Penalty watch update

Yes but unfortunately they received the most bogus penalty call of the entire season -- the bogus holding call against Vrabel against the Jets that singlehandedly cost them the game and may cost them a playoff berth. Mike, was this pathetic call ever reviewed by the NFL?

Record #1: fewest penalties
Rocord #2: most fines

Still, it's another piece of evidence that Bill is at the top of the game.

Neutral zone infraction is an inexcusable penalty. That's something you expect from an ill-prepared, ignorant player, neither of which apply to Warren. And no, I won't give him a break on this because he should know better. Still, the low amount of penalties this year is remarkable and refreshing.

Of course it was reviewed, J.P.

But, for starters, the conclusion of a review won't change the score. Take the Cutler fumble against the Chargers for example.

Secondly, look what that game meant to the NJ and Miami fanbases... the NFL will profit off that call because for once, the Pats are not in the lead. There will never be a mention of any review. I bet the network broadcasting the game was fined for showing a replay of the nonpenalty.

JP: The Pass Interference on Hobbs covering Cotchetry was also bogus. There were several others, but in the end you've got to win the game without relying on the officials to do their job. Sucks when bad calls influence the outcome, but that's how it is.

Tom,

You are correct Tom and it is penalties like that -that make me believe that some games are fixed. Everyone wants to move on and ignore this but how can you ignore it. It was a critical time late in the game on a key play in the game and the penalty was completely and utterly bogus. If it was even close I would grudgingly concede the call but this penalty was created out of thin air. Mike, I know you want to look forward but really how do you ignore this one? It may cost the Pats a playoff berth.

Well, I don't believe the games are fixed, and don't believe the refs intend to make bad calls. That's because in every sport I've ever played or watched, you get that feeling sometimes that the refs wanted a certain outcome. Since it isn't exclusive to the NFL, I'm inclined to think its all in our heads. But then, I haven't been impressed with the NFL's greed, or Goodell, and do not trust him to do what's fair.

Anyway, the NFL fines players when they complain about the officiating, regardless of validity (this I do not mind). Announcers often start speaking in a hushed tone when talking about a wrong call. And as a result I strongly suspect that replays of wrong calls are discouraged by the NFL. That does bother me.

Holding, I can handle. A team should be able to overcome a bad holding call (since they are made several times a game). Its the blatantly wrong pass interference calls that I can't stand. They can turn a punt situation into a 1st and goal, and should be challengable.

Tom,

I agree with you on offensive holding. The holding call on Vrabel was defensive and was in the red zone and was on a third down play where the Pats had the Jets stopped and they would have had to go for a FG. Instead they get a 1st and 10 inside the 10 (maybe 5) that leads to a touchdown. A total and complete turnaround of the game situation -- as costly as a bogus PI call.

I can't see a good reason not to make nealy every call reviewable. Mike Pererra argues that they only want to make calls reviewable where you have clear evidence one way or the other.

I say let the ref decide whether there was clear and undisputable evidence, not some pencil pushing jets fan in NY. If the evidence is not undisputable, the challenge fails and the game moves on.

I don't believe the games are fixed. The refs don't make enough money to make it worth it for them. They call it as best they can under difficult circumstances, and it is amazing they don't get it wrong more often than they do. Heck, I'd have ejected half of the steelers just for being so ugly. :)

If every call was reviewable, the two challenges per game would become a very precious commodity. Games would last 20 minutes longer on average because 3 or 4 long stoppages for review would be ordinary. I think that is the problem I would like to avoid, more than what Mike Pererra mentioned. J.P., I get what you are saying, that the call in question virtually handed the Jets four points (they may have failed to get a touchdown with the call, but also could have missed the field goal without the bad call) and thus was pivotal. But overall, I believe holding calls are more accurately made and typically less of a game changer than defensive pass interference. If I were going to change the rules, I would make defensive pass interference challengable, but can't think of anything else that would be worth the complications of the review process. You could make other arguments, though.

I would also move the overtime kickoff forward five yards, to change the field position of the receiving team. Excluding tie games, the flip winner has won the game about 58% of the time with a kick from the 30. Back when kicks were from the 35, it was more like 52%.