Football Zebras

Images from Week 7

by Mark Schultz - October 22, 2014October 22, 2014 1

Courtesy of team photographers (Click any image to view as slides.) Courtesy of Getty Images #457508118 / gettyimages.com R Jeff Triplette with Jaguars coach Ron Rivera #457500092 / gettyimages.com BJ Todd Prukop #457518392 / gettyimages.com R John Parry

Boger, Carey, Parry out of playoffs

by Ben Austro - January 7, 2014July 27, 2014 10

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

Our playoff predictions: Morelli, McAulay consensus in top slots

by Football Zebras staff - December 29, 2013December 29, 2014 2

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

FJ Edwards owns, nails difficult call on Steelers lateral play

by Ben Austro - December 8, 2013 8

Week 14: Dolphins at Steelers (video) An incredible ending to the game, as a multiple-lateral play could have given the Steelers a game-winning touchdown. Field judge Scott Edwards called the play dead, with Steelers receiver Antonio Brown stepping out of bounds. Edwards could have let the play run out, and let replay

Panthers’ Smith trashes ‘garbage’ official who doesn’t cover wide receivers

News
Week 5

by Ben Austro - October 8, 2013October 9, 2013 1

U Dan Ferrell blamed for calls outside his keys Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has a complaint about a specific official he would like everyone to know about. As Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reported: I was told by the referee — whatever judge he was — number 64 ... This would

After Further Review: Bolts halt 2 games

by Ben Austro - September 17, 2013 2

Referee John Parry awaits with an NFL official in the CenturyLink Field tunnel during a lightning delay in the first quarter of the 49ers-Seahawks game. Here are some of the items making news this week: Quick calls from Week 2 [Football Zebras] Parry really had no rule to evoke for a fan's whistle

No rule to help home team on fan’s whistle

by Ben Austro and Mark Schultz - September 16, 2013November 2, 2014 4

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

Former graders: Split decision on Cruz catch

by Ben Austro - September 12, 2013 3

Football Zebras Roundtable We covered at length the differences between two process-of-the-catch calls from Sunday's games. Lions receiver Calvin Johnson had a touchdown taken away because he bobbled the ball as he went to the ground. Giants receiver Victor Cruz also had lost possession when he dove for the end zone,

6 NFL officiating things to watch for in 2013

by Mark Schultz - September 5, 2013September 5, 2013 4

Commentary by Mark Schultz Here are the things I am pondering as I "zebra watch" this year. 1. Will some high-profile officials make a playoff comeback? Gene Steratore, Ed Hochuli, John Parry, Tom Stabile, John McGrath, Rob Vernatchi, and Walt Anderson missed out on an on-field playoff assignment in 2012. Will they

Parry heads Hall of Fame game crew

by Ben Austro - August 1, 2013August 4, 2013 0

We have learned that John Parry will have the first preseason game this year when his crew officiates the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Because of a pair of odd labor situations, this is the first time a regular officiating crew will have this game in three years.