Replacement Refs [merged x2]

[Pappy13]

^^I watched the replay again and the replay I saw is following the flight of the ball and the pass interference happens just as the camera shows the players so I didn't see the shove the first couple times I watched it. After reviewing, I see the shove and now agree that the offensive pass interference would have been the correct call.

[Spider-Dan]

^^ This is WELL after the play had already been ruled a TD and this picture is a bit misleading because Tate's arm is NOT around Jennings neck, his left arm is actually under Jennings arm and his right arm is over Jennings arm, both hands are on the ball at this point, so Jennings body is not between Tate and the ball, his arm and shoulder is, it just doesn't look like that from the picture.

Let's try some different pictures, then:






There is no version of this play where Jennings' torso is not between Tate and the ball.

[Landshark]

They over see the health and welfare of a $30 billion dollar organization. They want an 8% raise which will keep most referees below $100,000 a year and to also keep the retirement benefit given to them in 2003. It should really be a non issue.

Where did you get that quote that Gene Steratore is considered one of the better officials in the NFL??  I think most Lions fans and Dolphins fans would disagree with that statement.  I know Calvin Johnson and Ikama Alama-Francis sure do.

[suck for luck]

Does anyone know if there are *real* refs working the replay reviews? I thought I heard that a while back. If so, what input/abilities would a *real* ref have had last night? That would be perfect if it was a *real* ref that made the final call last night. LOL

[dolphins4life]

Wait one second here:

the rule says that simultaneous possesion belongs to the offense, so maybe the call was correct after all.     

[dolphins4life]

I am flabbergasted that the refs said OPI should have been called on a desperation pass play.  Seriously?

[mecadonzilla]

Does anyone know if there are *real* refs working the replay reviews? I thought I heard that a while back. If so, what input/abilities would a *real* ref have had last night? That would be perfect if it was a *real* ref that made the final call last night. LOL

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding the refs are actually making the reviews on the field...just like the rule has been since they brought replay back.  The replay refs just buzz the refs to review the play in the last 2 minutes of the half and OT, right?

[Brian Fein]

I saw a new angle at lunchtime that made me guess again that maybe the call was right.  There's a more straight on angle where it shows Tate initially DID catch the ball while jumping.

However, shortly after that, while still in the air, Tate's right arm is removed from the ball, while Jennings still has full control and possession.  This is NOT simultaneous catch.

Beyond this, Jennings comes down with the ball against his chest, and its difficult to see where Tate's left arm ends up, but appears to be nowhere near the ball.  Further struggling ensues and eventually Tate has NO hands on the ball and one arm around Jennings's upper torso (pictured earlier).

[Landshark]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding the refs are actually making the reviews on the field...just like the rule has been since they brought replay back.  The replay refs just buzz the refs to review the play in the last 2 minutes of the half and OT, right?

All scoring plays are reviewed now as well

[mecadonzilla]

All scoring plays are reviewed now as well

Turnovers are also. But the reviews are still by the refs on the field, correct?

[Spider-Dan]

There is reportedly a teal-shirted ref that is there specifically to advise the replacement refs on the field about complicated rule issues.

I believe this is one:

[mecadonzilla]

There is reportedly a teal-shirted ref that is there specifically to advise the replacement refs on the field about complicated rule issues.

I believe this is one:

Yeah, they showed up in week 2 for damage control, I believe.

[Thundergod]

[Pappy13]

There is no version of this play where Jennings' torso is not between Tate and the ball.

You can't even see the ball in these pictures until the last one which is well after the play had been called so I'm not quite sure how you can say without question that there is no version of this play where Jennings's torso is not between Tate and the ball. How do you know where the ball is if you can't see it?

[Brian Fein]

Cause I watch videos not look at pictures.  Turn on ESPN, they've been running replays non-stop for 15 hours already.