I’d like some system like that except let the coaches still challenge a couple calls.Poor officiating is not just a problem— it is single-handedly destroying the integrity of the product on the field.
Solution:
Take away the coaches’ ability to challenge call and instead— The NFL employs a neutral 3rd party that sits in a sky box that evaluates the flow and calls during every game. They have the power to over-rule any penalty called that is not a penalty, and they can call a penalty on any play where a severe infraction occurs but was not flagged.
Before everyone freaks out about slowing the game down— hear me out. I am not advocating for arbitrating ticky tack calls. I am only advocating for accountability on egregious calls that clearly affect pivotal moments in a game.
A system like this actually protects the refs and the NFL. It would also restore confidence in the fans that games are being called fairly. It would also discourage refs from throwing too many flags in fear that they may get publicly overturned.
In short— I believe a system like this would result in fewer flags— not more. It would also eliminate the huge game-changing errors that are affecting too many outcomes at the moment.
Look at this flop by the Eagles DB
I backed up and took a second look at the one against Williams, and you can see Williams come up out of his stance earlier than others on the O-Line, but I really couldn't tell if it was prior to the snap or not. It may just have been that he was quicker than the others, and the ref assumed he had moved early.First, I'm not complaining about the officiating in our game Sunday night. In fact, it looked to me that we should have been penalized at least for illegal contact on the flag the refs picked up.
Second, these phantom calls might not be the ones that you think they are. I didn't like the two calls that went against us on the Eagles' TD drive, but I could at least see the reason those calls were made.
The two calls I'm talking about were in the third quarter, and I'm seeing if anyone maybe saw something I didn't when I went back and rewatched what happened. Both of our players motioned that they couldn't believe the calls were on them when they were made, and I agree with them. We still overcame them to score, so they weren't that big of a deal, but these are the kind of calls that kill us in close game.
The first one was a false start on Connor Williams. I've watched it several times and I see no indication that Williams was moving before Frederick snapped the ball. Williams was totally baffled by the call.
The second was holding against Dalton Schultz. Schultz lined up on the right side on a run that went left. He got out on the second level and engaged a defensive back, ultimately pushing him to the ground. I couldn't see any kind of pull or grab, and assume the call was made because the DB went to the ground. Schultz clearly shoved him, though, instead of grabbing him and throwing him. Schultz was pointing up at the big screen as he left the field to show that he did nothing wrong.
Did anyone notice something that I missed?
That has happened on many occasions. The networks are vested in maintaining credibility towards the product they pay millions to bring to viewers. Pretty much like getting the NBA and it’s players to be honest about the Human Rights Violations in China. As in everything, just follow the money
I don't get too worked up about these things though because I sometimes see things I think we get away with that should have been called.
Take away the coaches’ ability to challenge call and instead— The NFL employs a neutral 3rd party that sits in a sky box that evaluates the flow and calls during every game. They have the power to over-rule any penalty called that is not a penalty, and they can call a penalty on any play where a severe infraction occurs but was not flagged.
Not the hit on Cooper, but the acting by the DB Cooper pushed. It was comical.Sure was helmet to helmet. I’m just not sure how to avoid that. The facemasks hit because they stick out several inches form the face.
There was some helmet contact, but I think the DB got away with it for several reasons. First because you could clearly see he was trying to lead with his shoulder and not his helmet, second because it was clear he wasn't targeting Cooper's helmet, and third because Cooper caught the pass. Stay with me on that last one …Sure was helmet to helmet. I’m just not sure how to avoid that. The facemasks hit because they stick out several inches form the face.
I was really surprised how well the officials did in this game. I didn't see any calls that jumped out as horrible calls, when we had four of those (all against Dallas) in the Packers game.
And the way this year is going in the NFL, even if these were bad calls we should still rejoice and sacrifice animals to the Gods because it was only two of them.
The more I witness of the officiating downfall the more I'm convinced it's all tied to ratings and money, which is surprising considering how much it is damaging the product. I don't think the NFL sees it that way though, no doubt they have their own statisticians and polling outfits crunching numbers and telling them they need more points and marquee quarterbacks slotted for the big games. That's why teams like Green Bay with Aaron Rogers get treated like royalty with the Michael Jordan rules in place and everyone else gets a mish-mash of home team calls, personal agendas or just flat out incompetence.
Look at this flop by the Eagles DB
The more I witness of the officiating downfall the more I'm convinced it's all tied to ratings and money, which is surprising considering how much it is damaging the product.