HeadsetGate Overshadows Opening Night

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Is there going to be a time where the Patriots come out of a game without a controversy? Yes, but it doesn't seem to be anytime soon. During last night's NFL kickoff game where the Patriots beat the Steelers 28-21, there appeared to be a headset problem for the coaching staffs.

Head coach of the Steelers Mike Tomlin, was furious during his postgame speech with reporters, as he insinuated that it's not the first time it happened. “We were listening to the Patriots radio broadcast for the majority of the first half. On our headsets.” Tomlins said. Here's the full exchange between the reporters and Tomlin--

Here's the full exchange between Tomlin and reporters at Gillette:

 Mike there was a report that your radio went out?

“That's always the case.”

Here?

“Yes.”

So you're saying every time you play here you have rad—

“I said what I said.”

Belichick told the media after the game that his team also had technical difficulties. “We had a lot of problems,” 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.”

According to the NFL statement, the interference Tomlin referred to was "caused by a stadium power infrastructure issue, which was exacerbated by the inclement weather." The statement noted that the "coaches' communications equipment, including the headsets, is provided by the NFL for both clubs' use on game day" but made clear that "the equipment functioned properly with no additional issues" once the power failure was resolved -- presumably by stadium officials.

It's unfortunate that the NFL making a huge ordeal about a couple off PSI numbers on a football, is causing everyone to walk on eggshells around the Patriots. If this was any other team is would be a non issue. Guess what, it's not it's the Patriots.