The NFL officiating staff usually has a smooth and orderly start to its season. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic will throw monkey wrenches into that smooth and orderly start. No easing into the season The officiating "new year" starts on May 15. That's when the officials meet for a mini-clinic in New
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NFL expands playoffs to 7 seeds, but not necessarily to more officials
Truncated offseason means less time to consider, vote on rule changes
Embed from Getty Images Updated 4/1/20 to reflect owners approving expanded playoffs As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to run it's dangerous course, it appears that there will be less, if any, traditional offseason time. Already, the in-person league meetings have been canceled. The owners could meet met via teleconference sometime this week, to
NFL Annual Meeting canceled, rules changes vote put off until May
Commissioner Roger Goodell announced today that after "careful consideration and consultation with medical experts," the NFL has canceled the March 29-April 1, Annual Meeting due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Instead, the league will conduct its business at the NFL Spring Meeting, scheduled for May 19-20. This means that the NFL Competition
7 rules changes proposed by NFL teams for 2020
March is a big month for NFL officiating hopefuls
March is a big month on the NFL calendar as, traditionally, the NFL hires new officials. We already know of four retirements (Byron Boston, Mike Spanier, Jeff Rice and Walt Anderson) and the NFL is incentivizing several veterans to take the gold watch. So the retirement list may grow. Al Riveron, senior
Coach Ron Rivera appointed to the Competition Committee
Embed from Getty Images Washington head coach Ron Rivera has recently been appointed to the NFL's Competition Committee. This will be the first time since 2017 that the Competition Committee will have at least three head coaches. The Committee began their first meetings of the 2020 offseason this week. ESPN rules
John McDaid leaves the field to be SEC officiating boss
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced today that long-time referee John McDaid will leave the field and become the new coordinator of football officials for the SEC and Sun Belt Conference. https://twitter.com/SECOfficiating/status/1224416534363365384 McDaid replaces Steve Shaw, who left the SEC to become college football's national coordinator. In a news release, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey
Happy 95th birthday to the great Ben Dreith. Here’s a supercut of some memorable calls
Ben Dreith is one of the first referees to become a household name, known by the spectators as the referee with the colorful announcements and by players and coaches as one of the most-respected and shrewdest game managers. His unbusinessmanlike demeanor on the microphone was his trademark and an endearing
Walt Anderson promoted to NFL front office, leaves field after 24 seasons
Walt Anderson, a two-time Super Bowl official and 24-year veteran, will leave the field to become an NFL senior vice president, according to Mike Sando of The Athletic. https://twitter.com/SandoNFL/status/1222562303935164422 Anderson will oversee officiating training and development. This position was negotiated as part of the new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and