50 Super Bowl calls, Part 4: XX to XI

The Football Zebras staff -- with the assistance of our affiliated forum, Behind the Football Stripes -- has examined the Super Bowls of years past for the work of the officials who, in a given year, achieve the honor of the best of the best. While every team competes for

Ron Rivera’s rough record in red-flag replay reviews

#131432010 / gettyimages.com Replay statistics through Week 8 Panthers coach Ron Rivera has earned a reputation -- and a nickname, "Riverboat Ron" -- for taking some gambles with his play selection. Although Rivera will likely argue that he assesses risk and reward when he does so, one place where he has not

Seahawks catch curiously upheld

Week 9: Buccaneers at Seahawks A five-yard completion to Ricardo Lockette at the end of the third quarter was challenged by Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano for what appeared to be a fairly pedestrian overturn. On the play, it appeared that Lockette was able to complete to process of the catch aided

Rule rewrite on coach’s challenge misapplied

Week 3: Browns at Vikings (video) Update: Bill Leavy interview with pool reporter is below, video link from Deadspin is above. Bill Leavy's crew is now two down on very costly, very visible downgrades. In both cases, it wasn't judgment calls that proved to be wrong, but it was a misapplication of

Ridiculous red-flag rule burden on referee

Week 17: Packers at Vikings Fortunately, there are likely only 11 more games where the rule for prohibited coach's challenges is in effect. The Competition Committee is all but certain to modify the rule in the offseason. Basically, the rule has two aspects, which we have already explained in detail. If a

Red-flag rule subject to review

In the last two weeks, the Falcons (video) and the Lions have both been burned by throwing a red challenge flag on a play subject to automatic review. All indications are this rule will be changed, including comments from the commissioner at a Lions event. Roger Goodell said he doesn't expect

SJ Hayes’ clutch call on Manningham catch

4th quarter | 3:46 remaining | Patriots 17-15 | Giants ball | 1st & 10 @ NYG 12 | video A Super Bowl official is most content with going through an entire game without his name being mentioned once. To be singled out means that one has, at least, leveled a

Odd ruling saves Cruz from being NY goat

Referee Jerome Boger has his hands full with some controversial calls, most notably, a rarely used call on the Giants drive for the game-winning  touchdown (video). Giants receiver Victor Cruz lands to the turf and walks back to the huddle as if the play was over. However, he was not