tim c.. from dallas morning news onthefan 105.3

[cowboyjoe]

talking about the rule of not ruling when felix was on the ball and ref blew the call.

saying its something that the refs havent thought of where felix jones had hands on ball and rolling over. Saying if you can review let them review it, just like pass interference if you can see it, let them get it right. Not let the refs like blow the call then admit it after the game. At same time u cant throw flags all day long.

Tim said looked like felix really didnt have total control of the ball. In fast motion, but if you slowed it down, like when he had time outs, the refs blew the challenge that packers didnt have

Wade did say in the show that they got the attention of one of the refs on blown call on challenge. Tim said that the NFL will probably send a letter to the cowboys admitting that they blew the call. But, BUT, the NFL wont fine the refs or suspend them, just admit they blew the call and move on.

Thats what ticks me off, refs continually blow calls and nothing is done. Think about this; Goodell is quick to fine and suspend players, coaches and owners, but he doesnt do anything to refs. Why?

tim talked aboiut how losing the packer game will unite the cowboys and not let a let down against the Commanders. Tim says the cowboys should win against the Commanders and raiders.

tim doesnt think the refs are terrible and getting worse each year, what is happening due to tv, cameras, hd tv its more noticeable now wiht technonolgy.

 

[Joe Realist]

You are obsessed with refs. Were you a zebra in a former life?

 

[cowboyjoe]

You are obsessed with refs. Were you a zebra in a former life?

gosh no i dont like the refs at all, they make stupid calls all the time and blow games; then they admit they blew it, and dont get penalized by the NFL, but commissioner goodell is quick to fine-suspend players, coaches and owners, but he doesnt fine or suspend his own nfl staff, refs are employed by the nfl.

Now that stinks,

 

[Yakuza Rich]

You are obsessed with refs. Were you a zebra in a former life?

When they are helping ruin a game that you love to watch, that's a problem. When there is really nothing being done to improve that, it's a bigger problem.

It's not as bad as the NBA, but that's the main reason why I never watch the NBA anymore, and after reading some of the Donaghy book, I doubt I'll ever watch an NBA game ever again in my life. And I love basketball, but I will stick to college bball for now.

And it's not like these guys get paid scraps either, they make a great living doing it. Yet, they are wildly incompetent and like I've been complaining for years, it's clear that the refs just don't know the rules. Making bad calls on judgement calls is one thing, not actually knowing the rules is another thing.

Yet, the same old band plays on.





YAKUZA

 

[cowboyjoe]

When they are helping ruin a game that you love to watch, that's a problem. When there is really nothing being done to improve that, it's a bigger problem.

It's not as bad as the NBA, but that's the main reason why I never watch the NBA anymore, and after reading some of the Donaghy book, I doubt I'll ever watch an NBA game ever again in my life. And I love basketball, but I will stick to college bball for now.

And it's not like these guys get paid scraps either, they make a great living doing it. Yet, they are wildly incompetent and like I've been complaining for years, it's clear that the refs just don't know the rules. Making bad calls on judgement calls is one thing, not actually knowing the rules is another thing.

Yet, the same old band plays on.





YAKUZA

exactly, totally agree;
and the bummer on this whole thing is; did you see the post i made the other day; refs 5 years or more get 100,000 to 200,000 a year
and those refs still dont know the rules
and like i said, commissioner goodell fines-suspends players, coaches & owners but he doesnt touch refs

and then goodell says oh, to players you have to represent the nfl with integreity etc, but does the refs that continue to blow calls and not know the rules, are they representing the NFL right, sounds like a double standard to me from Goodell, thats the problem

 

[Zman5]

I think any play that determines the possession of the ball should be reviewable. Simple as that. If a spot of a ball can be reviewed, the fumble recovery should be reviewable as well.

 

[NinePointOh]

Wade did say in the show that they got the attention of one of the refs on blown call on challenge. Tim said that the NFL will probably send a letter to the cowboys admitting that they blew the call. But, BUT, the NFL wont fine the refs or suspend them, just admit they blew the call and move on.

Thats what ticks me off, refs continually blow calls and nothing is done. Think about this; Goodell is quick to fine and suspend players, coaches and owners, but he doesnt do anything to refs. Why?

Because that argument is just plain silly unless you have evidence that the refs did it intentionally. Players and coaches are fined for things like obscene or violent behavior and for deliberate attempts to cheat the system, not for making mistakes on the field.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Thats what ticks me off, refs continually blow calls and nothing is done. Think about this; Goodell is quick to fine and suspend players, coaches and owners, but he doesnt do anything to refs. Why?

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I truly believe that, while refs in organized sports are not ever trying to directly force game outcomes, they do becme influences of those outcomes, ON PURPOSE, so that point-spreads go in Las Vegas' favor by keeping games close. If the legal-bookies are making money, the gamblers always have "winnings" to chase, and that helps ratings for sports overall. It also ensures that the games stay closer than they should, which keeps viewers tuned in longer, and game attendants in the stands buying concessions longer.

When you hear that over 90% of NFL game outcomes fall withing 3 point margins, and that about 90% fall within 7 ponts, don't think it's because of parity, because those stats were the same before this current CBA was instituted; no, these stats hold by design, and the refs are a direct paort of that.

That's whay I always maintain that if you want to win Big in the NFL you can't just beat your opponent; you have to also beat the refs. That's what seperates good teams from Championship teams. Most games can go either way based on how one to three critical plays pan out; championship teams are usually on the postive end of those plays, which helps them to overcome the bad calls the refs throw their way.

 

[Future]

Thats what ticks me off, refs continually blow calls and nothing is done. Think about this; Goodell is quick to fine and suspend players, coaches and owners, but he doesnt do anything to refs. Why?

Tim C...cowlishaw?...seriously must read this board. Someone posted almost the exact same thing either Sunday night or Monday

 

[wileedog]

Because that argument is just plain silly unless you have evidence that the refs did it intentionally. Players and coaches are fined for things like obscene or violent behavior and for deliberate attempts to cheat the system, not for making mistakes on the field.

So Flozell hasn't lost thousands of dollars for tripping people this year?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Tim says the cowboys should win against the Commanders and raiders.

Nothing like going out on a limb.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Because that argument is just plain silly unless you have evidence that the refs did it intentionally. Players and coaches are fined for things like obscene or violent behavior and for deliberate attempts to cheat the system, not for making mistakes on the field.

My remark to that is this; when the packers coach threw the challenge flag, the writers, i knew and the radio announcers all knew that should have been a 15 yard penalty with no challenge flags left. WE as fans knew the rule, evidently the ref did not know that rule, yet he is paid 100,000 to 200,000 a year. Why didnt he know that rule, or is it because he didnt feel like throwing a flag on the packers coach. Even wade said they were yelling at the refs he had no more challenge flags left, was a penalty. When a ref is told right there and refuses to throw a flag on the packers, then what is your answer to that?

To me that was total cheating and incompetence. Yet the commissioner goodell says you should set a high standard for the NFL, is that a high standard?

 

[cowboyjoe]

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I truly believe that, while refs in organized sports are not ever trying to directly force game outcomes, they do becme influences of those outcomes, ON PURPOSE, so that point-spreads go in Las Vegas' favor by keeping games close. If the legal-bookies are making money, the gamblers always have "winnings" to chase, and that helps ratings for sports overall. It also ensures that the games stay closer than they should, which keeps viewers tuned in longer, and game attendants in the stands buying concessions longer.

When you hear that over 90% of NFL game outcomes fall withing 3 point margins, and that about 90% fall within 7 ponts, don't think it's because of parity, because those stats were the same before this current CBA was instituted; no, these stats hold by design, and the refs are a direct paort of that.

That's whay I always maintain that if you want to win Big in the NFL you can't just beat your opponent; you have to also beat the refs. That's what seperates good teams from Championship teams. Most games can go either way based on how one to three critical plays pan out; championship teams are usually on the postive end of those plays, which helps them to overcome the bad calls the refs throw their way.

something is going on, what i dont know, but i dont know if u all realize this or not, but wade and the coaches were screaming at the ref on their side when the packers head coach threw the challenge flag and he didnt have any more challenges left, that that was a 15 yard penalty due to delay of game. We would have moved from the 29 yard line to the 14 with alittle more time and might could have ran the ball in, without throwing the key interception. Also think about this with the packers head coach throwing that flag, with no more left, he delayed the game, kept us from keeping our momentum, giving their defense rest and some time to regroup.

The refs took supposedly from what i remember 4 to 5 minutes to decide that fact.

Now what do some of u think?

 

[cowboyjoe]

I think any play that determines the possession of the ball should be reviewable. Simple as that. If a spot of a ball can be reviewed, the fumble recovery should be reviewable as well.

me too, tim c... said that the main thing should be to get the plays called right,

with all the technology that you have now, that should be done, maybe like one zoner posted from what he heard, the refs dont know the rules like they should and they are hestitant to throw the flag sometimes afraid of error.

Yet they are paid handsomely to do this job, with some refs after 5 years as a nfl ref making 100,000 to 200,000 with more ref experience after 5 years.

 

[cowboyjoe]

me too, tim c... said that the main thing should be to get the plays called right,

with all the technology that you have now, that should be done, maybe like one zoner posted from what he heard, the refs dont know the rules like they should and they are hestitant to throw the flag sometimes afraid of error.

Yet they are paid handsomely to do this job, with some refs after 5 years as a nfl ref making 100,000 to 200,000 with more ref experience after 5 years.

I say what should be done is this; another ref is in the booth at all times with a headset on seperate from the booth refs, and he views all plays from start to finish. And basically calls in key times on blown calls; to the head ref on the field. With total viewable footage of all media showing the game nad no commercials during playing on the tv they are watching.

 

[TwentyOne]

gosh no i dont like the refs at all, they make stupid calls all the time and blow games; then they admit they blew it, and dont get penalized by the NFL, but commissioner goodell is quick to fine-suspend players, coaches and owners, but he doesnt fine or suspend his own nfl staff, refs are employed by the nfl.

Now that stinks,

I tend to feel the same way as you especially after a loss like the one against Green Bay. But try to look at it from another perspective.
We need them. Without the Refs you couldn't play the game on a professional level. Referees make decissions. And decissions have always two sides. Refs decide for one team and against another. So there will always be fans who don't like the decission.

Then Refs are human too. As a professional WR may drop a ball even if he is the best in the game. A CB makes a PI or just gives up a TD. So do Refs make mistakes. Do you rather have machines as Refs ? or maybe Refs that are to feared to make a call because they may get fired if they make the wrong one ? When does a player gets fined for not catching a ball ?


I for myself do not want it that way. I like a game to be played by human and to be judged by humans - with all their mistakes. That's what it makes so much more fun so much more filled with emotions.

And to be honest. Exactly because of the last part i am not the one who needed those Reviews during games. Sure you may get better decissions but just look at it what you get in return. Alot of rules nobody in the end really oversees, alot of breaks and to me those take the fun out of the game (and here i think also about the players who have to focus again).

Let is be a sport. This is a game. To try to make it perfect is the wrong way. Just because it isn't it make it so much more entertaining. Let it be played by humans and judged by humans.

 

[cowboyjoe]

I tend to feel the same way as you especially after a loss like the one against Green Bay. But try to look at it from another perspective.
We need them. Without the Refs you couldn't play the game on a professional level. Referees make decissions. And decissions have always two sides. Refs decide for one team and against another. So there will always be fans who don't like the decission.

Then Refs are human too. As a professional WR may drop a ball even if he is the best in the game. A CB makes a PI or just gives up a TD. So do Refs make mistakes. Do you rather have machines as Refs ? or maybe Refs that are to feared to make a call because they may get fired if they make the wrong one ? When does a player gets fined for not catching a ball ?


I for myself do not want it that way. I like a game to be played by human and to be judged by humans - with all their mistakes. That's what it makes so much more fun so much more filled with emotions.

And to be honest. Exactly because of the last part i am not the one who needed those Reviews during games. Sure you may get better decissions but just look at it what you get in return. Alot of rules nobody in the end really oversees, alot of breaks and to me those take the fun out of the game (and here i think also about the players who have to focus again).

Let is be a sport. This is a game. To try to make it perfect is the wrong way. Just because it isn't it make it so much more entertaining. Let it be played by humans and judged by humans.

Good point, and i realize what your saying, but its like Mike Periola said yesterday or so, the vice president of officiating. The refs want the input of coaches etc, but when wade was screaming at the refs on the challenge flag, and should have been a penalty, the ref didnt pay attention to him. TO me sounds like the refs dont want to listen, be hard headed, stubborn, not admit their mistake till after the game. Then its too late.

With the technology you have now in media, cameras, computers, video boards etc, you should be able to correct badly blown calls. Thats my main issue, on badly call plays they should be reviewable no matter what kind of play it is and corrected.

Till the NFL, the commissioner admits there is a problem, and the fans gets onto the owners and commissioner then nothing will be changed.

Just like the packer challenge flag that was thrown, and the packers had no more challenges left, that should have been a penalty, that would have moved us from the 29 yard line to the 14, but the refs didnt want that.

And the refs didnt want to admit till after the game that they blew the call on helmte to helmet hit on romo that wasnt called, the punt returner for packers that stepped out 7 yards earlier on the sideline (the packers barely got the 52 yard field goal kicked through the uprights, 7 yards back and they might not make that kick), which is a reviewable play by the upstairs booth under 2 minutes before the end of first half, the felix down by contact, that was ruled out of bounds by the head ref, which wasnt his call in the first place, was suppose to be the back judge by what i remember, teh back judge makes that call. Even tripolette admitted after the game that he blew the call, made the wrong call.

That to me is incompetence, which i feel as fans should not be allowed.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Good point, and i realize what your saying, but its like Mike Periola said yesterday or so, the vice president of officiating. The refs want the input of coaches etc, but when wade was screaming at the refs on the challenge flag, and should have been a penalty, the ref didnt pay attention to him. TO me sounds like the refs dont want to listen, be hard headed, stubborn, not admit their mistake till after the game. Then its too late.

With the technology you have now in media, cameras, computers, video boards etc, you should be able to correct badly blown calls. Thats my main issue, on badly call plays they should be reviewable no matter what kind of play it is and corrected.

Till the NFL, the commissioner admits there is a problem, and the fans gets onto the owners and commissioner then nothing will be changed.

Just like the packer challenge flag that was thrown, and the packers had no more challenges left, that should have been a penalty, that would have moved us from the 29 yard line to the 14, but the refs didnt want that.

And the refs didnt want to admit till after the game that they blew the call on helmte to helmet hit on romo that wasnt called, the punt returner for packers that stepped out 7 yards earlier on the sideline (the packers barely got the 52 yard field goal kicked through the uprights, 7 yards back and they might not make that kick), which is a reviewable play by the upstairs booth under 2 minutes before the end of first half, the felix down by contact, that was ruled out of bounds by the head ref, which wasnt his call in the first place, was suppose to be the back judge by what i remember, teh back judge makes that call. Even tripolette admitted after the game that he blew the call, made the wrong call.

That to me is incompetence, which i feel as fans should not be allowed.

check all of this out how refs how blown calls
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Pereira admits mistake

Credit where credit is due, Mike Pereira, the NFL's Vice President of Officiating, acknowledges a mistake by officials in last weeks Cowboys-Eagles matchup.

It's rare for the league to publicly admit to an officiating mistake as Pereira usually prefers to sticky by his crews regardless of any visual evidence to the contrary. I'd like to believe this is the start of a new trend of an honest review of officiating, but more likely just a random break from the usual spin.

NFL VP of Officials Admits Call was Wrong in Cowboys Game
Posted by Walt Coleman at 2:31 PM 0 comments
Thursday, November 12, 2009
And the inconsistencies continue...

I have no problem with the league banning players promoting products on the field, as is the case following Brent Celek's "Captain Morgan" celebration, but the asinine, arbitrary excessive demonstration penalties are a joke. It's 15 yard for striking a pose, but sack dances, hog ties, Lambeau leaps, etc. are all OK?

Is there a list of acceptable celebrations or is it just the mood of the moment for NFL officials?

League shipwrecks Captain Morgan campaign
Posted by Walt Coleman at 2:20 PM 0 comments
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Replay Confusion

Trailing 24-16 with two minutes to play, the Raiders lined up for a 1st and 10 inside Charger territory. Raider QB JaMarcus Russell, under pressure from linebacker Shaun Phillips, fumbled the ball as his arm moved forward. Oakland recovered the fumble for a 13 yard loss, setting up a 2nd and 23. Hurried, Oakland was whistled for a false start as Russell tried to get the ensuing play off, thus creating a 2nd and 28 situation.

Then the officials got involved.

Officials called for a booth review to confirm Russell's fumble. After review, officials confirmed the ruling on the field, then spotted the Raiders with a 2nd and 28. Only one problem. According to NFL rules, a play cannot be reviewed once another play is run. As such, the league cannot replay Russell's fumble because Oakland ran another play and was called for a false start. In this case, because the officials DID review the fumble, the false start never should have counted because the play was never officially run. After the review, officials should have spotted the Raiders with a 2nd and 23, not 2nd and 28.

None the less, the officials had it both ways. They reviewed a play after a subsequent play was run, yet kept the results of the subsequent play that never should have counted. Also note, an additional two seconds were run off on the false start play, yet the two seconds were never put back on the clock. Best of all, if you check the official NFL Gamebook, there is no mention of Russell's fumble being reviewed, though it clearly was.

In the big scheme of things, it means little. Were the Raiders going to overcome a 2nd and 23 as opposed to 2nd and 28? Were two seconds going to make a difference? No way. But shouldn't the officials know the rules? And shouldn't the official gamebook accurately reflect what happened on the field?
Posted by Walt Coleman at 5:11 PM 11 comments
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Close enough on that measurement

Seems like some things in the NFL should be simple and straightforward, like a measurement. Unfortunately, when NFL Officials are involved, that's not the case. When a measurement comes up a full inch short and officials still signal first down, you have to ask what is really going on here. Bet you *** though, the NFL is standing by its officials. Follow the links for details and a video. Just remember, don't trust your eyes, trust the officials...

Browns-Steelers: Refs Bad Call on Fourth Down October 18

THE OFFICIATING CAN'T GET MUCH WORSE IN THE NFL

Thanks for the link Dutch!
Posted by Walt Coleman at 8:58 AM 12 comments
Thursday, October 15, 2009
A little humor

This was sent to me (Thanks Dominic!), thought you all might enjoy seeing the NFL's latest method for protecting quarterbacks...

Skirting Issues
Posted by Walt Coleman at 8:10 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
NFL Official Predicts Penalty!

It's the 21st century, and apparently the NFL has began using secretive new technologies to aid officials. Or perhaps its just some good old fashioned paranormal powers. Whatever it was, Patriot Safety Brandon Meriweather was the victim, drawing a taunting call on a late 4th quarter incomplete pass. Officials have been all over taunting calls this season. They've yet to nail Jared Allen of the Vikings for his infamous hog-tie sack dance, but wave your arms in a sweeping motion to signal incomplete and you're toast.

What was truly amazing about the penalty that setup the Broncos with a first down at the Patriots 11 yard line late in the 4th quarter and needing a touchdown to tie, was the fact that the penalty flag was thrown before the taunt occurred. Gotta credit those officials who can predict penalties...

NFL Officials Paranormal Training Video?
Posted by Walt Coleman at 2:10 PM 0 comments
Monday, October 5, 2009
Officials becoming excessively anal over excessive celebrations

For the second week in a row, I've seen a player flagged for "excessive celebration". This weeks violation? Taking a knee and pointing skyward to celebrate an interception. Raider corner back Chris Johnson's "excessive celebration" just before halftime earned a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

With officiating being as haphazard as it is, the last thing the NFL needs is officials making yet another subjective decision. For example, why was Chad Ochocinco's Lambeau Leap a sportsmanlike celebration, but pointing to God is "excessive"? Why do countless sack dances and touchdown celebrations pass as sportsmanlike, but waving incomplete or acknowledging the heavens is considered a gross violation of unsportsmanlike proportions and worthy of a 15 yard penalty?

Do we really need NFL officials grading celebrations like talent show judges and making arbitrary and purely subjective decisions on what is excessive and what is not?

Raider defender flagged for ... thanking God?
Posted by Walt Coleman at 1:52 PM 1 comments
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Officials too involved

I've written numerous times over the years about overzealous officials injecting themselves into a game...specifically, making bad calls that directly impact the outcome of a game. I can think of no better example than this morning 49ers-Viking matchup.

In a close game, the Viking twice were aided by imaginary 15 yard penalties against SF which led to a late second quarter field goal. First, Niner DE Justin Smith was penalized for daring to hit QB Brett Favre as Favre was releasing the pass. Smith didn't hit high, there was no shot to the helmet or face, his forward momentum carried him into Favre a split second after the pass was released. Apparently Smith was supposed to stop in mid air.

Later in the same drive, a 3rd down incompletion became an automatic first down following a taunting penalty against 49er CB Shawntae Spencer. His crime? Waving his arms horizontally to signify incomplete after breaking up a pass. Never mind the rodeo tie down celebration by the Viking earlier in the game following a sack of Niner QB Shaun Hill. Forget the antics of Ochocinco and Owens every time they score, or the countless dances, celebrations and expressions of success by players throughout the league each and every week. Spencer signaling incomplete; however, is taunting.

Officials have no business throwing flags on ticky tack, imaginary violations. I've said it time and again...fans pay to see the players, not the officials. If it's not blatant, if its not obvious, keep the flag in your pocket.
Posted by Walt Coleman at 11:20 AM 4 comments
Friday, September 25, 2009
Breaking down the NFL's Catch Rule

A fantastic article by ESPN's David Fleming takes a close look at the rules regarding a catch and applies the rule not only to Raider receiver Louis Murphy, but also to a couple other plays over the weekend that were not overturned. The short story? A double standard created by idiotic rules open to too much interpretation. For conspiracy theory fans, it's worth noting that only the Raiders had their touchdown taken away.

Writes Fleiming... "The result of all this technology, nomenclature and atom splitting is that although the officials in Oakland were able to determine the most infinitesimal movement of the ball as it contacted the ground, the guys in Tennessee didn't see anything wrong with the ball's leaving a large divot in the grass after Jones secured it with what looked like nothing more than his left butt cheek. On the other hand, Rosario's catch against the Falcons was allowed because the ref said the tight end, and I quote, "completed the catch, performed a second act, reaching for the goal line, penetrated the goal line, and the result of the play is a touchdown." That tells me the refs in Oakland and the league office do not consider planting both feet on the turf -- like, say, while throwing, running a route or kicking a field goal -- to be an actual football move. Confused? That's OK. You should be".

But here's the catch ...
Posted by Walt Coleman at 5:56 PM 0 comments
Monday, September 14, 2009
New year, same ole B.S.

Can anyone explain why a runner is awarded a touchdown by merely reaching forward and breaking the plane of the goal line for a split second, yet a receiver who makes a clean catch in the end zone, lands with two feet in bounds, then loses the ball after he hits the ground is NOT awarded a touchdown?

If you'd like an example, watch replay of Raiders WR Louis Murphy getting screwed out of a second quarter touchdown Monday night.
Posted by Walt Coleman at 8:42 PM 12 comments
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Refsuck.com featured in Playboy!

Well not really featured...more like a short letter and a plug for the website. Playboy contacted me a couple months ago to comment on an article they had published about officiating in the NFL. My letter has been edited, and is currently in the May '09 issue. Below is my original response...

Regarding "The Whistle Blowers" (Feb 09), I thoroughly enjoyed the inside perspective presented; however, I believe problems with NFL officiating are often overlooked and were not touched on in the article.

Yes, officials are human and will make mistakes; however, many mistakes are avoidable by simply following the rules and holding officials accountable. Far too often, officials fail to follow the rules they are paid to enforce. For example, replay requires "indisputable visual evidence" for a call to be overturned, yet how often do we see plays overturned lacking "indisputable" evidence? The "Tuck Rule" comes to mind. And how often do we see blatantly blown calls impact the outcome of games? For example, how was Ravens QB Joe Flacco allowed to snap the ball 1.35 seconds (yes, it was timed) after the play clock expired on a critical late 4th quarter pass against the Titans a few weeks ago? And why does the NFL, namely Mike Pereira, stand by officials even when they are wrong? Take for example the officials failing to review Kurt Warner's fumble in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XLIII. Pereira defended his crew, yet it's inexcusable the officials didn't take the time to assure the correct call had been made with an NFL championship on the line.

The bottom line is, NFL officials are the worse in all of professional sports because the system under which they work allows them to get away with loose interpretation of rules and minimal retribution if they make mistakes. The NFL is a business and treats any criticism of officials as a criticism of the product they sell. With few exceptions, Pereira stands by his crews, right or wrong. That may be great for those who work for him, but blatant disregard for what even a casual fan can see on replay is insulting and calls into question the integrity of officiating. Until the NFL is forthcoming and honest about issues with officiating, the problem will persist.

 

[arglebargle]

The refs all have other permanent employment, so the threat of firing them is not as powerful as it could be. I did notice about a decade ago, that the NFL started actually letting refs go at the end of the season. With no hoopla of course. Yet we still have Jeff Triplette. Pretty much every year you have playoff determining bad calls, and major blown calls in the playoffs themselves. Gives the refs more of a bad name. "A cow?"

It is kinda scary when you realize that they have made an error in their understanding of the rules, and they obviously don't: The overtime screw ups, in this instance. They will make mistakes in game (the fumble recovery fiasco), but that will always happen; afterwards they were following the flawed rules.

The NFL wants there to be as little attention paid to the refs as possible, and that includes covering up the errors, and keeping everything they do under the radar.

 

[arglebargle]

Isn't Mike Pereira supposed to step down as head of officiating after this year? Maybe the new guy will change some of this. xx Fingers crossed