Sunday, December 02, 2007
zerbra checks out instant replay in the NFLInstant replay is a fairly recent addition to NFL football. Instant replay is great, because important games should not turn on mistakes or non calls by the officials. It does, however, have some problems.

When it started out, the officials had 30 seconds to review the play, and issue a ruling. That system was removed, because rushing the official did not accomplish the goal of getting the call right. In the current system coaches have 2 challenge flags they can throw. Throwing a flag triggers a review of the play.

The problem is, these flags are being abused. It is possible to throw a flag on a unchallengeable call. Pass interference, for example, cannot be challenged. If the coach throws the flag and finds out he cannot challenge the call, the flag is returned.

So what happens is the coach basically gets a free conference with the official while everyone picks around. Coach throws the flag, finds out he can't challenge, and gets his flag back.

Jacksonville's coach Jack DelRio took it a step further. He just help up the flag and got a conference with the zebras while his team was on defense. What this does is slow down the game, lets his defense get a breather, and throws the opposing offense off balance. (DelRio is not the only coach to do this, just the most recent.)

Football is not Shakespeare, there should be no long, drawn out "to challenge or not to challenge". Play should continue, and if a coach wants to challenge, he should throw the flag. Can't challenge it? Lose the flag. Mis-throw? Lose the flag. You get two a game, use them wisely.

Take the game out of the officials hands, and let them play football.

Posted By: The Football Doctor on December 2, 2007  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [2]  | 
 Sunday, November 04, 2007

When is the NFL going to let the defense play again and keep games out of the hands of refs?

I just watched Green Bay vs Kansas City and Indianapolis vs New England and the refs were mugging the defenses.

The calls against Green Bay on Woodson that setup the Chiefs 2nd touchdown and the call on Bush in the back of the end zone on the two point conversion were non-existent.

Then the zebras give Indy 2 chances for a touchdown in the first half, the second of them being the most offensive.

Let them play the game already, quite having the refs decide the games.

Posted By: The Football Doctor on November 4, 2007  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  |