Football Zebras

Get instant replay out of making judgement calls

Commentary

by Mark Schultz - October 15, 2019October 15, 2019 0

Commentary by Mark Schultz #NFL100 was supposed to be a year-long celebration of pro football. But sadly, the year has featured frustration from media and former officials confused about what is and what isn't pass interference. Former vice president of officiating and current Fox Sports officiating analyst, Mike Pereira has just about

NFL100: 90-year-old rules made for a different game

by Mark Schultz - October 4, 2019 0

People who saw a NFL game 90-years ago would almost not recognize the game played today. Back in the 1930s, the pro game had some rules that are mind-boggling. In the early years of the NFL, if a player fell or was knocked down, he could still crawl or get up

Centralized replay will intercede in all potential ejections this year, not just fights

by Mark Schultz - August 2, 2019August 2, 2019 0

http://gty.im/1076317506 Starting this year, centralized replay in the Art McNally Game Day Center can weigh in on all potential game ejections. The rule is an expansion to a rule last year that made certain ejection situations reviewable. Last year, the rule called for centralized replay to step in and review fights and

NFL brass getting behind push to add sky judge

News

by Mark Schultz - March 7, 2019March 7, 2019 0

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

Does the offense get a delay of game fudge factor?

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - October 26, 2018October 3, 2019 0

Several times a season, we get fans asking us about delay of game. The play clock on the TV screen hits :00, and an instant later the quarterback snaps the ball. It certainly looks like the offense is guilty of delay of game, but there is no flag. Why? Officiating mechanics build

A slow flag is not always a bad flag

by Mark Schultz - September 30, 2018September 30, 2018 0

http://gty.im/869156920 If you watch a game, there are times you may notice that officials take a few extra moments to throw a flag after the infraction takes place. Sometimes people comment that "the flag was pretty late." But many times the official throws a late flag because they are weighing the impact

Centralized replay could take active role in ejecting, un-ejecting players next year

by Mark Schultz - May 22, 2018May 23, 2018 0

Embed from Getty Images Look for the NFL centralized replay, under senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron, to take a more active role in ejecting and un-ejecting players in the 2018 season. Update: NFL owners voted on the proposal in Atlanta and was passed on May 22. The idea of un-ejecting a

NCAA kickoff rule proposal may drive one more nail in the coffin corner

by Mark Schultz - March 6, 2018May 9, 2018 0

Note: The proposed rule was passed on April 13, 2018. The original post appears below. The NCAA Football Rules Committee has proposal a rule that is the next step into eliminating almost all kickoff returns. The change would allow for a receiving team to fair catch a kickoff inside the 25-yard line

Kickoff touchbacks will be at the 25 for another year

2017 rule changes

by Mark Schultz - September 9, 2017September 9, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images The NFL is extending a temporary rule this year that moves kickoff touchbacks to the 25. All other touchbacks (punts into and defensive recoveries into the end zone) will come out to the 20. This was an experimental rule for 2016, and the owners voted to extend that

The science of building good NFL crews

by Mark Schultz - May 2, 2017May 2, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images As NFL officials prepare for their mini-clinic in May, the NFL officiating office is building 17 officiating crews. Exiting senior vice president for officiating Dean Blandino will oversee the rest of the offseason (which ends May 15 for officials), so he has a say in the crew