So, PI is now reviewable

[Ramhusker]

I can think of one tactic that usually goes uncalled that maybe will help us and that’s the WR push off to create space. I remember quite a few of those instances that hurt us in the past.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Posted already, but highlighting it.

https://ramsondemand.com/threads/so-pi-is-now-reviewable.57766/page-3#post-1195488

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https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...l-in-the-super-bowl-that-helped-the-patriots/

NFL admits officials blew a fourth-quarter pass interference call in the Super Bowl that helped the Patriots, per report

If the NFL's new replay rules had existed during the 2018 season, the Patriotsmight not have won Super Bowl LIII over the Rams.

Under the new rule that was approved Tuesday, all pass interference calls -- both offensive and defensive -- are now reviewable. The rule means that coaches are now allowed to challenge interference penalties, even if the penalty went uncalled on the field. The replay booth will also be able to automatically review any potential interference play that happens with under two minutes left in both the first or second half of a game.

Although the blatant pass interference no-call in the NFC Championship Game was a big catalyst for why the new rules were approved, it turns out there were other missed interference calls during the postseason that were almost just as big, and one of those came in Super Bowl LIII.

According to ESPN.com, the NFL competition committee apparently admitted Tuesday that the Patriots should have been flagged for a interference on a huge fourth-quarter play involving Brandin Cooks. The admission came while the committee was discussing the potential ramifications of making interference reviewable.

At the time of the play, the Rams were trailing 10-3 with roughly 4:30 left in the game. On a first-and-10 play from New England's 27-yard line, Jared Gofffired a pass to Cooks, and that's when this happened.


View: https://twitter.com/mikegiardi/status/1110697638318358528?s=21


Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore clearly grabs Cooks' left arm before the ball arrives. If the new replay system had been in place, Rams coach Sean McVay could have challenged the play, and as the committee already stated, he would have won the challenge because of Gilmore's interference.

If the interference had been called, the Rams would have gotten the ball at the 1-yard line with a chance to tie the game. Instead, Goff threw an interception on the Rams' very next offensive play, which effectively iced the 13-3 win for New England.

Although Gilmore's interference didn't turn into the same kind of controversy that we saw in the NFC title game, people definitely did take notice and questioned why a flag wasn't thrown.


View: https://twitter.com/frank_black_iii/status/1092256499496247296?s=21



View: https://twitter.com/tweetheaphearty/status/1092260990379610114?s=21


In just one postseason, that's two games -- the Super Bowl and NFC Championship Game -- that could have potentially had different outcomes under the new rule. The bottom line seems to be that the NFL owners have passed a rule that will likely have a dramatic effect on the league in 2019.

Of course, if the rule doesn't work out as the NFL intended, the league can always scrap it. The replay rule was only approved for a one-year trial period.

 

[Mackeyser]

If there's a pool, I want to pick the first Browns game...

 

[coconut]

It always helps the Patriots. Any rule. Any future rule. Of by and for the Patriots.

 

[Akrasian]

Hopefully the guidance the league gives the officials is to only call interference on replay when it's blatant - i.e. not little bits of inevitable contact, but smashing the guy like NRC did, or grabbing and holding onto the arm like what happened to Cooks. Obviously, there is virtually always some technical interference whenever the receiver and defender are close.

 

[dieterbrock]

I don’t like it, but keep in mind the coaches still only have 2 challenges to use and have to get them both right to get a 3rd. So it’s not like they’ll be calling it on every play

 

[OldSchool]

I don’t like it, but keep in mind the coaches still only have 2 challenges to use and have to get them both right to get a 3rd. So it’s not like they’ll be calling it on every play

No but I have 2 issues with this change. First it doesn't address the main issue in bad officiating. Secondly the last 2 minutes of each half are out of the coaches hands still so what happens with booth challenges on this is going to be a major question mark.

 

[majrleaged]

I think the overall affect of this will be the defining of what constitutes PI. It will also start to limit the hidden from the ref on the sidelines tactics that all of the DBs benefit from.

 

[dieterbrock]

No but I have 2 issues with this change. First it doesn't address the main issue in bad officiating. Secondly the last 2 minutes of each half are out of the coaches hands still so what happens with booth challenges on this is going to be a major question mark.

Well, as it pertains to PI, it isn't "bad" officiating, it's "inconsistent" officiating. PI is like holding. It could be called on most plays. So to an extent they let guys get away with so much, which is aggravating when either called for it, or not getting a call. The true alternative is to call ALL PI which everyone would hate because there'd be a flag on every play.
As for the "Booth challenges" inside 2 minutes, I imagine they will only review PI that is called, to possibly over turn. I don't see them stopping play on a potential missed call.

 

[LesBaker]

It is possible that this rule could make the "grab the arm the ref can't see " move be less likely to be used by the DB

I hope it does because that happens a lot.

 

[majrleaged]

Well, as it pertains to PI, it isn't "bad" officiating, it's "inconsistent" officiating. PI is like holding. It could be called on most plays. So to an extent they let guys get away with so much, which is aggravating when either called for it, or not getting a call. The true alternative is to call ALL PI which everyone would hate because there'd be a flag on every play.
As for the "Booth challenges" inside 2 minutes, I imagine they will only review PI that is called, to possibly over turn. I don't see them stopping play on a potential missed call.

I think they would have to review a non calls too. It is why we have this new rule.

 

[Akrasian]

I think they would have to review a non calls too. It is why we have this new rule.

But inside two minutes they will likely review only the really blatant non-calls.

 

[OldSchool]

But inside two minutes they will likely review only the really blatant non-calls.

That’s giving what is already a group of bad or inconsistent or whatever adjective you want to ascribe to officials a lot of credit. Remember fixing the catch rule and how long it took to get that fix right?

There are a lot of posts on this topic of people giving officials the benefit of the doubt when it’s this same group that led us to this problem.

 

[dieterbrock]

That’s giving what is already a group of bad or inconsistent or whatever adjective you want to ascribe to officials a lot of credit. Remember fixing the catch rule and how long it took to get that fix right?

There are a lot of posts on this topic of people giving officials the benefit of the doubt when it’s this same group that led us to this problem.

I don’t give them the benefit of the doubt. I think the game is too fast and needs technology to catch up. I don’t think the officiating is worse now, I just think that thanks to all the technology, we see the misses more often

 

[majrleaged]

That’s giving what is already a group of bad or inconsistent or whatever adjective you want to ascribe to officials a lot of credit. Remember fixing the catch rule and how long it took to get that fix right?

There are a lot of posts on this topic of people giving officials the benefit of the doubt when it’s this same group that led us to this problem.

You have to start some where. See what happens. Make adjustments to try and make it better. The fact is, DBs and WRs count on the ref not seeing or ignoring blatant PI. They have to be aware now that the camera will see their bull shit and that in itself can clean up the pass play. As far as the refs, they too will be less likely to allow stuf that should be called. I am not giving the benefit of the doubt to anybody. I am hopeful that this starts us to something that will be better. I hate that the Billicheat way of coaching to see what you can get away with instead of following the rules has become the norm. This could make the PI much more consistent. I am all for that.

 

[OldSchool]

You have to start some where. See what happens. Make adjustments to try and make it better. The fact is, DBs and WRs count on the ref not seeing or ignoring blatant PI. They have to be aware now that the camera will see their bull crap and that in itself can clean up the pass play. As far as the refs, they too will be less likely to allow stuf that should be called. I am not giving the benefit of the doubt to anybody. I am hopeful that this starts us to something that will be better. I hate that the Billicheat way of coaching to see what you can get away with instead of following the rules has become the norm. This could make the PI much more consistent. I am all for that.

But again this decision doesn't fix the issue. Would this rule have declared offsetting fouls? There were multiple because there was a hand up under AD's helmet. It's a PR band-aid and nothing more.

 

[FrantikRam]

The real can of worms will be OPI. It's the least enforced penalty in the league - so the NFL will have to define it at some point so that refs can actually call it correctly - I've seen varying degrees of a WR "extending his arm" and pushing off and most of it doesn't get called

 

[majrleaged]

But again this decision doesn't fix the issue. Would this rule have declared offsetting fouls? There were multiple because there was a hand up under AD's helmet. It's a PR band-aid and nothing more.

Look, one change will never fix the officiating problem. Sometimes it can make it worse. But that should not be a deturant from trying. PI has been as inconsistently called as holding, but it is out in front of everybody to see. They need to start to fix it. I just hope, that when it doesn't work out perfectly, they don't just quit trying.

 

[OldSchool]

Look, one change will never fix the officiating problem. Sometimes it can make it worse. But that should not be a deturant from trying. PI has been as inconsistently called as holding, but it is out in front of everybody to see. They need to start to fix it. I just hope, that when it doesn't work out perfectly, they don't just quit trying.

But that is my whole point which seems to be ignored. This does nothing to fix bad and non calls on PI. It also doesn’t address all the other bad or missed calls, again it’s just a PR band aid brought on by one whiny franchise and fan base which ironically wouldn’t have hosted the nfccg if this rule was in place last year. I get it we all want this to work and want to think teams won’t abuse this change, but reality is usually much different.

 

[majrleaged]

The real can of worms will be OPI. It's the least enforced penalty in the league - so the NFL will have to define it at some point so that refs can actually call it correctly - I've seen varying degrees of a WR "extending his arm" and pushing off and most of it doesn't get called

Well, like all replay it will have an affect on the rule it is intended for and the bad or non calls for that infraction. Because PI is now reviewable, it will have to be more clearly defined. A good thing. Because it is reviewable, the players will have to adjust knowing the things they do will now be seen and be overturned. A good thing. I don't care why it is happening. The refs can't see everything and will never always make the correct choices. So this will help that. As far as exploiting this, as a coach, I would be a lot less likely to blow a challenge on uncertainty and hang on to one for the strong likelyhood I was going to get jobbed on a PI call.