Six Super Bowl XLIX officiating observations

View image | gettyimages.com   The Super Bowl XLIX officiating crew is back at home and recovering from a frenzied season that was capped off with a frenzied Super Bowl.  While some may disagree with a call here and there, the biggest controversy is the Seahawks' play calling at the end of

Flopping for flag can flip flag in face of flopper

If you are a fan of basketball, you are well aware of flopping -- the art of exaggerating contact to try to draw a foul on your opponent.  Well, the art of flopping is also alive and well in the NFL, fans just haven't heard a referee call it such.

U Garth DeFelice leaves field for regional supervisor post

Veteran's move leaves 11 vacancies for 2014 Football Zebras exclusive Football Zebras can report that umpire Garth DeFelice will leave the field and become one of the regional supervisors for the officiating office. The supervisors have traditionally been the graders that evaluate the game tapes for accuracy in the officials' calls. This

5 observations from Wild Card weekend

After wild card weekend, it always strikes me -- only seven more meaningful football games this year.  In an attempt not to get too maudlin, here are five things that stuck out to me in regard to the officiating this past Wild Card weekend. Jeff Triplette's crew called an awesome game Triplette,

Wild Card quick calls: Saints at Eagles

NFC Wild Card PlayoffFollow us here for rolling coverage of the calls and rules interpretations of the Saints-Eagles Wild Card Playoff game from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (If you see continue reading below, click it to see the entire feed.)If you have any questions or comments, use the comments

Referee assignments for Wild Card games: Anderson, Vinovich, Triplette, Hochuli

Football Zebras has confirmed the officiating crews for the Wild Card weekend. Officials are listed with their uniform number, years experience (including this season), the crew each official worked with in the regular season (by the referee’s name), college, and outside occupation. All times are Eastern. Three alternates are assigned to each

Texans missed punt block could have been challenged by Colts?

Ultimately would be 4th down again, not automatic 1st down Week 9: Colts at Texans (video at :53) "The Texans looked to have got away with one," said NBC announcer Al Michaels, as the Texans snap the ball to eliminate the possibility of the previous play being challenged. On a 4th-and-9 punt, Colts

After Further Review: Safety is number 1 priority

Some of the officiating news items from Sunday: A couple of puzzling replay reviews: Mike Carey allowed a catch to stand, despite clear evidence the pass was incomplete, according to our Roundtable experts [Ben Austro, Football Zebras]. Bill Vinovich ruled a player touched a loose ball with his foot while out