Experiment With Transmitters Successful for Oilers in Superdome

NEW ORLEANS —  The Houston Oilers got more opportunity to check out the experimental transmitters and receivers aimed at combating crowd noise Saturday at the Superdome.

That’s because the devices were only activated when a team made it inside their opponent’s 20-yard line, a requirement the New Orleans Saints had a hard time meeting in their 33-3 loss to the Oilers.

With Saints’ fans doing their best to help the home team Saturday, the Oilers were happy to be wired.

“There were a couple of instances early when I could hear the crowd and I could hear Warren (Moon) real good,” Oiler tackle David Williams said. “Where normally I’m looking in at him trying to get the snap count and watch the ball, this way I can watch my opponent.”

The experiment, recommended by the NFL competition committee, wired the quarterbacks and tackles for each team.

Teams say that they are at a disadvantage on the road, because their tackles can’t hear the snap count and lose an edge when trying to block the defensive ends and linebackers.