Earlier, MDS provided some snippets of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s comments about the problems the team experience with the coach-to-coach communication system. A full transcript of his post-game comments have since been released, and we’ve cut and pasted the full extent of his comments regarding the situation.
Q: There was an ESPN report that your radio went out, your communication?
MT: That’s always the case.
Q: Here?
MT: Yes.
Q: Are you saying that every time you play here –
MT: I said what I said.
Q: What exactly happened?
MT: We were listening to the Patriots’ radio broadcast for the majority of the first half on our headsets.
Q: Coach-to-coach or coach-to-quarterback?
MT: Coach-to-coach.
Q: Is there anything you can do when that happens? Do you alert the official? Did they shut their headphones?
MT: We let the league officials on-site handle it, is what we did.
Q: Did you get satisfaction?
MT: Eventually.
Q: Is that something you’ve experienced in any other place?
MT: Guys, I’m answering questions regarding what happened in that stadium right there. So, if anybody has any more questions about what happened tonight, I’ll be happy to address it.
Q: That’s a very serious thing that you’re indicating.
MT: I’m not indicating nothing. I’m telling you what happened.
Q: So you’re saying there are always problems here?
MT: Guys, let’s talk about what happened in that stadium tonight, please.
Q: Did you say anything to Bill Belichick about it?
MT: No. No, shoot, that guy is coaching his team, I’m coaching mine.
The league has issued a statement downplaying the matter and explaining that the league, not the Patriots, control the communications systems. Still, with everyone finding more and more reasons to be suspicious of the Patriots, plenty will be suspicious about this incident -- especially since Tomlin’s comments are oozing with it.