The rules absolutely allowed for videography for coaching purposes, not just for highlights for fans. LOL.
NFL rules state that "no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game" and that all video shooting locations for club coaching purposes "must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead."
Video recording devices were absolutely allowed for future gameplanning and coaching purposes, just not “in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game”.
This is from the NFL Operations Manual back then...videotaping was only allowed for team's "video departments." It says nothing about "club coaching purposes." Reading the rules again it seems like videotaping was allowed but not during the game. So team's can video tape pre-game and post-game activities but that's it.
A. No video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game.
B. If clubs believe that violations of any of the Origination, Editing, Exchange, or Shipping rules have occurred, such violations should be brought to the attention of the Vice President of Officiating. Also, please inform the Video Directors Committee of any known violations. The Competition Committee will also urge that the Commissioner take appropriate disciplinary action in cases of substantiated violations.
C. Teams will be required to supply a yearly allotment of tapes to the Dub Center at NFL Films. Quantity required per club will be given to each team by May prior to the upcoming season. Tape stock will consist of brand-new 62-minute Beta SX tapes. For the 2007 season, 4,400 NEW tapes will be required.
D. To ensure the protection of equipment and employees of the team's
video departments, please follow the guidelines listed for the video shooting locations at your stadium:
-All video shooting locations must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead.
-Any doors entering the shooting locations within the public seating areas of the stadium are required to be lockable from both the inside and the outside of the location to prevent unwarranted access.
-All locations must have climate control (heat and/or fans). Any heaters and/or fans must be completely operational and produce the effect that is required. Heaters that do not produce any heat should be replaced.
-All locations must supply adequate power for each team (at least two outlets per team).
-All locations must be installed with the required video printer lines from both the sideline and the end zone shooting locations to the coaches' booth and field. It is not required that wiring be installed for the opposite end zone position, but if the opposite end zone is wired for the home team, it must also be wired for the visiting team. Home teams must provide visiting teams with the same situational set up for printers that they have themselves (i.e. cover, placement behind the bench, etc.)
-It is suggested that each location provide either countertop space or tables for both teams in the booth and a table on the field and coaches' booth.
Please ascertain that your club is in compliance with these guidelines.