Fantastic read from Peter King

[OhSnap]

You're still a bit off. Yes, in a scenario where "you are being tackled and hit the ground and the ball comes out it is not ruled a fumble," but that is because the second you hit the ground, the play is over. Now, if you are hit, land on another player (no knee, shin, elbow or butt on ground) and while stretching out, the ball hits the ground and comes loose......that is a fumble. So no matter how you look at it, the ground can cause a fumble.

The rule should be the same for a receiver that isn't juggling the ball but has the ball jarred loose when he hits the ground out of bounds.So if a receiver catches a ball touches 2 feet in bounds and doesn't juggle the ball it should be a catch. I think your overlooking the effect gravity plays in the scenario and the ground is getting a bad wrap. The ground is just laying there not bothering anyone.

 

[tyke1doe]

No...it's just incompetence.

Missing that hold on Ware was incompetence.

Picking up a flag after the fact because a certain scenario occurred yet letting the penalty stand later in the same game for the exact same scenario is incompetence.

Not knowing what down it happens to be is incompetence.

The game has been on TV for decades now. The officials have been committing more and more errors every year, so much so that some are questioning whether the rule book is too large.

There is no justification for the lack of knowledge or competence today's refs show every week. Just because everyone an see their errors in slow motion doesn't excuse them or solve the problem.

I disagree. There are more rules to follow. Thus, there are more opportunities to make mistakes. Refs of yesteryear didn't have to worry about the five-yard chuck zone, feather-touch pass interference, throwing flags if a blow is too hard or intentional, etc.

Second, every generation has complained about the incompetency of refs. It goes with the territory.

 

[dragon_mikal]

I disagree. There are more rules to follow. Thus, there are more opportunities to make mistakes. Refs of yesteryear didn't have to worry about the five-yard chuck zone, feather-touch pass interference, throwing flags if a blow is too hard or intentional, etc.

Second, every generation has complained about the incompetency of refs. It goes with the territory.

In my line of work the job is always changing. With how fast technology is advancing I have to be on my toes and sometimes learn on the job. If I make a mistake it's on me, not because my job has become more complicated from year to year.

The rule book comes with the territory of being an NFL referee. It growing every year doesn't excuse a poor performance on their part.

Just MHO. I see where you're coming from but I just don't see it that way.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

The rule should be the same for a receiver that isn't juggling the ball but has the ball jarred loose when he hits the ground out of bounds.So if a receiver catches a ball touches 2 feet in bounds and doesn't juggle the ball it should be a catch. I think your overlooking the effect gravity plays in the scenario and the ground is getting a bad wrap. The ground is just laying there not bothering anyone.

I guess I'm being so argumentative, because I like the rule. Unless you already established possession, you need to maintain throughout the catch which includes contact with the ground. Changing the rule to allow receivers to drop the ball after hitting the ground would result in some "great" catches counting, but also a bunch of mediocre catches counting as well as a few fumbles, which should just be incompletions.

 

[coult44]

If you see a penalty being committed throw the flag. If you don't see one being committed than keep the hankie in your pocket. Simple really.

I know the refs can't see everything in a game but I've had my fill of iffy penalty calls deciding games and blatant penalties occurring right in front of officials not being called. (Ware hold that was obvious)

Fact is that the quality of the official has gone down just like everything else in football. Sad really.

A flag can be thrown every play of every game. Do you want that?

 

[Longboysfan]

I honestly feel that they are putting too much emphasis on getting certain calls right. It should not be graded but understood. The why you got it wrong is more important than you missed it.

And the entire what is the call to fix this week mentality means that something else will slide through the cracks...you are constantly chasing your tail.

If it is rule knowledge emphasize that.

If it is positioning emphasize that.

If it is fitness emphasize that.

You don't fix it by making it a point of emphasis, you fix it by getting all your officials in the right spot and seeing plays the same way.

I feel it's a combination of these two. They have tape and can instruct officals.

If it is positioning emphasize that.

If it is fitness emphasize that.

Problem being the referees are set in their ways of how and where they move. To go along with the positioning and fitness.
Look at the average age of on field NFL officals.
I'm not saying this is right - BUT - World class soccer officals are retired at 45 or so.
You rarely see an NFL ref under 45.

 

[sacase]

I feel it's a combination of these two. They have tape and can instruct officals.

If it is positioning emphasize that.

If it is fitness emphasize that.

Problem being the referees are set in their ways of how and where they move. To go along with the positioning and fitness.
Look at the average age of on field NFL officals.
I'm not saying this is right - BUT - World class soccer officals are retired at 45 or so.
You rarely see an NFL ref under 45.

Do you realize what it takes to actually be interviewed as a NFL ref? Its not like it is something you can achieve in 4 years.

 

[Crown Royal]

Just finished the whole thing. Pretty good read. I wish I could see the grades of any game I chose.