Didn't read the entire thread...basically because there is no need. As someone who officiated football at low levels before dirt was invented...and basketball up through D3 college...I can tell you it is incredibly difficult to be biased. Not saying it doesn't happen...just that it is A LOT harder than people think it is. Primarily because of the time, experience and skill it takes to reach even the small college level...much less the professional level...when the action starts you're instincts and training take over. You would be surprised how difficult it is to call a "make up call" when you know you kicked a call previously.
Even the rules guru last night said the crew was having a bad game, and they were. It happens. Trust me, when it is happening to you (and the crew) you know it and most of the time there isn't a thing you can do about it. It's like it's contagious and incurable. In those games, the harder you focus and try the more you screw up. Now, pre-snap penalties in football are different because you have time to really look and think. But in the case of lining up in the neutral zone you also have the issue of having to create that imaginary line...and when you are off, that line keeps disappearing in your minds eye. In a tight game you never want to give a team an advantage by missing something (and they missed a lot last night) so you sometimes give the other team an advantage by default.
During the training for both sports there were two givens the trainers used: 1 - Every time you throw your flag (or blow your whistle) half the people watching are going to think you're an idiot. 2 - Remember, during the games you feel like you suck, you suck for both sides.
OK...not very comforting, but the truth.
