NFL preparing to hire new officials

View image | gettyimages.com Commentary by Mark Schultz We are coming up on a critical few weeks in the NFL as vice president for officiating, Dean Blandino, will be hiring new officials, assigning positions, and beginning the orientation process for the new pro zebras. While 2014 saw a near-record number of retirements

HL Tom Stabile retiring after Pro Bowl

View image | gettyimages.com Veteran official retiring "on my own terms" Tom Stabile, whose NFL career spanned 20 years and includes a Super Bowl assignment, will retire after working the Pro Bowl.  Stable, 68, told his local newspaper that he made the decision to retire "at mid-season so that I may retire

6 keys for the 2014 season

It is time. Clinic attended, check.  Rules test taken, check. Camps visited, check. Preseason games officiated, check. It is time for the 2014 NFL season.  Just as officials have keys to read on every play, I'm going to be keying in on five things as I zebra-watch from now until

6 NFL officiating things to watch for in 2013

Commentary by Mark Schultz Here are the things I am pondering as I "zebra watch" this year. 1.  Will some high-profile officials make a playoff comeback?  Gene Steratore, Ed Hochuli, John Parry, Tom Stabile,  John McGrath, Rob Vernatchi, and Walt Anderson missed out on an on-field playoff assignment in 2012.  Will they