Author Archives: Mark Schultz

NFL hires five more officials

Profiles
by
April 9, 2014 10:56 am Link

Four new hires have collegiate referee experience Football Zebras has learned the names of five more college officials hired by the NFL, and that there will be a total of eleven new officials in 2014. Alex Kemp, Brad Allen, Scott Novak, … Continue reading →

NFL may have to change the way it appoints referees

News
by
April 7, 2014 10:00 pm Link

Vital proving grounds for white hat candidates no longer exist Commentary by Mark Schultz The NFL could be having a white hat problem in the next few years.  Several referees have put in 20 or more years of service, meaning … Continue reading →

Speculation whirls around new referee hires

News
by
April 3, 2014 2:17 pm Link

NFL will hire from current roster Scott Green and Ron Winter have retired, opening up two slots at the referee position.  The NFL has not hired a referee straight out of college and into the NFL since the 1970 merger, … Continue reading →

7-man officiating crews wired up for 2014

News
by
March 28, 2014 1:28 pm Link

Starting in 2014, all NFL officiating crews will be will be equipped with a microphone and earpiece that will enable them to communicate with each other during the game.  The NFL experimented with this technology in the 2013 preseason, as … Continue reading →

NFL orders crack down on taunting, offensive language

News
by
March 27, 2014 11:45 am Link

2014 Points of Emphasis In light of some high-profile on-field incidents of taunting and offensive language in the 2013 season, the NFL is instructing its officials to crack down on acts of taunting and abusive language against players and officials beginning this … Continue reading →

NFL to keep the clock rolling on QB sacks in 2014

News
by
March 27, 2014 11:22 am Link

2014 rule changes For years, the referee has signaled a quarterback sack with a whistle blast and a signal to stop the clock; however beginning with the 2014 season, the NFL will mandate that the clock keep running after a … Continue reading →

Several NFL officials have ties to the NCAA basketball tournament

Outside the Stripes
by
March 22, 2014 10:00 am Link

At least three have worked the Final Four   Several officials work multiple sports from Pop Warner to the pros.  There is quite a history of NFL officials working major college basketball.  Currently, Gene Steratore (pictured) and Bill Vinovich work major college … Continue reading →

5 major issues on the NFL Competition Committee agenda

News
by
March 3, 2014 11:30 am Link

Committee to consider rule changes next week How do you change a NFL rule?  A rule change first has to pass muster with the Competition Committee.  There are several rule proposals floated during the season as potential problems and issues … Continue reading →

NFL getting their stripes in a row for 2014

News
by
February 10, 2014 12:00 pm Link

League has several shoes to fill in the offseason The Super Bowl is fast fading into the rear view mirror and we now enter what is called the “dark period” in regard to NFL officiating.  According to the collective bargaining … Continue reading →

6 observations from Super Bowl XLVIII

News
by
February 3, 2014 9:00 am Link

McAulay crew handles first dud Super Bowl in 10 years Well, this year’s Super Bowl will not go down as a classic in terms of excitement, but the Seahawks’ defensive performance will be talked about for a long time.  Peyton … Continue reading →