As talk heats up around the NFL that the New England Patriots could face additional sanctions for taping opponents’ offensive signals, two offensive players on the team that was taped are downplaying the significance of those signals.

“I’ve never really thought signals from an offensive sideline would be that big of a deal,” said Rob Konrad, the starting fullback on the 2001 Miami Dolphins.

Former Patriots employee Matt Walsh reportedly gave the league office a tape of the 2001 Dolphins’ offensive signals, prompting speculation that taping offensive signals could be viewed as a separate offense from taping defensive signals, which the Patriots were caught doing during their Week 1 game against the Jets last year.

“Most offenses, from a logistical standpoint, are called through the quarterback’s helmet.  So there really wouldn’t be a way to pick up signals.  Most of the hand signals from the sideline would be what personnel to use, like two tight ends, a fullback, three wide receivers,” Konrad tells Tim Graham of the Palm Beach Post.

How big an advantage is knowing what personnel package the opposing offense was going to use before that personnel took the field?  Says Konrad, “The only advantage anyone would gain from those signals is five seconds’ more time to be able to call a particular defense.”

But while Konrad says he doesn’t think the advantage gained by the Patriots is a big one, he still isn’t happy about it, telling the paper, “I’m just disappointed at the individuals who were involved because it tarnished the game a little bit.”

Added Oronde Gadsden, another player on that 2001 Dolphins offense, “Obviously they had an unfair advantage, but the better team won that day.”