No eight-person crew experiments this preseason

For the past several preseasons, the NFL has experimented with eight-person crews. Football Zebras has learned that experiment is on hold this year. Eight-person crews started in the NCAA. In college, the eighth official is the center judge, who lines up in the offensive backfield with the referee. NCAA umpires stay in their

30 officials audition for NFL positions

Photo from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'TfjW5bRzRO1WH2WxlWAE1w',sig:'xY1QpdoGGBL275S3-njIvnuI9fMSKI69ewxqyeeFeJA=',w:'594px',h:'416px',items:'627765608',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});   The NFL has released the names of 30 officials taking part in the 2017 Officiating Development Program. These officials work NFL training camp and preseason games. They then return to officiate in college. The officials are considered finalists once a spot on the roster

6 CFL officials to take part in NFL preseason

Embed from Getty Images   The Canadian Football League is sending six of its officials to learn NFL officiating this preseason, in exchange for at least 5 NFL officials to work the Canadian preseason. This is the second year of the NFL-CFL Officiating Development Program.  The CFL officials taking part in the NFL

NFL officials experiment with wireless in-game communication

You may have noticed some officials wearing rock-star like microphones and ear pieces during some preseason games.  The NFL has confirmed that it is having its officials experiment with wireless official-to-official communication gear during selected games this August.  Vice president of football communications, Michael Signora, says, "We have consistently used

Preseason games not mundane for officials

Crews need the preseason prep Dolphins coach Joe Philbin has a discussion with Tom Hill, John Parry (132), and Scott Edwards during the 2013 Hall of Fame Game. Even the most rabid fan of the NFL will admit that watching a preseason game from start to finish is a chore.  The first string