Falcons under investigation - artificial crowd noise

[Messiah]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -expected/

According to a broadcast report, the Falcons are alleged to have done so — and now could face NFL discipline.

On ESPN’s “Postseason NFL Countdown,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Falcons are alleged to have played “artificial” crowd noise as the opposition had the ball in 2013 and 2014. It’s unclear what specific games the allegations span.

According to Schefter, the Falcons’ alleged actions are “expected” to result in NFL discipline, including a fine and even the potential loss of a draft pick for the practice.

According to the report, the Falcons’ game operations department is alleged to have “originated” the noise plan.

Damn, cheated and still sucked.

[Everlong]

I thought every dome stadium did this? It's pretty common knowledge that the Vikings did this for a long time, I had no idea it was even illegal.

[DBSoT]

So wait, they blast music during the game, but adding crowd noise is illegal?

[The Legend]

See I don't understand this one. Team's always get louder and bigger sound systems to put into their stadiums, I know the Browns did this in 2014 when they renovated the stadium. At this point, does it matter if those speakers are playing music or "crowd noise"? That's just part of the disadvantage a team going on the road has to face in the NFL.

[Messiah]

The issue is they were doing this while the other team was on offense. Whether it is music or crowd noise, that is illegal. The music is always played between possessions, not during possessions.

[The Legend]

The issue is they were doing this while the other team was on offense. Whether it is music or crowd noise, that is illegal. The music is always played between possessions, not during possessions.

That's simply not true, every stadium will interject some noise - whether it's "Hell's Bells" or whatever when a third down comes up for the opposing team and in other certain circumstances. They will play it while they are in the huddle and lining up at the line of scrimmage. Now they have to cut the sound down by the time the quarterback starts his cadence, but NFL stadiums all absolutely play music during possessions.

[Messiah]

Now they have to cut the sound down by the time the quarterback starts his cadence

Which apparently the Falcons didn't do.

You are right about the music thing during possessions. It has to be turned down by the time 20 seconds hits the play clock, didn't know that. However, it has always been a rule that if crowd noise prevents the offense from hearing its signals, the home team can be penalized. I don't know if any teams complained to the NFL about this (I would imagine so - not sure how else the NFL could have found out about this) but that also could have been the case here. We will probably never see a team penalized for it nowadays but I do remember watching a video of it happening in a Lions game back in the 90s.

[Everlong]

^I actually remember watching that game. That was the biggest bullshit ever, penalize the fans for doing their job and being loud

[Everlong]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12273 ... estigation

Arthur Blank admitted that the Falcons did it. Where's the 24/7 ESPN coverage?!?!?!?