Q: In college football, plays are either sent in by the coach, via a player or are telegraphed through signs or hand motions from the sideline. However, in the NFL, the calling of plays does not seem as obvious as in college. Can you tell me how this works? Is the quarterback allowed to have a sound device in his helmet?
—Ben Wiechman, Alpharetta
A: Designated NFL players have helmet speakers, which allow them to hear plays and instructions from their coaches. "Each offensive and defensive team is permitted no more than one player on the field with a speaker in his helmet" at one time," the NFL states.
On offense, that’s generally the quarterback, although it’s not “necessary that the offensive player with the speaker in his helmet receive the snap.” A linebacker usually has the speaker for the defense.
The speakers, which have been used since 1994, are shut down with 15 seconds left on the play clock, or by the start of the play, depending which comes first, but sometimes the reception is so garbled or muffled the players can’t hear what’s being said. “Sometimes, if the quarterback doesn’t like the play, you just pretend that it went out so you can call your own play,” New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning told Newsday, a New York newspaper, in September. Players with speakers also have a sticker on the back of their helmets that help identify them to the officials.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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