Bob’s NFL trend prediction

So there have been some rule changes this season in the NFL. None are going to have a bigger impact than the helmet communication system being implemented for the defensive side of the ball. If you haven’t heard, there has been a big controversy about the New England Patriots videotaping the defensive signals of opposing teams. While “Spygate” has received national media coverage, the responsible parties, namely Bill Belichick and Charlie Weis have been largely exonerated of their involvement, in my opinion. That is besides the point. Read the following:

The new helmet communication system for the defensive side of the ball enables two players on the defense to have an ear-piece in their helmet that allows the defensive coordinator to call in the alignment, coverage and scheme for a particular play. Only one player with the ear-piece is allowed on the field at a time and the two players with the ear-piece are identified with a green dot on the the outside of the helmet. Communication from the defensive coordinator, or who ever calls in the play, is cut off when there is 15 seconds remaining on the play clock.

This is a greatly overdue addition to the professional game of football. Why should the offense be able to call in their play and the defense have to use visible language to communicate their call? And why should it take a league-shaking controversy to cause such a policy to be implemented? Just like any other governing body in the United States, the NFL is slow to adapt to reality.

Now that we are up to date on the new rule change and my personal opinion of the state of affairs, we can get to the point of this blog.

I am predicting a serious resurgence of the defensive side of the ball this season. It would be niave to think that sign stealing was a hobby of just the New England Patriots. In a league made of parity and cash, you have to believe every team was bending the rules of the game and morality to gain an edge. Therefore, the offenses ability to anticipate a defenses formation, blitz, coverage, etc. has been greatly reduced. Also consider that not only can a defensive coordinator call in the next play, he has a significant amount of time to give his analysis of a particular players performance on the field and tell the ear-piece-welding player to convey the message. A view/opinion of a coach from the coaches box is a lot clearer than that of a view/opinion of a screaming assistant on the side line.

Expect a serious drop in conversions on third downs this season due to these facts. On a down as critical as the third, the coordinator now has the ability to get into the brain of the leader of the defense and get his critiques onto the field just like the offensive coordinator has been able to do for years and years.

Speaking from a Fantasy Football point of view, I believe in this prediction so fervently that I would suggest drafting a defense higher in some cases than a second quarterback or even a second wide receiver or running back. If I turn out being wrong…lay it on me. But if I turn out being right…do not forget me.