After numerous bad calls and missed calls in games this season, the NFL announced on Wednesday that its competition committee unanimously recommended a "limited adjustment to officiating procedures" for this season's playoffs. Commissioner Roger Goodell approved the recommendations.
The change allows communicaton between officials and league vice president of officiating Dean Blandino, who is at NFL headquarters in New York, in situations not covered by the instant replay rules, to make sure regulations are correctly applied.
The specific language of the change:
For the 2015 Postseason, consultation may occur between the Referee and the VP of Officiating or his designee located in the league's officiating headquarters in New York regarding the correct application of playing rules. In addition to the VP of Officiating's current role in Instant Replay, this consultation will only include the appropriate assessment of penalty yardage, the proper administration of the game clock, the correct down, or any other administrative matter not currently reviewable.
This will not include the ability to call or judge a foul, or otherwise become involved in on-field judgment calls that are not subject to the current instant replay system.
In a statement, competition committee chairman Rich McKay said the group "feels strongly that giving the referee and Dean the ability to consult with each other in certain situations beyond instant replay will further support officiating in the playoffs. The officials do a very difficult job exceedingly well, and we think this adjustment in the playoffs will make them even better.”
Communication can be initiated either by Blandino (or a member of his staff) or the referee; the group in New York will not call or change a foul or become involved in on-field judgment calls beyond those that are already part of the instant replay process.
The idea for the officiating change was mentioned by Goodell at the owners' meetings earlier this month.
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