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

NFL Officials Clinic opens in Dallas

It is only 2½ days, but in its own way it is a grueling training camp. The NFL officials are meeting today in Dallas for their annual clinic weekend, a chance for NFL vice-president of officiating Dean Blandino to have his entire staff in the same room two weeks prior to

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

Referee assignments for Divisional round: Blakeman, Cheffers, McAulay, Morelli

Updated Friday, Jan. 10 to include full crews Football Zebras has confirmed the officiating crews for the Divisional Playoffs. 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

Offenses subject to ‘reasonable time’ rule

The conspiracy machine got some gas in preseason with the suggestion that officials are given the authority to limit offensive schemes through controlling the pace of the game. In a Wall Street Journal article, a connection was drawn between a new point of emphasis and the offense employed by incoming

Can umpire make calls for referee?

Former umpire Jim Daopoulos breaks down responsibilities There was a play in the Texans-Patriots divisional playoff game that seemed curious to me.  Late in the second quarter referee Tony Corrente flagged the Texans for roughing the kicker.  Umpire Garth DeFelice consulted with Corrente, and the referee turned on his microphone and