Goodell announced this morning on Mike & Mike
From the quote, this is being implemented under the guise of speeding up the game.
Dean Blandino Will Have Final Say On Replays In 2017
- Thread starter Dr. Gonzo
- Start date
If it's anything like the non-challenge review process in the NHL model, where all the "Was it a good goal?" calls go, this should work well. Certainly easier than having a ref try to see multiple angles underneath a hood.
What happens when multiple games have replays at the same time? Why can't you at least get a former referee to do this job? Better yet, why can't you just add the extra official upstairs at each game that has been mentioned here countless times. How many times next season will a call be made quickly only to have the TV broadcast locate and display a better angle after it's too late?
MONEY. Not only would you need to pay 16 extra refs a week but if the process is streamlined it's less of an excuse to go to commercial break. Now, you have one guy who maybe gets a small raise to take on an extra responsibility but the process is clunky enough where you can still go to commercials.
I wonder if the process would be better if Blandino could be in communication with all the refs on the field, so that the one (or more) ref(s) who were there can say "this is what I saw" or "this is what I couldn't see." This could conceivably happen while Blandino is watching.
Also, could they eliminate the extraneous parts of the process? For example, does it really matter what the coach is challenging? Shouldn't it be enough simply for him to throw the red flag? Then the process could start right away. Sitting at home, we know pretty much right away what is being challenged why do we have to have the ref jog over to the coach, so he can say "was it a legal catch?" Then we wait for the ref to take up the proper spot on the field to announce what we all know "New England is challenging the call on the field that it was a legal catch." Then we wait for the ref to jog over to the sideline, get on his headset, get under the hood and start reviewing. Blandino, in some cases, could have this all ascertained in the time it would have taken the ref to even begin his review. Then he can simply say to the ref "Call is confirmed. Spot the ball at the 28. Set clock to 3:40."
Also, could they eliminate the extraneous parts of the process? For example, does it really matter what the coach is challenging? Shouldn't it be enough simply for him to throw the red flag? Then the process could start right away. Sitting at home, we know pretty much right away what is being challenged why do we have to have the ref jog over to the coach, so he can say "was it a legal catch?" Then we wait for the ref to take up the proper spot on the field to announce what we all know "New England is challenging the call on the field that it was a legal catch." Then we wait for the ref to jog over to the sideline, get on his headset, get under the hood and start reviewing. Blandino, in some cases, could have this all ascertained in the time it would have taken the ref to even begin his review. Then he can simply say to the ref "Call is confirmed. Spot the ball at the 28. Set clock to 3:40."
We see evidence of this also when its a booth review in the late part of the game and OT. Sometimes a call is reviewed and confirmed and we don't even know it, doesn't slow things down at all. I think the faster they can resolve it the better.
Surprised they didn't nominate a federal judge to this well-paid position, with their propensity for knowing the rules and how to weigh conflicting signals. Someone local, like, maybe, Denny Chin.
I really don't get the part that says "Goodell also said referees will be told to announce the replay decision immediately in the stadium, rather than waiting for the end of a commercial break, so that the ball can be spotted and the teams can be lined up and ready for the next play as soon as the commercial break ends."
That saves what, maybe 30-40 seconds total in a game?
Instead of "After replay, the player made the catch. First down." and the teams line up and run a play, they go to replay/commercial break, the ref announces the decision to the stadium during commercial break, and they return from the break with teams ready to snap the ball. Now instead of 3rd and 2, it's 1st and 10. Why? No idea. The ref announced it during the break and the announcers had no time to explain the call/show replays on tv. Should be fun.
That saves what, maybe 30-40 seconds total in a game?
Instead of "After replay, the player made the catch. First down." and the teams line up and run a play, they go to replay/commercial break, the ref announces the decision to the stadium during commercial break, and they return from the break with teams ready to snap the ball. Now instead of 3rd and 2, it's 1st and 10. Why? No idea. The ref announced it during the break and the announcers had no time to explain the call/show replays on tv. Should be fun.
If it's Ed Hochuli you're saving about 2 minutes each time. I'm all for this as it's just awkward now when you're at the game for the ref to just be standing there waiting for the commercial to come back, then announce, then get lined up.
Announce it immediately, then either get outraged or happy, then the commercials done and they're ready to go. I think it improves the experience at the game, which would be a first for the NFL.
Now I understand why Pats needed to load in free agency--cannot risk any one-possession scores next year.
Too bad no one got a chance to ask the Commish about this. How will simultaneous replay challenges be handled?
There will be three guys that will have the power to rule. Blandino plus two other officials in NY.
They still expect Blandino will rarely not look at one of them at all though.
We'll see how that works out.
They still expect Blandino will rarely not look at one of them at all though.
We'll see how that works out.
This isn't exactly groundbreaking the NHL has done this for years.
I don't see how this isn't a great thing for the game experience, outside of the tablets which should be eliminated and it should just be in NY
My only issue with this announcement is the personnel choice. Blandino is the moron that made the final call that the Dez Bryant catch wasn't a catch. I'll go to my grave believing that is one of the worst calls in history. That is all.
Maybe. But what about the morons who picked up the flag for PI/Holding (take your pick) against Hitchens in the playoff game against the Lions? I think most people figured the screwjob in Lambeau was karma.
Couldn't have been. If Blandino believed in karma, he wouldn't work for Goodell.
