Archive: Refs
A Giant Miss
The ruling did not directly affect the outcome, but it provided yet another opportunity for football fans to criticize poor officiating and to wonder if replay really does make a difference.
By Gene Wang | November 2, 2009; 12:20 AM ET | Comments (2)
Officials Fumble This One
Most of the time an apparent missed call doesn't affect the outcome of a game directly. That wasn't the case in Sunday's Saints-Dolphins thriller at Land Shark Stadium.
By Gene Wang | October 26, 2009; 05:31 AM ET | Comments (0)
One Game Suspension Enough?
What made the play indefensible was that Smith called for a fair catch, and yet Wesley still found it necessary to leave his feet and lead with his shoulder into Smith's head and neck.
By Gene Wang | October 19, 2009; 08:38 AM ET | Comments (5)
Bad Bounce, Right Call
If you don't believe bad teams tend to suffer the most from bad breaks, just look at what happened to the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
By Gene Wang | October 11, 2009; 09:37 PM ET | Comments (4)
Tom Brady's "Superstar Treatment"
Roughing the passer is among the most hotly debated calls in the NFL. Defensive players will tell you the quarterback gets too much protection, and quarterbacks say they don't get enough.
By Gene Wang | October 5, 2009; 09:59 AM ET | Comments (3)
Not Grasping Missed Facemask Calls
How many times have you seen a player's helmet get tugged and turned, only to cringe when you watch the replay in slow motion. It's amazing there aren't more neck injuries.
By Gene Wang | September 28, 2009; 08:51 AM ET | Comments (0)
No Call? No Way
To the dismay of Redskins fans, there was no flag, but by all accounts there should have been, if not for interference then at least for illegal contact or holding.
By Gene Wang | September 21, 2009; 02:38 AM ET | Comments (8)
Officials Stay Cool Even When Players Don't
Even though both players lost their composure, officials kept theirs, and they are to be commended for it.
By Gene Wang | September 14, 2009; 12:54 PM ET | Comments (0)
Super Bowl Blunders
Super Bowl XLIII was memorable not only for its riveting fourth quarter but also for a handful of critical officiating errors.
By Gene Wang | February 2, 2009; 08:34 AM ET | Comments (19)
Bad Calls All Around
Officiating is supposed to get better as the games become more meaningful. That was hardly the case championship weekend.
By Gene Wang | January 19, 2009; 06:42 AM ET | Comments (17)
Getting It Wrong, Playoff Edition
Despite the playoff atmostphere, officials blow two calls this weekend, one which changes the game's final score.
By Gene Wang | January 12, 2009; 08:46 AM ET | Comments (3)
Redemption for Hochuli
Turns out Ed Hochuli and his crew, despite that memorable gaffe, were rated the league's best during the regular season. But should they be allowed to officiate the playoffs?
By Gene Wang | January 4, 2009; 10:48 PM ET | Comments (9)
Right Call at the Goal Line
With all the poor officiating this season, it was a relief to see the right call at the end of Washington's 10-3 victory over Philadelphia yesterday.
By Gene Wang | December 22, 2008; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (1)
