Football Zebras

Former Super Bowl referee reveals dysfunction in the current NFL officiating ranks

News

by Ben Austro - October 18, 2019October 19, 2019 2

Officiating has had its fair share of controversy this season for perceived inconsistency by the common fan and a noticeable increase in penalties. The officials on the field have taken much of the blame, some of it earned, but a sense of dysfunction in the system is beginning to permeate

NFL100: Officials with the longest NFL tenure (30+ seasons)

#NFL100

by Ben Austro - October 12, 2019 1

When referee Walt Coleman retired in 2018, he ended his career after 30 NFL seasons. He also joined a small list of officials who worked in the NFL for at least 30 years. It takes a lot of factors to reach the 30-year milestone. An early entry into the league helps

Ravens razzle on drop kick didn’t dazzle the league office

by Ben Austro - October 6, 2019 0

As the Ravens prepare for their Week 5 game against the Steelers, they have to modify their playbook for an onside kick that occurred in Week 3. Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was attempting an onside kick by a drop kick, which is legal to do on a kickoff. Tucker faked placing

Vontaze Burfict suspended for the rest of the 2019 season, the longest for an on-field infraction

News

by Ben Austro - September 30, 2019October 9, 2019 3

Vontaze Burfict was already in uncharted territory, and the Raiders linebacker (and team captain) has set a new disciplinary record as the NFL has suspended him for the remainder of the 2019 season. This amounts to 12 regular season games and is disqualified from the postseason, which is more than

NFL100: Why did officials use a pistol to signal the end of the quarter?

by Ben Austro - September 28, 2019September 28, 2019 0

It seems strange today, but NFL officials used to fire a starter's pistol to end each quarter. It's a mechanic that was first used in 1924 and lasted until the NFL discontinued the practice starting in 1994. In the 1920s, procedures were standardized that the referee was the only official that

Officials ratify a new collective bargaining agreement through the 2025 season

News

by Ben Austro - September 28, 2019 1

The NFL's officials have approved an 7-year collective bargaining agreement that ensures labor peace through the 2025 season. The NFL Referees Association held a meeting in Chicago starting on Friday after a tentative deal was reported last Saturday. In a joint statement with the league, NFLRA executive director Scott Green said,

New video shows Keanu Neal foul for throwing helmet after injury

Week 3

by Ben Austro - September 26, 2019September 26, 2019 3

There was a fair amount of criticism of the officiating crew that flagged an unsportsmanlike conduct foul on Keanu Neal as the Falcons safety was writhing on the turf in pain. There were varying accounts that Neal removed his helmet, but an injured player may remove his helmet legally. Reports

Tentative CBA with NFL officials places a moratorium on union action if officials are fired

News

by Ben Austro - September 25, 2019September 25, 2019 0

Details are starting to emerge regarding the agreement in principle with the NFL and the NFL Referees Association for the next collective bargaining agreement, and the union is apparently giving a big concession to the league, sources have told Football Zebras. Most notable, the tentative agreement, which requires a majority vote

Replay error takes 15 seconds off the clock

News
Week 1

by Ben Austro - September 10, 2019September 10, 2019 1

Week 1: Texans at Saints Centralized replay is not infallible, and it was a simple bookkeeping error that struck the same team whose last outing was marred by a high profile miscall. It was the first game that counts for the Saints since they missed an opportunity to seal the NFC

Penalties on touchdowns now can cost 1 or 2 points

2019 Rule Changes

by Ben Austro - September 8, 2019 0

A significant rule change was made in the offseason that can have a major impact on the game, and it has nothing to do with pass interference. In the NFL, any major fouls that occur during and after a scoring play are "bridged" or carried over and assessed on the kickoff.

NFL100: For half of NFL history, the official time was not on the scoreboard

NFL100: Officials with the longest NFL tenure (30+ seasons)

NFL100: 90-year-old rules made for a different game

NFL100: Why did officials use a pistol to signal the end of the quarter?

NFL100: The expansion of officiating crews followed the evolution of the game

Author: Ben Austro

Former Super Bowl referee reveals dysfunction in the current NFL officiating ranks

NFL100: Officials with the longest NFL tenure (30+ seasons)

Ravens razzle on drop kick didn’t dazzle the league office

Vontaze Burfict suspended for the rest of the 2019 season, the longest for an on-field infraction

NFL100: Why did officials use a pistol to signal the end of the quarter?

Officials ratify a new collective bargaining agreement through the 2025 season

New video shows Keanu Neal foul for throwing helmet after injury

Tentative CBA with NFL officials places a moratorium on union action if officials are fired

Replay error takes 15 seconds off the clock

Penalties on touchdowns now can cost 1 or 2 points