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1/18/09

NFL Instant Replay Must Be Changed

For The Love Of God, Can We Please Change The NFL Review Process?

NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals

by 100%InjuryRate

more posts by author

As I'm sure many of you saw, there was a bit of a controversial call near the end of the first half in the Eagles/Cardinals game. Neil Rackers chip-shotted a kickoff down to near the 20-yard line, where it popped up as an Eagles player ran by it. It initially looked like the Cardinals had recovered the ball and would be on the verge of putting the game away. But instead, a ref had already declared the play dead by blowing his whistle and saying the ball was out of bounds.

Actually, the ball never technically went out of bounds, but the ref determined that the ball had been touched by the Eagles player while he was out of bounds, thus ending the play.

On looking at the play multiple times during instant replays provided by FOX, it did appear that the ball hit the Eagles player as he was out of bounds, so in the end, the call was in all likelihood correct, but the maddening thing is why isn't a play like this reviewable?

The NFL has the curious rule that once a ref blows his whistle and makes a call, that's it. No challenge. If the questionable play - or part of a play - happens before the whistle is blown, then no problem. But what happens when the questionable part of a play that everyone is wondering about is the one that the ref blows his whistle on and makes his call on? Then we're all out of luck.

The NFL has advised refs to be much more hesitant to blow their whistles, but that's not exactly a good way to solve this problem. Refs need to make snap judgments, since it's their job. But the NFL needs to account for the fact that sometimes snap judgments are wrong.

The snap judgment in today's game appears to have been the right call. But ask the San Diego Chargers about Ed Hochuli's snap judgment on that "incomplete pass" call in Week 2 against the Broncos, and suddenly it should be clear what the problem is.

If the NFL wants to do the right thing, then the refs whistle should mean that a play can't progress past that point, but it shouldn't make a play unreviewable. After all, we've already seen how much harm an errant whistle can do this year in the NFL. It's time to make a change.

READ MORE: NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals

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1/18/09

RichmondSpider

3	Aw guys - what would we have to bit*h about if they improved instant replay? LOL

1/18/09

nyrangers

0	Once the whistle blows, the play is dead. End of story. I do agree though, something needs to be done, but the only feasible solution would be to allow plays to go on and not blow the whistle unless the result is obvious

1/18/09

100%InjuryRate

nyrangers wrote:

Once the whistle blows, the play is dead. End of story. I do agree though, something needs to be done, but the only feasible solution would be to allow plays to go on and not blow the whistle unless the result is obvious

That's exactly the problem though. Nothing is ever totally obvious. If you leave it up to refs to make the "obvious" call, even then they'll eventually screw it up at some point.

1/18/09

nyrangers

0	100%InjuryRate wrote: That's exactly the problem though. Nothing is ever totally obvious. If you leave it up to refs to make the "obvious" call, even then they'll eventually screw it up at some point. I know. That's why you can't really do anything about it other than create better specifications on what can and cannot be challenged. I mean at least we HAVE instant replay

1/18/09

frenchy62

2	There are so many possible weird scenarios that can take place in a football game to brainstorm each situation beforehand and change what can and cannot be reviewed. I might be sticking my neck out here, but how about that we simply have no such thing as a "non-reviewable" play. The number one priority should be to get the call right.

1/18/09

JrCanuckFan

1	"If the NFL wants to do the right thing, then the refs whistle should mean that a play can't progress past that point, but it shouldn't make a play unreviewable. After all, we've already seen how much harm an errant whistle can do this year in the NFL. It's time to make a change." Absolutley THE smartest thing I have read today.

1/18/09

JrCanuckFan

frenchy62 wrote:

There are so many possible weird scenarios that can take place in a football game to brainstorm each situation beforehand and change what can and cannot be reviewed. I might be sticking my neck out here, but how about that we simply have no such thing as a "non-reviewable" play. The number one priority should be to get the call right.

And the second smartest!

As 100% says, It "appears" the call was correct, but what if it wasn't? I, for one, have heard too many times that so and so team got robbed by a bad call. They need to make sure they get it right. NHL goes to Toronto for an impartial call on ALL available angles of a controversial play. Granted, they still sometimes can't really tell, but at least they make the effort. IMO play in that game should not have continued until the play WAS reviewed. (and for the record, I didn't think it actually touched him anywhere)

1/18/09

gobigblue1960

(Edited by gobigblue1960)

Every play in the NFL should be reviewable, live or dead ball.The coaches can still use their challenges...to simple isn't it.Everything seems to be a struggle with control in the NFL..the league will fine a player for comments they deem hurtful to the NFL, but when a silly rule like "the whistle blew", or "that's not reviewable" happens, and changes the outcome, then that's hurtful..Great article..and right on.!!

1/18/09

CalBoomer

Halftime of the second game. Stupid ref calls roughing the kicker against Ravens. Replay clearly showed the defensive player never touched the kicker. Mitch Berger, the kicker came down on the defensive player and was laughing as he walked off the field. Fortunately, the Steelers blew what would have been a 3-point gift. The play would not have been reviewable even if the Ravens had a challenge left. Even more than better replay rules, the NFL needs refs with some brains or better eyesight.

1/18/09

RichmondSpider

3	Aw guys - what would we have to bit*h about if they improved instant replay? LOL

1/18/09

IlliniBob72

Guys, the reason you can't review something after the whistle has blown is simple. If the ref blows his whistle and the opposing team recovers a "fumble" after the whistle, the other team can rightfully say, "Hey, the whistle was blown and we let up". If you are going to start reviewing things that occur after the whistle, where does it end??? Do you want guys blasting each other after the whistle on the chance that a review would determine the ball carrier didn't actually step out of bounds? Whistle blows, guys stop playing, play over.

My issue today is that the call was obviously the wrong call! One, I am not convinced the Eagle player touched the ball. Two, even if he had, he didn't go out of bounds until after the touching. I don't buy the explanation either because the ref threw a flag originally. Unless he mistakenly grabbed the flag rather than the beanbag (to mark the touching), there is no reason he would have thrown the flag had he thought the Eagle touched it.

Bottom line is it was badly botched. I highly doubt the whistle was blown that quickly.

1/19/09

chicachericola

0	I agree that there needs to be a change, but games are long enough with all the damn commercial breaks as it is. If we let coaches challenge each and every last play, games would last forever. I for one love football, but I have things like a job and what not to keep up with. Productivity is important!

1/19/09

mrturk

It all comes down to a matter of personal integrity. In golf, the players will turn themselves in when they break the rules. In team sports, however, you try to get something you do not deserve as Berger did in the faux roughing the punter call. This reflects out into society teaching people to cheat and it is OK as long as they do not get caught. Even then they do not 'fess up unless the authorities have them dead to rights. Nice lesson we are teaching everyone. How about instituting the dive rule as in hockey?

Also, what replays of the punt was the author watching? It was pretty obvious to me (echoed by the announcers) that the Eagle player touched the ball before he went out of bounds, but did not touch it a 2nd time. That play was butchered by the quick whistle, and an incorrect ruling was made.

1/19/09

Superbleeder

chicachericola wrote:

I agree that there needs to be a change, but games are long enough with all the damn commercial breaks as it is. If we let coaches challenge each and every last play, games would last forever. I for one love football, but I have things like a job and what not to keep up with. Productivity is important!

Well then I dont wanna hear you bitching after the refs blow a call against your team that costs them a game.

1/19/09

tigertamer2u2000

(Edited by tigertamer2u2000)

While the instant replay is a good idea and reviews also are a good idea , we still have human error to take into consideration. The last 2 minutes of the half or the game are booth reviews only, that is absurb and needs to be addressed in the off season. Also during the Eagles - Cardinals game it's 4th and 10 and Mcnabb goes for it, there was blatant pass interference that didn't get flagged or called. It was in the last 2 minutes of the game there fore not challangeble, so while instant reply is a good idea refs are only human and make mistakes. The NFL needs to address this and work out the kinks because critical calls that were made and some that weren't have cost major games, good example is the Chargers - Broncos game. It is all to easy to be a arm chair coach, quarter back and ref, todays football players move at incredible speed. So the review process while not perfect is a good idea and just needs some refinement, and if a call should go against your personal favorite team , put your big boy underwear on and take it like a man, the players do and their the ones who are getting hit and hurt. Congradulations Arizona and Pittsburg, see you in Tampa.

1/19/09

chicachericola

Superbleeder wrote:

Well then I dont wanna hear you bitching after the refs blow a call against your team that costs them a game.

Learn to read. I didn't say it was wrong. I said there needs to be a change. However, handing the coaches the power to challenge each and every thing they think they might get away with, not to mention every player is going to walk over to the coach and insist that "he was in" "he didn't do it" or whatever excuse fits the play isn't the answer either. Can you imagine how much time per game would be tied up in challenges? Hell Tom Coughlin would have us there for at least 6-8 hours. It would be costly and unncessary. Another type of checks and balences needs to be put into place.