[News] Steve Bisciotti Discusses Level Of NFL Officiating

[BR News]

The NFL admitted an incorrect call this year against the Ravens cost them a victory.

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[thieverycorporation]

All valid points from Steve B. And I completely agree. Under utilizing the technology is a disservice to the game. We all know the NFL doesn't want to slow down the game but the mindset should be to get the end result as correct as possible. Maybe then the officials can control the players and coaches a little better then what we've witnessed most recently.

[SUGGStobeDUMED]

The easiest and first step is, as a multi-billion dollar industry, HIRE FULL-TIME OFFICIALS!!

[RavenzOz]

Steve was being very polite about it in the presser, and I am sure he has as harsh feelings about the officials as us fans at times. Here's the thing, if I am paying someone a SIX-FIGURE SALARY for a PART TIME JOB, I don't care how thick that rule-book is, I expect them to know it word for word the way a preacher knows the bible.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Time for the NFL to get the Referees back up to par with the rest of the league in terms of utilizing every technology possible to make life simpler and more efficient. Referees need to be full-time positions. They are quite frankly doing an exceptional job and not compensated or provided adequate resources for the task that has changed considerably. Considering the idea of more outside "review/referee assistance" could be a great idea, as these people could also be full-time and not necessarily require the insane amount of travel. That would leave more time for them to really know the rule book. Then give the booth people direct communications to the refs on the field, so they can all stay on the same page. If they can get a solid "review/referee assistance" tool in place then perhaps they can avoid making the ref's job full-time positions, by way of lessening the burden. Honestly, what team is going to complain about the game maybe taking another 10 mins on avg to ensure the calls are being made consistently and more importantly correctly, week in and week out, no matter the venue or individual officials. The refs mostly get things right, it is not like every play would require additional review. Most games were talking about maybe 1-3 plays. Get with the times NFL.

[TruRavensFan52]

I was mad about the Jacksonville blunder at first but in the end it worked out better for us because with a 6-10 record we would have been picking at around 11-12 instead of 6.

[pcwag33]

Also might want to audit the Refs' off shore bank accounts.

[salamander]

The technology is instantly available to get the vast majority of these calls right without dragging the games out. If there is a central group of capable refs in NY or wherever, their expertise should be utilized. Bad calls are killing this game. I agree with Bisciotti that the refs need help. 

Edited January 11, 2016 by salamander

[WNC-Raven]

Why do they not have a gps chip in all footballs yet so spotting the ball is never in question?

Edited January 11, 2016 by WNC-Raven

[Jim Giampaoli]

After the zebras pocket their earnings, don't expect them to read the rule book.

[Flamengo1265]

Lousy officiating will kill the NFL before concussions do....There was the Jaguar game, The OPI called on Dan Brown in the Dolphin game and the phantom DPI on Will Hill in the Raider game when he intercepted a pass late in the 4th quarter. The officiating in the Bengals-Steelers game was a joke.

[cobrajet]

The officials do have a tough job. The only thing that bothers me is that not all officials enforce the penalties the same way and certain teams and players seem to get preferred treatment. Consistency seems to be a problem. Maybe some penalties should be able to be challenged, but I doubt the NFL would allow that.

[Purple Dawg 96]

The Ravens gotta beat the team they are playing and the officials, simple as that! Wanna get back at an official "WIN THE GAME"! That takes a "RELENTLESS" effort every snap of the ball! Not, get a lead and decide you want to run now, a "RELENTLESS" attack until the whistle blows!

[Halshayeji]

Lousy officiating will kill the NFL before concussions do....There was the Jaguar game, The OPI called on Dan Brown in the Dolphin game and the phantom DPI on Will Hill in the Raider game when he intercepted a pass late in the 4th quarter. The officiating in the Bengals-Steelers game was a joke.

Thank you!

Steve has to be politically correct when he comments on refs. He watered it down so much that one may think he's complimenting refs after a horrible year of officiating. Us on the other hand can call it the way it is. Refs were pathetic, shifting momentum with bad calls and were so inconsistant with close calls. The NFL has got to solve this before they really start loosing fans.

Wish I could give you more than 1 thumbs up. Every point you made brought back a horrible memory where I was yelling. "Are you serious!"

Edited January 12, 2016 by Halshayeji

[harfordravenfan]

Why do they not have a gps chip in all footballs yet so spotting the ball is never in question?

 

a chip and sensors at the end zone could clear up if a player crossed for a TD but there would still be questions as to where the ball was when the player went down.

 

Perhaps some of the older refs could be the ones in the booth reviewing things and hire younger refs that can keep up on the field. I do like the thought of having full time refs

 

With the season being so short compared to other sports, I have no problem if games lasted a bit longer if it meant penalties/flags were more accurate. (just more opportunities to grab a beer between plays lol)

[gittyup]

The administration of rules in the NFL is horrible. It's slow. It's often wrong. I was watching the AL-Clemson game last night thinking how much better college officiating is. The NFL needs fewer rules, not more. It needs the college targeting rule because clearly the "defenseless receiver" rule isn't working. It doesn't stop or reduce occurrences and is inconsistently applied. And the replay system! Hoy! The NFL is like a caveman with a cell phone. College has it closer to right. Though, I'd like to see booth officials be able to over turn any call or non-call around eligible receivers, running backs, or quarterbacks, to include holding, interference, personal fouls.

Maybe the league has all these subjective rules so they can use them to favor teams they want to win and to produce more commercial time. Whatever the reason. Whatever the cause. It's a mess.

[Halshayeji]

The administration of rules in the NFL is horrible. It's slow. It's often wrong. I was watching the AL-Clemson game last night thinking how much better college officiating is. The NFL needs fewer rules, not more. It needs the college targeting rule because clearly the "defenseless receiver" rule isn't working. It doesn't stop or reduce occurrences and is inconsistently applied. And the replay system! Hoy! The NFL is like a caveman with a cell phone. College has it closer to right. Though, I'd like to see booth officials be able to over turn any call or non-call around eligible receivers, running backs, or quarterbacks, to include holding, interference, personal fouls. Maybe the league has all these subjective rules so they can use them to favor teams they want to win and to produce more commercial time. Whatever the reason. Whatever the cause. It's a mess.

Like like like like! Dude your on a roll! Obviously that defenseless received rule is ruining the NFL in so many ways. im not even gonna go into details. Then u threw out that caveman with a cell phone analogy and I just fell of my chair coz it's so damn true!

[ravenwildman]

I understand that Steve was being politically "correct and kind" in his reply. After all he is a partner with the other owners so calling out a part of your own organization to the media is counter productive. I routinely watch many games of other teams each year, I am a bit of a football fan, and to me a good game that is worth watching is on as much as possible. The biggest difference I see with officiating is the "ticky tack" penalties Ravens get versus other teams. Yes, there were many "questionable" calls this year for many teams, but the Ravens seem to have the collection of "real head scratchers" and commentators saying "I don't see that one". Paranoia would take me down the road of NFL manipulation against the Ravens, let's hope that Steve is correct and it's more a matter of them being overwhelmed. Whatever the cause, hopefully Steve can bring enough spotlight on it that changes are made. GO RAVENS!

[ravenwildman]

Also, why can't the NFL have a team of officials in a booth that have the same ability the networks have to review penalties and concur or over rule them (almost instantly). Must be clear to overturn them, and reported directly to the head official. Won't take any more time then discussions by officials on the field about penalties do now. We have the technology, NFL has the $$$ so, why not? GO RAVENS!

[Bob21043]

And goal line, field goal sensors to detect when the ball actually crosses the plane -

[PersianRaven]

in the picture above, Coach Harbaugh is talking to the BEST ref in the NFL. Mr. Gene Steratore. He is too SMOOTH!! Not once I have heard him mumble words when he's using the mic. You go G!! He also referees DIV I college basketball games

[bozo]

all I can say if they firld the same team next year they will get the same results

[bozo]

hal u r right, we lost three games that the refs stold from us, and that is a fact.

[Guest]

Is it just me, or is Bisciotti becoming the tardy master of the obvious? Really? It took him til now to make a statement? For crying out loud, its his league. The refs suck, the only way to get fairness is challenge flags on calls. In the case of Jacksonville, non calls.