Blitzing the NFL: A Look at the New NFL Rule Changes for 2008

The NFL has made their annual rule changes.  Per usual, the changes are both good and bad.  The most publicized change is the new rule allowing a defensive player to wear one of those quarterback-style microphone helmets.  I've decided to call them Belichick helmets.  I agree with this in theory, but I’m not sure how it’s going to play out in on the field.  For one, you have different signals for the defensive backs and the front seven.  Since you’re only allowed one Belichick helmet on the field at a time, you’ll still potentially have to send in hand-signals to one group or the other.  And I’m not 100-percent clear on how substitutions are going to work.  I guess there will be a backup Belichick helmet.  But for teams like the Patriots, who rotate their linebackers and have different guys making the calls depending on who's in the game, I’m not sure this is at all practical. I can understand why this ... (link)