Morning Sports Roundup: Bill Belichick says Patriots had headset issues, too
The controversy seemingly never ends, as the Steelers reported mid-game that their headsets were picking up a Patriots radio broadcast through their headsets. After the game, the Bill Belichick said the Patriots had headset problems of their own. In terms of game action, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and the Patriots offense were spectacular. And Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams gashed the Patriots defense while filling in for suspended Le’Veon Bell.
Mike Tomlin on headset problems: ‘That’s always the case [here]’: “When asked about reports the Steelers’ headsets were picking up the game’s radio broadcast rather than his team’s communication, a livid Tomlin said such technical issues are ‘always the case,’ at Gillette, echoing similar accusations included in an ESPN investigation that ran earlier in the week.’’ (Boston.com)
Headsets were an issue for both teams: “We had a lot of problems,’’ [Bill] Belichick said. “We had to switch headphones a couple times. The communication system wasn’t very good. We deal with that it seems like weekly. Yeah, they told us they were on the verge of shutting it off, but then they I guess they got it working. I don’t know, but it was a problem the whole game. We almost had to switch helmets with Brady there at the end – couldn’t get the plays into him. It was a problem all night.’’ (ProFootballTalk.com)
Ben Roethlisberger thought Patriots were doing illegal, pre-snap motions: “Trouble with headsets wasn’t all that had the Pittsburgh Steelers upset during Thursday night’s loss to the New England Patriots. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger vigorously protested after left tackle Kelvin Beachum was called for a false start on third-and-goal from the Patriots’ 1-yard line – an infraction triggered by the New England line sliding during Roethlisberger’s snap count.’’ (USA Today)
Tom Brady at his surgical best in opener: “The truth is that we don’t really know the professional athletes we shower with adulation. We’re only privy to a two-dimensional version of a three-dimensional person. So, we’ll have to wait for Tom Brady’s memoirs to know just how much the almost-eight-month Deflategate saga affected his life and psyche. If there was some effect that the NFL’s air pressure inquest/smear campaign had on Brady’s mind-set or preparation for the 2015 season it was imperceptible on Thursday night in the Patriots’ 28-21 victory in their prime-time season opener/Deflategate exorcism at Gillette Stadium. Credit his unflappable on-field mien or the Zen knowledge he attained from reading “The Four Agreements’’ but it was a banner night for TB12 in every way.’’ (The Boston Globe)
2014 Patriots first-rounder Dominique Easley leaves Patriots-Steelers with an apparent hip injury: “ This was supposed to be Dominique Easley’s year. Instead, it could be cut short by another major injury. The 2014 first-round draft pick worked his way back from a second torn ACL and showed spurts of dominance in the preseason, but the defensive tackle left last night’s 28-21 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers after his eighth snap with a left hip injury. Coach Bill Belichick didn’t have any updates on Easley after the game.’’ (Boston Herald)
Dion Lewis lingers on fumble despite strong first night: “That’s the worst thing you can do,’’ Lewis said. “It was the fourth quarter. That’s money time. My teammates were hustling for me. Gronk made a great play for me and recovered the fumble. I thanked him a lot. Just gotta clean it up and make sure it doesn’t happen again so I can still be out there because you can’t be out there if you’re gonna do that. I know that.’’ (CSNNE.com)
ESPN’s Patriots coverage filled with red flags: “ In [ESPNBoston.com’s Mike] Reiss’s perfectly rational reaction piece, which was edited by the copy desk but was not eyeballed by a high-level editor before publishing, he cited seven items of interest. As Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio put it with appropriate snark: “At some point, two of the seven takeaways were taken away.’’ In other words, after Reiss’s completely innocuous post was published, someone at ESPN decided that it wasn’t quite innocuous enough. The first item removed was in reference to a segment in Van Natta and Wickersham’s story that noted that Patriots opponents have suspected that the team has an employee scour the visiting locker room at Gillette Stadium for revelatory information, such as a play sheet.’’ (The Boston Globe)
DeAngelo Williams looks young again: “DeAngelo Williams, making his debut for the Steelers, rushed for 127 yards on his 21 carries in Thursday’s game. The 32-year-old Williams is the second-oldest player in NFL history to rush for 100 or more yards in his first game with a team. Joe Perry was 34 years old in 1961 when he ran for 106 yards in his first game with the Baltimore Colts.’’ (ESPN.com – Elias)
Photo finish: Photos from the New England Patriots’ banner ceremony and home opener.
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