Patriots experiment with helmet camera on quarterbacks

Whether it's Google Glass, iPhones or whatever the latest technological innovation is these days, miniature video cameras have made it easy to bring even the most obscure activity to your computer. NFL teams are now scrambling to figure out ways the new technologies can help them gain an advantage before the season starts.

While Rex Ryan is flipping a coin between Smith or Sanchez, Bill Belichick — one of the great NFL innovators over the past decade or so — has been utilizing the miniature technology with the New England Patriots by installing tiny cameras on the helmets of the quarterbacks during training camp for the past week or so —including Tom Brady.

"It's something we haven't done before so we'll take a look at it and see how effective it is or what we can get out of it," coach Bill Belichick said Sunday. "I'm not sure exactly how effective that will or won't be but it's something we're trying that's a little bit new. We'll see how it goes."

Probably thinking back to Spygate, that was all anyone got out of Belichick when questioned further about the use of the secret agent-type technology during camp.

Not surprisingly, the helmet cam provides an interesting perspective (think Go-Pro) that can give coaches insight into exactly what a quarterback is seeing as he goes through his pre-snap and post-snap motions. It sounds like a amazing tool to help rookie QBs adjust to reading pro defenses.

With aerial views, miked-up players and halftime locker room cams being mandated this season, why limit the little spy-cams to preseason practice?  How long before networks put these gizmos on position players' helmets for a true NFL experience during games?

Oops. Forgot about that whole XFL thing.