NFL Refereeing/Rules Need Improvement

[CanDB]

Do you folks get tired of all the delays in the game? All the reviews? All the ridiculous penalties, especially PI calls? In fact, I am officially tired of WRs whining about interference on pretty much every play!!

The NFL needs to review its time management program. Games on average need to decrease. Sure, good for beer sales and so on, but the flow of the game is lost so often, because refs throw flags like they are on commission, and needless/endless reviews plaque the process.

I would hope the league would take a serious look at the length of games, and break things down to what is causing the most time....and then formulate a plan to speed things up. And most definitely, the rules committee have to let Dbacks play the game without handcuffs. Receivers are getting far too much room, and in fact, get away with a lot of interference themselves. Like TEs the size of Gronk running into Dbacks.

Whatever....had to rant. These games are too long!!

[InsaneBlaze23]

Devils advocate post;
If refs throw less flags people would still complain because hey there was defensive holding on that play that could have saved the game.

Or a touchdown catch was made after the 2min warning...only that touchdown wasn't really a touchdown because the wide out caught it out of bounds. But no review so the team gets a touchdown.

I agree with but also can see the good in the reviews and flags. Really it's a lose lose situation. If you don't review team b will complain, their fans will complain.

If a flag is or isn't thrown, fans complain.

I think what they could do for time management is no longer go to actual commercials except during half time.

Today during the Lions-Vikes game a few times instead of going to a full commercial. They split the screen, the game continued on the left side screen and for like 3secs an ad played on the right side.

Do that permanently. And do full commercials during halftime and 2min warnings.

[CanDB]

Devils advocate post;
If refs throw less flags people would still complain because hey there was defensive holding on that play that could have saved the game.

Or a touchdown catch was made after the 2min warning...only that touchdown wasn't really a touchdown because the wide out caught it out of bounds. But no review so the team gets a touchdown.

I agree with but also can see the good in the reviews and flags. Really it's a lose lose situation. If you don't review team b will complain, their fans will complain.

If a flag is or isn't thrown, fans complain.

I think what they could do for time management is no longer go to actual commercials except during half time.

Today during the Lions-Vikes game a few times instead of going to a full commercial. They split the screen, the game continued on the left side screen and for like 3secs an ad played on the right side.

Do that permanently. And do full commercials during halftime and 2min warnings.

I understand what you are saying, but IB, there are far too many PIs and I could care less if fans thought there was an infraction. Let the boys play. A little contact is only fair, given WRs and QBs have most of the advantages. Have you ever played DB? I can tell you, it is almost impossible not to make contact on many pass plays,.especially longer ones. Let 'em play. And stop whining WRs!!!

And those reviews seem endless at times, when some of them are absolute no brainers. Like today, on the first replay you see a ball hit the ground on an attempted reception. That's about a 10 second decision. Do it!

But yes, anything they can do to speed up the game. Trouble is, anything money related (commercials) is going to be hard to push aside.

[dizzolve]

Do you folks get tired of all the delays in the game? All the reviews? All the ridiculous penalties, especially PI calls? In fact, I am officially tired of WRs whining about interference on pretty much every play!!

The NFL needs to review its time management program. Games on average need to decrease. Sure, good for beer sales and so on, but the flow of the game is lost so often, because refs throw flags like they are on commission, and needless/endless reviews plaque the process.

I would hope the league would take a serious look at the length of games, and break things down to what is causing the most time....and then formulate a plan to speed things up. And most definitely, the rules committee have to let Dbacks play the game without handcuffs. Receivers are getting far too much room, and in fact, get away with a lot of interference themselves. Like TEs the size of Gronk running into Dbacks.

Whatever....had to rant. These games are too long!!

You know, .... it wouldn't be nearly as bad if they actually fixed called ........... but as it stands now - half the replays you see don't fix problems ...... they don't answer questions ..... They could scrap replay and really how much would change. I actually can't support ridding replay though -

I also don't support this 'centralized replay' where the decisions are made in some dark room by people we don't know (fix games much)

All people need to be accountable.

[Lumiere]

You know, .... it wouldn't be nearly as bad if they actually fixed called ........... but as it stands now - half the replays you see don't fix problems ...... they don't answer questions ..... They could scrap replay and really how much would change. I actually can't support ridding replay though -

I also don't support this 'centralized replay' where the decisions are made in some dark room by people we don't know (fix games much)

All people need to be accountable.

And therein lies the billion dollar problem. At the minutest detail, there will almost ALWAYS be some minor infraction on every single play. So, what is called and what isn't? Only the most "obvious" penalty? Who then decides that (and what is the extent of their accountability)? My point being, that someone will have to make a subjective judgement call as to the "obviousness" of the penalty...there will always be error in the application of this. There could be an "obvious" defensive hold that wasn't called, or an offensive PI that was slightly less than obvious that was called.

But, I certainly agree with Can that far too much is flagged. If both sides are able to let their DB's get a little bit physical, then it's at least a reasonably fair rule for both teams. But, on the other hand...offense sells. The league probably wants higher scoring games because the average fan perhaps understands the beauty of defense a little less than the excitement of scoring points. So, penalize the defense to help bump up the score.

They're going to keep tweaking and modifying the game, slowing it down, always adding/changing rules, until the product on the field is unrecognizable. It almost makes me wish that a competing professional league were formed. Just having that competition could go a long way toward wiping that smirk off the NFL's otherwise untouchable face.

[CanDB]

And therein lies the billion dollar problem. At the minutest detail, there will almost ALWAYS be some minor infraction on every single play. So, what is called and what isn't? Only the most "obvious" penalty? Who then decides that (and what is the extent of their accountability)? My point being, that someone will have to make a subjective judgement call as to the "obviousness" of the penalty...there will always be error in the application of this. There could be an "obvious" defensive hold that wasn't called, or an offensive PI that was slightly less than obvious that was called.

But, I certainly agree with Can that far too much is flagged. If both sides are able to let their DB's get a little bit physical, then it's at least a reasonably fair rule for both teams. But, on the other hand...offense sells. The league probably wants higher scoring games because the average fan perhaps understands the beauty of defense a little less than the excitement of scoring points. So, penalize the defense to help bump up the score.

They're going to keep tweaking and modifying the game, slowing it down, always adding/changing rules, until the product on the field is unrecognizable. It almost makes me wish that a competing professional league were formed. Just having that competition could go a long way toward wiping that smirk off the NFL's otherwise untouchable face.

Yes...the game has become a laboratory for over-analysis. The games slow down to the point of ridiculousness. Perhaps that might be one of the causes of so many injuries. There is no flow. Muscles get warmed up and then have to stop....and then start...and on and on. I love teams that have fast Os, keeping the play moving. It is fun to watch and you can not step away, knowing full well you will miss something.

As you mentioned, and as has been stated many years back....a ref could call a penalty on every play. And actually, I believe that was directed to the trenches alone. Every play. But what good refs understand is that, black and white rule application is a cop out. There is a middle ground. It is called common sense. And unless firmly instructed by the league, especially in situations where a new rule needs to be understood, I believe refs should do what is right for the game. Borderline calls that have zero impact should be avoided. When a receiver and defender have some minor contact, avoid calling it. When a player is in the act of tackling and a ball carrier suddenly shifts position, give the defender a flippin break. I could go on.

I have been a ref on occasion, primarily hockey. My objective was to keep the games simple and "flowing". Once players get into a nice rhythm, the game is better and often there are less reasons to call penalties. Sure, if a player or two don't get the value of free flow and less strict rules, send them to the box.

I often joke with my wife about when the Sunday late afternoon games will end....because often she (and sometimes I) watch 60 Minutes. And most of the time the show does not start on time. In fact, often we miss a segment of it, because they do not slot it for the full 60. But she has come to understand that 5 or 10 minutes of game usually equate to about 20-30 minutes, or more. I am not even sure why 60 Minutes tries to start when it does. It never starts on time!!!

So yah, others may disagree, but I firmly believe it would be better for the game if efficiencies were implemented, including less delays, be it reviews or borderline calls. I am quite sure the commercial aspect of it would not have to diminish if games were 10-15 minutes shorter on average. Baseball is like that too, and I am so bored with so many of the games.

Keep it moving! And maybe I am in the dark about the effects on the body, but I have a sense that better flow will equal less injuries/more fans.

[Lumiere]

Yes...the game has become a laboratory for over-analysis. The games slow down to the point of ridiculousness. Perhaps that might be one of the causes of so many injuries. There is no flow. Muscles get warmed up and then have to stop....and then start...and on and on. I love teams that have fast Os, keeping the play moving. It is fun to watch and you can not step away, knowing full well you will miss something.

As you mentioned, and as has been stated many years back....a ref could call a penalty on every play. And actually, I believe that was directed to the trenches alone. Every play. But what good refs understand is that, black and white rule application is a cop out. There is a middle ground. It is called common sense. And unless firmly instructed by the league, especially in situations where a new rule needs to be understood, I believe refs should do what is right for the game. Borderline calls that have zero impact should be avoided. When a receiver and defender have some minor contact, avoid calling it. When a player is in the act of tackling and a ball carrier suddenly shifts position, give the defender a flippin break. I could go on.

I have been a ref on occasion, primarily hockey. My objective was to keep the games simple and "flowing". Once players get into a nice rhythm, the game is better and often there are less reasons to call penalties. Sure, if a player or two don't get the value of free flow and less strict rules, send them to the box.

I often joke with my wife about when the Sunday late afternoon games will end....because often she (and sometimes I) watch 60 Minutes. And most of the time the show does not start on time. In fact, often we miss a segment of it, because they do not slot it for the full 60. But she has come to understand that 5 or 10 minutes of game usually equate to about 20-30 minutes, or more. I am not even sure why 60 Minutes tries to start when it does. It never starts on time!!!

So yah, others may disagree, but I firmly believe it would be better for the game if efficiencies were implemented, including less delays, be it reviews or borderline calls. I am quite sure the commercial aspect of it would not have to diminish if games were 10-15 minutes shorter on average. Baseball is like that too, and I am so bored with so many of the games.

Keep it moving! And maybe I am in the dark about the effects on the body, but I have a sense that better flow will equal less injuries/more fans.

I fully agree with it all…I’d like to see a lot less flags and let the players “play.” Extremely obvious penalties should be flagged, but otherwise, just let them play. It’s sad seeing the NFL roll itself down this slope – it’s going to keep changing, and changing, and changing, until it alienates its core fans, and appeals only to the casual fair-weather observer.

I think the league desperately needs legitimate competition. There’s enough people that love football who are currently disgruntled with the NFL that could form a nice viewership base. If the NFL wants to play politics and throw flags because a CB brushed shoulders with a receiver making an incredible play, then let that be their lot. I’ll watch the other league.

[CanDB]

I fully agree with it all…I’d like to see a lot less flags and let the players “play.” Extremely obvious penalties should be flagged, but otherwise, just let them play. It’s sad seeing the NFL roll itself down this slope – it’s going to keep changing, and changing, and changing, until it alienates its core fans, and appeals only to the casual fair-weather observer.

I think the league desperately needs legitimate competition. There’s enough people that love football who are currently disgruntled with the NFL that could form a nice viewership base. If the NFL wants to play politics and throw flags because a CB brushed shoulders with a receiver making an incredible play, then let that be their lot. I’ll watch the other league.

If there is a new league, I'll offer to take The Commish job for 1/200th of what The NFL guy wants.....and instead of a plane I'll settle for one of these:

[Lumiere]

If there is a new league, I'll offer to take The Commish job for 1/200th of what The NFL guy wants.....and instead of a plane I'll settle for one of these:

Hey there’s our business venture – with D as the commish!

I’ll start a gofundme page.

[CanDB]

Hey there’s our business venture – with D as the commish!

I’ll start a gofundme page.

Great idea!

Dig my new wheels Roger??!!!

[Denver Scores]

These penalties drive me nuts:

*Offensive holding far away from the play that does not affect the number of yards gained.
*Pass interference called on one of two players who made illegal contact or the wrong guy.
*Personal fouls called for unavoidable helmet collisions caused by Newton's laws of motion.
*Contact by a DB beyond five yards that does not affect the WR's ability to catch the pass.

I also think some unsportsmanlike conduct penalties are not obvious to casual observers.

[CanDB]

These penalties drive me nuts:

*Offensive holding far away from the play that does not affect the number of yards gained.
*Pass interference called on one of two players who made illegal contact or the wrong guy.
*Personal fouls called for unavoidable helmet collisions caused by Newton's laws of motion.
*Contact by a DB beyond five yards that does not affect the WR's ability to catch the pass.

I also think some unsportsmanlike conduct penalties are not obvious to casual observers.

Welcome DS! Yah, I have most of the same on my list, especially anything that is incidental and has no bearing on the play. And I stress, PI calls that are minor in nature. It is so hard playing DBack as it is, never mind some petty little contact with a receiver that is going to whine after the play, unless he comes down with the ball. In fact, I would consider penalizing "whining"!!! (But then again....too many calls already.)

And for sure, I like your Newton's laws of motion comment. That's one I mentioned in one of my posts. It is completely unfair to penalize a player who is just doing his job, but has to pay a price because the other player changed their position a split second before contact. Folks have to remember, this game is being played at high speed. Replays and slo mo make most of us sound smart. Get on the field and see how that works for ya!

[bronx_2003]

I think NFL refs are the worst in sports.

The flags are a huge problem and have been for a few years. They should let them play and ONLY throw a flag if its an obvious penalty. They throw a flag if its a 50/50 call and sometimes just throw one for the sake of it, they influence too many games. Even watching the thanksgiving games yesterday they did everything they could to keep Detroit in the game.

[Denver Scores]

I think NFL refs are the worst in sports.

The flags are a huge problem and have been for a few years. They should let them play and ONLY throw a flag if its an obvious penalty. They throw a flag if its a 50/50 call and sometimes just throw one for the sake of it, They influence too many games. Even watching the Thanksgiving games yesterday they did everything they could to keep Detroit in the game.

Part of this is throwing yellow flags to stop the clock. A team calls timeout and yellow laundry comes out of someone's pocket. A coach challenges a play and I see a yellow flag before the red one.

[CanDB]

Part of this is throwing yellow flags to stop the clock. A team calls timeout and yellow laundry comes out of someone's pocket. A coach challenges a play and I see a yellow flag before the red one.

Only because the game is so slow....I would not even mind seeing them take away or limit time outs to 1. The last 2 minutes of games can last forever, with a 2 minute stoppage included. In a sense, it gives a team that is behind a great opportunity to catch up. I mean, you have 4 downs and 4 stoppages in order to sometimes make a FG. Hate to say it, but guys like Brady and Brees and Wilson can get the job done with hardly any time. Again, not trying to change the planet, but cut 15 minutes off each game, and good things might happen.