Morning Joe! Instant Replay

by doctork44 on Feb 8, 2012 8:16 AM EST

Good Morning Rumblers,

For today's Joe, I will like to discuss the Instant Replay challenge in the NFL. We all currently know how the Instant Replay challenges work, so I won't bore you with an explanation. However, I want to get your thoughts and opinions on if you feel like the Instant Replay challenge should be altered in any way.

After the jump, I'll add my opinion.

When the Instant Replay challenge was reintroduced to the NFL in 1999, many critics was concerned that stopping the game to review a play will slow the flow of the game, making it less desirable. Not one thought crossed people mind that even with a replay, referees will still get the play wrong. Shall I mention the Music City Miracle? So the NFL inputted certain mandates to insure this wouldn't happen; you only get two challenges, only certain plays could be reviewed, you must use a red flag, etc etc. There was also a rule that said that no review should exceed two minutes. As we all know, that rule never really existed. Which I personally don't mind; as I rather they take more time and get it right, than to rush and get it wrong.

The problem with the Instant Replay challenge has never been the interruption of the game and the time it takes to make a decision, but rather it's been too many instances where the official/head referee got the call wrong even after the played was reviewed. In order for me to continue to support the Instant Replay challenge, a couple things has to change.

1) Let the officials in the booth make the call- On field Referees aren't perfect and they deal with a lot during games. The pressures of making the right call in critical situations, under constant pressure and harasment from fans can cause a referee to make a bad call. Emotions are flying high out there on the field, coaches can say whatever they want to referees, players say what they want, fans say want they want, and the refs just take it. I can't think of one occasion when a coach gets ejected from game or penalize for there comments to a referee. Because of this verbal abuse, refs might be influenced or persuaded to make an incorrect call. They're only human after all. Can you imagine how intimidating it is for a referee to overturn a bad call in Oakland, during a pivotal game. For their safety alone, they might be reluctant to overturn a bad call.

By removing the on field referees from this decision making process, it allows the referees upstairs to make an unbiased decision. They have the technology and other referees at their disposal to make an informed decision.

2) Have a replay expert at these games or available- Mike Pereira of the Fox Network, was the former Vice President of Officiating for the NFL. He was also a game official in the NFL for two seasons as a side judge. Currently he serves as the rules analyst for both college football and the NFL. During Fox telecast football games, the commentators turn to Pereira for rules interpretations and for replay reviews. If a guy like this was available for these referees during game day, there will be far less or maybe zero bad replay calls. It will also bring some accountability to a situation where there isn't any. If a play/call was overturned, and the fans was given a valid explanation on why it was overturned during the game, it will a) immediately address the situation and b) make that one person accountable. This person should be allowed to defend their call and field questions from the media.

I'm curious and anxious to see what you guys think of the current replay system. I'm also curious to see if they are any other changes you will like to see besides the two I mentioned.

Poll

What do you think of the Instant Replay challenge in the NFL?

It should be eliminated

2 votes

Nothing, it's fine the way it is

24 votes

Changes need to be made

13 votes

39 votes | Poll has closed

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Comments

My biggest gripe in all of sports

There is nothing in all of sports that infuriates me more than instant in replay in American football. I absolutely hate it across the board and aside from a scenario where the BIlls move away, it’s increasing influence is the only threat to my continued fandom.

Take a step back from the emotional investment you have in the Bills, the competitive investment you have in your fantasy team, or the financial investment you have in your bets and just flip around the Sunday Ticket menu one week and take it in as a spectator of sports. Aside from the endless commercials, the increased reliance on instant replay keeps you from watching anything but live action for the majority of the time you tune in. It’s to the point that you can’t even react to a play anymore because some minute, obscure aspect of what unfolded will likely be reviewed. How is that fun? The NFL has turned this game into philosophy class where we debate “receivers making a football move” and “tuck rules” and and all sorts of garbage play after play after play- anything but watching actual football plays unfold. The referees have become so reliant on replay that their calls suffer because they can simply take another look if need be. Too many games lack any real flow and a sports that is infinitely exciting by nature has turned into a vehicle to debate rules for three and a half hours. Boring.

I’m fine with a blown call here and there. That’s life and it evens out in the end according to all statistical evidence. I want to watch plays, not debate a 600 page rulebook every other minute. I’d like to see replay abolished, burnt to the ground, and its ashes sent to every corner of the earth so that no memorial for it could ever be created to keep its memory alive.

"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix

by Port Royal on Feb 8, 2012 9:19 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Very well thought out idea

by doctork44 on Feb 8, 2012 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

Rec'd

for this sentence….

It’s to the point that you can’t even react to a play anymore because some minute, obscure aspect of what unfolded will likely be reviewed. How is that fun? The NFL has turned this game into philosophy class where we debate "receivers making a football move" and "tuck rules" and and all sorts of garbage play after play after play- anything but watching actual football plays unfold.

by NHBillzFan on Feb 8, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

Overall, I think it's fine

There are a very few times when the call is wrong even after the challenge that I can think of. Only one or two actually. I’ve always thought the system works really well, though if they did away with on-the-field referring completely, I’d be fine with that. The problem there is that you’d need more camera angles, and we would rely on those angles to pick up on harder-to-call penalties such as holding along the line and offensive pass interference. I think every system is flawed, I just don’t think this system is flawed enough to worry about changing it.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Feb 8, 2012 9:56 AM EST reply actions

yes there are very few

but it seems like its always a major play of the game when it happens.

by doctork44 on Feb 8, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

I am fine with the way the replay system is set up. I do not want the replay decision taken out of the ref on the field.

One change I would make involves the automatic review of all scoring plays. I like this rule, but it should include near-scoring TDs. Outside of 2 minutes or OT, if a player is ruled down inside the one yard line then it should be included in the automatic review.

When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Feb 8, 2012 12:46 PM EST reply actions

college has it right

All plays booth reviewed. Get the call right, move on. I don’t understand why that is so hard. We all see the replay anyway, let the official officiate, and if for some reason they make a mistake, fix it. Not that difficult. For the number of controversies that occur, i don’t know why they don’t have that head of officiating guy(idk his name), just correct mistakes as they occur.

ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 8, 2012 5:37 PM EST reply actions

Mike Piera

I referenced him above.

I agree with you.

by doctork44 on Feb 8, 2012 6:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

i meant the current, i think.

or not. Idk. i know they sometimes ask for somebody’s input, and that i think is good enough in game as well. I think that would be my approach. get the guy in charge, to address the in game issues, or rather, compile a team of guys who can do so, from the booth.

ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 9, 2012 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

I think the officiating in general is more of a concern to me than the aspect of instant replay.

1. Why on God’s green earth are the NFL officials not full-time professionals and paid like it and trained like it? This alone would greatly improve the game. It’s not as if the NFL can’t afford it, when every other league can and does.

2. They need to move the umpire back to where he was. Too many obvious holding calls get missed now.

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!

by thefourwinds on Feb 9, 2012 4:11 PM EST reply actions