Playoffs

Officially, close calls not subject to review

• Controversy, Playoffs
Monday, January 23, 2012 – 8:30 am | 9 Comments

by Ben Austro

AFC Championship

4th Quarter | :27 remaining | Patriots 23-20 | Ravens ball | 2nd & 1 @ NE 14 | video

The Ravens, driving for a potential conference-winning touchdown against the Patriots, found themselves a dropped pass short in their effort. They had to settle for a field goal attempt to tie the game, and were denied a shot at destiny on the missed field goal.

On the second-down pass in the end zone, Ravens receiver Lee Evans was not able to secure the catch in the right corner of the end zone. Patriots defensive back Sterling Moore saved the Patriots fortunes by jarring the ball loose, causing the ball to fall incomplete. After the network replayed the incompletion, there was a collective eek from the audience. It is close enough to be reviewed, isn’t it? The replay official determined that it did not warrant another look from referee Alberto Riveron and the call stood.

But should the replay official have challenged the call because this is a pivotal moment in a championship game? Depends not only on who you ask, but when.

NFL spokesman Mike Signora backed up the call made by the replay official:

The ruling on the field of an incomplete pass was confirmed by the Instant Replay assistant, correctly, and as a result, there was no need to stop the game

(As a side note, we refer to the person in the replay booth as the “replay official,” to be consistent with the NFL rule book. All references in the rule book to “replay assistant” were changed in the last offseason, with no reason published at the time. We believe it is to reflect the increased decisions he is required to make after scoring plays and after the two-minute warning.)

Mike Pereira, the Fox Sports rules-interpretation jukebox, gave his assessment on Sunday, via text message to Pro Football Talk, that matched the league response:

Clearly not a catch. Ball coming out before second foot clearly down. . . .  No need to review it because it was clearly incomplete.

(Another side note: this was not posted on Twitter, as Pereira usually does, because of a Twitter brownout yesterday. Or something like that.)

So the 2012 Mike Pereira would disagree with the 2009 Pereira, who was then the vice-president of officiating for the NFL:

Next time it happens, at this point of the game, this big of a play, let’s go ahead and [call for a replay review].

His 2009 doppelgänger was referring to a play near the end of Super Bowl XLIII, when Cardinals quarterback  Kurt Warner fumbled in the late stages of the game, when it looked like it was possible that it was an incomplete pass. No replay review was called, but Pereira acknowledged that it should be standard protocol to double check these things at the end of a game, because the calls are just too crucial.

It appeared that this advice was followed early in the 2009 season (we called it a “critical juncture review clause“). Apparently, it was forgotten. If it was ever committed to internal policy, it has since been retracted.

And, while it doesn’t silence the conspiracy theorists, the replay official did his job and the ruling on the field –  a correct one — stood.

Live blog: Giants at 49ers

• Calls, Playoffs
Sunday, January 22, 2012 – 6:30 pm | 2 Comments

by the Football Zebras.com staff

NFC Championship

We will be live blogging the calls and rules interpretations from the Giants-49ers game.

If you have any questions or comments, use the comments section of this post, or tweet us @footballzebras.

Today’s crew is headed by Ed Hochuli. His crew contains members from other officiating squads that were rating in the top three this season. The full crew list is at the bottom of this post.

10.37 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

The New England Patriots and the New York Giants are headed to Super Bowl XLVI. Your referee is John Parry.

10.17 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

OT | 13:38. Both teams now have the opportunity to possess. We are now in regular sudden-death overtime. First. Score. Wins.

10.10 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 0:00 San Francisco would not have been able to advance that fumble unless it was recovered by the player who fumbled, Delanie Walker, so the play was dead as soon as it was recovered by Kendall Hunter.

10.08 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Here is the Cliff’s Notes version of the new modified sudden death overtime rules.

10.02 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th qtr | 2:00. Forward progress was ruled prior to the runner losing the ball. The whistle also blew first, so no fumble. It is not a reviewable play.

9.32 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 9:22 49ers free safety Dashon Goldson did not get there too early on an incomplete pass to Hakeem Nicks, but did seem to have hold of Nicks’ facemask as he twisted Nicks to the ground. Goldson may have gotten away with one there.

9.23 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Looks like we have “incontrovertable” evidence of the ball touching the kick returner.

9.17 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Why was the umpire scurrying away from the ball when the delay of game penalty was called? The umpire was keeping the ball dry, and so he zips out as soon as the offense takes the line of scrimmage. That said, it looks like the 49ers were looking for the delay of game penalty, anyway, to give them more room to avoid a touchback on the punt.

8.35 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

First half. Penalties: Giants 3 for 15 yards (illegal use of hands, invalid fair catch signal, delay of game); 49ers 3 for 35 yards (unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness, delay of game). Replay: Booth review on the 49ers touchdown allowed the call to stand.

8.26 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

During the personal foul call in the second quarter, members of the 49ers bench started onto the field, when someone wearing a blue jacket came in to maintain the peace.

It is referee Jeff Triplette, who is at the game as an alternate in case of an injury. (H/t to FredFan7 at Behind the Football Stripes)

8.09 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Don’t tell Chris Webber, but calling a timeout when you don’t have one is not a penalty.

8.07 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Victor Cruz flopped himself to the turf during his run after the catch. He knows that counts as giving ones self up: Odd ruling saves Cruz from being NY goat

7.59 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Back to the unnecessary roughness penalty, two drives back. Two players locked up after the play and Anthony Davis lost his helmet. The officials gave both players a “there, there” as it was post-contact jamming, and more a continuation of the play. However, Vernon Davis for the 49ers came in separately, well after the conclusion of the play, and made contact which could not be ignored. Line judge John Hussey did not hesitate to flag that action, while everyone held their flags on the earlier post-play activity.

7.51 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Rarely called, that is the signal for invalid fair catch signal. Blackmon’s hand goes over his head, which causes confusion. Correct call, rather than just giving him the fair catch at the spot.

 

7.42 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Although I would be the first one to jump on Joe Buck for talking out of the opening normally not wired with a microphone, he is correct. It was, according to the league, “grandfathered in” as he said. But, more accurately, they crafted the rules around the Lambeau Leap to keep it legal.

7.38 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

I’m not sure Joe Buck was entirely accurate when he said it was “grandfathered in.” It was more likely used as an example of what is acceptable vs. what isn’t, much like spiking he ball or dunking it over the goalpost.

7.38 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Ed Hochuli’s microphone was cut off after the replay description earlier. We were able to get the rest of the announcement:

Uncontroverted evidence means evidence that indisputable and not open to question. In equity proceedings, where it is clearly shown that a trial court failed to consider uncontroverted evidence, or that the finding and decree are clearly against the weight of the evidence, the Court may consider the entire record, weigh the evidence, and render such judgment as the trial court should have rendered. But the court will not weigh the evidence in every equitable proceeding brought to the court, but will only do so where it is clearly shown that the trial court failed to consider uncontroverted evidence, or that the finding and decree are clearly against the weight of evidence.

(Actually, credit to USLegal.com)

7.27 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Regarding the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the 49ers touchdown: When you stand on a camera stand you are taunting your opponent. When Packers do a “Lambeau Leap” into the stands, you are not the focus, the fans are. Obviously, they did not want to legislate the Leap out of the game, but grandstanding yourself on a camera stand is not the same.

7.23 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Jacobs was definitely short of the line to gain, and difficult to see real-time. They got this one right.

7.16 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st Qtr | 2:23 On a 4th down run by Brandon Jacobs, the ball was spotted about a half-yard short. After viewing the replay several times, the spot was correct.

7.11 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Loved the smirk after he flubbed uncontroverted.

7.10 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

In Game 1, the announcement by Alberto Riveron:

After further review, the ruling on the field stands.

In Game 2, Ed Hochuli:

To reverse on replay, there must be uncontroverted evidence that the ruling on the field is wrong. In other words, you have to be certain. Here, the ruling on the field stands. It is a touchdown. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be enforced on the kickoff.

Hochuli is an attorney during the week, so his courtroom terminology comes to the gridiron. Motion for the defense, denied.

6.54 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st qtr | 11:58. Despite “a lot of contact,” both players are playing the ball, not the opposing player. No pass interference.

6.44 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Hochuli is officiating a conference championship in consecutive seasons.

Today’s officials, listed with their regular season crew chief:

  • R — #85 Ed Hochuli (22nd year, 20th as referee)
  • U — #81 Roy Ellison (9th year, Walt Coleman)
  • HL — #28 Mark Hittner (15th year, Hochuli)
  • LJ — #35 John Hussey (10th year, Pete Morelli)
  • FJ — #4 Craig Wrolstad (9th year, Hochuli)
  • SJ — #39 Don Carlsen (23rd year, Morelli)
  • BJ — #46 Perry Paganelli (14th year, John Parry)
  • Alternates — Jeff Triplette (#42, R), Jimmy DeBell (#58, SJ from Alberto Riverón’s crew)

Live blog: Ravens at Patriots

• Calls, Playoffs
Sunday, January 22, 2012 – 2:58 pm | 18 Comments

by the Football Zebras.com staff

AFC Championship

We will be live blogging the calls and rules interpretations from the Ravens-Patriots game.

If you have any questions or comments, use the comments section of this post, or tweet us @footballzebras.

Today’s crew is headed by Alberto Riveron. His crew contains members from other officiating squads that were rating in the top three this season. The full crew list is at the bottom of this post.

6.20 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Incomplete pass in the end zone for the Ravens: In order to complete the process of the catch, you must have two feet down and have the ability to complete a football move. If the ball is dropped or knocked down there must be some recognizable amount of time possessing the ball after the second foot. These are called “bang-bang” plays where the ball pops out with the second foot. A still frame of the foot being down doesn’t finish that catch immediately.

6.13 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 0:22 Lee Evans needed to get both feet down in order for the catch in the end zone to count. The ball was knocked out by Sterling Moore just prior to Evans’ second foot came down. Good call on the field.

5.57 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 7:22. On the Ravens interception in the end zone, back judge Keith Ferguson made the right call in real time.

5.37 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 12:19. One hell of a spot for head linesman Kent Payne on the third down and goal. The runner had the ball in his right (upfield) arm. That was as close as it gets.

5.35 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

The replay angle right down the goal line cinches it: Tom Brady’s knee was down, and Riveron overturned the touchdown.

5.34 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 12:19 This touchdown on a Tom Brady run should be reversed by replay, as Brady’s knee was down just prior to the ball reaching the front of the goal line. The last replay shown, right along the goal line, was conclusive.

5.34 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Another replay review on the way, but it appears that the ball broke the plane of the end zone prior to the knee going down.

The call on the field is touchdown, so we are looking for conclusive evidence that it is not a touchdown.

5.32 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

You could argue that both of those interceptions directly resulted from those penalties, and would not have happened otherwise. Brady knew he had a free play on the most recent one, and the earlier illegal contact call caused the receiver to deflect the ball instead of securing it cleanly.

5.27 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

3rd Qtr | :10 Second Ravens interception by the Ravens that was negated by penalty (offsides for this one, illegal contact on the first-quarter pick).

5.20 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

3rd Qtr | 3:48. On the replay review of the touchdown, it appears that the runner is out of bounds from the end-zone angle. However, a side angle shows a little sliver of green between the sideline and his shoe, meaning he is still in bounds. There is no conclusive evidence to overturn, therefore the touchdown call on the field stands. In fact, the announcement was “the ruling on the field stands,” otherwise Riveron would have said “the ruling is confirmed.”

Update: Video of the play http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d82637b03/Smith-leaps-for-six

4.53 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

First half summary. Penalties: Ravens 3 for 18 yards (illegal contact erased interception, facemask, false start); Patriots 1 for 5 yards (12 men on the field for point-after-touchdown kick). Replay: No reviews.

4.50 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

It may not have been enough to qualify as indisputable visual evidence, but still might have been worth challenging. In real time, it certainly didn’t look like a catch.

4.45 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Looks like it was worth a challenge by the Ravens Patriots (sorry, typing fast). Even in slow-motion, you have difficulty seeing the left foot, unless you pause it. Even with the benefit of replay, commentator Phil Simms said “definitely out of bounds,” because the replay rolled forward enough to not see both.

4.31 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

A freeze frame of the aforementioned non-catch:


4.27 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

2nd Qtr | 3:11 A close call on a Rob Gronkowski catch. In real time, it looks like a good call, but on the super slow motion replay, it appears his left foot was still on the ground just as the pass hits his hands. Then his right foot comes down in bounds, before the left comes down out of bounds.

4.20 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

2nd Qtr | 3:15 No intentional grounding on a Tom Brady pass, as Danny Woodhead was in the area and it reached the line of scrimmage.

4.07 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

2nd Qtr | 7:11 Great spot on a Ray Rice run on 3rd and inches. No part of Rice’s body was down until his back hit the turf.

4.03 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

The officials declared the play dead once the player’s helmet comes off. From the Rulebook, 7-2-1(r):

Dead Ball Declared. An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended … when a runner’s helmet comes completely off.

3.44 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Dilly said:

Ben should chime in….

I need to get a second keyboard to tweet and live blog at the same time. :)

3.42 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st qtr | 4:38. On the punt return, the runner was pushed backwards, but then, under his own power, went further backwards in an effort to navigate around the blocking. In this case, the punt returner does not get the benefit of his forward progress.

3.42 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st qtr | 5:49. Good spot by line judge Podraza on forward progress by Williams. Even though he was spun around, and looked like he made a second effort, he was still contained.

3.40 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st Qtr | 5:49 Interesting spot on a 1st down Ricky Williams run. His initial forward progress was between the 15 & 16 yard line, but was then pushed back, then seemed to lunge forward again to around the 13. The ball was spotted at about the 14. Ben should chime in, but I believe that if the runner starts forward again after being pushed back, this constitutes a new forward progress spot. The final spot was somewhere between the two.

3.15 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Line judge Tim Podraza is officiating his first championship game. Generally, only officials with five years’ seniority are selected, but Podraza is in his fourth season.

3.13 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st qtr | 13:40 Ravens punt: no contact with the punter, even though he flopped on the ground. If any of the Patriots had contacted him, they were all actively blocked, so they would not have been penalized.

Today’s crew, listed with the referee they worked under in the regular season:

  • R — #57 Alberto Riveron (8th year, 4th as referee)
  • U — #115 Tony Michalek (10th year, Ron Winter)
  • HL — #79 Kent Payne (8th year, Carl Cheffers)
  • LJ — #47 Tim Podraza (4th year, Mike Carey)
  • FJ — #33 Steve Zimmer (15th year, Riveron)
  • SJ — #97 Tom Hill (13th year, Winter)
  • BJ — #61 Keith Ferguson (12th year, Leavy
  • Alternates — Walt Anderson (#66, R), Terry Brown (#43, FJ from Terry McAulay’s crew)

Anatomy of a replay gone wrong

• Controversy, Playoffs
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 – 10:10 am | 5 Comments

by Ben Austro

NFC Divisional Playoff: Giants at Packers

1st Quarter | 1:46 | Giants 10-3 | Packers ball | 1st & 10 @ NYG 39 | video (at 1:21)

We are going to deconstruct the big call from Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff game, not to defend it, but to answer the questions surrounding it and the decisions that were made.

As the Packers were driving to answer a go-ahead touchdown by the Giants  in the first quarter, quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed a pass to receiver Greg Jennings. Jennings turned up field and gained about three yards when the ball came loose.

The loose ball was immediately scooped up by Giants cornerback Kenny Phillips. The play continues live, so Philips runs about 12 yards before going out of bounds.

(1) Keeping the play alive. In the live camera angle and all of the replay angles aired on television, veteran head linesman George Hayward and side judge Larry Rose follow the action as Phillips returns the apparent fumble. The audience was whisked away to commercial, not knowing that a conference developed between the officials.

(2) Post-play discussion. The more that instant replay has become entrenched in the game has lead to a new officiating anomaly: let the play go and sort it out in the end. There is some merit to that approach, as whistles do not have erasers, but a call-by-committee can always be enacted after the fact.

The only other official that could be involved in the play is the back judge, Scott Helverson. His position, unseen in the replays, would be roughly the center of the field, and probably 10 to 20 yards downfield, so that he doesn’t get passed like a stalled car. (There exists an outside  possibility that the field judge could have been involved, but he is patrolling the opposite sideline from the play.)

Probably Helverson saw something that gave him the impression that Jennings had a knee down prior to the fumble, or he would not have tried to appeal to the other two covering officials. In the end, the three officials came to an agreement that the play is down by contact prior to the fumble occurring.

(3) Why not just let replay sort it out? Replay is a tool to correct mistakes, not a crutch to buttress up flaky or indecisive calls. They must make decisions based on their observations in real time, and not what would be convenient for the replay system to sort out. Therefore, an official who, armed only with his observation, must make a decisive call (conferring with others if necessary) and stick with it. All of the officials that get playoff assignments are graded on their decisiveness in making calls, in addition to their on-field accuracy. Also, for an official to rely on the ability for a team to challenge a call deprives that team of one of their precious challenges.

(4) Giants challenge. Giants coach Tom Coughlin saw what we all saw from our favorite football-watching chair: Jennings lost control of the ball prior to being down. The challenge, had it been ruled in favor of the Giants, would have given them the ball, but the 12-yard runback by Phillips would not count, even though the officials originally let the play continue.

(5) Replay review. Up to this point, three officials were involved in the call. Now, referee Bill Leavy, in consultation with the replay official, will intervene on his sole judgement of the video. Leavy is allowed to observe one aspect of the play in one angle, and compare it to another aspect in a different angle. But, he only has 60 seconds to do so.

Remember, Leavy wasn’t covering the play, so some of that 60 seconds goes to getting the first visuals of the tackle.

To rule down by contact, the ball carrier must have a body part other than his hand or foot touching the ground while in possession of the ball. While the ball clearly came out prior to Jennings’ knee hitting, Leavy apparently focused on his shin. These are the angles he was served up:

Leavy should have noticed the position of the ball carrier’s elbow, because that could tell him when the ball was out in angle A and when the shin was down in angle C. The ball definitely came out prior to the shin contacting the ground.

(6) The call. In replay, the rule is that there must be indisputable visual evidence that the call on the field is to be overturned. If Leavy does not piece the angles together in time to make a decision, then he must leave the call as is.

As Leavy enters the field to announce his judgment, Helverson, the back judge, is seen walking with Leavy. Therefore, he must have been part of the original call.

After reviewing the play, the ruling on the field stands.

Had Leavy seen a body part on the ground prior to the ball out, he would have said the call was “confirmed.” Because he said it “stands,” it means that Leavy did not see conclusive evidence or his allotted review time expired.

(7) But what if the play was initially ruled a fumble? If the fumble and the runback were ruled initially, and the Packers challenged, then what? In this hypothetical, Leavy would have likely ruled the same: inconclusive evidence. The Packers would have lost the ball, the Giants would have been entitled to the 12-yard runback, and the Packers would not have had kept their touchdown drive going. It could have been a huge momentum shift in the game.

(8) The league responds. Rather than give a full-throated defense of Leavy, NFL spokeman Greg Aiello e-mailed a tepid response to Pro Football Talk, citing sections of the rulebook.

Referee Bill Leavy conducted the instant replay video review and determined that there was no indisputable visual evidence to warrant reversing the on-field ruling of down by contact.  As a result, the ruling on the field stood.

What was said was true, in a plain, matter-of-fact fashion. What was not said is plainly visible behind the sheer curtain. The league backed up its employee’s judgment call. Nowhere in this response is Carl Johnson, the league’s vice-president of officiating.

Although the league is pretty staunch in its defense of Leavy, they will audit the video from the replay machine. The officiating department has a recording of the 60-second replay session, as well as any communication between the field and the replay booth.

(9) The bottom line. I don’t see any way this can be resolved by changing anything in the replay system. There have been suggestions to move all replay reviews to a central “war room” at the league’s offices in Manhattan, much like the NHL conducts its replay reviews at the home office.

However, it is still up to human judgment which is not without mistake. Who are the supervisors of the officials that make these decisions? They are former referees — referees just like Leavy. So at any given time, the same judgment is rendered.

Also, football is a complex sport. The referee at least has the opportunity to consult with the covering officials prior to viewing a replay. Sometimes there are many aspects of a replay reversal that need to be announced, which could lead to a misleading description if the decision is relayed to the official over the phone. It would be like taking down driving directions without paper – and 70,000 people looking at you.

But, clearly, the wrong call was made, and thankfully it did not result in a change of fortune in a playoff game.

Alberto Riverón to ref AFC title game;
Ed Hochuli, 2nd conference title in a row

• Assignments, Playoffs
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – 11:57 am | 3 Comments

by Ben Austro

Alberto Riverón will head an “all-star” crew in the AFC Championship on Sunday between the Ravens and Patriots. The officials getting the nod, listed here with the head referee of their regular season crews:

  • R — #57 Alberto Riverón (8th year, 4th as referee)
  • U — #115 Tony Michalek (10th year, Ron Winter)
  • HL — Kent Payne (8th year, Carl Cheffers)
  • LJ — #47 Tim Podraza (4th year, Mike Carey)
  • FJ — #33 Steve Zimmer (15th year, Riverón)
  • SJ — Tom Hill (13th year, Winter)
  • BJ — #61 Keith Ferguson (12th year, Leavy
  • Alternates — Walt Anderson (#66, R), Terry Brown (#43, FJ from Terry McAulay’s crew)

Podraza’s assignment goes against the prevailing guidelines for conference championship assignments. Typically, an official must have been in the NFL for five years before being assigned to a title game.
Veteran referee Ed Hochuli will be in San Francisco to officiate the Giants-49ers matchup for the NFC title. Hochuli was in last year’s AFC Championship game.

  • R — #85 Ed Hochuli (22nd year, 20th as referee)
  • U — #81 Roy Ellison (9th year, Walt Coleman)
  • HL — Mark Hittner (15th year, Hochuli)
  • LJ — #35 John Hussey (10th year, Pete Morelli)
  • FJ — #4 Craig Wrolstad (9th year, Hochuli)
  • SJ — #39 Don Carlsen (23rd year, Morelli)
  • BJ — #46 Perry Paganelli (14th year, John Parry)
  • Alternates — Jeff Triplette (#42, R), Jimmy DeBell (#58, SJ from Alberto Riverón’s crew)

Live blog: Giants at Packers

• Calls, Playoffs
Sunday, January 15, 2012 – 4:20 pm | 39 Comments

by Ben Austro

NFC Divisional Playoff

We will be live blogging the calls and rules interpretations from the Giants-Packers game.

If you have any questions or comments, use the comments section of this post, or tweet us @footballzebras.

Bill Leavy is the referee. Full crew list is at the bottom of the post.

8.10 pm
Ben Austro

Game summary. Penalties: Giants 3 for 30 yards, Packers 3 for 20 yards. Replays: All were in the first quarter. First, the Packers had a fumble overturned to down by contact. Second, a down-by-contact call was not ruled a fumble on a Giants challenge. Then, there was a booth review for the Giants’ Hail Mary touchdown. At halftime, there were two yellow penalty flags and three red challenge flags (metaphorically including the booth challenge).

Game ball this weekend goes to John Parry’s crew in the Saints-49ers game. The entire crew kept calm in a back-and-forth game where one bad call could have changed everything.

7.38 pm
Ben Austro

Spoke too soon. It looks like Leavy called a roughing-the-passer penalty when he saw the jarring movement of Aaron Rodgers head. This is why a penalty is not called when you see the effects of a perceived helmet hit and not an actually observed helmet hit. That was a bad penalty at a critical juncture.

7.28 pm
Ben Austro

The crew is atoning for its 1st quarter missed call/missed challenge on the fumble that was ruled down by contact. Good regrouping at halftime, as this crew now looks like the other three officiating crews this weekend.

7.25 pm
dilly

4th Qtr | 6:53 Ryan Grant fumbled before he was down. Green Bay did not challenge, as it was clear from the replay. Good job by the officials in letting it play out.

7.13 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 3:20 Eli Manning was not guilty of intentional grounding. The pass fell at the feet of Bradshaw, meaning there was a receiver in the area, negating the penalty.

6.36 pm
dilly

First half summary. Penalties: Giants 1 for 5 yards, Packers 1 for 10 yards. Replay: One challenge by the Giants was upheld on the controversial Jennings non-fumble. One challenge by the Packers overturned a fumble on special teams. The replay booth also called for a review of the Hail Mary touchdown pass at the end of the half, which was confirmed.

6.31 pm
Ben Austro

Sorry for the outage. We had some server problems, and we will try to catch up.

5.24 pm
Ben Austro

1st Qtr | 1:45 Leavy denies the challenge to the Giants on a fumble. Even though the play was allowed to run as if it were a fumble, the on-field ruling was determined to be a fumble.

Although it appears that the ball did come out, Leavy ruled that some part of the runner’s body was down.

Had the Giants won the challenge, they would not have been entitled to the runback.

5.02 pm
Ben Austro

Regarding the 12 in the huddle play, I didn’t see anything. The Giants already went to the line of scrimmage, and as was ruled in the Giants-Falcons game last weekend, the timeout cannot save you. If, after you’ve broken the huddle, the officials see 12 players exiting the huddle, they may call 12 in the huddle after the fact.

However, if they break the huddle and make a substitution, the defense is allowed to make a reactionary substitution.

4.59 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 13:45 The Giants may have gotten away with 12 men in the huddle on a 3rd & 8 play. The broadcast did not show the huddle up, so New York may have been running a no-huddle. Eli took the timeout so that they didn’t run the play with 12 men on the field.

 

4.58 pm
Ben Austro

1st qtr | 8:24. Reversal is, in fact, ruled by Leavy.

4.56 pm
Ben Austro

1st qtr | 8:24 A fumble recovery by the Giants will be overturned on replay. The Packers returner had a knee down and then an elbow before the ball came loose. Down by contact at the 20.

4.50 pm
Ben Austro

1st qtr | 12:15. Good spot (veteran head linesman George Hayward) on the reception by Victor Cruz as a first down. He was down a yard short of the first-down line, then got up and got the first down. Cruz was not down by contact, because contact came before he caught the ball

4.40 pm
Ben Austro

Bill Leavy has three other members of his seven-man crew. As for the other three: two are likely assigned to the conference championship game and one is a rookie and, therefore, ineligible for a postseason assignment.

Field judge Jim Quirk is officiating in his first season of postseason eligibility.

  • R — #127 Bill Leavy (17th year, 11th as referee)
  • U — #44 Jeff Rice  (10th year)*
  • HL — #54 George Hayward (21st year)
  • LJ — #9 Mark Perlman (11th year)
  • FJ — #63 Jim Quirk (2nd year)
  • SJ — #128 Larry Rose (15th year)*
  • BJ — #93 Scott Helverson (9th year)*

*Rice is substituting from Jeff Triplette’s crew. Rose and Helverson are substituting from Scott Green’s crew. (Leavy’s side judge is a rookie, and therefore ineligible for a postseason assignment.)

Live blog: Texans at Ravens

• Calls, Playoffs
Sunday, January 15, 2012 – 1:03 pm | 5 Comments

by Ben Austro

AFC Divisional Playoff

We will be live blogging the calls and rules interpretations from the Texans-Ravens game.

If you have any questions or comments, use the comments section of this post, or tweet us @footballzebras.

Pete Morelli is the referee. Full crew list is at the bottom of the post.

4.17 pm
Ben Austro

Game summary. That must have been a nerve-wracking game to officiate. Many tight calls that were called correctly. The two replay reversals were a matter of inches and correctly overturned. Penalties: None in the second half, except a Texans penalty that was declined. Texans 3 for 20 yards, Ravens were not penalized. Replay: A Ravens challenge was upheld, two booth reviews overturned the spot of the ball.

4.05 pm
Ben Austro

4th Qtr | 1:38 A quarter yard to go for the first down, as Morelli reviews the spot of the ball in relation to the first down.

3.56 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 2:07. The potential for a Texans fumble is not reviewable, because there is a down-by-contact ruling.

3.47 pm
Ben Austro

4th Qtr | 8:11. The Texans were able to gain yardage on their own fumble. The restriction is placed on fumbles after the two-minute warning or on fourth down. (In those cases, the ball goes back to the spot of the fumble.)

3.41 pm
dilly

4th Qtr | 10:22 Texans defensive back Daniel Manning bumped into Ravens receiver Ed Dickson a split-second before the ball reached Dickson on a second down pass play. In real time, it looked simultaneous. Only on replay could you see Manning disrupt the receiver just before the ball arrived.

3.28 pm
Ben Austro

Earlier, there was a Ravens injury to Ed Reed. The rule is that the injured player must sit out for one down. However, if the team calls a timeout, the player may return. Rulebook, 4-5-3:

When an injury timeout is called, the injured player must leave the game for the completion of one down. The player will be permitted to remain in the game if: (a) either team calls a charged team timeout…

3.19 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 1:53 On two straight Ray Rice runs, the officials spotted the ball well, just short of the goal line on each run.

3.19 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 1:59. Two quick, decisive calls by the line judge, Byron Boston. Ravens were short on the 3rd-and-goal and 4th-and-goal plays. Video of the play: http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d82606d24/Texans-goal-line-stand

2.35 pm
Ben Austro

First half summary. Penalties: Texans 3 for 20 yards, Ravens have none. Replay: One challenge by the Ravens was upheld; one booth review reversed the touchback

2.34 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | :28. Tough call to make in real time, but a correct reversal. It was clear that the Ravens, downing the ball, stepped into the end zone. That means the player is considered in the end zone, even if he is in the air.

2.34 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 0:28 Baltimore DB Danny Gorrer stepped on the goal line just before jumping and batting the ball down inside the five. The sideline replay showed this clearly. This overturned the call on the field, from the ball being spotted at the 1, to a touchback. A rare missed call on the field by this crew.

2.14 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 10:10 . Easy call for Morelli on the review. No visual evidence that Foster stepped out.

2.12 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 10:10 Baltimore challenged that Arian Foster went out of bounds on a sideline run, but a couple of relays showed no clear evidence that any part of his foot stepped on white chalk. There was not enough to overturn the call on the field.

2.00 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 11:46. First appearance of referee Pete Morelli on the false start penalty. Well-called game so far.

1.32 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 8:13 Anquan Boldin made a sideline catch. One of the announcers said that he thought Boldin’s right foot came down out of bounds, but after he gained possession, his right toe tapped in bounds prior to coming down out of bounds. It’s a good catch.

1.31 pm
Ben Austro

1st qtr | 11:25. Ravens Jimmy Smith recovered a muffed punt (misplayed catch on a punt) by the Texans. Smith fell on the ball, because he could not have advanced the recovered ball by rule. Therefore, rather than staying on his feet to score a touchdown (and potentially botching the recovery), Smith simply fell on the loose ball. Back judge Rob Vernatchi seemed to call the play dead after Smith was touched by a Texans player, but in actuality, it should have been declared dead upon recovery. Rulebook, 9-3-2, Item 1:

Legal Catch or Recovery. If the receiving team touches the ball beyond the line, a subsequent catch or recovery by the kicking team is legal, but the ball is dead. In the event of such a catch or recovery, it is first-and-10 for the kickers, or if the ball is caught or recovered by the kickers in the receiver’s end zone, it is a touchdown for the kickers.

1.21 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 10:35 Flacco’s body seemed to go over the goal line on the second down play, but it’s possible the ball was tucked lower on his body. The point of the ball has to cross the front of the goal line, regardless of where the runner’s body is. It amazes me how the officials can see the ball in that mass of humanity. Even on the replay, it’s impossible to tell where the ball was.

  • R — #135 Pete Morelli (15th year, 9th as referee)
  • U — #71 Ruben Fowler (6th year)
  • HL — #26 Mark Baltz (23rd year)
  • LJ — #18 Byron Boston (17th year)*
  • FJ — #89 Jon Lucivansky (3rd year)
  • SJ — #95 James Coleman (7th year)*
  • BJ — #75 Rob Vernatchi (8th year)
  • Alternates — Paul King (#121, U from Terry McAuley’s crew), Barry Anderson (#20, FJ from Jeff Triplette’s crew).

*Boston and Coleman are from Walt Anderson’s crew

Live blog: Broncos at Patriots

• Calls, Playoffs
Saturday, January 14, 2012 – 8:19 pm | leave a comment

by Ben Austro

AFC Divisional Playoff

We will be live blogging the calls and rules interpretations from the Broncos-Patriots game.

If you have any questions or comments, use the comments section of this post, or tweet us @footballzebras.

Gene Steratore is the referee. Full crew list is at the bottom of the post.

11.25 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 3:10. Just to keep it interesting, the Patriots punted on third down! First time I ever recall seeing that.

11.15 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 6:33. Steratore improvised a signal for a horse-collar tackle. The only signal is the personal foul signal.

10.05 pm
Ben Austro

First half summary. Penalties: Broncos 1 for 15 yards, Patriots 1 for 5 yards. Replays: one replay review upheld a Patriots touchdown

9.53 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 1:19. A timeout was called by the Broncos slightly after play clock expired. However, you gain about a half second as the officials have to observe :00 first, then turn their attention back to play. If, in that brief moment, they see a timeout signal (or if they see the ball is snapped), the offense gets the benefit of the doubt.

9.42 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 1:57 There was some hand contact between Deion Branch and Andre’ Goodman on the touchdown, which is allowed if neither player gains an advantage. Branch did push off a bit, but it was not called, as it rarely is in similar plays.

9.07 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 13:45 No illegal contact to Gronkowski on the 2nd down incomplete pass, as it was within five yards. If the ball was already in the air, it could’ve been pass interference, but the pass was not yet thrown.

8.51 pm
Ben Austro

And you can tell that Steratore is also a college basketball referee. While announcing the call on the field, he punctuated the announcement with “forward progress,” as if he was yelling to the scorer’s table.

8.47 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 5:23 Good forward progress call on the Demaryius Thomas catch. Once he starts getting pushed back, there can be no fumble unless he starts making progress again before the whistle is  blown.

8.38 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 6:42 Unbeknownst to Phil Simms, the point of the ball can hit the ground, as long as the receiver maintains control the whole time, which it appears he does. An angle not shown on the broadcast showing the ball moving would be needed to overturn this one, as the few they showed appear to be a catch.

8.28 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 10:07 First big call of the game, and it was an easy one, as Tebow fumbles. The ball was out before his arm started forward.

8.21 pm
Ben Austro

Greatgamelet’sgetovertoNewEnglandandthePatriotsscored.

  • R — #114 Gene Steratore (9th year, 6th as referee)
  • U — #129 Bill Schuster (12th year)
  • HL — #106 Wayne Mackie (5th year)
  • LJ — #107 Ron Marinucci (15th year)
  • FJ — #25 Bob Waggoner (15th year)
  • SJ — #73 Joe Larrew (10th year)*
  • BJ — #105 Dino Paganelli (6th year)
  • Alternates — Carl Paganelli (#124, U from Jerome Boger’s crew), Greg Steed (#12, BJ from Alberto Riverón’s crew)

*Larrew is a substitute from Jerome Boger’s crew.

Live blog: Saints at 49ers

• Calls, Playoffs
Saturday, January 14, 2012 – 4:15 pm | 6 Comments

by Ben Austro

NFC Divisional Playoff

We will be live blogging the calls and rules interpretations from the Saints-49ers game.

If you have any questions or comments, use the comments section of this post, or tweet us @footballzebras.

The referee is John Parry. Full crew listings are at the bottom of this post.

11.47 pm
Ben Austro

The recap, after the conclusion of the night game. Penalties: Saints had no enforced penalties (one was declined), 49ers were penalized 3 times for 33 yards, with 2 penalties declined. Replays: The Saints challenged a fumble which was overturned; the replay booth looked at a 49ers touchdown that was upheld.

8.00 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 2:18. Apparently, illegal substitution was under review for the touchdown.

7.59 pm
Ben Austro

Despite the protests of 10 men in the huddle, the 49ers did have 12 men in the huddle. Alex Smith retreated from the huddle while another offensive substitute exited the field. The counting starts when the quarterback enters the huddle, and just because he exits the huddle, the penalty is still called.

7.13 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 1:42 Same goes for you, Mr. Williams. Strange that the 49ers would go right back to trying another pick on the play immediately after being called for it.

7.10 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 1:48 That’s a legal check in hockey, or pick in basketball, but not in the NFL, Mr. Ginn.

6.58 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 6:40 On a 49ers backwards pass that hit the ground, head linesman Derick Bowers emphatically signaled for a backward pass. This was likely something that was discussed in the officials’ meetings this week after the two incidents from last week.

6.54 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 8:43 Drew Brees signaled timeout before the snap (and before the expiration of the play clock), and the play resulted in an incomplete pass. It was a sloppy call to award the timeout after hearing an appeal from Saints coach Sean Payton. Yes, they should have granted the timeout, but they should have shut down the play.

6.30 pm
Ben Austro

First half statistics. Penalties: Saints 0, 49ers 2 for 28 yards, including the questionable defensive pass interference early in the first quarter. Replay: One replay review reversed a Saints fumble.

6.19 pm
dilly

Also, Brees’ knee was not down, nor was he past the line of scrimmage.

6.18 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | :04 A quick shovel pass forward is still ruled an incomplete forward pass, not a fumble.

6.07 pm
Ben Austro

Once they did call down-by-contact, it is no longer reviewable. But the right call was made on the field. Also, the contact in a down-by-contact call must come after the catch, not before.

6.04 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 1:49 Tarell Brown should be down by contact. Good call to conference and get the call right without the need for replay.

5.33 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 12:22. A replay reversal on a catch by Saints receiver Darren Sproles. The initial ruling was that the ball was stripped from his possession prior to his knee touching, but the replay showed otherwise.

5.28 pm
dilly

First bad call of the game, though that early pass interference was close, too.

5.27 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 12:22 Sproles is clearly down by contact with control. This will be overturned.

4.50 pm
Ben Austro

Also, there is no helmet-to-helmet contact, as Thomas is not in a defenseless posture. Video of the play: http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d825fe041/Whitner-hit-causes-fumble

4.48 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 8:44 Pierre Thomas fumbled. Forward progress would only be called if the runner was wrapped up and being pushed backwards.

4.42 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 11:34 Enough contact + head not turned around is pass interference on Whitner.

4.31 pm
Ben Austro

Line judge Rusty Banes gets a postseason assignment in his first year of eligibility.

  • R — #132 John Parry (12th year, 5th as referee)
  • U — #64 Dan Ferrell (9th year)
  • HL — #74 Derick Bowers (9th year)
  • LJ — #59 Rusty Baynes (2nd year)
  • FJ — #3 Scott Edwards (13th year)
  • SJ — #7 Keith Washington (4th year)
  • BJ — #2 Billy Smith (18th year)*
  • Alternates — Mike Spanier (#90, LJ from Walt Coleman’s crew), Kirk Dornan (#6, BJ from Mike Carey’s crew)

*Smith is a substitute from Walt Anderson’s crew.

White hats for divisional playoff round: Parry, Steratore, Morelli, Leavy

• Assignments, Playoffs
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 – 9:53 am | 6 Comments

by Ben Austro

Updated 1/12/12: Replaced post to include full crews.

We now have the full crews for this weekend’s games. For the most part, the regular season crews are intact. Those that have been substituted are likely due those officials being promoted to a conference championship assignment (although, there are other factors).

Saints at 49ers (Saturday, 4:30 pm ET)

  • R — #132 John Parry (12th year, 5th as referee)
  • U — #64 Dan Ferrell (9th year)
  • HL — #74 Derick Bowers (9th year)
  • LJ — #59 Rusty Baynes (2nd year)
  • FJ — #3 Scott Edwards (13th year)
  • SJ — #7 Keith Washington (4th year)
  • BJ — #2 Billy Smith (18th year)*
  • Alternates — Mike Spanier (#90, LJ from Walt Coleman’s crew), Kirk Dornan (#6, BJ from Mike Carey’s crew)

Parry officiated a Week 5 game when the Saints were on the road playing the Panthers and the Thanksgiving night game that the 49ers played in Baltimore against the Ravens. Last year’s Packers-Falcons divisional playoff game was officiated by Parry’s crew.

*Substitution: Smith is substituting for Perry Paganelli from Walt Anderson’s crew.

Broncos at Patriots (Saturday, 8 pm ET)

  • R — #114 Gene Steratore (9th year, 6th as referee)
  • U — #129 Bill Schuster (12th year)
  • HL — #106 Wayne Mackie (5th year)
  • LJ — #107 Ron Marinucci (15th year)
  • FJ — #25 Bob Waggoner (15th year)
  • SJ — #116 Mike Weatherford (10th year)*
  • BJ — #105 Dino Paganelli (6th year)
  • Alternates — Carl Paganelli (#124, U from Jerome Boger’s crew), Greg Steed (#12, BJ from Alberto Riverón’s crew)

Steratore presided over the Week 5 game when the Broncos hosted the Chargers. Last year, he and his crew officiated the Jets-Colts wild card playoff game. Dino Paganelli was an alternate for last year’s Super Bowl.

*Substitution: Larrew is substituting for Mike Weatherford from Jerome Boger’s crew.

Texans at Ravens (Sunday, 1 pm ET)

  • R — #135 Pete Morelli (15th year, 9th as referee)
  • U — #71 Ruben Fowler (6th year)
  • HL — #26 Mark Baltz (23rd year)
  • LJ — #18 Byron Boston (17th year)*
  • FJ — #89 Jon Lucivansky (3rd year)
  • SJ — #95 James Coleman (7th year)*
  • BJ — #75 Rob Vernatchi (8th year)
  • Alternates — Paul King (#121, U from Terry McAuley’s crew), Barry Anderson (#20, FJ from Jeff Triplette’s crew).

Morelli officiated a Week 5 game when the Texans hosted the Raiders. Last year, Morelli and his crew officiated a wild card playoff game (Packers at Eagles).

*Substitutions: Boston and Coleman are substituting from Walt Anderson’s crew for John Hussey and Don Carlsen.

Giants at Packers (Sunday, 4:30 pm)

  • R — #127 Bill Leavy (17th year, 11th as referee)
  • U — #44 Jeff Rice  (10th year)*
  • HL — #54 George Hayward (21st year)
  • LJ — #9 Mark Perlman (11th year)
  • FJ — #63 Jim Quirk (2nd year)
  • SJ — #128 Larry Rose (15th year)*
  • BJ — #93 Scott Helverson (9th year)*

Leavy has not officiated for either team this season. Last season, Leavy and his crew also had a divisional playoff assignment (Jets at Patriots).

Substitutions: Rice is substituting for Darrell Jenkins from Jeff Triplette’s crew. Rose and Helverson are substituting from Scott Green’s crew for Keith Parham and Keith Ferguson. (Parham is a rookie, and therefore ineligible for a postseason assignment.)

Quirk is serving in his first year of postseason eligibility.

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