I think I saw the refs cheating today at the Titans game (1 Viewer)

[NorvilleBarnes]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.

Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.

Long version:

After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

 

[CA_7]

In the NO/CAR game they ref sometimes gives OL warnings when lining up in neutral zone because Jamal Brown got one warning, did 5 players later and Stecker TD was called back

 

[831hoops]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

What exactly is wrong with this?

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

What exactly is wrong with this?

Seriously?

 

[ForbiddenDoughnut]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

What exactly is wrong with this?

Seriously?

Is the job of the referees to make sure the game is played fairly, or to call penalties?

 

[captbly]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

What exactly is wrong with this?

Seriously?

Is the job of the referees to make sure the game is played fairly, or to call penalties?

To call penalties.

 

[SuperJohn96]

When I was a linesman, before the ball was snapped we used to warn players about offsides, telling players to back off the line...

The ref can warn the players ahead of time to create a smoother flow to the game, or they can be a #### and just throw flags all day long.

What game would you want to watch?

 

[Avery]

When I was a linesman, before the ball was snapped we used to warn players about offsides, telling players to back off the line...The ref can warn the players ahead of time to create a smoother flow to the game, or they can be a #### and just throw flags all day long.What game would you want to watch?

As long as the refs do it equally for both sides, I'm good with it.

 

[redjake]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

What exactly is wrong with this?

It's somewhat similar to the commissioner of your league telling the guy you're playing that he forgot the QB he has in his lineup is on BYE...

 

[Xenopax]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

What exactly is wrong with this?

It's somewhat similar to the commissioner of your league telling the guy you're playing that he forgot the QB he has in his lineup is on BYE...

Our commish will move a player in for you if you forget to update your lineup, what's the problem with that?

 

[Ghost Rider]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

What exactly is wrong with this?

It's somewhat similar to the commissioner of your league telling the guy you're playing that he forgot the QB he has in his lineup is on BYE...

Our commish will move a player in for you if you forget to update your lineup, what's the problem with that?

Okay, that is bull ####. If you forget to update your lineup, then it is your own fault, and no one should help.

 

[bluesclues]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

As a former official, I can tell you that the referees always count the players on the field before a kickoff - from high school ball to the NFL.If there are too many players , or not enough - the team is notified before the ball is kicked off.This is applicable to the return team as well.This is standard procedure.

 

[Swampy]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

As a former official, I can tell you that the referees always count the players on the field before a kickoff - from high school ball to the NFL.If there are too many players , or not enough - the team is notified before the ball is kicked off.This is applicable to the return team as well.This is standard procedure.

Stole my thunder, but as a former ref myself, exactly

 

[831hoops]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

As a former official, I can tell you that the referees always count the players on the field before a kickoff - from high school ball to the NFL.If there are too many players , or not enough - the team is notified before the ball is kicked off.This is applicable to the return team as well.This is standard procedure.

Stole my thunder, but as a former ref myself, exactly

It's as if there aren't enough injuries on KO's a;ready. Let's do it twice even though we could avoid it.

 

[redjake]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

As a former official, I can tell you that the referees always count the players on the field before a kickoff - from high school ball to the NFL.If there are too many players , or not enough - the team is notified before the ball is kicked off.This is applicable to the return team as well.This is standard procedure.

K, then why are there penalties called for this? Does the team tell the ref to mind his own business and keep the 12th guy on the field anyway?Not every ref warns, or else the penalty would never get called.

 

[Xenopax]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

What exactly is wrong with this?

It's somewhat similar to the commissioner of your league telling the guy you're playing that he forgot the QB he has in his lineup is on BYE...

Our commish will move a player in for you if you forget to update your lineup, what's the problem with that?

Okay, that is bull ####. If you forget to update your lineup, then it is your own fault, and no one should help.

That's pretty hardcore dude.

 

[redjake]

That's pretty hardcore dude.

Hardcore? The hell?

 

[bentley]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

As a former official, I can tell you that the referees always count the players on the field before a kickoff - from high school ball to the NFL.If there are too many players , or not enough - the team is notified before the ball is kicked off.This is applicable to the return team as well.This is standard procedure.

K, then why are there penalties called for this? Does the team tell the ref to mind his own business and keep the 12th guy on the field anyway?Not every ref warns, or else the penalty would never get called.

When did you last see a 12 men on the field flag on a kickoff?

 

[bluesclues]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.

Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.

Long version:

After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

As a former official, I can tell you that the referees always count the players on the field before a kickoff - from high school ball to the NFL.If there are too many players , or not enough - the team is notified before the ball is kicked off.

This is applicable to the return team as well.

This is standard procedure.

K, then why are there penalties called for this? Does the team tell the ref to mind his own business and keep the 12th guy on the field anyway?Not every ref warns, or else the penalty would never get called.

I am not sure if I have seen too many men called on a kickoff, to be honest.

 

[mad sweeney]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

As a former official, I can tell you that the referees always count the players on the field before a kickoff - from high school ball to the NFL.If there are too many players , or not enough - the team is notified before the ball is kicked off.This is applicable to the return team as well.This is standard procedure.

K, then why are there penalties called for this? Does the team tell the ref to mind his own business and keep the 12th guy on the field anyway?Not every ref warns, or else the penalty would never get called.

We're just talking a KO here, not on all plays.

 

[redjake]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

As a former official, I can tell you that the referees always count the players on the field before a kickoff - from high school ball to the NFL.If there are too many players , or not enough - the team is notified before the ball is kicked off.This is applicable to the return team as well.This is standard procedure.

K, then why are there penalties called for this? Does the team tell the ref to mind his own business and keep the 12th guy on the field anyway?Not every ref warns, or else the penalty would never get called.

When did you last see a 12 men on the field flag on a kickoff?

Not sure. It has been awhile though.-edit - lost track of the scenario (Kick Offs...)

 

[redman]

You have to leave some management discretion up to the refs. That seems to me to fall well within the ref's discretion, as long as the same courtesy is extended to the other team. I'm more interested in even handedness than I am in refs avoiding tipping off teams as to potential problems/infractions.

 

[Refbuz]

I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't hear - but it sure looked like the refs helped the kicking team today.Cliffs: Ref warns kicker of twelve players.Long version:After the Titans touchdown in the 3rd quarter the kicking team goes out to kick off to Atlanta. The ref is out there clearly counting Titans players - sort of pointing/couting as he scans the field. Being the OC I am I count his hand motions. Twelve. I count the players myself. Twelve. Ref goes to the kicker and says something. Kicker immediately turns around and, without counting the players himself, shouts something. One player runs off and the refs start the clock. Titans kick off - no flag.

As a former official, I can tell you that the referees always count the players on the field before a kickoff - from high school ball to the NFL.If there are too many players , or not enough - the team is notified before the ball is kicked off.This is applicable to the return team as well.This is standard procedure.

K, then why are there penalties called for this? Does the team tell the ref to mind his own business and keep the 12th guy on the field anyway?Not every ref warns, or else the penalty would never get called.

How many 12 men on the field fouls have you seen called in a Free Kick situation? I'm not talking about a punt or a FG, strictly kickoffs. A free kick situation is the ONLY time that officials can control the # of players that are on the field. One of the first things that you are taught as an official doing sandlot football... NEVER KICKOFF WITHOUT 11 PLAYERS.

 

[The Jerk]

Perhaps a similar situation occurs in basketball when a ref blows a whistle to stop play when two players are getting a little physical in the post and warns them to stop bouncing into each other or whatever else rather than callling one or both for a foul. I think the key factor is symmetry on the part of the ref. If it's not done similarly with both teams, then it would appear to be inappropriately aiding one team.

 

[RUSF18]

You'll also notice pretty much all WRs, when getting set after coming in motion, or moving up to the LOS to replace another guy who has shifted, gesture to the sideline official to make sure they're lined up appropriately.