NFL investigates Georgia Dome noise

[CoastalCat]

Sorry if this has already been posted, but it kind of got lost in the "noise" yesterday. See what I did there?

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12262464/nfl-investigating-atlanta-falcons-fake-crowd-noise-georgia-dome

 

The NFL has been investigating the Atlanta Falcons' use of artificial crowd noise in the Georgia Dome over the past two seasons, sources told ESPN.

 

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Jason Getz/USA TODAY SportsThe Falcons could face stiff penalties if the NFL determines that they pumped fake crowd noise at the Georgia Dome.

 

The offense is expected to result in discipline, with the Falcons being fined and quite possibly losing a draft choice, according to sources.

"We were informed during the season that the league office is looking into crowd noise during our games," a Falcons team spokesman said. "We have cooperated fully with them, and we're awaiting the outcome."

Atlanta has been accused of piping in the noise while the opposing team was huddling, trying to call its play. Some around the league have argued that silent counts have rendered crowd noise more irrelevant, and it's difficult to discern how much of an advantage it gave the Falcons.

The Falcons went 3-5 at the Georgia Dome this season and were blown out there by thePanthers, 34-3, in Week 17 with the NFC South Division title on the line.

[CoastalCat]

Sorry about the formatting

[stirs]

Already been posted a couple of times

[WUnderhill]

The punishment is rarely as severe as the media reports it "likely will be" or "should be". I doubt they lose a pick, and if they do it'll be a 5th rounder or something.