bat, you gain speed but lose mass so the net effect on the force of impact is negligible. But what a lighter bat (and faster batspeed) does is allow the batter to wait on the pitch just a tad longer. Obviously we're talking about fractions of a fraction of a second... but in baseball, .005 seconds can be the difference between a 430 foot HR and a long ball hit foul side of first base.

Fair enough. And I understand it was a poor example. But my point remains that there's any number of reasons for doing things and it could be as simple as preference without any real significant difference. Again, all I'm looking for is some methodology for this is more advantageous than what is apparently already being done on a league-wide level and I'm quite frankly shocked that I can't seem to find it anywhere given how grave everyone believes this situation is.

 

[Bill's Girl]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

They didn't really say that, he was using hyperbole.

Thanks, I did not have them on this morning.....I know they tend to go over the top to make a point sometimes.

 

[Cannon Arm]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

With Bob Kraft's position on the NFL Executive Committee you would think everyone in the Pat's organization would be sure they followed the NFL's rules.

That's why RG has to issue a serious punishment to the Pats, and Belichick.

 

[QuiGon]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

Fair enough. And I understand it was a poor example. But my point remains that there's any number of reasons for doing things and it could be as simple as preference without any real significant difference. Again, all I'm looking for is some methodology for this is more advantageous than what is apparently already being done on a league-wide level and I'm quite frankly shocked that I can't seem to find it anywhere given how grave everyone believes this situation is.

FWIW, I sincerely hope you're right... I just fear a lot of pressure will be on the Cmsr. to throw the book at the Pats...

 

[Eugene Chung]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

The ability to review at a later date. Everyone is getting up in arms about the Jet game, but that is terribly naive and foolish. There is just no enough time to break the film down unless the camera transmitted a live feed to someone else who was breaking the plays down live. But then, like you said how is that all that much different from just having a guy jotting down the signals, plays and formations? All it does is complicate it *and* add evidence.

But where it will help is with reviewing at a later date. To have a catalog of signals from all relevent coaches in the league would come in very handy.

Oddly enough, people are making accusations that couldn't possibly happen, but the real possibility is worse. It is entirely realistic to believe that NE taped the calls from the three Jet games last year and used that info in this game.

I see where you're coming from but how does this apply to the Packers and Lions who have accused the Pats in the past? The Pats play them once every four years and their coaching situations aren't exactly stable.

 

[godef]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

The way I understood it from Schlereth was this...

Cameraman tapes Jets giving defensive signals. Tape reviewed at halftime and signals matched up with specific defensive formations. In the 2nd half, coaches specifically look for signals and calls plays or make audibles to best exploit those defensive formations.

Really? All this during halftime?

 

[Pats726]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

Really? All this during halftime?

All that in 12..13 minutes?? Walking to the locker room and back and??? I really doubt they have THAT much time..

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

They didn't really say that, he was using hyperbole.

It wasn't far from what they said.

 

[TedyB54]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

The way I understood it from Schlereth was this...

Cameraman tapes Jets giving defensive signals. Tape reviewed at halftime and signals matched up with specific defensive formations. In the 2nd half, coaches specifically look for signals and calls plays or make audibles to best exploit those defensive formations.

I'm not sure how much of an advantage this could be in practical application, but it's feasible to me that this is how it could be viewed as an unfair competative advantage.

And those same exact defensive signals could not have been charted manually by someone in the booth with a pair of binoculars or standing across the field on the other sideline?

To me, this is where the whole issue falls apart. Media and non-Pats fans are acting as though ONLY the Patriots were able to obtain their opponent's signals and everyone else has never done it or benefited from it.

Bottom line is that if the Jets had somehow figured out the Pat's defensive signals in the first half of that game through their own methods, they would have used that information to their advantage while calling their offensive plays in the second half. Period.

 

[Patti37]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

I read somewhere that the videographer shoots the signals while talking into the camera telling what's actually happening with the opponents D on the field. This can obviously be looked at fairly quickly and some basic info deduced.

The Globe has an article that gives some insight into the advantage:

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/12/in_nfl_stealers_have_edge/

The key advantage seems to be that it could help you in a critical play or two if you succeed in deciphering the signals and communicating that to the QB.

From the article:

Mark Whipple, the former University of Massachusetts head coach and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach. "'It always comes to one play, the fourth quarter, and if you can make that call, at that time, and you know what they're doing, it's a great advantage.'

...

"One NFL assistant explained that the offense already has a built-in advantage because the quarterback has a communication device in his helmet that allows him to hear an assistant coach while in the huddle. If the offensive team identifies the defensive personnel on the field - and decodes the signal relayed to those defenders - it's possible the quarterback could be told what to expect."

...

"'If you know the coverages for the passing game and when a defense is going to come with a blitz, you can have the counter for those moves ready and it sure makes it a lot easier,'" Whipple said.

Of course you have an edge if you successfully steal signals...what I want to know and what has not been explained to me in a satisfactory manner is how videotaping during the game achieves this...

I've read the explanations put out there so far but non-of them yet make any sense...that is why I am here in this thread.

 

[Patti37]

Re: Did anyone hear Mike Lynch's explanation of how the video gave the Pats an advant

This has been my contention from the onset, what is the advantage... as time goes on it seems more and more that this is about a rule violation, not about cheating.

That is what I am also trying to figure out...the NFL doesn't seem to have a rule against stealing signals..just videotaping.

I really would like some explanation for someone who really knows about this stuff rather than all this speculation from people who think they know.