Article content

What’s the big deal about putting live microphones on the gridiron anyway?’

It’s not like hearing the odd ‘Omaha’ or ‘Blue 32’ makes that big a difference in a football game.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Live mic games offer plenty of secrets for football foes Back to video

Or does it?

“A lot. A lot,” said Edmonton Eskimos defensive end Odell Willis. “As soon as they say mic game, I get out a notebook and I record the whole thing. I’m listening for everything.

“I’m listening for O-linemen calling cadence. I’m listening for quarterbacks on snap counts, checks, I’m listening for everything. For what the coaches are trying to relay, I’m looking at signals for when they say anything. Everything I can possible get an advantage of, that’s what I’m listening for.”

While CFL on TSN audience numbers are up a reported 17 per cent compared to average audiences for non-live mic games, Willis questions limiting the idea to coaches and quarterbacks.

“Why not put the mic on me, let me talk? They mic me up, I’m going to give them a show,” Whe said. “I talk non-stop. Everybody knows I like to talk. I’m pretty sure that’d be more entertaining than listening to a coach cuss out a ref or a quarterback play call.