Train-a Thought

Ask the Official: A Review of the "Eighth Official" Experiment

by the Ref

The movement by the NFL of the Umpire into the offensive backfield for all but the last two minutes of each half has addressed at least one problem, i.e., the safety of the Umpire, and resulted in a number of other problems related to the officiating of the game.

Ask the Official: A Look at the Giants - Ravens Game

by the Ref

Two of the changes implemented by the Rules Committee were clearly visible in Saturday night’s game and are worthy of discussion.

Ask the Official: August 25, 2010

The Ref provided the following information on what happens if two players mix it up.

Ask the Official: August 17, 2010

My question regards enforcement of one of the new rules for 2010. If Eli Manning had been in possession of the ball when his helmet came off last night, would the officials, under the new rule, have immediately blown the play dead? Thanks.  -- Andy B.

Yes, under the new rule instituted this year, had Manning (or any offensive player for that matter) been in clear possession of the ball when his helmet came off, the Referee should have blown his whistle and killed the play. Unfortunately, the bal was clearly free at the time that his helmet came completely off and, as a result the action continued.

Another new rule also came into play towards the end of the game when there was a review to see if the Jets QB had scored. As the ruling was that he had not scored and the clock should have continued to run, there could have been a 10 second run-=off. However, the Jets chose to take a time out so there was no run off.

Ask the Official: July 29, 2010

I just read your excellent article explaining the new rules. Thanks! But, you used the phrase "...players who have their BELL RUNG..." (emphasis mine) Concussions are life-threatening injuries. There is no such thing as a "light concussion." Don't you think it's about time to stop using such an old out-of-date phrase? – Jim V.

When the announcers and the fans stop using the phrase, I will be glad to stop using it as well. Right now it is a phrase that still appears to remain in our vernacular reflecting a player who is not knocked out cold but who seems to stagger to the sidelines, often with some assistance. In the past, some smelling salts and a cold towel and they were back in the game. In the future, I suspect you will see less of that. Given this change, I would like to see the game day active rosters expanded to 48 or 50. Often the "dinged" player goes back in the game because there is no viable substitute for him. 

Ask the Official: An In-depth Look at the New Rules

The other day your editor ran an article listing the new rules for the 2010 season. The purpose of this article is to take a more in-depth look at the changes and how they may impact the game.

Ask the Official: A Look at the Proposed Rule Changes

The Ref checks in with some thoughts about some of the rule changes that are on the table at the annual NFL Owners Meeting…

Letters to the Editor/Ask the Official Combo

Today we have a LTTE/ ATO combo.

Ask the Official: Super Bowl Officiating Crew Profile

Today’s officiating crew:

• Referee – Scott Green #19, hometown Potomac Falls, VA, joined the NFL in 1991 as a Back Judge, and has been a Referee since 2004 when he replaced Johnny Grier. Green works as a Consultant in law enforcement. He went to the University of Delaware
• Umpire – Undrey Wash #96, (Carl Cheffers crew) hometown Duncanville, Texas, joined the NFL staff in 2000. He is a Claims Investigator for Allstate Insurance and went to University of Texas – Arlington.
• Head Linesman – John McGrath #120, (Tony Corrente’s crew) hometown Louisville, KY, joined the NFL in 2002
• Line Judge – Jeff Seeman (Son of Jerry Seeman) - #45 (Gene Steratore’s crew), hometown Chaska, MN
• Side Judge – Greg Meyer #78, (Don Carey’s crew), hometown Ft. Worth, Texas, joined the NFL in 2002
• Field Judge – Rob Vernatchi #75, (Peter Morelli’s crew), hometown Sacramento, CA, joined the NFL in 2004; He is an investigator with the CA Department of Health Services. He went to University of California – Riverside.
• Back Judge – Greg Steed #12, (Terry McAuley’s crew), hometown Mitchelville, MD, joined the NFL in 2003
• Replay Assistant – Jim Lapetina

The Alternate Referee is Gene Steratore. 

Ask the Official: January 28, 2010

A reader asks about the accountability system in place for officials.

January 27, 2010: Letters to the Editor/Ask the Official Combo

Not much in the way of TTED or ATO, so I’m combining what I have. Obviously LTTE is written by me (Pat) and the responses to ATO are by the Ref. Enjoy!

Ask the Official: Playoff Crews Selection Process

The Ref shares how the offiicials tabbed to work the championship and Super Bowl games are selected.

Ask the Official: January 26, 2010

Lots of questions from this weekend's Championship games.

Ask the Official: January 25, 2010

Some questions from this weekend's AFC & NFC Championship games.

The Official Review (AFC/NFC Championship Games)

The championship games were officiated by officials who had ranked 1-3 at their respective positions during the year. These rankings are based on their overall performance across at least 15 games. I will discuss the ranking of officials and their assignment to play-off games later this week.