Review of calls shows need for replay
Posted: Thursday November 19, 1998 09:56 AM
Pass interference is always a controversial call, and when I asked some
coordinators about it this week, they were visibily disgusted with the
issue.
One coach said, "It just depends on what crew you get. It's like basketball
-- some guys let you play a physical game and others don't."
The first part of the rule officials consider is "did the defender hinder
the progress of the receiver?" - in the Bears-Lions game Sunday, officials
said cornerback Terry
Cousins did in one case, but they didn't feel Walt Harris did on another
questionable play. Was it because Harris got his head around faster than
Cousins?
At any rate, both players were using a technique known as "barring" the
receiver. The defender extends his arm to the opponent's mid-section to
control the receiver's speed and position. This allows the defender to look
back and find the ball.
The second part of the interference rule concerns opponents competing for
position to make a play on the ball. Any contact is supposed to be
incidental. I looked at one play, deemed offensive pass interference by Curtis Conway, a number of
times and just couldn't find it. Conversely, no call was made in another
downfield play when the Colts' Tyrone Poole made contact
with Jets receiver Keyshawn
Johnson. Kind of vague to say the least.
The third part of the rule "prohibits conduct that ... materially affects
the player's opportunity to gain or retain his position to catch the ball."
In one play in Sunday's Falcons-49ers game, both players were called for
interference, a new one on me. And in an unbelievable situation, Cowboys
cornerback Kevin Smith
of Dallas was not called in the end zone as time expired on what could have
been a game-tying touchdown for Arizona's Rob Moore.
The final part of the rule says "incidental contact is when both players
are looking for the ball or not looking for the ball as long as it doesn't
materially affect the route." It's easy to find instances where a
cornerback is looking for the ball, but his hand placement can still,
incidentally, affect a receiver's route. Get the point? It's anyone's
guess.
The way to stop the guessing is for the NFL to bring back instant replay.
But this time, the officials upstairs should be allowed to stop a game
themselves and overrule a horrible pass interference call like the one in
the Arizona-Dallas game. That way, a team like the Cardinals would get the
second chance it deserves.
Pat Kirwan brings 12 years of NFL front office, coaching and scouting
experience to CNNSI.com and offers up regular columns throughout the 1998
season.
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