A slow flag is not always a bad flag

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

Kickoff touchbacks will be at the 25 for another year

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

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

Competition committee focuses on safety, sportsmanship and replay

Embed from Getty Images   The NFL Competition Committee is considering having officials eject players for flagrant hits, cracking down on celebrations and taking the next step in instant replay technology. The committee met last week to consider modifying rules to improve the game.  If the Competition Committee recommends any rule changes, the owners

No mercy in the NFL

Embed from Getty Images   Teams play all 60 minutes no matter the score College football made some news last week as Clemson played South Carolina State in an early season game where the haves play the have-nots. The game got so lopsided that both teams agreed to shorten the quarters and not

Back to basics: The foundation of good officiating

View image | gettyimages.com The individual and collective psyche of NFL officials may be shaken after several rough games in the 2015 season. There are a few techniques that officials can use to help break out of real or perceived slump. One of the best techniques is getting back to the