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November 5, 2007

NFL: No extra crowd noise; Colts release statement

Since we were on a plane home for the early part of the day, we've been catching up on this whole artificial crowd noise issue.

Apparently, Patriots' team president Jonathan Kraft approached NFL NFL Vice President of Security Milt Ahlerich, alleging that the Colts were pumping in artificial crowd noise at the RCA Dome when the Patriots were on offense. During the telecast (which of course we didn't see or hear), there was a strange noise, like a CD skipping, at one point when New England had the ball, which led some viewers and website profootballtalk.com to surmise that the Colts' "noise" was having issues.

CBS, which broadcast the game, took blame for the issue, saying it was a feedback problem in the broadcast truck, and the NFL has apparently closed the issue.

The Colts, meanwhile, found it necessary to release a statement on their website:

In reference to questions regarding the audio transmission of yesterday’s game, please refer to the following statement from the NFL:

“CBS has informed us that the unusual audio moment heard by fans during the Patriots-Colts game was the result of tape feedback in the CBS production truck and was isolated to the CBS broadcast. It was in no way related to any sound within the stadium and could not be heard in the stadium.”

We trust this will put an end to the ridiculous and unfounded accusations that the Colts artificially enhanced crowd noise at the RCA Dome in any way.

As if there weren't enough drama between these two teams. Who needs "Days of Our Lives" when you have Bill Polian?

Now, we were obviously at the game, and the RCA Dome has an open press box (we media types aren't behind glass), and it was extremely loud in there. We were wishing we had earphones, and photographers on the field needed headphones because, as one told us, "It was like being at a concert."

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:19 PM | Permalink