Get the call right. That’s what many fans, players and coaches want. With replay technology that can capture virtually anything on the field, NFL officials may now be able to right the wrongs of obvious missed calls. In what would be a major shift in NFL penalties, the league is considering throwing flags after the play.
Previously, flags could only be removed post-play. Now, they could be added. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones shared the news Friday.
“Plays like facemask, unnecessary roughness, roughing the passer, use of helmet and hip-drop tackles could all be subject to flags being thrown after video review. As of now, replay assist can only adjudicate whether a flag already on the field should have been thrown.”
Example: Jaylen Warren runs off the left sideline. A linebacker clearly pulls him down by the facemask, but the refs miss the call. Previously, there was no “undoing” the call to correct it, even with replay assist. If this new proposal passes, a flag could be issued after-the-fact.
Such a move would continue expanding the scope of replay’s role and function. While it might slow the game down, the benefit of fixing an obviously missed call is more compelling. The question is the “line” the league draws at fixing clearly-missed calls versus borderline “misses.” If the latter is included, it could cause more controversy the league aims to avoid when it comes to its officials.
As Jones notes, this does not appear to apply to holding and pass interference. Calls that offer greater degree of subjectivity.
The NFL’s competition committee is likely to discuss the proposal at the NFL Combine. A group Mike Tomlin is no longer a member of after stepping down as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach. Sean Payton and Mike Vrabel were added in Tomlin’s (and Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier) place. If the idea advances, it could be codified at the annual owner’s meetings in late March.