Week 15: Jets at Steelers A failure in basic officiating crew mechanics is rare in the NFL. While there is room for argument on a judgment call or a missed call, errors in mechanics are inexcusable. In the second quarter on a first-and-10 play from the Jets 35, Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall gained
Week 15
Hochuli without primetime microphone, may be on defense for scoreboard peek
Week 15: Packers at Patriots Referee Ed Hochuli won't have the benefit of his informative public-address announcements to defend a flag in the second quarter of the Sunday night game. Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports a helmet-to-helmet hit by Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty on Packers tight end Andrew Quarless was penalized 20 to
Hochuli has primetime microphone, disallows quick Packer snap after penalty
Week 15: Packers at Patriots After administering a pass interference penalty at the 1-yard line, the Packers were trying to snap the ball quickly, which referee Ed Hochuli announced was impermissible: We were coming out of a penalty and the team has the opportunity to line up. [Whistles heard after a pause.] There
Week 15 open forum, assignments
Niners Smith pushes U DeFelice, ejected
Week 15: 49ers at Chargers Niners defensive tackle Justin Smith was ejected from the Thursday night 49ers-Chargers game for impermissible contact with an official (video). Umpire Garth DeFelice was attempting to break up some post-play shoving when Smith pushed DeFelice's arm off of him. Whether or not Smith knew it was an