Refs are ruining sports

[Seattle Slew]

It just gets worse every year in every sport. Why can't these nitwits figure out that "no call" is the safer play to not look like an idiot. The flags that continue each week that are insane are the pass interference penalties when the ball is underthrown, the receiver tries to come back, bumps the defender, and the ref calls interference. The defensive back has just as much a right to the ball as the offensive player. Just because the pass is underthrown, what is the DB supposed to do? Just step out of the way? It's crazy.

The roughing the passer call tonight against Green Bay was bogus, as was the pass interference in the NE-Chicago game, plus the defensive holding a few plays later, that allowed the Bears to scored their only TD of the game.

Go back to the phantom call on Dallas in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, when Wade was put on the line for 2 free throws even though he wasn't touched in the lane in the last seconds. Only cost Dallas an NBA title.

[SBR_John]

Yes, that roughing the passer call tonight was really bad. It certainly helped those that had Sea -10. Terrible call.

[Hulu]

Many people take the umpire into consideration when capping baseball. Is it going to be the same with football too now? We have to check the officiating crew when we cap a game?

[RageWizard]

I would like to cap a NFL game with the refs in mind, but have not found a place that actually knows which refs will be a particular game. If anyone knows this info please share.

[moses millsap]

Many people take the umpire into consideration when capping baseball. Is it going to be the same with football too now? We have to check the officiating crew when we cap a game?

It's not like certain officials have a tendacy to favor home teams or road teams, I think they just act accordingly with the memo they get from above if the game is supposed to be officiated a certain way (re: Sea/Pitt Super Bowl).

With baseball, umpires have specific traits when calling balls and strikes (some give you the corners, some favor the high strikezone, some the low, etc.) and then you can factor that in with the starting pitcher's tendacy or style and work out an angle with those factors.

[ChrisV]

Rate the NFL Referees

[Seattle Slew]

Thanks for the link. Will keep an eye on this site.

Rate the NFL Referees

[jjgold]

That is why you must throw deep in the NFL, the flags will come also pass interference should only be a 15 yard penalty.

[Hulu]

It's not like certain officials have a tendacy to favor home teams or road teams, I think they just act accordingly with the memo they get from above if the game is supposed to be officiated a certain way (re: Sea/Pitt Super Bowl).

With baseball, umpires have specific traits when calling balls and strikes (some give you the corners, some favor the high strikezone, some the low, etc.) and then you can factor that in with the starting pitcher's tendacy or style and work out an angle with those factors.

Agreed, football officials will never play the same role in the game on a day in and day out basis as umpires do. That being said, in leagues where the officiating is notoriously inconsistent (CFL, some NCAA conferences) it can be useful to know who is officiating as an inconsistent crew can add more volatility to the outcome of the game.

I don't know if the officials for a specific game will ever cause me to place a bet but there are some that can cause me to think twice. Jake Ireland & crew in the CFL for example. Easily the worst officials in the league for years now and when you know he is officating it can cause you to back off a game because bad calls on pass interference, roughing the QB and turnovers can really have a major impact on the outcome.

Its a minor factor in capping but a factor nonetheless.

[Dark Horse]

You gotta love NBA refs. They can be influenced so easily. Questionable call on one end + coach protest = makeup call on the other end.

Sometimes these refs even listen to the crowd. David Jones was sending the Clippers to the line at a ridiculous pace. I booed him. Until that point the crowd had been very quiet, but suddenly the whole building chimed in. I grinned at my wife that I had such 'power'. She just laughed, because she thought they would have booed anyway. Be that as it may, from thereon the trips to the FT line for the Clips were few and far between. It may have helped that Jones looked straight at me. I stared him down.


(Needless to say, I was on the under)

[Hulu]

That's a good point Dark Horse. I remember reading about a study of english soccer referees several years ago that found they were influenced by the crowd. I can't remember the exact findings but it was apparent that if the crowd really got on them for a call, they would be statistically more likely to call a marginal call the other way to even things up. Of course an english soccer match is a little different than anything in N America because the official's personal safety must play in the back of his mind.

I did a quick search on google but couldn't find any info on it. Does anyone remember hearing about this?

[pags11]

it would have been nice if the refs called at least a couple of travels on Hansburough sp? in the second half tonight...geez...