Tony Michalek

Alternate officials, like playoffs, have expanded over time

by Mark Schultz - February 3, 2017January 9, 2021 2

They're happy but not satisfied. They'd rather be on the field, but don't want the circumstances happen that put them on the field. Who are they? The alternates. They are the three to five people assigned, ready to go into a playoff game should an on-field official get hurt or

Vacancies could create crunch in the clutch

by Mark Schultz - November 14, 2014November 15, 2014 2

Possible staffing shortage could cause Week 17 shuffle The Week 9 Sunday Night Football game in Green Bay featured a very rare sight. Umpire Tony Michalek was pressed into duty as a line judge. Michalek, who worked as a line judge for a few seasons in the Big Ten Conference before

Good, bad, ugly: 8 officiating things we saw in 2013

Calls

by Mark Schultz - January 2, 2014January 2, 2014 2

The regular season is over and before we get into the playoffs, I'd like to offer some thoughts on the 2013 NFL season, and some things that stuck out to me about the officiating. Most fun game of the year: Lions at Eagles, Week 14 I doubt Ed Hochuli's crew wants to

After Further Review: OT flag on new rule draws shrug from Belichick

by Ben Austro and Mark Schultz - October 21, 2013October 21, 2013 1

The big call of the week was Tony Michalek's flag on a Patriots defensive tackle Chris Jones. Jones shoved his teammate into the Jets offensive line on an overtime field goal attempt [Ben Austro, Football Zebras]. "I'm sure the league would rather the first call in history of this rule would

Carey, Morelli, Steratore crews assigned to Wild Card; Coleman subs for McAulay

by Ben Austro - January 6, 2011November 15, 2012 5

The officiating crews for the Wild Card games on Jan. 8 and 9 have been announced by the NFL. Kickoff times are Eastern. (See our previous post on the process of qualification.) Saints at Seahawks (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.) R â€” #65 Walt Coleman (22nd year, 16th year as referee) U â€” #121 Paul