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Sharper to the Saints
I think that's a good fit for the Saints, but he's 33. They're going to need more help in the secondary to win that division.
I think that's a good fit for the Saints, but he's 33. They're going to need more help in the secondary to win that division.
I think at one point the refs were instructed to not blow the whistle, but maybe that got changed back.
Regardless, I like the idea of throwing a hat/beanbag/whatever to indicate where you want the play to end. It shouldn't go directly to replay, you should just call it as you wanted to and if it is overturned the rest of the play is used.
The problem with this is that it will happen way too often and the officials will always be hesitant to blow their whistles (which I've noticed is already happening). That leads to a lot of extra curricular activity even after plays where no fumble came close to occurring. Still, I think it would be worth it.
Regardless, I like the idea of throwing a hat/beanbag/whatever to indicate where you want the play to end. It shouldn't go directly to replay, you should just call it as you wanted to and if it is overturned the rest of the play is used.
The problem with this is that it will happen way too often and the officials will always be hesitant to blow their whistles (which I've noticed is already happening). That leads to a lot of extra curricular activity even after plays where no fumble came close to occurring. Still, I think it would be worth it.
But when they have the officials make a call so that it plays all the way out and then that is the default standard for "indisputable" it is totally unfair when teams have a limited number of challenges. What if the ref is 75% certain the play is dead but doesn't want to kill the play just so it can be reviewed and the other team doesn't have a challenge? Or when its the first quarter and you have to blow a challenge early. I've seen it happen far too many times.
Sorry, I don't understand what you're saying.
Right now, if a ref is 75% certain it's not a fumble, he'll blow the whistle and the play is dead.
With the change we're talking about, if a ref is 75% certain it's not a fumble, he throws the bean bag and lets the play continue. When the play is over, the call is "not a fumble" just as it would have been before. The ball still goes back to the bean bag as if it was blown dead right there.
The only difference is in the second scenario if the opposing team challenges the call and gets it overturned, the rest of the play counts.
Right now, if a ref is 75% certain it's not a fumble, he'll blow the whistle and the play is dead.
With the change we're talking about, if a ref is 75% certain it's not a fumble, he throws the bean bag and lets the play continue. When the play is over, the call is "not a fumble" just as it would have been before. The ball still goes back to the bean bag as if it was blown dead right there.
The only difference is in the second scenario if the opposing team challenges the call and gets it overturned, the rest of the play counts.
Not to speak for anyone else, but I'm not talking about doing this on all fumbles. Typically, the ref will call the play dead if he thinks there was no fumble.
I think that, specifically on these "inadvertent whistle" plays, like the Hochuli play (and something similar happened when the Colts and Chargers played in '07, and a play got called dead when it shouldn't have), instead of the ref blowing his whistle, he throws down his hat and the play the continues, just in case he got it wrong. It doesn't happen very often, which is why such a big deal is being made of this one call. But when it does happen, neither team should have to use a challenge; it should be automatically reviewed.
It's just such a momentum changing event, when it does happen, that the NFL should do something to make sure that they get it right.
I think that, specifically on these "inadvertent whistle" plays, like the Hochuli play (and something similar happened when the Colts and Chargers played in '07, and a play got called dead when it shouldn't have), instead of the ref blowing his whistle, he throws down his hat and the play the continues, just in case he got it wrong. It doesn't happen very often, which is why such a big deal is being made of this one call. But when it does happen, neither team should have to use a challenge; it should be automatically reviewed.
It's just such a momentum changing event, when it does happen, that the NFL should do something to make sure that they get it right.
An inadvertent whistle is almost always on a play that is a fumble, that's why I use that example. The only other scenario I see is if a player is down or out of bounds. But the same argument applies to all those situations.
I don't understand why it would need to be reviewed automatically. That would really slow the game down and for no benefit. The point here is not that there are calls that the refs are completely unsure about, the point is that blowing the whistle stops the play. So making the review automatic doesn't make any more sense for these plays than any other close play. Still, it's a minor point.
Oh, ok. Sorry, I thought you were talking about the inadvertent whistle rule change.
I don't understand why it would need to be reviewed automatically. That would really slow the game down and for no benefit. The point here is not that there are calls that the refs are completely unsure about, the point is that blowing the whistle stops the play. So making the review automatic doesn't make any more sense for these plays than any other close play. Still, it's a minor point.
Oh, ok. Sorry, I thought you were talking about the inadvertent whistle rule change.
I don't think these things happen very often. Once a game, if that. Probably less. So if the ref sees the ball come out of the quarterback's hand while he's winding up, but he's not sure whether it's a fumble or an incompletion, then either he throws down his hat, or he just swallows his whistle. Then you have either the booth review it automatically and call down to the field.
All I'm saying is that, when there's an egregious mistake made that potentially affects the outcome of the game (like the Denver call), there should be a way to fix it right then and there.
All I'm saying is that, when there's an egregious mistake made that potentially affects the outcome of the game (like the Denver call), there should be a way to fix it right then and there.
For those following the Cutler saga, looks like d-bag agent extraordinaire is now playing the blame-Bowlen game, this all apparently really started with firing Shanahan and then letting Jeremy Bates walk.
This guy is starting to look as bad as Boras in baseball where I have to worry about any players he represents on my team (I believe he represents at least 2 Pats players as well).
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80f54761&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
This guy is starting to look as bad as Boras in baseball where I have to worry about any players he represents on my team (I believe he represents at least 2 Pats players as well).
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80f54761&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
You realize I agree with that premise and think it's a great idea, right? 
I just don't see the need for the automatic review. You get the same benefit without it.
I just don't see the need for the automatic review. You get the same benefit without it.
I think I'm on record as a pro-college football review system guy. If the call was questionable, take a look at it. Get rid of the whole challenge system, and just look at every play in the booth. If the play should be reviewed, then signal to the referee to stop play, send him to the hood, and let's get it right.
But when it comes to fumbles that are whistled dead, you still have to do something about the whistle.
I believe that the Browns workouts are optional, still with a new coach you would expect your leaders to step up. However this seems to be Mangini's MO - ruffle the feathers of the vets and get all his own people in place. Expected it to be different when he takes over for a fellow ex-Pat who ran the same scheme.
I'd care more about what Elway thought if he had shown much interest in helping mentor Cutler, I mean most QBs retire into the sunset, Elway still hangs around Denver, is possibly working some kind of future Senate run angle and just looms large over anyone that tries to establish himself as a QB in Denver. Not all his fault but I think there have been overtures made to get him involved and he hasn't really seemed interested.
Then again maybe if that had gone down this would be even worse.
Then again maybe if that had gone down this would be even worse.
ESPN: Steelers & Titans set to open season in Primetime
TO @ Patriots on Monday Night. Should be fun.
TO @ Patriots on Monday Night. Should be fun.
From the Beaver & Allegheny County [Pennsylvania] Times:
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/03/24/sports/steelers/doc49c8592cc565e244207172.txt
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/03/24/sports/steelers/doc49c8592cc565e244207172.txt
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