The Pro Bowl will undergo radical changes this season in an attempt to add variety to a typically dull game. The league, based on their promotional spots for the game, would like us to highlight the fact that this game is “unconferenced.” The NFL Network carried a live draft of the all-star pool to set…
Rules School
Calls, Playoffs, Rules School
Sometimes a safety is just a safety
by David Root •
AFC Divisional Playoff: Colts at Patriots When the snap sails over the punter’s head and out the back of the end zone, all of us have the same first reaction: safety. However this season we saw many instances of bizarre rulings, rare rule applications, and rule misapplications, so now more than ever we are beginning…
Rules Quiz, Rules School
You make the call: How would you rule in these 10 punt situations?
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How well do you know your rules when it comes to downing punts? Take the Football Zebras rules quiz to see how well you do.
Calls, Rules School
2 reasons why Le’Veon Bell helmet-less TD can never be TD
by Mark Schultz •
Player safety must trump exceptions to the rule During the Ravens-Steelers Thanksgiving night football game, the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell was lunging toward the goal line when he was hit with a devastating blow from the Ravens, knocking his helmet off. Bell maintained consciousnesses long enough to fall across the goal line with the ball. The officials…
Calls, Rules School, Week 6
Media tape: Pylon/sideline reviewable, fumble recovery in field of play is not
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NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino narrates the weekly media tape on calls from the previous week, which can be downloaded here. Several unusual calls this week under discussion: A Ravens blocked punt recovery beyond the line of scrimmage, as we discussed in the quick calls. A Bills punt was reviewed to see if…
Calls, Rules School, Week 4
Training tape: defenseless receiver, taunting, clock on out-of-bounds fumble
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Also, both feet touching the ground in bounds and the mechanics for a fair catch kick.
Calls, Rules School, Week 2
No rule to help home team on fan’s whistle
by Ben Austro and Mark Schultz •
49ers at Seahawks (video/audio) Early in the game, the Seahawks fell victim to a fan who blew a whistle in the crowd — their own home crowd. Some of the Seahawks linemen looked genuinely confused, as they believed it was an official’s whistle. The center snapped the ball anyway, and the Seahawks line, still in…
Calls, Grades, Rules School, Week 1
1st use of new rule might not be right use
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Week 1: Texans at Chargers (video) Post updated: The league has stated the rule was incorrectly applied (see below). The Competition Committee looked at a specific instance of dangerous play at the request of players: the vulnerability of the center when he is performing a long snap for a field goal kick. The Competition Committee…
Calls, Rules School, Week 1
LJ Baynes keeps crew on no-TD call
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Ravens at Broncos (video via Deadspin) 4th qtr | 12:35. On a night when Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws seven touchdowns — first time anyone has done that since Joe Kapp in 1969 — his teammate, Danny Trevathan, upstaged everything with an incredible lapse in judgement . Trevathan’s return of an interception seemed to be…
Rules School
Summary of 2013 rules changes
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Football Zebras interviewed NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino back in May about rule changes that take effect for the 2013 season. The times in the podcast when each item is discussed are listed below. Open-field runners and defenders cannot lead with the crown of the helmet when initiating contact (3:51) Coach’s challenges cost…