Refs' overall performance this year (1 Viewer)

[Jous]

How do you think the games have been officiated this year? Good? Bad? Better or worse than the last few years? About the same?

Personally, I don't understand why year in and year out there's cries about how terrible the referees are. They haven't just genetically gotten worse throughout the years, it's just that media coverage and instant replays (and more knowledgeable fans) have let people have more exposure to the calls and be more critical. The one thing I do believe that they need to change (and got worse on this year) is the BS roughing the passer stuff. At this rate, the rule will be that once a defender reaches the QB, he is only allowed to politely ask the QB to go down....and in which case the QB is allowed to politely refuse and complete the pass.

 

[TLEF316]

i dont have the ticket, so i cant rule on all the games, but id have to say that the reffing in the jets games was awful to start the year and got better as it went on.

In the first few games, we got absolutly murdered on 3 or 4 bad roughing the passer calls. The refs also cost the Jets the Cleveland game, as they missed a blatant force out in the end zone that would have been the tying score.

 

[Workhorse]

Roughing the passer and pass interference calls have been beyond awful this year, league wide.

 

[Godsbrother]

Roughing the passer and pass interference calls have been beyond awful this year, league wide.

Aside from that I think they have done a pretty good job but these types of calls are almost always significant. They need to get more consistent on calling PI and not calling RTP.

 

[mad sweeney]

First you have to separate the ref's calls from some of the stupid rules they have to enforce. QB protection is a farce, but many of the calls they've made are calls they have to make. They've been told to call it and to preserve their job they have to.

That said, I can recall at least 5 times that helmet to helmet was called when there clearly wasn't even any contact. Shoulder pads get pushed up rocking the QB's head back and blammo, flag. The TB hit where they called roughing for tackling th QB with the ball was a joke.

PI is such a game changing penalty it should be reviewed, especially deep balls. These guys get no breaks when it comes to that and there's always going to be shoddy calls.

They've done a better job letting the play go after a questionable fumble but I can still recall several inadvertant whistles bonig some teams.

I would say they are better than they were in last post season, which from the wildcard weekend was some of the WORST reffing in the history of the league. 3 of the 4 games that first weekend were horribly butchered. And it continued on through the SB where you are apparently not allowed to tackle the guy with the ball. And it led to such recommendations from the Competition Committee as: Next year refs must actually SEE the hold before they throw a flag, not just assume it was because of the body language of the defender.

So I give the refs a silver star for improvement, but they are still very bad at times. And I give the rules a thumbs down. PI, roughing and posession rules are still complicating the game and leading to a number of good plays negated. I am hoping the post season will be much better reffed.

 

[The Ref]

First you have to separate the ref's calls from some of the stupid rules they have to enforce.

You have no idea how good these guys actualy are.

 

[Marc Faletti]

It may not be the refs fault, but the roughing the passer calls _are_ awful. We're a few years away from QBs strolling out in red non-contact jerseys that will prevent players from hitting them unless they cross the line of scrimmage. We'll have flags on the QBs to yank for a "sack" -- won't that be fun?

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

My issue is not necessarily with the calls. It is the inconsistency of the calls, or better yet, the selectiveness of the calls.

Examples:

-- A hit on Peyton is called for roughing but the same hit on VY, Vick, or McNair is not.

-- Offensive pass interference not being called though there is heavy contact. The rules are the SAME for the off and def.

Rules are rules. Either call them all the same or change the rules.

And, BTW, get rid of the penalty for accidentally hitting the QB low as well as the instant replay change of possession rule (have to see the recovery on video, even though everyone clearly saw the player that recovered get up with the ball -- BAL/Titans game).

 

[Bevo]

My issue is not necessarily with the calls. It is the inconsistency of the calls, or better yet, the selectiveness of the calls.

Inconsistency it the major problem IMO. Across the season, from game to game in different parts of the season, and within individual games. Why in the world the NFL won't hire these guys as full time year round employees and train them to really be professionals instead of part time Keystone Kops is totally beyond my understanding. Lord knows that the NFL is rolling in so much money that you know that is not really a factor, perhaps the NFL as whole likes it this way.

 

[Marc Levin]

Roughing the passer and pass interference calls have been beyond awful this year, league wide.

I disagree completely.Both rule changes suck, but I think the refs have been very good at enforcing the rule consistently - without favoritism.IMO, the refs have done the best job they have doine since IR was instituted.That said, we need some rule changes for next year.

 

[Marc Levin]

-- Offensive pass interference not being called though there is heavy contact. The rules are the SAME for the off and def.Rules are rules. Either call them all the same or change the rules.

Complete agreement - if you remove the DEs' ability to go all out, you have to give something back to the DBs by making the WRs play clean. Do you think that the DBs are suffering now because of the emphasis at the LOS to protect the passer - a general "give the O the benefit of the doubt" thing?I disagree that there is inconsistency in the calls, though - I believe there is a rule, but I know there is a point of emphasis, in how to protect QBs in the pocket - like Manning and Brady - versus QBs who waggle or bootleg outside the pocket. The Palmer hit changed the entire landscape of roughing the passer in the pocket.Now, there may, as the course of the game goes on, a more lax attitude towards QBs that move. Simply put, rougher games get called looser than finesse games. In a Manning verus Rivers showdown, I believe you will see roughing called as consistently as Manning versus McNair.

 

[renesauz]

I think the refs have been pretty good this year. It's easy to pick out bad calls in slo-mo...much harder to make those calls in a crowded, noisy environment at full speed.

That said, there are a few rules that badly need to be changed, or the point of emphasis changed anyway.

Why are RB's and WR's allowed to facemask blatantly? It's no less dangerous to the DB trying to make the tackle!

The Offensive PI penalty is not called often enough.

Roughing the passer calls have gone too far. When a QB is shifting/moving/DUCKING, and the lineman are blocking/shoving, it's ridiculous to call a 15 yard penalty when lightly brushing the guys helmet in an attempt to tackle.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

You also have refs with big egos. THEY want to be the show, not the game. THEY look the other way in the peep show so as to not overturn their own calls. They are stubborn and ignore the rules.

Example: Pacman vs Mike Carey three weeks ago. Pacman returns a punt or INT for a TD. Jumps up on the goal post and slides down. Lands on his feet. Carey calls unsportsmanlike conduct.

Pac had done this TWICE already in previous weeks and both weeks the flags were picked up and explained that since he landed on his feet that this was no penalty. This was further confirmed by the head of officiating.

Well Carey doesn't care. He threw the flag and he isn't picking it up even though he's wrong. Even though Fisher is on the committee and explains that he is clearly wrong.

So, what did the NFL say the following day? That Carey was clearly wrong and that there should have been no flag.

THAT is one of the major problems with the refs.

 

[bro1ncos]

You also have refs with big egos. THEY want to be the show, not the game. THEY look the other way in the peep show so as to not overturn their own calls. They are stubborn and ignore the rules.Example: Pacman vs Mike Carey three weeks ago. Pacman returns a punt or INT for a TD. Jumps up on the goal post and slides down. Lands on his feet. Carey calls unsportsmanlike conduct.Pac had done this TWICE already in previous weeks and both weeks the flags were picked up and explained that since he landed on his feet that this was no penalty. This was further confirmed by the head of officiating.Well Carey doesn't care. He threw the flag and he isn't picking it up even though he's wrong. Even though Fisher is on the committee and explains that he is clearly wrong.So, what did the NFL say the following day? That Carey was clearly wrong and that there should have been no flag.THAT is one of the major problems with the refs.

Not defending Mike Carey by any means, but I believe the unsportsmanlike on Pacman was for using a prop (the goalpost). As ridiculous as the rule is I think it was called within the way the rule was written.Overall, I think the reffing has been well above average this year. Unfortunately, I thought very similarly last year until the playoffs rolled around. I agree that they need to start letting QB's be football players again. The other rule that irks me is when a DB hits a receiver in the helmet when it all occured because the receiver moved while in flight or ducked his head causing the helmet to helmet contact.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

You also have refs with big egos. THEY want to be the show, not the game. THEY look the other way in the peep show so as to not overturn their own calls. They are stubborn and ignore the rules.

Example: Pacman vs Mike Carey three weeks ago. Pacman returns a punt or INT for a TD. Jumps up on the goal post and slides down. Lands on his feet. Carey calls unsportsmanlike conduct.

Pac had done this TWICE already in previous weeks and both weeks the flags were picked up and explained that since he landed on his feet that this was no penalty. This was further confirmed by the head of officiating.

Well Carey doesn't care. He threw the flag and he isn't picking it up even though he's wrong. Even though Fisher is on the committee and explains that he is clearly wrong.



So, what did the NFL say the following day? That Carey was clearly wrong and that there should have been no flag.

THAT is one of the major problems with the refs.

Not defending Mike Carey by any means, but I believe the unsportsmanlike on Pacman was for using a prop (the goalpost). As ridiculous as the rule is I think it was called within the way the rule was written.

Did you even READ my post? Good God, man.

 

[BoltBacker]

I think the refs have been pretty good this year. It's easy to pick out bad calls in slo-mo...much harder to make those calls in a crowded, noisy environment at full speed.That said, there are a few rules that badly need to be changed, or the point of emphasis changed anyway.Why are RB's and WR's allowed to facemask blatantly? It's no less dangerous to the DB trying to make the tackle!The Offensive PI penalty is not called often enough.Roughing the passer calls have gone too far. When a QB is shifting/moving/DUCKING, and the lineman are blocking/shoving, it's ridiculous to call a 15 yard penalty when lightly brushing the guys helmet in an attempt to tackle.

Good post.I've often thought the same thing with regard to facemaskinging. Tomlinson uses the facemask/stiffarm about as well as any of them. I don't think it should be legal.I'd also add that "blocks" away from the ball and after the play is whislted dead really need to be cleaned up with repeat offenders getting more than just fines. The only thing that's going to change the way guys play are suspensions. Even a one game suspension in the NFL is huge because each and every game is so important. A difference of two games in the standings can decide if you miss the playoffs or have a bye the first week.

 

[thejag]

I would say they are better than they were in last post season, which from the wildcard weekend was some of the WORST reffing in the history of the league. 3 of the 4 games that first weekend were horribly butchered. And it continued on through the SB where you are apparently not allowed to tackle the guy with the ball. And it led to such recommendations from the Competition Committee as: Next year refs must actually SEE the hold before they throw a flag, not just assume it was because of the body language of the defender.

Offensive holding is one area where the officials seem to be calling many, many fewer penalties than in years past. Whether this is due to the phantom call in the Super Bowl I don't know, but on many plays this season where the defender is clearly beyond the blocker and still being 'blocked,' no flag has been thrown.

 

[PsychoMan]

Roughing the passer and pass interference calls have been beyond awful this year, league wide.

 

[BoltBacker]

I would say they are better than they were in last post season, which from the wildcard weekend was some of the WORST reffing in the history of the league. 3 of the 4 games that first weekend were horribly butchered. And it continued on through the SB where you are apparently not allowed to tackle the guy with the ball. And it led to such recommendations from the Competition Committee as: Next year refs must actually SEE the hold before they throw a flag, not just assume it was because of the body language of the defender.

Offensive holding is one area where the officials seem to be calling many, many fewer penalties than in years past. Whether this is due to the phantom call in the Super Bowl I don't know, but on many plays this season where the defender is clearly beyond the blocker and still being 'blocked,' no flag has been thrown.

I agree with that one as well. I wonder if this is another case where the league seems to be tweaking the rules to protect QB's at all costs?