The NFL could soon see more former players become officials. The league is sending 14 former players and one active player to a pair of officiating clinics over the next three days. The first clinic is tomorrow, March 13. It is the league’s Fast Track Clinic, run by the Football Officiating Academy and NFL Player…
In an attempt to narrow down potential assignments, Football Zebras has learned from multiple sources that last year’s Super Bowl referee, Jerome Boger, did not receive a playoff assignment this season. Also not receiving an assignment are Mike Carey and John Parry. Missing the playoffs the year following a Super Bowl assignment is not unprecedented.…
The regular season is over and before we get into the playoffs, I’d like to offer some thoughts on the 2013 NFL season, and some things that stuck out to me about the officiating. Most fun game of the year: Lions at Eagles, Week 14 I doubt Ed Hochuli’s crew wants to do a game…
Football Zebras commentary Week 17 is upon us, meaning that the final evaluations for officials vying for playoff positions are being determined. Officials will not be informed of the Wild Card Playoff assignments until the middle of the upcoming week. The later playoff rounds will then be rolled out in the succeeding week or two.…
NFL vice-president of officiating Dean Blandino has two items in this week’s “Official Review” segment (video): The review of a spot in the Patriots-Falcons game that was deemed inconclusive Why the hit on Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel by Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was illegal, even though Manuel was considered a live target. Even though Suggs’…
Football is one of the most team-oriented games in the world. It is a joy to watch a team function on the field as a well-oiled machine as they work to win the game. The seven-person third team on the field must also function as a well-oiled machine to give the teams, fans and…
A roundup of the calls from Sunday Bill Leavy’s crew has a very visible downgrade coming their way. The attention it received swooned mostly due to the fact that Mike Pereira — Leavy’s former boss and current Fox Sports rules analyst — pointed it out during the game broadcast and that the ensuing play scored…
Did you see a call in the kickoff weekend that needs our attention? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @footballzebras. We have the week 1 assignments and the crew lists available for your review.
The NFL, of course, is foisting the storyline and that has to mean that the NFL will promote Thomas next season.
How does the NFL get their new officials up to speed? Larry Upson knows what it is like to be hired into the NFL. Upson was an NFL official from 1993-98 before moving into the front office to become Mike Pereira’s assistant. Upson then became supervisor of the now defunct United Football League. Upson has…