QB headsets new CFL mindset

Can now receive radio messages from sideline

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Wednesday, Jun. 9, 2010

THEY are already employed at arguably the most complicated, pressure-packed, high-stress position in all of sports. And now CFL quarterbacks are going to have to deal with voices in their heads.

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THEY are already employed at arguably the most complicated, pressure-packed, high-stress position in all of sports. And now CFL quarterbacks are going to have to deal with voices in their heads.

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This article was published 09/06/2010 (5931 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THEY are already employed at arguably the most complicated, pressure-packed, high-stress position in all of sports. And now CFL quarterbacks are going to have to deal with voices in their heads.

The league announced Tuesday it will equip QBs’ helmets with receivers that allow coaches to communicate with their signal callers between plays, a system the NFL has been using since 1994. And the news brought a collective thumbs-up from the camp of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who have yet to test the technology, but may use it in game action as soon as this Sunday’s pre-season tilt against the Montreal Alouettes.

"I’m very excited about it," said quarterback Buck Pierce. "With this league and the 20-second play clock anything we can do to help the offences get out of the huddle and speed the tempo up, I think it’s good for the game. Getting out of the huddle and up and down the field, that’s what the CFL is all about and this will just increase that process."

Each team will be given three units to install in the helmets of the quarterbacks who dress for a game, although only one will be ‘live’ on field at any one time. Coaches will be able to relay information to the QB via the spotter’s booth and the sideline until there are 10 seconds remaining on the play clock, but there is no microphone built into the helmet to allow for two-way communication.

The league will assign an employee to handle the headsets on site and the signal will be monitored and also recorded by the command centre at CFL headquarters. Teams will still use wristbands and hand signals as a back-up in case the new system fails.

"I was a fan, but it actually didn’t work out with me personally," said Bomber QB Adam DiMichele, who used a helmet receiver/transmitter during a NFL pre-season game with the Philadelphia Eagles last summer. "It would go in and out with (offensive co-ordinator Marty) Mornhinweg because he wasn’t hitting the buttons right. I was like, ‘coach, you’re not saying anything’ and then I’d hear ‘Uh-oh’ and it would cut out.

"Quarterbacks on the sidelines have always got to be ready with the signals as Plan B, but it was really good. It was effective… when it worked."

The system will allow coaches to directly relay info to their quarterbacks and, if they can break the huddle quickly enough and get to the line of scrimmage, perhaps pass along defensive formations. In the NFL defensive players also use the electronic helmet.