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Bill Belichick is angry his proposal for more cameras was shot down by the NFL

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts during the game against the Green Bay Packers i the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts during the game against the Green Bay Packers i the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots head coach proposed adding extra cameras to the end zones in order to gather more conclusive replay results for review.

The NFL’s annual owners meetings got under way Sunday, and proposals for rule changes abounded, from the Indianapolis Colts suggesting a possible nine-point possession to the Chicago Bears suggesting allowing either team at least one possession in overtime. Like the majority of proposals, these were shot down.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick also had a proposal shot down, one that would increase the amount of cameras in the end zone for better replay reviews.

NFL Proposed rule change
NFL Proposed rule change /

[image courtesy of Deadspin]

After the proposal was shot down, Belichick was not in a jolly mood.

From ESPN:

"[New England] Patriots coach Bill Belichick strongly voiced his displeasure Tuesday that the league didn’t want to spend the money to put four cameras in the end zone to give referees better angles on replay reviews, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.The source said Belichick expressed concern that the league is willing to spend top dollar to send the Pro Bowl to Brazil and play regular-season games in London every season but doesn’t appear willing to spend the money to pay for the extra cameras it would take to cover all end zone angles to assist instant replay."

Old Bill has a fair point. While the NFL will spend its resources and devote its time to the expansion of the sport beyond its means, it doesn’t address competition concerns unless they possibly dissuade fans from viewing the game. Money should never be the issue for the NFL; at worst a proposal is nixed because of its impracticality.

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The NFL is not spending money because they do not have to spend money. Failing to add cameras will not negatively affect the league’s bottom line.

This is an issue that may be tough to generate enough outrage.

The referee lockout two seasons ago demonstrated that major fan outrage was the only driving force that could create improvements to the on-the-field product; only after the fateful “Fail Mary” play on national television did the NFL resolve their lockout dispute with the original referees. Before that, those same replacement officials were blowing calls all over the field. It just wasn’t quite a big enough issue for the NFL to back down on their stance, and instead they waited until the last possible moment when catastrophe struck to make the necessary adjustments.

For the end zone cameras, perhaps a blown call unable to be saved by replay officials will force the NFL to consider Belichick’s proposal. Unfortunately, a catastrophic occurrence will have to happen before any change.

[H/T: ESPN, Deadspin]

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