Football Zebras

Kickoff 2013: The officials by the numbers

News

by Ben Austro - September 5, 2013September 5, 2013 2

Click the image to enlarge. It is time to kick off the new football season! Here are some numbers for all of the zebra watchers out there. Enjoy! Designed and researched by Ben Austro. Sources: NFL Record and Fact Book (2013, 2008, 2000); Pro-Football-Reference.com (Coleman, Freeman, McKinnely); Football Zebras, "Officiating crews for the

Officials address rules changes, questions at training camps

by Ben Austro - August 4, 2013August 4, 2013 2

After Further Review: Training Camp edition Partial officiating squads traveled to training camps this week to explain the new rules and answer questions about interpretations. Bill Leavy was in Rams camp with FJ Boris Cheek, HL John McGrath, SJ Keith Parham. Also, HL Patrick Turner from the league's developmental squad was in

Pereira, Daopoulos grade refs for Week 15

by Mark Schultz - December 17, 2012December 19, 2012 1

The officiating experts have several pass plays to break down In this pass-happy league it seems like there are always several pass plays that shine the light on the officiating. Former NFL vice president for officiating and current Fox Sports officiating analyst Mike Pereira and former NFL supervisor and NBC Sports

49ers dispute Kaepernick grounding, safety

by Ben Austro - December 4, 2012December 4, 2012 0

Week 13: 49ers at Rams On a pass from his end zone, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw an incomplete pass toward the line of scrimmage, but out of bounds. Referee Carl Cheffers, after consulting with head linesman Kent Payne, ruled it intentional grounding. Since the foul occurred in the end zone,

Mike Pereira grades three Week 13 calls

by Mark Schultz - December 4, 2012December 4, 2012 1

Former officials' boss says the intentional grounding safety on 49ers a bad call Former NFL vice president for officiating and current FOX Sports football officiating analyst Mike Pereira broke down three very interesting plays from Week 13, including an intentional grounding call in the endzone that resulted in a safety on

Clock running during measurement missed by 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7 officials

by Ben Austro - November 14, 2012 3

Spot of ball in OT hurry-up offense also prominent mistake There is no real ranking to the worst mistakes an official can make, other than outright lying about a call. Last week we said that the inadvertent whistle was almost as bad as it can get, but one crew found two

Rams time management nixed by clock op

by Ben Austro - September 11, 2012September 15, 2012 0

Week 1: Rams at Lions 4th quarter | 2:45 remaining | Tied 20-20 | STL ball | 2 & 12 @ DET 31 "First, let me explain this to you," Rams head coach Jeff Fisher prefaced his comments. "This is separate from the officiating. This is a clock operator error." Fisher, who also

Week 17 open forum, assignments

by Ben Austro - January 2, 2011January 6, 2011 0

Did a referee drop a call like the ball in Times Square? Let us know in the comments. Referee assignments are listed after the jump. Quick Updates Cowboys at Eagles. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett attempted to challenge the spot of the ball in relation to a first down. Referee Tony Corrente disallowed

Niners Smith pushes U DeFelice, ejected

by Ben Austro - December 19, 2010December 19, 2010 1

Week 15: 49ers at Chargers Niners defensive tackle Justin Smith was ejected from the Thursday night 49ers-Chargers game for impermissible contact with an official (video). Umpire Garth DeFelice was attempting to break up some post-play shoving when Smith pushed DeFelice's arm off of him. Whether or not Smith knew it was an