NFL needs to clean up latest officiating mess
Mike Jones: Dark cloud lingers from non-call in NFC Championship Game
We should be talking about breathtaking conference championship performances and an intriguing Super Bowl matchup. • We should be celebrating the Rams’ meteoric rise from perennial losers to bona fide title contenders. • We should be marveling over a third consecutive Super Bowl berth by Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the Patriots, their ninth since 2001. • But instead, there’s a dark cloud hanging over it all after a botched non-call dented the Saints’ chances in the NFC Championship Game that ultimately became the team’s endpoint for this season.
Instead, Saints fans are wringing their hands in disgust. Instead, the NFL’s faithful yet ever-skeptical fans can speak only of conspiracy theories. They’ve called the league a scam while accusing the league and its officials of fixing games.
The NFL had a chance to continue its year-long resurgence as two of the top four squads prepare to face off in Atlanta two weeks from now. But the latest officiating-related controversy has badly tainted the outlook.
We all saw it: Blatant pass interference. Rams cornerback Nickell RobeyColeman should have drawn a penalty when he decked Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis while trying to defend a fourth-quarter Drew Brees pass. RobeyColeman admitted as much after the game.
But neither side judge Gary Cavaletto nor back judge Todd Prukop, or any other member of official Bill Vinovich’s team, made a call. The Saints didn’t get the first down they should have, as well as the opportunity to run out the clock before a potentially game-winning score. They had to settle for a field goal and ultimately lost 26-23 in overtime.
Let’s be clear: that play didn’t singularly determine the outcome of the game. The Saints had other chances. They blew leads of 10-0 and 20-10, foolishly insisting on passing late in the game rather than milk the clock. They also couldn’t score or stop the Rams in overtime. Los Angeles also made pivotal plays throughout the second half and overtime to secure the victory.
But the non-call will forever loom large as one of the most egregious officiating errors in a conference championship game.
The apology coach Sean Payton said he received from the league office does little good. The Saints are cleaning out their lockers rather than packing for Atlanta.
The NFL has had its share of officiating controversies in this 2018 season, but this is the worst yet. And now the league has a real problem on its hands.
Yes, the officials blew it. But the NFL’s handling of the aftermath was nearly as problematic as the error itself.
The league arranges for a pool reporter to interview the officiating chief about controversial calls. However, when questioned after the game, Vinovich said he hadn’t had a chance to see the play and couldn’t provide clarity. Neither Cavaletto nor Prukop was made available, so we don’t know what either one was thinking on the play.
And because rules prevent coaches from challenging such decisions, the Saints will always wonder: What if ?
The credibility of the NFL again is under attack. If Commissioner Roger Goodell and league brass truly care about the product and the fan base, which they do, they need to make some very crucial yet simple changes to officiating and review procedures.
A person familiar with the deliberations of NFL officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, confirmed to USA TODAY that the competition committee will meet this spring to discuss measures that could help prevent a repeat scenario. That’s good news, even though it doesn’t help New Orleans right now. Changes to the rules are necessary. The competition committee doesn’t need to completely overhaul its replay regulations. But adding the ability to review clearly incorrect pass interference calls that potentially could change the outcome of games is a must.
Imagine if Payton had that option Sunday. A quick use of instant replay would have revealed the error, and order would have been restored. We wouldn’t even be talking about that play right now.
The competition committee had previously hesitated to make an array of officiating calls subject to review partially out of fear of extending the length of games. But everyone from coaches, players and fans will live with that to ensure such teams aren’t cheated out of victories.
The league also needs greater transparency and accountability. The game official who decides the outcome of a play such as Sunday’s missed pass interference should be made available to the pool reporter. Players and coaches field questions about their triumphs and failures. These officials certainly are also capable of doing the same.
It will be interesting to see if any of the officials who missed the call will be fired. But simply dismissing people won’t erase human error.
A willingness to evolve and expand the rules regarding this aspect of the game will go a long way to ensuring the NFL never has such a grave and costly officiating error ever again.
Such changes will help restore the credibility of the game in the eyes of coaches, players and fans.
And that’s something everyone wants.