Rant And Rave All You Want
The play clock was at zero, the ball was snapped at least one second afterwards. The Ravens stayed alive and went on to win, sending them deeper into the playoffs and sending the Titans home. Was this a ‘blown’ call by the officiating crew? Undoubtedly. But, I maintain that all the ranting and raving over the call is useless and uncalled for. If instant replay has done one thing, it has proven how well the NFL refs do their job. I maintain this, but that means nothing either.
The Instant Replay
Copyright 1991
All Rights ReservedIn an average NFL game, 145 plays are run . On any Play, every official is making some form of judgement at least once. At 14 games per week over a 16 game season, 227,360 judgements are made.
In 1988, there were 537 plays reviewed by Replay Officials. Of those, 53 were reversed. Only 9.3% of the reviewed plays were reversed. In the overall picture, the Instant Replay system has played a part in two one-hundredths of a percent (.0002) of the judgements made.
For a group of men who perform on a part time basis (The NFL refuses to make this a full time position), they excel under high pressure.
Ranting and raving is just human nature. Snap emotions are so much of what are we are. A week ago, I could’ve ranted on about losing my job, but I have taken a calmer and more calculated approach. I see this setback as an opportunity, and I am going to prevail. Besides, when the weather breaks, more time for two wheels down and sailing the asphalt seas.
In the meantime, there’s beer to drink and work to be done.
