I agree – it’s easy to point out on super slo-mo replay from three angles, with all the time in the world to rewind, that someone was a quarter inch out of bounds. It’s really hard to make the call real time from one angle. As far as referees go, I consider a call ‘Clearly right’, ‘Clearly wrong (considering the referee’s angle, real-time,etc.)’, or ‘Close call (regardless of whether replay agrees with the on-field call)’.
And, also credit the referees last night for doing a good job after the inadverdent whistle. A very closed-minded interpretation would have called the play incomplete (since the whistle was before the actual catch) or worse, down behind the line of scrimmage. But the referees (using a rule that allows them to do that) decided that the right outcome was putting the ball at the spot of the catch, then enforcing an unsportsmanlike conduct against the Buffalo coach to move it fifteen yards farther.
Considering that the defender was right there with the receiver (until the whistle blew and he stopped), you really can’t assume any more yardage after the catch; I think in fact it’s pretty likely he would have been immediately tackled.
I’m leaning towards Joe Posnanski’s solution - basically no slo-mo on the replay. If a human can’t see it in real-time, then it doesn’t count. He of course says it much better.
That’s a terrible rule. It puts some bizarre need to defer to human failings ahead of correctness. It makes sense for reviews of penalties, since the players’ reactions happen at game speed so slow-mo makes it look more like they are targeting or whatever, but those don’t even get reviewed anyway.
I see nothing wrong with slo-mo, but I would like a time limit on any review. If it’s not obvious the call is wrong in 45-90 seconds, then it should stand as called.
The NFL rules link above gives a 60 second time limit from when the Referee goes under the hood:
ARTICLE 3. REVIEW BY REFEREE
All Replay Reviews will be conducted by the Referee on a field-level monitor after consultation with the covering official(s), prior to review. During the review, the Referee will consult with designated members of the Officiating department at the League office. A decision will be reversed only when the Referee has indisputable visual evidence available to him that warrants the change.
Note 1: Time Limit. Each review will be a maximum of 60 seconds in length, timed from when the Referee begins his review of the play at the field-level monitor.
Does the league communicate with the refs during the game with regards to TV timeouts/commercial breaks? Either I’m just impatient, or they’re not following that rule to the letter, because it sure seems like there have been reviews much longer than 60 seconds, and I wouldn’t put it past the league to attempt to maximize commercial time. Or is that too cynical?
I am a heretic. I think bad calls are like rain, snow, wind or crowd noise: just another adversity that the players have to play through. Replay and red flags need to go away. And players should get flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for approaching and official, speaking to one, or trying to get their attention: that is the job of the coach.
While I agree with this in principle, I would split the difference - only use replay on game ending/game winning plays - or within the last 2 minutes (which, of course, can last 7 hours).
My concern with the constant replay reviews is that I see a risk that eventually they will institute a rule where each team gets a rules-expert “advocate” to influence the decision on a replay review. Yes, if thing keep going as they are, we will see team lawyers on the sidelines.
It means you’d have backup officials ready to come into the game when the starters get tired or blow a call. Most of these officials are a lot older than the players and they stay on the field for the every single play of the game.
right when he was scheduled to come back from IR too
we really needed him in the Dallas game on thanksgiving but it looks like the league wants to see the “Tony Romo comes back and wins the game” storyline instead. heck the NFL and heck Roger Goodell
really wish we still had Greg Hardy now. he’s a great pass rusher
I sadly did not get a chance to see the Patriots beat the Bills again, but it always warms my heart to beat the most overrated coach in the NFL and extra large bag of wind Rex Ryan.
But it looks like injuries will doom the undefeated season, with yet another receiver going down last night. Looks like the Pats will be pulling some players off the street soon. Can’t see them beating the Broncos in Mile High without Edelman, Amendola and Lewis, regardless of whether Manning plays. (Particularly since the offensive line looks like swiss cheese lately - hard to see the group that played last night holding up against Ware and Miller).
Frank Alexander got suspended but he was injured for the whole year I got him confused with another guy
please ignore my earlier post it was made in error
5th rounder?! I’ll take it. It’s trade him for whatever you can or cut him at this point. The team, or at least Mike Pettine, is done with Johnny forever.
If I’m perfectly honest, I don’t see what all the fuss is about this time. So he partied during the bye week, who cares? It’s his own business, he didn’t get DUI or do anything illegal.
I haven’t seen the video. Didn’t know he promised to stay out of clubs, just that he’d stay out of trouble or something. And I know he was in “treatment” for something, but again, if he’s not doing anything illegal I don’t really care.
HOLY SHIT? He was actually rapping graphic lyrics? On video? Well, I’m going to take a safe seat on my fainting couch and write a strongly worded letter to President Taft about this!
Seriously, the Browns are profoundly stupid, and I feel sorry for their fans. Every team gets to set expectations for their team culture, yes… but if your expectations involve never going to parties and not rapping profane lyrics - like, seriously, if those are things that embarrass or distract your team - then you’re going to have a problem getting adult human beings to play for you.
But OK, even if you are dopey enough to decide that’s how you want your team to roll… then what the hell are you doing using a first round draft pick on Johnny Manziel? He was literally never NOT going to go to parties. He was never NOT going to be filmed rapping. He is exactly what you thought he was when you used a valuable asset on him. He’s been proven to do nothing illegal (and in the latest case, he’s done nothing even borderline problematic). Pettine is a moron for benching Manziel over this - though I’d argue that maybe Browns management should have determined whether their coach actively despises their most recent first-round QB before they hire him.
I mean, even if you’ve decided you want to move on, the way the Browns are handling it - over-reacting to insanely minor things, burying him on the depth chart behind Austin Davis (Austin Davis?) - is tanking any trade value he might have had.
A smart organization would have said, “John is a grown man and there’s nothing wrong with rap. We are pleased at his progress and development and look forward to seeing what he can do on the field.”