Michigan Under Investigation For Sign Stealing

KrAzY3

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The downside of headset communications is that only the QB gets the call. You have to huddle up to get the play out to the players. And it is harder to switch plays after seeing the defensive alignment.

So, teams will have to choose between speed and headset communications. Unless someone implements something that would also allow other players to get the calls on wrist bands or something similar.
That doesn't seem like a bad compromise though. You want to do the no huddle, your risk the other team stealing your signs.
 
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JDCrimson

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I would not be too worried about the NCAA if I Stalion, Harbaugh, and UM. Some actual laws may have been broken in this situation. That is what I would be worried about...

I think the offense already has too many advantages, so QB comms and a huddle replicating what is done in the NFL would go along way to clean up the college game.
 

BAMAfan777

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Call me paranoid, but there are over 100 people on each team that have access to signals and playbooks. If there is only one bad apple, or friend of the foe, out of that 100 (just one percent), the other team has the keys to the castle. But no, that never happens! Especially with transfers, and friends of the family associated to the competition, or disgruntled players not getting playing time..
 

CB4

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While I agree there are methods to limit sign stealing (huddles, headsets, etc.) going forward, I think the major point is the lengths UM went to propagate the sign stealing over the past several years. Should the NCAA implement the headset technology going forward? Probably, as it would minimize the opportunities to steal signs.

However let us not lose sight that a staff member of the University of Michigan was sending operatives to not just “observe” but also RECORD opposing future opponents signals. It wasn’t just “go see if you can pick
up something”. And according to conference and NCAA rules that is strictly prohibited. In my opinion, the UM needs to face some consequences for the actions of this staffer.
 

colbysullivan

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The downside of headset communications is that only the QB gets the call. You have to huddle up to get the play out to the players. And it is harder to switch plays after seeing the defensive alignment.

So, teams will have to choose between speed and headset communications. Unless someone implements something that would also allow other players to get the calls on wrist bands or something similar.
Oh no! Huddles? What’s next, the QB under center?
 

B1GTide

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Apr 13, 2012
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While I agree there are methods to limit sign stealing (huddles, headsets, etc.) going forward, I think the major point is the lengths UM went to propagate the sign stealing over the past several years. Should the NCAA implement the headset technology going forward? Probably, as it would minimize the opportunities to steal signs.

However let us not lose sight that a staff member of the University of Michigan was sending operatives to not just “observe” but also RECORD opposing future opponents signals. It wasn’t just “go see if you can pick
up something”. And according to conference and NCAA rules that is strictly prohibited. In my opinion, the UM needs to face some consequences for the actions of this staffer.
I fully support the death penalty for UM. ;)
 

bamajas

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Oct 5, 2005
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The downside of headset communications is that only the QB gets the call. You have to huddle up to get the play out to the players. And it is harder to switch plays after seeing the defensive alignment.

So, teams will have to choose between speed and headset communications. Unless someone implements something that would also allow other players to get the calls on wrist bands or something similar.
Kids' baseball leagues use wristbands with randomly assigned numbers for pitch and fielding calls. Wouldn't think it would take much effort to use those for adjustments at the line. The team's sideline can yell the adjustment to the players closest to them while the QB yells it to the players on the opposite side.
 
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colbysullivan

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The B1G isn't going to kill the goose that is laying golden eggs. He may be fined, but I don't think much will come of it and he will still be there next year.
I’m not sure I agree with this logic since tOSU (not Michigan) pretty much dominates the conference. Michigan has only won the conference the last two years because they were illegally stealing signs. Michigan is going to revert back to “they can’t win the big one” status pretty quickly. Honestly, they never really left.
 
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I’m not sure I agree with this logic since tOSU (not Michigan) pretty much dominates the conference. Michigan has only won the conference the last two years because they were illegally stealing signs. Michigan is going to revert back to “they can’t win the big one” status pretty quickly. Honestly, they never really left.
The brand is still really good.
 
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And neither the B1G nor the SEC are going to go hard after their big brands - the ones who could win them a NC.

It is what it is, but i'll be shocked if the B1G dos anything other than slap him on the wrist.
I thought it interesting this morning that GMAC stated that the Helmet Communication would be a very good idea, but he doesn't think that the Coaches will pass it because they want to be able to steal signals.
 

dayhiker

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Call me paranoid, but there are over 100 people on each team that have access to signals and playbooks. If there is only one bad apple, or friend of the foe, out of that 100 (just one percent), the other team has the keys to the castle. But no, that never happens! Especially with transfers, and friends of the family associated to the competition, or disgruntled players not getting playing time..
That reminded me of the Mike Leach story where he had a playbook dropped before a Texas game.
 

crimsonaudio

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I thought it interesting this morning that GMAC stated that the Helmet Communication would be a very good idea, but he doesn't think that the Coaches will pass it because they want to be able to steal signals.
The NCAA has been the hold-up to date, but I suspect we'll see it work successfully in the bowl games this season and it will be the norm sooner than later.

Somehow every other major football league has figured it out, but of course the NCAA sits on their hands until FORCED to address something.

That we've not replaced those clowns yet is beyond me, it's incomprehensible that we still allow those idiots to dictate any policy.
 

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