[News] Late For Work 10/28: NFL Admits Refs Made Mistake, Explains How

[Zeus]

1-6 and still no one has been fired

[Space11jams]

what does that do for us now....? smh

[budkretz]

There is a very simple way for the NFL to fix the officiating gaffs. Everything is reviewable. Each team gets three per game (as long as they have a time out to lose) and if they get it right they keep that challenge. So if they challenge 10 times and are right 10 times so be it. At least that call is correct. We have the technology. use it! For example if the Ravens would have been able to challenge whether Urshel did signal (which he did). The Ravens play would have stood and maybe we get a TD rather than a field goal.

To Blandino, yes that call made a difference! It gave momentum to the Cards and took it away from the Ravens. That crew needs to be fined or demoted for at least one game.

[Guest ColoradoSpringsRaven]

By no means am I trying to blame Joe Flacco for our loss Monday Night..As long as he is our quarterback, I'll continue to support him all the way...But OMG, on the play where he completed the lobbed pass to Gillmore for that completion near the endzone, he had Kamar Aiken running wide open towards the top of the screen for a TD..Kamar created separation at the line against the defender and there was NO ONE left on the backside to cover him..I guess Joe was under soo much pressure, he never saw him...To think, six properly executed plays is the difference between a 7-0 record and 1-6 record. Unbelievable

[Minionhunter]

Remember when Chis Carter said that everyone needs to get themselves a fall guy? I think this year, the Ravens are the NFL's fall guy.

[Minionhunter]

By no means am I trying to blame Joe Flacco for our loss Monday Night..As long as he is our quarterback, I'll continue to support him all the way...But OMG, on the play where he completed the lobbed pass to Gillmore for that completion near the endzone, he had Kamar Aiken running wide open towards the top of the screen for a TD..Kamar created separation at the line against the defender and there was NO ONE left on the backside to cover him..I guess Joe was under soo much pressure, he never saw him...To think, six properly executed plays is the difference between a 7-0 record and 1-6 record. Unbelievable

Do you have a link to a clip, I didn't TiVo it. OK I can see part of it on the Vine from Sara's article. Joe did say that he didn't want to throw it short and commented on Kamar in his post game.

Edited October 28, 2015 by Minionhunter

[Nick04263]

For all those wanting an aggressive defense back again I don't know it will ever happen. Thanks to the Rice fiasco we are going players with zero background/anger issues (ie. usually the more aggressive play-makers). That and the league has been slowly De-evolving into a Fantasy Wonderland where the offense can do no wrong. The game is changing, the refs are regressing, the head office of the NFL is crumbling from incompetence and greed. I find it a chore to watch these games anymore. The fun is almost gone. Sad.

[Minionhunter]

So I`m supposed to take the word of a man(Blandino) who explains NFL referee miscues while holding a play station remote in his hand?

 

Remember he is literally a stand up comedian. thefixisin.net/nfl2015

NFL officiating is suspect and they have lost integrity. Whether they are incompetent or blatantly biased (paid off?), NFL needs to investigate and correct the problem.

The refs are paid employees of the league, the NFL your ticket does not entitle you to a fair sporting contest, only an entertainment game. As such the NFL can tell the refs to do whatever they want, the refs must do it and it is legal. Remember a billion dollar enterprise will not leave profit to chance. Look up the court case from when the Jet fan sued the league and Patriots after spygate.

[xCDx Disciple]

Ok. Having Justin Forsett as one of the Down players is ridiculous. He only got the ball 12 times. 8 in the first half and 4 in the Second half. How can he get it going when he only got the ball 4 times in the second half. And also talking about Jeremy Ross's fumble issues is just dumb. According to the NFL Rules (http://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/2015-nfl-rulebook/#rule-7.-ball-in-play,-dead-ball,-scrimmage) Section two says that whenever the player's leg above the ankle is down on the ground, the player is down and the play should be dead at that point. Ross clearly had the ball when his shin was on the ground..but the Refs automatically "assumed" Ross fumbled because the Cardinals came up with the ball? Really? So bringing up Ross' fumble issues is dumb. He didn't put the ball on the ground and the ball was stripped after he was down on the ground. #rantover

[salamander]

It's a total failure for the NFL to not impose a consequence on the ref who was not paying attention to Urshel, looking right at/through him as he clearly signals multiple times from 3 yards away. The NFL's failure is bigger than the original unwarranted penalty by a ref. For the NFL to take the position that the penalty did not impact the outcome of the game is a cop out. In essence, every rule and penalty exists to protect the fair impact upon and outcome of a game, which is the sole responsibility of the refs to enforce. Any blatant penalty not called and any blatant unwarranted penalty has the potential to influence the outcome of the game. Ref screw ups have not declined, and in fact seem to be getting worse, with greater impacts upon the outcomes. For the NFL to use the excuse that the bogus penalty did not impact the outcome is deplorable, much less a 1 score game, much less just 1 of several pathetic ref blunders in the same game. Until the NFL holds refs more accountable, the NFL will allow this game to be diminished by the tolerance of poor officiating. And this week, the Ravens paid the worst possible price for this incompetence.

Edited October 28, 2015 by salamander

[rmcjacket23]

It's a total failure for the NFL to not impose a consequence on the ref who was not paying attention to Urshel, looking right at/through him as he clearly signals multiple times from 3 yards away. The NFL's failure is bigger than the original unwarranted penalty by a ref. For the NFL to take the position that the penalty did not impact the outcome of the game is a cop out. In essence, every rule and penalty exists to protect the fair impact upon and outcome of a game, which is the sole responsibility of the refs to enforce. Any blatant penalty not called and any blatant unwarranted penalty has the potential to influence the outcome of the game. Ref screw ups have not declined, and in fact seem to be getting worse, with greater impacts upon the outcomes. For the NFL to use the excuse that the bogus penalty did not impact the outcome is deplorable, much less a 1 score game, much less just 1 of several pathetic ref blunders in the same game. Until the NFL holds refs more accountable, the NFL will allow this game to be diminished by the tolerance of poor officiating. And this week, the Ravens paid the very heavy price for this incompetence.

What's the solution?

 

Hint: we've already seen what happens when you bring in other officials...

[xCDx Disciple]

What's the solution?

 

Hint: we've already seen what happens when you bring in other officials

Come up with a Fine System for the Refs making major/costly mistakes. I know that based on performance, Refs may not get chosen for future games, but the ante needs to be upped.  Also, simplify some of these rules and make sure these guys know everyone of them backwards and forwards before the step on the field.  Just as doctors have to memorize a lot of material. So should the Refs.  It is a multi-billion dollar industry.  Make the Refs full-time employees instead of part-time. 

[RavensInNC]

How about the after-the-game-review of the fumble call where Ross's ankle was CLEARLY down before he lost the fumble? I understand mistakes being made on the field but they should be corrected in the instant replay system.

[RavensInNC]

Just think even with as bad are we are and the injuries we have that we could be 6-0 if we just had a couple of calls go our way. But nope, one of the most penalized team and worst record in the league and #1 overall pick in the draft so far.

[rmcjacket23]

Come up with a Fine System for the Refs making major/costly mistakes. I know that based on performance, Refs may not get chosen for future games, but the ante needs to be upped.  Also, simplify some of these rules and make sure these guys know everyone of them backwards and forwards before the step on the field.  Just as doctors have to memorize a lot of material. So should the Refs.  It is a multi-billion dollar industry.  Make the Refs full-time employees instead of part-time. 

What defines a major/costly mistake? When it happens to your team?

 

If you made significant fines to officials, you'd probably have none left, since a lot of these guys get paid better with full time jobs than they do with NFL gigs. 

 

And at some point, you'd have to start firing these guys, which means you'd need new one's. You certainly don't want to go to the college/high school level for them, because they are far worse. So where do they come from?

 

If your solution is to make them full-time and therefore pay them a ton more, can you imagine the fan reactions when they make mistakes (which is unavoidable, being that they are humans) AND they are getting paid exponentially more than they are now?

 

Also, as full-time employees, what exactly would they be doing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, or for the 7-8 months a year where there is no football? 

[Obie]

Forget it guys, this is still NFL payback from billick era when he dissed the refs after the sb, we'll never get the close calls again, same logic for art model, ain't gonna happen

[EliteRavens]

They can apologize all they want but they still cost us this game.

[fusuymada]

What defines a major/costly mistake? When it happens to your team?

 

If you made significant fines to officials, you'd probably have none left, since a lot of these guys get paid better with full time jobs than they do with NFL gigs. 

 

And at some point, you'd have to start firing these guys, which means you'd need new one's. You certainly don't want to go to the college/high school level for them, because they are far worse. So where do they come from?

 

If your solution is to make them full-time and therefore pay them a ton more, can you imagine the fan reactions when they make mistakes (which is unavoidable, being that they are humans) AND they are getting paid exponentially more than they are now?

 

Also, as full-time employees, what exactly would they be doing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, or for the 7-8 months a year where there is no football? 

Full-time refs are essential but I don't understand when you say what do they do for 7-8 months of the year is confusing.  First, there is not a 7-8 month lull in the football calendar.  This year Harbaugh was blasting the NFL for not allowing refs more than 2 appearances at training camp and OTA's where teams want refs.  Why? Because they have to be paid (not a problem for full time refs).  There is only about a 3 month lull and after their 4 week vacation, how about seminars and training sessions so refs know that correcting a number on a play that is dead and gone is less important than paying attention to what is happening on the field in front of him.  I don't understand the argument of then they would have to be paid.  We are talking about one of the richest organizations in the sports arena and they have millions and millions of dollars to throw at a legal case against Brady so they have the money to do that.  To argue the fans will complain if they make a mistake based on them making more money is ridiculous because how many fans even know what a ref makes.  They will complain if paying the refs more raises ticket prices, but fans will complain if they are making millions or they do it for free.  Full time refs are a must, the refereeing in the NFL is especially horrendous league-wide.  Seems there are 5 or 6 apologies a week from the league office about incorrect calls and it soon has to be addressed.  Firing officials only means you are promoting college guys who will be far worse than the guys you are firing.  Those guys were so bad they caused the NFL to cave and actually agree to a contract with the refs when they striked 3 years ago.  This situation is the same thing and if the refs walk to get full time jobs, they will have to pay them based on what happened the last time.  The impetus for that was the calls were so bad they had to make a change, much like it is right now.

Edited October 28, 2015 by fusuymada

[xCDx Disciple]

rmcjacket23: A costly major mistake happens every week and not just to the Ravens. Just listen to Sirius NFL Radio, you can hear it from fans all around the country. And not just fans, there are also previous players, GMs, and others knowledgeable about the game that thinks it needs a major overhaul because of the costly/egregious mistakes. And I am talking about the ones that everyone knows (including the NFL Vice President of Officiating) should have been called or not called..except the ref on the field.

Concerning full-time refs. They can be learning the rules and training the other days of the week, during the season. Doesn't matter about the offseason (The players and teachers have an offseason so why can't they) If they are paid well enough for full time positions it doesn't matter. They can also have training sessions and practice for the new rules each year. There is a lot that can be done here. Also we could get new batches of refs every year like the players. We could have rookie refs that don't get to make the calls but observing and learning. And if they have proven that they are good enough, they can get on the field. That is how you can have full-time Refs. We are just accustomed to the way it has always been done and now that way isn't working so great.

[Black n Purple Express]

He was distracted? How? He looked right at Urschel I have a fix for that America's Best gives free eye exam Tolbert might want to take them up on that offer.

[Purplepowers88]

I'm at peace with this season. Injuries and insufficient depth have sunk us. Hopefully we'll get a top ten pick and bounce back next year. We have been a quality organization for a long time and this is merely a blip on the radar. However - I have just one question from this season that really bothers me: What in the world is going on with Breshad Perriman?

[GeeWallee]

Overall....NFL Officating is getting progressively worse, each year. Is it because now every Play is under a video microscope? For Blandino to say that the penalty on Urschel did not have a significant impact on the outcome of the game? Uh.....Hello ! Earth to NFL !!!! Darn right it had an impact to the outcome of the game. Different Play call with 2nd and 4 at the 7.....as opposed to replaying 1st Down, but now it is 1st and 15..... from the 18. Especially after you just used a "Surprise" Play to advance the ball. Then ? The Referee did not see the Player's signal ....as he was correcting notes? What notes? He was looking straight at Urschel as he was coming into the Huddle area. Did they doctor the video to make it "seem" like Tolbert was looking right at Urschel , when he was Really correcting imaginary notes from a previous penalty ? Which Penalty? That explanation doesn't fly.......whatsoever. Total League copout on that one folks.

Edited October 28, 2015 by GeeWallee

[xCDx Disciple]

GeeWallee: Yeah it's like they think they are Jedi. Blandino: "These are not the penalties you are looking for!" **As he waves his hands towards the screen**

[Purplepowers88]

They can apologize all they want but they still cost us this game.

No, changing a call from a second and 4 to a first and 15 in the first quarter did not cost us the game. This is the call that they were apologizing for.

[EliteRavens]

No, changing a call from a second and 4 to a first and 15 in the first quarter did not cost us the game. This is the call that they were apologizing for.

I'm not pointing out that one particular play, during the entire game there were bogus calls even the commentators were acknowledging it. So I think its fair for me to say the they had a part in the games outcome.

[FloridalovesRavens]

Any way you slice it we have been given the shaft too many times by refs. It may not have had a bearing on the outcome of the game but no one will ever know that. Next game please.

[757RavensFan]

This is our punishment for accidentally fracturing the ribs of one of the refs during a game earlier this year.  /sarcasm. 

[Purplepowers88]

I'm not pointing out that one particular play, during the entire game there were bogus calls even the commentators were acknowledging it. So I think its fair for me to say the they had a part in the games outcome.

1) You were commenting on an article in which they were apologizing for one specific play in the fourth quarter - not the entire game.

 

2) Come on stop blaming the refs for why we lost. Do you blame the refs for Tony Jefferson picking off Joe Flacco's pass? Bottom line is we had multiple opportunities to win the game and we didn't. That's been the theme of our season.

[sami]

I thought J. Smith and Webb did a pretty good job considering who they were competing against. And to that the fact they had a backup safety, I'm gonna say I was satisfied.

[budman]

1) You were commenting on an article in which they were apologizing for one specific play in the fourth quarter - not the entire game.

 

2) Come on stop blaming the refs for why we lost. Do you blame the refs for Tony Jefferson picking off Joe Flacco's pass? Bottom line is we had multiple opportunities to win the game and we didn't. That's been the theme of our season.

I do not in any way blame the Refs for our loss, however on the interception a flag should have been thrown for pass interference because as you can clearly see, Gilmore was shoved in the back and that allowed Jefferson to make that catch. Had he not been pushed and kept his direction, Gilmore catches that for a Touchdown to tie the game. Still does not mean that we would have won, but we could have tied the game at that point.