FanHouse Zebra Report

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

Did anyone else think it took entirely too long for that Monday night game between the Saints and Falcons to conclude? Obviously, a game will be extended toward the end when a team is desperately trying to get back into it, as the Falcons were. But this was different. There were five challenges in the fourth quarter alone, and, in my opinion, they all took far too long.

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

Of all the complaints about officiating, I think the most maddening is how people who hate the Pittsburgh Steelers -- so, a really, really large contingent -- like to label them the "Stealers" and proclaim they always get the calls. This past weekend was a great example, as the Steelers took down the Vikings fair-and-square, but some people just can't seem to grasp the concept.

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

I'll agree with the defenders of Dante Wesley on one front, but just one: he hasn't made a career out of being a dirty player. Sunday, though, he was. What Wesley did, whether intentional or not, was one of the most egregious things I've ever seen done on a football field. Honestly, I didn't even think I'd have to cover it for Zebra Report, but I've seen so many absolutely appalling arguments in defense of Wesley on comment boards across the internet, that I feel I have to. It's simply mind-boggling (and, as a football fan, a bit embarrassing) that some people seriously think his hit was, or should have been, legal.

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

One week later and we know now that the league is mandating the roughing the passer calls we discussed last week. This past week, we also learned that the league admitted error on the Mike Sims-Walker touchdown we discussed, which should help to relieve some of the tension fans are carrying about a perceived lack of accountability. I was pleased to see the league's admission. Let's get to the reviews for this week.

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

The title, in addition to being lifted from a stellar movie, does not refer to the officials or the players. In fact, the "suspects" in this case are actually abstract. Two separate issues have continually come to the forefront in the discussion of rules this NFL season. We're talking about roughing the passer (specially this darn "Brady rule") and when a catch is completed (fully possessed). Neither issue will go away, and I'm guessing this is going to be a recurring theme. We'll also talk pass interference and an interesting rule on punts, in case you are tired of the usual suspects.

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

For the second straight week, the Houston Texans' offense was involved in a controversial call on a would-be touchdown. In Week 2, many thought they were the beneficiary of a bad call. In Week 3, the proverbial shoe was on the other foot. Let's get right to it.

If you don't read NFL FanHouse, you don't know me (and that's OK). I'll spare you the introduction, other than to say you can click on this link to see who I am and what I do with this particular series (The Zebra Report). The reason I'm jumping into College Football FanHouse is to examine a controversial play from Saturday afternoon involving my alma mater, Indiana. As the Hoosiers got the ball back following Tate Forcier's late touchdown pass, Indiana needed a field goal to tie or a touchdown to win -- and they had just over two minutes to do so. On the first play from scrimmage, though, Ben Chappell threw an interception to Donovan Warren. Or did he?

You can watch the play in question by clicking on this link and watching closely at the 1:39 mark.

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

Due to the madness surrounding the Raiders' non-touchdown last week, we didn't have enough space to discuss what appeared to be a pretty egregious roughing the passer call in the Patriots-Bills game. You might recall Vince Wilfork seemingly brush into Trent Edwards and get flagged under the stipulation of the rule dubbed "the Tom Brady Rule." The rule was actually already in place, but it was strengthened and made a point of emphasis after the Patriots lost Brady for the 2008 season on a play that violates this rule.

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

A broadcaster's job is to provide commentary along with the game. Thus, many fans are far too trusting when it comes to the application of the rules. Sure, many people think they are smarter than the announcers in some instances, but, for the most part, we've had certain things ingrained in our heads for so long -- "half can't end on a defensive penalty," for example -- we start to believe it. Then, when we see otherwise, we automatically assume the officials -- the ones actually paid to know the rules -- are the idiots.

Well, hello. It's good to see all you regulars again (though, if I could actually see you, I'm not sure I'd say it was a good thing). Regardless, we're back for another season of The Zebra Report. For those new to TZR, here's a quick refresher to get you up to speed. I'm in my 10th season as a high school back judge, on a fairly highly-rated crew. I also know the NFL officials are exponentially better at officiating football than me, and this apparently puts me in the minority when it comes to football fans. I run across so many fans who think they are better than the guys on the field. This is why I created this feature. If you are new and want to get an idea of how I did things last year, click here to view the Super Bowl Zebra Report.

Things are going to be different this year, though.