Tag: Vikings

Don’t fix inadvertent whistle by pretending it never happened

by Ben Austro - 24957

Week 7: Vikings at Giants (video) The Arkansas Association of High School Officials gets it. The NFL does not. If you are an official at any level, may I suggest you print this tweet, cut it out, and laminate it: 1. Clock status 2. Downs 3. Penalty enforcement 4. Whistle control 5.

Pereira: Officials botch two penalty enforcements in Week 3

by Mark Schultz - 44309

Last year it was a rash of inadvertent whistles.  This year the officials are having trouble enforcing penalties.  Former NFL vice president for officiating and current Fox Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira says the officials missed two penalty enforcements in two different games on Sunday. Pereira broke down the play in Minneapolis

Rule rewrite on coach’s challenge misapplied

by Ben Austro - 34499

Week 3: Browns at Vikings (video) Update: Bill Leavy interview with pool reporter is below, video link from Deadspin is above. Bill Leavy's crew is now two down on very costly, very visible downgrades. In both cases, it wasn't judgment calls that proved to be wrong, but it was a misapplication of

After Further Review: Bolts halt 2 games

by Ben Austro - 23426

Referee  John Parry awaits with an NFL official in the CenturyLink Field tunnel during a lightning delay in the first quarter of the 49ers-Seahawks game. Here are some of the items making news this week: Quick calls from Week 2 [Football Zebras] Parry really had no rule to evoke for a fan's whistle

Pereira: No recourse if helmet speaker fails

by Mark Schultz - 43380

  Fox Sports rules analyst on what went right, wrong in Week 1 Fox Sports made an inspired move when they hired former NFL vice president for officiating Mike Pereira.  For four years, Pereira has explained difficult rulings and calls to the media.  Pereira was full of knowledge and expertise this past

Quick calls: Week 1

by Ben Austro - 95192

Did you see a call in the kickoff weekend that needs our attention? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @footballzebras. We have the week 1 assignments and the crew lists available for your review. 7761

Kickoff 2013: The officials by the numbers

by Ben Austro - 24899

Click the image to enlarge. It is time to kick off the new football season! Here are some numbers for all of the zebra watchers out there. Enjoy! Designed and researched by Ben Austro. Sources: NFL Record and Fact Book (2013, 2008, 2000); Pro-Football-Reference.com (Coleman, Freeman, McKinnely); Football Zebras, "Officiating crews for the

Ridiculous red-flag rule burden on referee

by Ben Austro - 13592

Week 17: Packers at Vikings Fortunately, there are likely only 11 more games where the rule for prohibited coach's challenges is in effect. The Competition Committee is all but certain to modify the rule in the offseason. Basically, the rule has two aspects, which we have already explained in detail. If a