John Madden talked about filming opposing team's signals in 1992

Remember when John Madden was talking about filming opponents in 1992? It's worth noting amid all the Deflategate talk.

For as long as there's been football, there's been someone pushing a boundary and trying to gain an edge against an opponent. It's how the world of competition works and it's magnified in the NFL landscape.

With that in mind, and with the latest stories on Deflategate/Spygate and the Patriots circulating this Tuesday, let's hop in the way-back machine and listen to John Madden calling a Cowboys-Redskins game in 1992 and talking about teams videotaping signals.

"Lot of calling going on down there," Madden says, referring to the Redskins making signs for play-call purposes. "The backup quarterback, the coach, they have three or four guys giving a signal. Because usually when you play a team in your division, they also have films of the game, but they've also videotaped your signal callers."

This is relevant because ESPN reported on Tuesday the Patriots taped 40 teams -- or teams using signals -- and not the six it was originally believed to be. 

No one is trying to make an apples-to-apples comparison or exonerate the Patriots here. Just remember that in the NFL oftentimes there are a lot of people out there pushing the limits. 

The Patriots are alleged to have filmed the signals of opponents. (USATSI)