Former graders: Split decision on Cruz catch

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

  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.  For four years, Pereira has explained difficult rulings and calls to the media.  Pereira was full of knowledge and expertise this past

1st use of new rule might not be right use

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

  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

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

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

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

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

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

LJ Baynes keeps crew on no-TD call

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