Microsoft has NFL stars respond to Coach Belichick's criticism about the Surface Pro

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 Goodell, 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.

"Before Surface, coaches and players pored over stacks of static, black-and-white photos of NFL plays to analyze the opposing team’s defense and strategize future plays. Someone had to take the images, send them to a printer, wait for black and white prints, grab them from the printer and work to stick them in a three-ring binder. If it rained or snowed, they would struggle to put them in a plastic sleeve, and then still need to find the coach to deliver the images.

Now, these teams can respond nearly in real-time – using Surface devices to view dynamic, full-color images, up to seven times faster than the printed page. Game analysis is more efficient, productive and competitive – enabling quicker decision making by coaches and players, in a game often decided by inches and seconds."-Microsoft

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.
 

Microsoft enlists the help of NFL stars and the Commissioner to support the Surface Pro tablet

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"You can imagine with a 15-play drive, there would be like 40 pages worth of stuff,” said Drew Brees, quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. “The staple wouldn’t go all the way through, and photos would be dangling and falling out, and then you’d have two plays and have to go back out on the field. Now you walk to the sideline and it’s seamless. with Surface, I can make plays instantaneously."

Drew Brees

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"Every second counts and having Microsoft Surface technology on sidelines allows players and coaches to analyze what our opponents are trying to do in almost real time. Plus, the ability to zoom in on full color photos and really get a look at defensive alignments helps tremendously when trying to make adjustments on the fly."

Russell Wilson

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"We are proud of our relationship with Microsoft. We think they have a great product and they’ve done a great job in advancing technology into our game and influencing our game. It is changing the game. It’s changing for the better."

Roger Goodell

"You can imagine with a 15-play drive, there would be like 40 pages worth of stuff,” said Drew Brees, quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. “The staple wouldn’t go all the way through, and photos would be dangling and falling out, and then you’d have two plays and have to go back out on the field. Now you walk to the sideline and it’s seamless. With Surface, I can make plays instantaneously."

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Microsoft enlists the help of NFL stars and the Commissioner to support the Surface Pro tablet

1. Drew Brees

"You can imagine with a 15-play drive, there would be like 40 pages worth of stuff,” said Drew Brees, quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. “The staple wouldn’t go all the way through, and photos would be dangling and falling out, and then you’d have two plays and have to go back out on the field. Now you walk to the sideline and it’s seamless. With Surface, I can make plays instantaneously."

2. Russell Wilson

"Every second counts and having Microsoft Surface technology on sidelines allows players and coaches to analyze what our opponents are trying to do in almost real time. Plus, the ability to zoom in on full color photos and really get a look at defensive alignments helps tremendously when trying to make adjustments on the fly."

3. Roger Goodell

"We are proud of our relationship with Microsoft. We think they have a great product and they’ve done a great job in advancing technology into our game and influencing our game. It is changing the game. It’s changing for the better."

source: Microsoft via CNET