there is no indisputable evidence either way there imho.
hate to toot my own horn, but...
They just showed another replay and you can see Caddy's foot slide all along Washingtons boday as they he stands up. The refs probably don't get the sky-cam for replay. Too bad cuz they missed this one.
yeah, I'm sure that we the fans have better angles than the refs do
The refs don't have access to ALL of the angles that the TV audience does. And since the field calm isn't at all games, I'd wager a bet that the refs don't get that angle to choose from, just the standard views. It was inconclusive on most of the angles, EXCEPT on the overhead field camera. Clear. Roll your eyes to your tivo and look again.
Please explain to me why on earth the NFL would not give the refs all of the angles but then allow the fans to see them. I'll admit that I have absolutely no clue as to the truth here, but I just find it absolutely ridiculous that what you are saying is true.
To have a fair and consistent set of rules about replay you need to have standards. So you line up in the rules what camera angles will be available season long for official use. Since the field cam is somewhat of a gimmick angle and not present at every game it can't be used as a replay angle. That way no team will ever have an advantage of an extra angle and the criteria is consistent from game to game. And you don't change the rules for the playoffs. Therefore, the refs do not have access to ALL the angles that the TV audience does. I could be wrong, but that's the way it was a few years ago when I worked with guys that did Charger gaems (video techs/tape operators). II have to believe that ref (Greer) who I find to be pretty fair on replay calls, that if he had access to that overhead shot that he would clearly see the contact and therefore rule it down. Since he let it stand, and with the previous example, I'd say the odds are very high tath he didn't see it.