5 officiating things I’m looking at in 2022

It is here. The NFL is ready to start its 103rd season and there are several things I'm looking for as I zebra-watch this fall. 1. New referee Tra Blake is the new referee, replacing the retired Tony Corrente. Blake is a referee in his third NFL season after spending his rookie

7 officiating observations from the 2021 season

Commentary by Mark Schultz We made it through another season, and here are the officiating related things I noticed during the 18-week regular season. Expedited replay is a success I was skeptical at first, but once the bugs got worked out, the "replay assistance rule" turned into a valuable officiating tool this year. In

5 officiating things I’m watching in 2021

The time for talking is over. The 2021 NFL regular season is here! As the NFL begins its 102nd season, here is what I'm watching as the game officials take the field and make sure the game stays fair. 1. Only one rookie this season Six officials retired this season, but only

Senior Bowl helps evaluate officiating talent, too

The Senior Bowl provides an opportunity for scouts to evaluate potential talent for the upcoming draft in a game played largely under NFL rules. The NFL officiating department also uses this as an opportunity to evaluate potential new officials as well. Since the demise of NFL Europe, the league has lost

NFL announces advanced training program officials

20 officials get the chance to audition for the NFL The NFL has announced its third class of officials in the Advanced Development Program (ADP). These candidates are successful college and Arena Football League officials. The group will work preseason games. Once preseason is over, those officials will return to officiate