Pay No Attention To That Man Behind The Curtain : Dean Blandino

Dr. Gonzo

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Jan 8, 2010
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Today on PFT: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/12/23/blandino-told-ref-during-giants-panthers-to-consider-an-ejection/

“There was a point during the game when I did get on the headset to the replay official to remind the referee that you can eject players, you’ll have our full support, this thing cannot get out of control,” Blandino said on NFL Network.
12/18 on PFT: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/12/18/dean-blandino-i-wont-be-involved-in-penalty-calls-in-the-playoffs/

The news that NFL V.P. of Officiating Dean Blandino will communicate with the refereeduring playoff games has led to questions about just how much involvement the league office will have in micromanaging the games. But Blandino says his role will be limited to administrative issues, and he won’t have any hand in the calling of penalties.

Blandino said in his weekly officiating video that he won’t have any say over the calling of penalties during games.

“This does not involve penalties,” Blandino said. “This does not involve the initiating of a flag or picking up a flag. When there’s a conference on the field, we in New York will not be part of that conference. We will not be listening in, talking to the officials. This is strictly a safety net in the isolated instance that there’s an issue with the administration of the game. It’s just using the technology to have one more resource to get it right. That’s the goal of this. It will not involve penalties and it will not involve communicating with the referee after every play, after penalties are called.”
These two statements don't square with each other at all. I find Blandino to be a smarmy douche but I wasn't going to think he would be this stupid to admit he spoke to refs about ejecting players during a game. This opens him, and Park Avenue, up to accusations that they can have an influence on the game.

In my mind what is to stop him from buzzing the replay official to "remind the ref" to really keep an eye out on rub routes and OPI. Or if you are a Seahawks fan, what if he buzzes down to let the ref know that their seems to quite a bit of illegal contact in the Seahawks defensive backfield, keep an eye on it.

Blandino, and the league office, now can conceivably point out points of emphasis for refs mid game.
 

djbayko

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Jul 18, 2005
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As mentioned in the OBJ thread, not only does this admission fly in the face of their original statement, but it also serves to undermine his referees. Blandino reminds (read: gently urges) them that they can eject a player. The referees still decide not do do so (perhaps as a "fuck you", don't tell us what to do?). The play gains a high profile in the press. Blandino goes into CYA mode saying "well, I told them they could eject the player, so it's not on me!"

WTF is that all about?
 

geoduck no quahog

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Nov 8, 2002
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Cue up the insanity by fans of any team that gets (predictably) screwed by the refs in the playoffs. From here on out it's going to be all about Blandino/Goodell whispering in the ref's ears.

Who runs this league? (Don't answer that)
 

BigJimEd

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Jan 4, 2002
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Typical CYA approach of the league office. It's all about making yourself look good to them.

And when did he tell him and when was it relayed? After the hit?

Normally having someone able to assist the refs should be a good thing. But not with the NFL, not sure there is any fanbase that feels content with these guys calling shots behind the scenes.
 

tims4wins

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Jul 15, 2005
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I don't know exactly what is going to happen in the playoffs but for a league that cries "integrity of the game" at the top of its lungs from the rooftops as often as possible, this seems to be opening up a biiiig can of worms. And unlike Deflategate the rest of the country WILL be outraged this time