Football Zebras

8th on-field official is not likely to be implemented soon in the NFL, if ever

News

by Mark Schultz - August 17, 2022August 17, 2022 0676

Football Zebras has confirmed that for the fourth time in five years, the NFL will not experiment with an eighth on-field official position in the preseason. The NFL hasn't experimented with an eight-person crew since 2019. The NFL currently has seven on-field officials -- referee, umpire, down judge, line judge, field

New replay rule makes for a smoother game

News

by Mark Schultz - December 23, 2021December 23, 2021 02588

It took a little while to get used to, but this year's "replay assistance rule" has improved the game. In 2020 the replay official at the stadium could step in and make clock adjustments. This season, the replay official's ability to fix plays was greatly expanded. In short, the NFL is allowing

NFL brass getting behind push to add sky judge

News

by Mark Schultz - March 7, 2019March 7, 2019 03764

Expect talks to get serious later this month about the NFL adding an eighth official to the crew...but this official will be in a suit and tie instead of a striped shirt. https://twitter.com/SeifertESPN/status/1101533229197262848 The Alliance of American Football employs a sky judge. This official steps in to correct obvious officiating mistakes in

Former NFL umpire Rex Stuart passes away

by Mark Schultz - March 12, 2018March 12, 2018 07018

Embed from Getty Images Â Rex Stuart, 1941 - 2018 John Rex Stuart, a retired NFL umpire and replay official, died on March 6, at the age of 76. The Lincolnton, N.C. native officiated in the NFL from 1984 to 1997 and wore number 103 his entire career. Stuart played college football at Appalachian

Officiating video: Blandino breaks down 3 Super Bowl LI calls

by Mark Schultz - February 10, 2017February 11, 2017 65129

NFL senior vice president of officiating Dean Blandino broke down three calls from Super Bowl LI in his weekly video for the media. The first play is a potential pass/fumble with special forward fumble rule implications. The first play after the two-minute warning in the second quarter, there was a potential

Al Jury presented with Art McNally Award

News

by Ben Austro - January 26, 2014January 26, 2014 28605

Former field judge Al Jury is being honored by the NFL with the Art McNally Award for his distinguished officiating career. He will be formally presented with the award by the outgoing executive vice president of football operations, Ray Anderson, in a ceremony prior to the Pro Bowl in Honolulu. Jury

Teams, replay official need all-angle access

Controversy

by Ben Austro - December 16, 2012September 5, 2019 03932

After Further Review: A look at the NFL replay review system Part 3 of a 4-part series While replay is not the all-correcting eraser for every call, it is a useful tool for fixing pivotal plays when the video is clear to provide contrary evidence. When there is clear video evidence, but itÂ

Red-flag rule subject to review

by Football Zebras staff - November 28, 2012November 28, 2012 83383

In the last two weeks, the Falcons (video) and the Lions have both been burned by throwing a red challenge flag on a play subject to automatic review. All indications are this rule will be changed, including comments from the commissioner at a Lions event. Roger Goodell said he doesn't expect

Officiating experts break down Week 12 calls

by Mark Schultz - November 26, 2012November 27, 2012 03140

Pereira and Daopoulos analyze the officials Former NFL vice president of officiating and current Fox Sports officiating expert Mike Pereira and former NFL supervisor and current NBC Sports Network officiating expert Jim Daopoulos had many situations to explain during their weekly segments. Daopoulos talked about the strange circumstances surrounding a replay in