Football Zebras

After Further Review: Black and white stripes black-and-blue in center field

by Ben Austro - September 30, 2013September 30, 2013 03060

Here are the calls that are making news: Tough day for the back judges. Both Billy Smith (above) and Dale Shaw got a little too close to the action. They brushed it off, and thankfully remained in the game. Judging the flight of the ball for proper positioning is certainly

After Further Review: Rulebook hits same crew again, just 2 weeks later

by Ben Austro - September 23, 2013 03405

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tacked on a 15-yard unsporstmanlike conduct penalty for confronting an official. Â Here's what made news this week: Bill Leavy's crew has hit a rough patch with two rule misapplications in the first three weeks of the season. Sunday, he penalized the Vikings 15 yards for a non-permitted challenge,

After Further Review: Bolts halt 2 games

by Ben Austro - September 17, 2013 23736

RefereeÂ 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

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

by Football Zebras staff - September 9, 2013September 10, 2013 03600

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

Officials address rules changes, questions at training camps

by Ben Austro - August 4, 2013August 4, 2013 24438

After Further Review: Training Camp edition Partial officiating squads traveled to training camps this week to explain the new rules and answer questions about interpretations. Bill Leavy was in Rams camp with FJ Boris Cheek, HL John McGrath, SJ Keith Parham. Also, HL Patrick Turner from the league's developmental squad was in