Pass Interference Now Reviewable By Officials

[Phindog]

This is big, I'm relieved this is passing, It's a big step

Pass interference now reviewable by officials

PHOENIX -- NFL owners have approved a massive philosophical expansion of its replay review system, bowing to pressure from coaches and fans who were outraged by a missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship Game.

For one year only, pass interference -- both offensive and defensive -- will be reviewable, the first penalties and judgment calls ever to be added to the list of approved reviews. Moreover, coaches will be able to challenge non-calls for pass interference. The replay booth, in conjunction with the league's officiating office in New York, will initiate those challenges in the final two minutes of each half.

Meanwhile, owners made two expected votes earlier Tuesday. They made permanent the 2018 changes to the kickoff rule, which had been made on a one-year trial basis. They also voted to eliminate all blindside blocks, not just those to the head or neck area, to increase safety on punts and other plays.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26367953/pass-interference-now-reviewable-officials

 

[13marino13]

It's about time they did something about this. Too many times a bad call has altered the outcome of a game. The "blindside" blocks are getting a little extreme though. Can't block a guy if he's not looking? That won't work!

 

[Phindog]

I don't think they possibly can change the non-flagged Pass interference. It would slow the game down.

Maybe give them one per game for non-called pass interference and keep the standard rules for the rest.

 

[Daytona Fin]

Games are going to last 4 hours. More commercials, more revenue for owners.

 

[Crump]

they really will need to narrow the scope down on the PI. PI is like holding, it happens almost every play its just to what extent

 

[truedolfan57]

They should just add it to the 2 reviews each team gets. and if you get the 2 right, then you get a 3rd.

 

[Phindog]

they really will need to narrow the scope down on the PI. PI is like holding, it happens almost every play its just to what extent

I stand corrected, I read it wrong in my OP, you can challenge Non-flag PI plays which would have corrected the Saints / Rams No-call situation

So the only issue they need to work out is Hail Mary plays where there are like 3 pass interference plays at the same time.

Bengals' Brown explains no vote on revised replay

The owners voted 31-1 to allow offensive and defensive pass interference to be subject to a coach's challenge, even if there was initially no flag thrown on the play. A booth review can be initiated on such plays in the final two minutes of the half.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26376189/bengals-brown-explains-no-vote-revised-replay

 

[royalshank]

Glad it passed but it’s still going to be a cluster. That pass to Cooks in the SB where he almost came down w a TD - was that PI or wasn’t it? NE defense pinned his hand down so he only got one on the ball. Do you let them play or not? More inconsistency coming. Agree w sentiment that we need a more narrow definition of PI.

 

[Keepiru]

terrible rule change

teams shouldn't be able to challenge "non-calls" ... a lot of times in the playoffs the refs adopt a "let them play" attitude, which works for the most part... now coaches get the chance to eff with that... watch for the most ticky-tacky non fouls to get challenged...

 

[phins_4_ever]

The NFL has to go with times. This rule change does not go far enough. The NFL has to implement more technology like the goal line technology or video reviews from the video officials in-game.

20 and 30 years ago they got away with bad calls because TV was analog (lesser quality), had less cameras at the games and less favorable camera angles. Now with HD every mistake and every bad decision is highlighted and becomes obvious.
The worst calls are always when players pile on for a close call for a first down. The refs put the balls arbitrary on a spot. When a game or play is decided by inches and the refs cannot clearly see the ball then technology (which is available) has to help and take that decision away from the refs. The NFL has to walk away from that archaic model they are subscribing to especially since sports betting has exploded over the last 2 decades. It is not fair to the players and coaches, the fans and the gambling community when available technology is not used to assure a fair outcome of the game.