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
Tag: Al Riveron
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
Too many ejections in Week 1
The NFL officials had to issue too many ejections in Week 1. Of the three, two were for unsportsmanlike conduct and one was due to a flagrant helmet foul. One of the first games of the day features a disqualification The yellow laundry starting flying early in Jacksonville. Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack
5 officiating things to watch for in the 100th NFL season
It is here. 100 years in the making, the NFL kicks off his centennial season this week. Here are five officiating things I'm watching for as the season begins. 1. Expanded instant replay for pass interference This could get ugly. New this year, coaches can challenge to see if the opponents committed defensive
Centralized replay will intercede in all potential ejections this year, not just fights
http://gty.im/1076317506 Starting this year, centralized replay in the Art McNally Game Day Center can weigh in on all potential game ejections. The rule is an expansion to a rule last year that made certain ejection situations reviewable. Last year, the rule called for centralized replay to step in and review fights and
Former NFL players Jones and Killens talk about being rookie zebras
The NFL officiating season has begun, the NFL Network interviewed former pro players and rookie officials Nate Jones and Terry Killens. They and Al Riveron, senior vice president of officiating, joined the program Good Morning Football. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs8gJXxnMcg Jones and Killens are two of six new hires for 2019, and they join current
NFL brass getting behind push to add sky judge
Expect talks to get serious later this month about the NFL adding an eighth official to the crew...but this official will be in a suit and tie instead of a striped shirt. https://twitter.com/SeifertESPN/status/1101533229197262848 The Alliance of American Football employs a sky judge. This official steps in to correct obvious officiating mistakes in
Riveron: 12 of 14 roughing-the-passer calls correct through Sunday
Senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron says that 12 of the 14 roughing the passer fouls on Sunday were correct. The 14 roughing the passer calls are double compared to Week 1 last season. Riveron's remarks were in an interview with NFL Media reporter Tom Pelissero. Riveron says referee Shawn
No eight-person crew experiments this preseason
For the past several preseasons, the NFL has experimented with eight-person crews. Football Zebras has learned that experiment is on hold this year. Eight-person crews started in the NCAA. In college, the eighth official is the center judge, who lines up in the offensive backfield with the referee. NCAA umpires stay in their
Centralized replay could take active role in ejecting, un-ejecting players next year
Embed from Getty Images Look for the NFL centralized replay, under senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron, to take a more active role in ejecting and un-ejecting players in the 2018 season. Update: NFL owners voted on the proposal in Atlanta and was passed on May 22. The idea of un-ejecting a