Latest rumor is that NFL will go with one-man officiating crew to spot ball

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Latest rumor is that NFL will go with one-man officiating crew to spot ball and do everything else from the booth http://wp.me/p14QSB-4DkL



Rumors fly that league may go with one-man officiating crews
Posted by Mike Florio on August 20, 2012, 2:22 PM EDT
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The good news is that the replacement officials could soon be getting fired. The bad news is that the locked-out officials may stay locked out.

The in-between news is that the NFL may use only one official on the field to spot the ball and walk off penalties, with the rest of the officiating being performed in the booth by league employees watching TV monitors.

That’s the current rumor making the rounds on the league’s grapevine.

It’s just a rumor. But don’t expect anyone from the league to admit that there may be any truth to it. After all, the league office has been telling owners and coaches what they can and can’t say about the situation. Surely, no one will say that the NFL is considering such drastic action until the NFL decides to do it.

Given the performance of the replacement officials, it makes plenty of sense to consider drastic action.

From our perspective, we’ve got no problem with it. Technology has advanced to the point where the game can be called from a place other than the field.

Heck, if it works I’d be in favor of firing all officials and using the eye-in-the-sky system permanently.

See, I really don’t care who “wins” or “loses” this labor battle between the NFL and highly-paid part-time employees. I care, however, about the game. And the current situation compromises the game.

If the solution to the current situation can help the league get every call right, then maybe it’s time to get rid of every official except the guy who’d be acting like a glorified ball boy.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by frazod

Yeah, a dozen HD cameras sucks compared to guys on the field whose view of the play is obstructed by a bunch of 300 pound linemen.



They should have done this YEARS AGO.

They can't get challenges right after more than a minute to look at them. You think they'll be getting all the penalties right after a second or two?

[Brock]

Sounds like a perfect way to control outcomes of games.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by Brock

Sounds like a perfect way to control outcomes of games.

It makes a person wonder, doesn't it?

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Just Not Gettin' It

They can't get challenges right after more than a minute to look at them. You think they'll be getting all the penalties right after a second or two?

I assume the guys in the booth won't have to view one feed at a time like the official using the replay machine. Who was obviously requesting feeds, one at a time, from people in the booth who were viewing multiple feeds.

The TV guys can do it nearly instantly. Do you have any reason to doubt that booth officials don't have access to the same technology?

[mikey23545]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

That's going to work really well when a few of these guys decide it's time to get in a shoving match after the whistle.

That's why the one official will be armed.

[Demonpenz]

My favorite is when they take 15 minutes come out and still get the call wrong.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by frazod

I assume the guys in the booth won't have to view one feed at a time like the official using the replay machine. Who was obviously requesting feeds, one at a time, from people in the booth who were viewing multiple feeds.

The TV guys can do it nearly instantly. Do you have any reason to doubt that booth officials don't have access to the same technology?

I have reason to doubt that booth officials can find their asses with their own two hands.

This seems like a moot point, though, given the latest:

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the NFL will not be using one-man officiating crews in lieu of full crews of replacement officials.

“There has been no discussion or consideration of that whatsoever,” Aiello said by email.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...een-discussed/

[Bwana]

Not going to happen.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Just Not Gettin' It

I have reason to doubt that booth officials can find their asses with their own two hands.

This seems like a moot point, though, given the latest:



http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...een-discussed/

Figured it was too good to be true. ****ing morons.

We have people with instance access to numerous large monitors showing every play in crystal clarity from every angle. But rather than make the final decision up here and relay it to the field, we'll send feed down, one monitor at a time, to a guy standing in the elements getting screamed at by thousands of people, watching through a glorified Viewmaster.

Yeah, that's just ****ing brilliant.

[Sofa King]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Sorry but these football players would kick your ass, anyway aren't you drawing social security ?

You obviously don't realize that I'm late 80's early 90's Hulk Hogan.

[Psyko Tek]

Originally Posted by allen_kcCard

I want to see the fancy yellow flag launching system. Mayme smartbomb technology to place a flag launched from the top of the media booth to where a penalty occurs?

the t shirt cannon will be fired from the upper decks
brilliant

[Black Bob]

The players would get away with murder. In a time when the commissioner preaches nothing but safety, this makes no sense what so ever.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

no way they'd ever have cameras in the right positions to see everything an official sees on the field.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by The Macho Man

Terrible idea. You can't possibly see everything going on down there from a freaking booth. And it would probably slow the game down too.

Not sure if serious. You do realize they have cameras on the field right? They aren't looking out of a window...

[philfree]

How are they going to call "unabated to the QB" before the QB gets killed?