Report: NFL To Fine Giants For Illegally Using Walkie-Talkies During Game
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New York Giants recently sparked a potential controversy when they checked out the Pittsburgh Steelers' footballs to see if they were underinflated during the teams' Week 13 battle. But now it's the Giants who find themselves in the crosshairs of the NFL league offices over an in-game violation.
According to a report by the New York Post, the league is expected to fine the Giants after head coach Ben McAdoo used a walkie-talkie to communicate with quarterback Eli Manning during the Giants' 10-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The radio transmitter in Manning's helmet malfunctioned during the fourth quarter and McAdoo was eventually given a walkie-talkie to communicate with him.
NFL rules state that teams' communication systems between the quarterback and the sidelines must shut off when there are 15 seconds left on the play clock. Using an un-sanctioned device such as a walkie-talkie does not ensure that will happen, which would constitute a violation of the rule.
Cowboys executive V.P. Stephen Jones was asked about what happened and told reporters after the game, "It's obvious to everybody what happened and my understanding is it's being looked into and handled ... If you're asking me if it affected the outcome of the game? No."
It goes without saying, but you know how this would be handled by the league and national media if this happened in New England. Walkie-talkies? It would be SpyGate Part II, no question. There would probably already be several hot-takers calling for Bill Belichick's head - you know, for the integrity of the game.
That's not to say that McAdoo, who is in his first season as an NFL head coach, should get the exact same treatment as Belichick. In fact, if the league simply hands the Giants a slap on the wrist and moves on after this minor violation, that's exactly how this should be handled - with every team. But New England fans have long caught on to the obvious inconsistencies and double-standards at play when it comes to rule violations and probably just have to accept them as a harsh reality.
Just be glad that the Patriots have learned to use hand signals so they can avoid a controversy like this.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
