NFL teams trying to reduce fumbles with beeping footballs
NFL teams trying to reduce fumbles with beeping footballs
(AP) — Amid the hooting and hollering at Washington Redskins minicamp, there's a different sound in the air during running back drills.
The Redskins are one of five NFL teams using so-called beeping or whistling footballs to emphasize ball security.
Cutting down on fumbles is the goal of the ball, developed by Division II Northwood University assistant coach Tom Creguer and used by the Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and several college teams, including Tennessee and Michigan State.
Many NFL position coaches got the lowdown on them at the scouting combine.
During a presentation on ball security, Ravens running backs coach Thomas Hammock demonstrated and then tossed the ball to coach John Harbaugh, who couldn't get it to beep.
Colts running back Robert Turbin has only lost one fumble in 281 career carries but is open to new ideas about how to get better.
Running backs coach Randy Jordan, who played nine seasons for the Raiders and Jaguars, struggled to get the football to beep at first.