tim c.. from dallas morning news onthefan 105.3

[NinePointOh]

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

Of course he has. Because tripping, like horse collar tackles and helmet-to-helmet contact, are considered by the league to be violent (or at least hazardous) behavior, which I specifically mentioned. Those fines are levied to protect other players from injuries.

 

[NinePointOh]

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?

Why would I have an answer to that at all? I'm not defending the decision of the ref. I'm just saying it's stupid to fine him for it. He clearly blew the call, but he's not injuring people or cussing out the fans.

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?

Obviously you can set a high standard without fining people, and even with the highest possible standards you're never going to completely eliminate bad calls.

 

[Hoofbite]

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.

Mistakes happen. I'm sure refs would be suspended if they were beating their wives or taking drugs.

Granted, not throwing a flag for the non-challenge is pretty bad but you can't make people afraid to throw the flag because the problem will only get worse.

 

[cowboyjoe]

The refs all have other permanent employment, so the threat of firing them is not as powerful as it could be. I did notice

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.

Bingo you hit the nail on the head, the nfl is trying to cover up their errors, its the old addage, nothing is seriously broke, so lets dont rock the boat, but when something is totally wrong and not working. You sometimes have to be hit between the eyes so to speak to get your attention to fix the problem.

When fans finally get enough and unite together, all teams fans and report this to the owners and the commissioner goodell, then something will be done.

Like for instance, you write stories up on big blown calls, get them on youtube where everyone can see them, get writers to back u up with stories and then you get the attention of the commissioner and the owners on the competition committee on rules.

I disagree with you on the refs not worrying about their jobs because they have other jobs. Anytime you cut a person's salary say from 100,000 to 200,000 a year to a fine of say 1,000 to 2,500 dollars for blown calls on games and if you keep blowing calls, you will get suspended some games like players, when a ref gets his check deducted say 5,000 to 20,000 a seson for blown calls, then that person wakes up, (yes that is what some refs make) then those refs when they get fined and suspended like players do, then those refs will wake up and rededicate themselves to doing their jobs.

The problem right now is no one is disciplining them, fining them or suspending them. WE do need also a ref league that is hired full time and goes to school. Reports have come in more than just alittle that some of these refs dont know the rules. Case in point, as you know sunday night, the packers coach threw a challenge flag when he didnt have any more, the rule 9 section 15 section i think clearly states that is a delay of game penalty and 15 yard penalty. Also, someone wrote on the board not long ago on the cleveland game that in the 2nd half one team got 4 timeouts, but as you know there are only 3 timeouts awarded each half. Another blown call! That is nothing but incompetence and not doing your job and knowing it.

Why should the refs be concerned when they know the nfl covers things up, wont fine them or suspend them game checks.

Fix that with the most person responsible for all that, Commissioner Goodell and you have the problem fixed. If Goodell is quick to fine-suspend players, coaches and owners, then he should do the same to the refs.

Till due heat is brought onto Goodell, the owners and competition commette for the refs nothing will change. But when people get their belly full of anything and say enough is enough, then something is fixed.

We as fans have to sit together, unite as fans against poor officiating and do something about it.

 

[Crad|e]

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.

Man, you are nuts.

 

[arglebargle]

I am against the idea of fines for bad calls, but I do think that refs who seriously screw up their calls consistently should be shown the door, probably at the end of the season.

Wouldn't be surprised if the NFL was like some teams we know, who play the old, familiar guys, despite their screw ups, rather than take a chance on someone they haven't seen under NFL fire.

Interesting bit on referees and their NFL vetting and experiance in this article and thread:

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168754