Week 1

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,

Pereira: No recourse if helmet speaker fails

by Mark Schultz - September 10, 2013 4

Â Fox Sports rules analyst on what went right, wrong in Week 1 Fox Sports made an inspired move when they hired former NFL vice president for officiating Mike Pereira.Â For four years, Pereira has explained difficult rulings and calls to the media.Â Pereira was full of knowledge and expertise this past

1st use of new rule might not be right use

by Ben Austro - September 10, 2013September 10, 2013 2

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.

Crews need to work together, get it right

by Mark Schultz - September 10, 2013November 15, 2018 2

Â Football is one of the most team-oriented games in the world.Â It is a joy to watch a team function on the field as a well-oiled machine as they work to win the game.Â The seven-person third team on the field must also function as a well-oiled machine to give

After Further Review: Teamwork saves crew on 1st play of season

by Football Zebras staff - September 9, 2013September 10, 2013 0

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

Differences between Cruz, Megatron catches not blurred lines in rulebook

Calls
Week 1

by Ben Austro - September 9, 2013 4

The process of the catch seems to be one of those Week 1 staples, as we reported in Week 1 of 2009 and 2010. And this week, we have Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, just like in 2010, involved in a process call for a touchdown. Then, a different catch in

Packers-49ers rough play foul enforcement half a second from being right

Calls
Week 1

by Ben Austro - September 8, 2013September 9, 2013 10

Packers at 49ers (video) Post updated to include pool report with referee Bill Leavy. During a third-and-6 scramble by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a muddled enforcement where the difference was milliseconds wound up being a difference of four points. Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was flagged for a late hit on Kaepernick well

Quick calls: Week 1

Calls
Week 1

by Ben Austro - September 8, 2013September 11, 2013 9

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. 7761

Week 1 referee assignments

by Ben Austro - September 6, 2013 5

Ron Winter will have his crew on the first game of the Monday night doubleheader. Terry McAulay has the week off. Gene Steratore is confirmed for this game, after missing the entire preseason due to surgery on his Achilles tendon. Steratore's last game was Dec. 22. Assignments were compiled with the assistance

LJ Baynes keeps crew on no-TD call

by Ben Austro - September 6, 2013September 7, 2013 6

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