One person who wasn't heard from in the wake of "Spygate" was a coach whose signals were stolen in broad daylight -- Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. The New England Patriots broke NFL rules by videotaping Steelers coaches in four games from 2001-04. LeBeau was the coordinator for the last two, a regular-season victory in 2004 and an AFC title-game loss later that season. LeBeau, speaking recently from Steelers training camp in Latrobe, says his signals did not change appreciably from one game to the next. As such, did the Patriots have an advantage in the AFC title game, which they won, 41-27? "I don't see how it could hurt 'em," LeBeau said. "But that's not for me to decide. We have to play a little bit better in those situations." LeBeau said the Steelers always have used "safeguards" against signals being stolen. Those have included sending in calls with substitutes. But when teams ran a no-huddle offense, as the Patriots did, hand signals were the only means by which to get the calls in fast enough. "Basically, we haven't changed the signals that much because you don't want to confuse your own guys," LeBeau said. "And when the other team is not huddling up, the signals were the only way, at that time, you could get your defense to your people." That will change this season. The NFL has instituted helmet transmitters for the defense, matching the transmitter used to relay offensive calls to quarterbacks. As with the quarterback, the line of communication on defense will be open for 25 seconds and will shut off with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock. "That levels the playing field quite a bit," LeBeau said. One player -- in the Steelers' case, linebacker James Farrior -- will hear the defensive calls in his helmet. LeBeau will relay the calls to linebackers coach Keith Butler, who will speak to Farrior. But not on every play, apparently. "I think we're still going to have our (hand) signals, because in our defense, we don't get our calls until late sometimes," Farrior said. "I figure we'll just be using a lot of our signals still. I think (the transmitter) will help us out more when they're doing hurry-up or something." LeBeau didn't want to spend much time rehashing Spygate. "That's been whipped up pretty good," he said. "I think if you play well, it doesn't even matter if the other team knows what you're in, and if you don't play well, it doesn't help you to confuse 'em. The game usually comes down to how you play. "I'd rather not the other team know our signals, though."

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