Author Topic: NFL changes rules so another ref fiasco doesn't happen in a superbowl (Read 412 times)

Ripsnort · « **on:** March 22, 2006, 08:02:19 PM »

Too late for the Seahawks unfortunately..
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2380129

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NEW YORK -- The NFL is satisfied with its officiating but concerned that high-profile errors in the playoffs and Super Bowl left a bad impression.

So beginning next week at league meetings in Orlando, Fla., it will tweak a few rules, dealing mostly with player safety, offensive holding and false starts.

"Because of the magnitude of the games, there's an indictment of the system," Atlanta general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the league's competition committee, said Wednesday during a conference call.

The main topic will be the first steps in choosing a successor to Paul Tagliabue. The commissioner will appoint a committee Monday to begin the process.

McKay, a leading candidate, dodged several questions on that subject. Instead, he spent most of his time discussing officiating, as did his committee during meetings the past month in Indianapolis and Naples, Fla.

In the 256 games during the past regular season, there were 850 false-start calls. To cut that number, the committee is ready to recommend that minor flinches by wide receivers be ignored if they have no effect on the play.

The committee also is considering recommending to officials that they make sure there was holding on a play before throwing a flag.

"We want to make sure they actually see the foul," McKay said.

One such play occurred in the Super Bowl. Seattle right tackle Sean Locklear was called for holding on a pass completion early in the fourth quarter that would have put the Seahawks at the Pittsburgh 1-yard line, poised to go in for the tying touchdown. After the penalty, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw an interception and the Steelers eventually scored to take a 14-point lead.

The committee also wants to change the rule on hits by defenders below the knee on quarterbacks. McKay said defensive players will be told they must make an effort to avoid hitting QBs in the legs to avoid serious injuries, like the hit on Cincinnati's Carson Palmer against the Steelers in the playoffs.

Another recommendation expands the rule put in place last year against "horse collar" tackles. That violation mandated flags only when a defensive player coming from behind got his hands inside the shoulder pads of a player with the ball. If it is expanded, it would extend that to tackles inside the shirt. (For those watching at home, that happened when Porter horse-collared Alexander, with NO flag, in superbowl 40)

The committee also is considering an annual proposal from the Kansas City Chiefs to expand the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams. He said there was more interest in it this year, although he stopped short of saying the committee would recommend it.

In addition to McKay, the committee includes coach Jeff Fisher of Tennessee, the co-chairman; general managers Ozzie Newsome of Baltimore; Bill Polian of Indianapolis; and executives John Mara of the New York Giants and Mark Richardson of Carolina. Coach Marvin Lewis of Cincinnati is a nonvoting member.

SOB · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2006, 08:07:28 PM »

Get over it already.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2006, 08:11:12 PM »

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Originally posted by SOB
Get over it already.

I love to, if it was a fair game.

majic · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2006, 08:26:01 PM »

I swear, Seattle fans are the worst anywhere. (Except maybe for Cubs fans.)

SOB · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2006, 08:30:51 PM »

Whiners are whiners no matter what city they reside in.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2006, 08:31:06 PM »

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Originally posted by Ripsnort
I love to, if it was a fair game.

But I dont remember any of the things mentioned in the article being part of the complaints waged after the game.

Hey. If I can get over the Drew Pearson push off. You can get over this;)

Shaky · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2006, 08:44:39 PM »

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Originally posted by Ripsnort
I love to, if it was a fair game.

killnu · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2006, 09:13:06 PM »

still whining up there in the great north west?

Ripsnort · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2006, 09:13:43 PM »

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Originally posted by Shaky

Fortunately, it will be remembered in history as "The SB that the Refs GAVE to the Steelers."

That gives us fans SOME relief...

rpm · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2006, 09:14:05 PM »

Shaky · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2006, 09:18:23 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ripsnort
Fortunately, it will be remembered in history as "The SB that the Refs GAVE to the Steelers." That gives us fans SOME relief...

Funny, after the initial outpouring of whining from SEA, I've heard not much about it

MrBill · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2006, 11:10:46 PM »

Ya know ... the NFL did not apologize to the Seahawks, after the super bowl, for the officiating ... a couple close calls, but one really has to be a bit nutty to say it could not have gone either way, or that it was absolutly a wrong call.

On the other hand the NFL did apologize to the Steelers for the 3 blatantly bad calls in the Colts game.

End results ... good teams find a way to beat the other team, and if need be, the refs also.

Almost good teams nit pick and whine.

Next year when a call goes bad ... suck it up and make the next play ... whining is for losers.

Sandman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2006, 11:29:55 PM »

As long as the NFL has officials that work part time, and insists on hamstringing the use instant replay for review of questionable calls there are going to be mistakes.

Might as well accept it and move on.

Debonair · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2006, 12:31:41 AM »

hey, all of duke cunningham's loot is up for auction today!
i post it in this thread so there is something for the guys from LA (no football team lol pwnd!)

Nefarious · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2006, 07:11:49 AM »

"One such play occurred in the Super Bowl. Seattle right tackle Sean Locklear was called for holding on a pass completion early in the fourth quarter that would have put the Seahawks at the Pittsburgh 1-yard line, poised to go in for the tying touchdown. After the penalty, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw an interception and the Steelers eventually scored to take a 14-point lead."

So when Hasselbeck threw the Interception it was the refs fault? Man that was a great throw right to Deshea Townsend. Reminded me of Kordell Stewart, or Niel O'Donnell....Priceless.