Goodell: Pass interference reviews are working as expected
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. >> NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the new video review rule for pass interference is working as expected, with only obvious mistakes by officials being corrected.
Through Week 6, the league has had 44 reviews related to pass interference, and the on-field ruling was reversed seven times.
“I think coaches understood replay was not going to correct every pass interference close call,” Goodell said Wednesday at the close of the two-day owners’ meetings. “It’s not possible to make it perfect, and we’re not re-officiating these plays. The thought process was to correct the obvious and clear error. I think it’s settling out where we expected.”
The new rule approved as a oneyear experiment allows pass interference calls or non-calls to be challenged by coaches and reviewed via replay. But complaints by coaches, players and fans about pass interference persist, with some arguing more calls should be reversed.
Officiating has been a hot topic this season, with controversy about pass interference, the rate of holding penalties and, most recently, a critical call in Monday’s LionsPackers game that the league admitted was wrong.
The erroneous hands-to-the-face flag tainted Green Bay’s 23-22 win. But Goodell said such controversy is part of any sport.
“You never want to see a game where people are talking about officials afterward,” Goodell said. “It was a great game played by two great teams surprising people about the way they’re playing. And it’s tough. We have to continue to do everything to improve.”
Vrabel: Titans switch to Tannehill looking for spark
NASHVILLE, TENN. >> The Tennessee Titans want to jump-start an offense that has just one touchdown over the past 10 quarters, so they’re turning to veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill and benching Marcus Mariota. At least for Sunday.
“We’re trying to get a little spark, trying to evaluate what we’re doing and how we’re functioning as an offense,” coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday.
Tannehill, the eight-year veteran with 88 career starts for Miami, will make his first Tennessee start against the Chargers (2-4).
Steelers’ Rudolph to return
PITTSBURGH >> Looks like “Duck Season” will last just a week for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that Mason Rudolph will return to the starting lineup after being cleared by an independent neurological consultant following a concussion he sustained against Baltimore on Oct. 6.
Rookie Devlin “Duck” Hodges filled in nicely for Rudolph during a 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week, but Tomlin didn’t hesitate when asked if Rudolph will play given the OK to return.
“(Rudolph) is our quarterback when he clears the protocol and it’s as simple as that,” Tomlin said. “Appreciate the efforts of ‘Duck’ and so forth, but as soon as (Rudolph) is ready to go, he’s ready to go.”
Giants’ Barkley full-go
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. >> The wait for Saquon Barkley may finally be over for the New York Giants.
The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was a full-go at practice Wednesday, increasing the likelihood he will play against Arizona (2-3-1) this weekend. It will be the first time the running back has played since sustaining a high sprain to his right ankle on Sept. 22 against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Coach Pat Shurmur said the team would watch Barkley in practice the rest of the week before determining whether he will play.
Bears hope to have Trubisky back
LAKE FOREST, ILL. >> The Chicago Bears are cautiously optimistic quarterback Mitchell Trubisky will return this week from a left shoulder injury.
Trubisky said he feels “close” to 100 percent and hopes to start when the Bears host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
“We’ve done a good job with this rehab plan of getting on the same page and just communicating, and hopefully once I show everyone that I’m good to go in practice this week, they’ll let me roll and not look back,” he said Wednesday.
Trubisky said he would have to wear a shoulder harness for the team to let him play. If he is unable to convince the trainers and coaches he is ready, veteran Chase Daniel will make his second straight start.