How is any of this new, other than just looking for a reason?
Anyone remember in 2006 when Cutcliffe said we were able to do so well against Cal because we were able to figure out/decode/break their signals/hand gestures for their play calls?
I wouldn't be surprised if this happens fairly regularly on sidelines...which at the same time shows that there's a reason coaches always put those play calling sheets up to their mouths when they give their QBs a play.
To call this "new England style cheating" though is kind of silly...as well as incorrect. Trying to crack playcalling signals might just be fair game.
Now if there's an issue by rule with the staff having a guy being devoted just to that, then it's another story.