The Green Bay Packers did a fine job of losing on their own Sunday, but good grief. Somehow, officiating only gets worse... and worse... and worse in this league. Not that anything will change.
Not to mention the uncalled head hunting by Branch on Kraft's early reception.
What's called versus uncalled makes no sense. Too much speed to the game for part-time officials. Agree that gambling money has impact. NFL should not be in bed with gambling, period.
Nailed it with the summary of the NFL. They know most will move on and forget in a few days. Though increasingly am seeing more say their desire for the product is waning because of how they've cheapened the game.
Have tried to defend officials for years. I believe they are better than they used to be and the scrutiny from super slo-mo and HD replays makes it look worse (watch games from the 80s and some of the calls; THAT was bad officiating). I do think a big part of the problem is they've been over-coached. They've been instructed to make roughing the passer a parody of a call, and the inconsistency on pass interference the league needs to get a grip on, preferably in a manner like you suggest of being more hands-off.
That aside, that crew for GB/Detroit yesterday was terrible. Killens should be suspended; the least you should be able to expect from an official is a level head, and obviously he made that PF call on Wyatt out of anger for getting kicked in the gut. And the poor explanations from Moore to the pool reporter made him sound unqualified for being a head referee. There have to be better officials out there than them.
And indeed, ultimately the Packers had more than enough chances to win that game even with the bad calls. Kicker needs to make chip shots, and the offense between dropped passes and too many ill-advised deep shots didn't take near enough advantage of Detroit's not-very-good defense. That game was more than winnable no matter how many bad calls went against GB.
NFL has to transition to what the UFL, and which ever of the college conferences that does it, and go full transparency with a visible, in depth, review of any questionable play. Slow down the game, you say? Perhaps initially, but as refs adjust, less incorrect calls should be made. As for clamping down on a typically uncalled penalty, grow a pair and call intentional grounding and don't fall back on the lame 'receiver in the area' when the receiver is 10 yards away, or it's 6 feet over his head.
Thanks...I agree gambling money should be deleted from the NFL supporting it via ESPN and several other betting media, etc., et al — but there's no conspiracy theory evidence. Sorry.....(Note: Even the amazing, excellent Andrew Brandt's podcast is sponsored by DraftKings....Go figure (the hypocrisy)....)
Not to mention the uncalled head hunting by Branch on Kraft's early reception.
What's called versus uncalled makes no sense. Too much speed to the game for part-time officials. Agree that gambling money has impact. NFL should not be in bed with gambling, period.
We’re probably 3-4 seasons away from a major gambling scandal in one of the major sports.
NBA and MLB have had hints of them, but it’s going to get so much worse before the leagues appreciate the Faustian bargain.
With the NFL leaning into gambling they've got to get this cleaned up. Time for robot/AI refs.
So much good stuff in this one Tyler, well done.
Nailed it with the summary of the NFL. They know most will move on and forget in a few days. Though increasingly am seeing more say their desire for the product is waning because of how they've cheapened the game.
Have tried to defend officials for years. I believe they are better than they used to be and the scrutiny from super slo-mo and HD replays makes it look worse (watch games from the 80s and some of the calls; THAT was bad officiating). I do think a big part of the problem is they've been over-coached. They've been instructed to make roughing the passer a parody of a call, and the inconsistency on pass interference the league needs to get a grip on, preferably in a manner like you suggest of being more hands-off.
That aside, that crew for GB/Detroit yesterday was terrible. Killens should be suspended; the least you should be able to expect from an official is a level head, and obviously he made that PF call on Wyatt out of anger for getting kicked in the gut. And the poor explanations from Moore to the pool reporter made him sound unqualified for being a head referee. There have to be better officials out there than them.
And indeed, ultimately the Packers had more than enough chances to win that game even with the bad calls. Kicker needs to make chip shots, and the offense between dropped passes and too many ill-advised deep shots didn't take near enough advantage of Detroit's not-very-good defense. That game was more than winnable no matter how many bad calls went against GB.
NFL has to transition to what the UFL, and which ever of the college conferences that does it, and go full transparency with a visible, in depth, review of any questionable play. Slow down the game, you say? Perhaps initially, but as refs adjust, less incorrect calls should be made. As for clamping down on a typically uncalled penalty, grow a pair and call intentional grounding and don't fall back on the lame 'receiver in the area' when the receiver is 10 yards away, or it's 6 feet over his head.
Right on Tyler! If I’m a Packers player I’m embracing some conspiracy theory
Thanks...I agree gambling money should be deleted from the NFL supporting it via ESPN and several other betting media, etc., et al — but there's no conspiracy theory evidence. Sorry.....(Note: Even the amazing, excellent Andrew Brandt's podcast is sponsored by DraftKings....Go figure (the hypocrisy)....)
This has gone too far to be happenstance - money, gambling money, is involved.