I know just about everyone is thrilled about "holding the officials accountable", but honestly, if I'm the on-field crew that was suspended I am not at all happy. It is clear that the suspension was the result of the final result and not a specific gross miscarriage of justice. If the player was down before releasing the backward pass -- which it was apparently determined he was -- that is on the replay official. There are dozens of calls made every game that are similar to what they called on the field and are reviewed. That is what the system is for. Video review may have shown that the call should have been reversed, but what can the on-field officials do about it?
The missed block in the back at the Miami 16-yard line to me was a blatant missed call and really the only thing cited that you can blame on the on-field officials. But it happens every day. Are you going to suspend the entire crew every time a single block in the back, illegal use of hands, holding, etc. is missed? What a can of worms that would be. The third mistake that was cited -- the player entering the field before the play was over. That is a tough call to make to decide a game. Yes, he was on the field but he was 10 yards behind the play and had no influence on the play. I would like to see a show of hands by all coaches who think that call should be made to decide a game in a highly emotional and exciting situation like that. There is no way the officials are reprimanded if that is the only thing that happened.
All in all, I am not sure how conferences are going to be consistent in doling out his type of punishment to the game officials.
The missed block in the back at the Miami 16-yard line to me was a blatant missed call and really the only thing cited that you can blame on the on-field officials. But it happens every day. Are you going to suspend the entire crew every time a single block in the back, illegal use of hands, holding, etc. is missed? What a can of worms that would be. The third mistake that was cited -- the player entering the field before the play was over. That is a tough call to make to decide a game. Yes, he was on the field but he was 10 yards behind the play and had no influence on the play. I would like to see a show of hands by all coaches who think that call should be made to decide a game in a highly emotional and exciting situation like that. There is no way the officials are reprimanded if that is the only thing that happened.
All in all, I am not sure how conferences are going to be consistent in doling out his type of punishment to the game officials.
