Steve Sabol Responds to RosterWatch “All-22” Footage Inquiry
Alex Dunlap, Rosterwatch.com

Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films gave a statement to Rosterwatch.com via email this week regarding the league’s stance on the release of “all-22” film to media and fans.

As analysts, 60% of our work is done watching and tracking film. The remaining 40% involves taking the data amassed in film study and inputting the pertinent variables into our various projection and matchup algorithms.

“All-22” footage is highly guarded by the league. This is the camera angle that shows a wider view, allowing the viewer to see all 22 positions on the field on one screen. In a stark difference from network coverage, all-22 film captures subtle secondary adjustments and disguised defensive packages. Traditional network coverage focuses down the line of scrimmage, only allowing the viewer to see 5-7 yards on either side of the line pre-snap.

We have access to a limited amount of all-22 footage. With the right connections- you can find it. But it is a pain. I, like many, would happily pay a significant amount of money to save the weekly hassle. A recent Wall Street Journal article went in-depth about the league’s paranoid stance regarding the release of all-22 tapes outside of coaches and front-office staff. Charley Casserly, who voted against release of “all-22” tapes to the public while on the NFL Competition committee claimed he thought their release would cause more “criticism” of play-calling and personnel decisions from the media. Basically, he was worried that if everyone saw everything- they would realize that some of the analysts (and even coaches) currently employed by the league don’t know jack. That’s garbage.

All NFL footage goes through NFL Films. They have the monopoly.

Steve Sabol is a living legend. The most important part of this story is his health. Sabol is courageously and fervently battling a brain tumor discovered in March 2011. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, and is in good spirits. He is coming into work most days and doing what he has always done. In fact, after spending 2 weeks getting the run-around at NFL Films regarding my requests for comment, I was finally passed along to Steve. As part of his recovery regimen, he is temporarily somewhat limited in his speech capacity, but did reach out via email.

Alex –

 Thanks for your email.  I appreciate your kind words and good wishes.

 Regarding your “All-22” footage question, all I can tell you is that NFL Films has no control over those tapes.  They are made for coaches only and never intended for fans. 

 If you want more information or comments, you should contact NFL Football Operations at the League office in New York. 

Best,
Steve

 

So, basically the man that the “buck stops with” has passed the buck. He has said that his company has “no control” over the tapes they provide for NFL Teams from the all-22 angle. He also declined comment on Casserly’s statement.

So who controls the tapes? Maybe someone at NFL Operations will know……