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Last week, New England Patriot’s coach Bill Belichick announced at a press conference that he was done using tablets and would return to the use of instant cameras to snap opposing teams’ offensive and defensive formations during a game. It was back in 2014 when the NFL and Microsoft entered a deal that had the software giant supply the NFL with enough Surface Pro tablets to allow each team to use them during games instead of Polaroid cameras.
Perhaps technology doesn’t come easily to Belichick, but his comments at last week’s conference had to upset those in Redmond. According to the Coach, there is an issue with the tablets in nearly every game. He pointed out that there is too much equipment involved, such as the belt packs that need to be worn. Additionally, “there’s just no consistency,” the future Hall of Fame coach complained.
While upset at the comments, Microsoft employees were not deflated. They called for some current NFL stars to reflect positively on the use of the Surface Pro on NFL sidelines and up in the boxes where some coaches employ the tablet. Among those giving the thumbs up to the Surface Pro are a pair of QBs that we would have on our fantasy team anytime, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. And of course, NFL Commissioner Roger Godell, who was credited with engineering the long drive that resulted in the deal with Microsoft, also had very positive comments about the slate. You can find quotes from all three by clicking on the slideshow.
It seems that while there have been issues every now and then with the tablet, Microsoft’s biggest concern is having the Surface Pro incorrectly identified on national television as an Apple iPad in front of millions of viewers.
source: Microsoft via CNET
