12-02-2017, 09:43 AM
There was some remarkably bad work from the referees, including things that didn't seem to be noticed at all. At one point there was I believe a 2nd and long where Costello connected with a tight end over the middle who was tackled falling about on the first down line, maybe a hair short. Instead the side judge marks it a full yard short. I wondered if I just missed something, but they showed the replay and they clearly marked it about yard short of where he went down. I don't think it stopped that drive but it was mind-boggling. Also on the spot when they used the replay booth to see if Scarlett got into the end zone earlier -- he probably got in but you couldn't prove it from the replay. However you could prove that at worst he was on the one inch line not 6 inches further back where they spotted it. Neither of those ended up making a difference, but wtf? And on the lateral call, I think the replay refs have interpreted their mandate to be "if it is close don't overturn" as opposed to the actual rule which is that evidence needs to be conclusive to overturn. That play is an example of a play that was definitely close but the proximity to the yard line allowed conclusive evidence.