Football Zebras

Official Review: line to gain, hits on QB kneeldown

News

by Ben Austro - October 2, 2013 0

NFL vice-president of officiating Dean Blandino has two items in this week's "Official Review" segment (video):The review of a spot in the Patriots-Falcons game that was deemed inconclusiveWhy the hit on Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel by Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was illegal, even though Manuel was considered a live target.Even

Crews need to work together, get it right

by Mark Schultz - September 10, 2013November 15, 2018 2

Football is one of the most team-oriented games in the world. It is a joy to watch a team function on the field as a well-oiled machine as they work to win the game. The seven-person third team on the field must also function as a well-oiled machine to give

After Further Review: Teamwork saves crew on 1st play of season

by Football Zebras staff - September 9, 2013September 10, 2013 0

A roundup of the calls from Sunday Bill Leavy's crew has a very visible downgrade coming their way. The attention it received swooned mostly due to the fact that Mike Pereira -- Leavy's former boss and current Fox Sports rules analyst -- pointed it out during the game broadcast and that

Quick calls: Week 1

Calls
Week 1

by Ben Austro - September 8, 2013September 11, 2013 9

Did you see a call in the kickoff weekend that needs our attention? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @footballzebras. We have the week 1 assignments and the crew lists available for your review. 7761

Sarah Thomas 2014 debut all but assured

by Ben Austro - August 17, 2013August 17, 2013 0

The NFL is piloting an advanced training program to give college officials an apprenticeship with NFL crews this season. There are supposedly 21 recruits, which the NFL declined to disclose names to us, but one name has been made known. Sarah Thomas is one of the recruits and is on a

Former official explains new hires’ orientation

Outside the Stripes

by Mark Schultz - May 17, 2013May 17, 2013 0

How does the NFL get their new officials up to speed? Larry Upson knows what it is like to be hired into the NFL. Upson was an NFL official from 1993-98 before moving into the front office to become Mike Pereira's assistant. Upson then became supervisor of the now defunct United

It never was about black or white, but whether stripes were earned fairly

by Ben Austro - February 1, 2013September 20, 2013 5

Controversy not about Jerome Boger, but about broken system Special report: Super Bowl XLVII assignment controversy The NFL is defending its referee assignment system that many of its referees find is broken. "Jerome Boger was the number one rated official in 2012, and is here because he deserves to be here and for

NFL fixed grades for desired Super Bowl ref

by Ben Austro - January 20, 2013October 29, 2015 24

Boger has clean slate as bad marks were wiped a Football Zebras special report This season began with the NFL using a pool of replacement officials who were retired or came from lower college divisions and junior colleges. It will end with the NFL using a referee who might not be the

Jerome Boger confirmed for Super Bowl

by Ben Austro - January 15, 2013January 27, 2013 15

Jerome Boger will head to New Orleans lead the officiating crew for Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3. We have confirmed the assignment that was first reported by us as rumor on Dec. 30. The entire officiating staff was told of the assignment today. Boger's assignment is not without controversy. He

Super Bowl officials on field for divisionals?

by Ben Austro - January 11, 2013January 26, 2013 3

McAulay, Leavy likely for conference title games Boger, lacking prerequisites, still rumored as top referee This year, the speculation of the postseason assignments seems to be rampant, compared with previous years. For the past decade, regular season officiating crews stayed largely intact, qualifying as a group, with a few substitutions for higher